Tag: Jesus

When Tragedies become blessings

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

                Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth.  And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”  Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.  I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is still day; the night is coming when no one can work.  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”  When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the blind man’s eyes with the clay.  And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent).  So he went and washed, and came back seeing (John 9: 1–7.) 

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

                In the first century it was commonly believed that all deformity and dysfunction was the result of sin.  Therefore the disciples inquired whose sin had caused the man’s blindness.  Jesus revealed that the man’s deformity came not by sin, but by the will of God.  In healing the man, God was honored and glorified.  Often the things that appear tragic are designed to bring God the greatest glory.  Tragedy and adversity are not always punishments; in fact, frequently they are the greatest blessings we will ever know.

                In 2003 a 13 year old Christian girl named Bethany Hamilton was surfing when a 14 foot tiger shark attacked her.  The shark severed her left arm just below the shoulder.  She nearly bled to death before being rushed to the hospital.  Bethany had been one of the top competitive junior surfers in the world prior to her injury.  Despite her strong faith, she questioned why God would allow her to endure such a tragedy.  She was determined to surf again competitively.  Trusting in God, Bethany entered the water and began training nearly 3 weeks after her accident.  She started with a long board (making it easier to paddle.)  She then moved to a smaller board, and then to a smaller board; until finally, she was once again surfing on a short board.  Because Bethany refused to quit she has gone on to place in and win many of the world’s top female surf competitions.  Her experience has become world famous; she has received thousands of letters and numerous awards; she has appeared on ‘20/20, Good Morning America, and the Oprah Winfrey Show,’ to name a few.  She eventually published a book chronicling her struggle and victory (her story has recently been made in to a major motion picture entitled “Soul Surfer.”)  Throughout her ordeal, Bethany has remained an outspoken Christian.  She thanks Jesus Christ for her strength, her courage, and her triumph.  Was losing her arm God’s will?  Yes.  What appeared to be a tragedy, has become the greatest blessing she has ever known.  With two arms she would have likely won some surf competitions (she might have even made it on to the cover of a surf magazine.)  Yet with God in her heart and one missing arm, she has been able to reach the whole world.  She is a symbol of faith and a living example of God’s ability to take the broken and make them whole again.

                Is there anything in your life that you struggle with; something that seems tragic; a source of shame or pain?  Take another look; you may find a wonderful victory hidden within a great calamity.  Seek the Lord, and He will strengthen you and lift you up.  Lean on God, and let Him use you; He will take your weaknesses and make them your strengths.  When He transforms your life, remember to give Him the credit He deserves.  Utilize God’s power and have faith; never give up; face your fears; and many will see ‘the glory of God,’ revealed in you.

                “Lord Heavenly Father, we ask that You turn our weaknesses in to our strengths.  May Your enduring power and wisdom give us victory over the obstacles we face.  Heal us Father, and fill us with Your courage, that by faith, we may overcome our fears and shortcomings; through the power of Your Holy Spirit may we all be able to say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things in Jesus Christ’s name.  Amen.”  God bless all of you.

Eradicating Doubt

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

            And he left them, and getting in to a boat again (with his disciples), departed to the other side.  Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat.  Then he charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”  And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have no bread.”  But Jesus being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread?  Do you not yet perceive nor understand?  Is your heart still hardened?  Having eyes, do you not see?  And having ears, do you not hear?  And do you not remember?  When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?”  They said to Him, “Twelve.”  “Also when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?”  And they said, “Seven.”  So he said to them, “How is it you do not understand?” (Mark 8: 13 – 21.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

            Shortly after feeding four thousand people with seven loaves of bread, Jesus warned his disciples to beware of doubtful thoughts.  Despite having just witnessed God’s heavenly provision, the disciples began to fear that they had not brought enough food for their journey.  The Lord addressed their uncertainties by reminding them of his previous miracles.  On two separate occasions he had fed thousands with scarcely enough food to feed a small family.  If doubts arise within our hearts and minds, they can quickly be eradicated by recalling the many miracles God has performed for us in the past.

            In church I once heard a man give his personal testimony.  As a youth he had been hopelessly addicted to drugs and his life was unmanageable.  Eventually he received Jesus Christ as his Lord and savior.  He began reading the bible and his life proceeded to change.  However, he had not yet given up his old friends.  One day he was gathered together with them in a house while they engaged in drug use; as he sat on the couch he opened his bible and began to read.  Suddenly a group of heavily armed drug enforcement agents broke through the door and began arresting everyone.  The man was so frightened he could barely move.  He thought, ‘If I just sit here and read my bible, nothing will happen to me.’  He heard lamps falling and people yelling as they were being dragged to the ground and arrested.  As the commotion swirled around him he never took his eyes off of God’s word.  After a short time he heard the front door slam and the house was completely silent.  Looking up he realized he was all alone.  No one had tackled him; no one had arrested him; no one had even questioned him.  Sometime afterward, God told him that He had blinded the eyes of the officers so that they couldn’t see him.  This man has undoubtedly recalled this miracle on many occasions to dispel doubts and to inspire his faith.

            Even the most faithful believers can occasionally experience doubtful thoughts.  If and when doubts arise, the natural remedy is remembrance.  How often has God healed our bodies; how often has He provided for our needs and protected us from trouble?  Our faith is preserved in times of trouble by remembering the wonderful miracles God has already performed in our lives.

            “Lord Heavenly Father, increase our faithfulness.  In moments of weakness may we be reminded of the many miracles You have already performed.  Through remembrance may our doubts be destroyed and our fears be put to death.  Fill our hearts with love, and peace, and truth, that we may continually trust in You and Your Son.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things in Jesus Christ’s name.  Amen.”  God bless all of you.

Fellowship

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

            “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.  For wherever two or three are gathered together in my name, there I will be in the midst of them” (Mathew 18: 19 – 20.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

            When two or more gather together in the name of Jesus Christ a powerful bond is formed between the creator and His creations; a bond that allows mankind to more fully commune with the living God.  Genuine Christianity can never be practiced in complete solitude.  Rather, the greatest expressions of faith can only be realized when believers gather together to love God and to love one another.  Without regular fellowship, it is nearly impossible to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ.

            A portion of my week is devoted to answering the prayer lines at my local church (a ministry I have been involved in for years.)  Although there are many faithful callers, there are many more who are unhappy, unsatisfied, disturbed, or emotionally unstable; some of whom are stuck in addictions and are in bondage to various sins.  I often ask them, “Where are you fellow-shipping?”  Some common responses are, “I used to fellowship at such and such a place but I don’t anymore;” or “I no longer fellowship because everywhere I go people turn against me;” and finally, “I don’t need to fellowship because I have my own relationship with God.”  I often remind them that faith is meant to be shared, and that no one can practice Christianity unless they are regularly fellow-shipping with others believers.  Some callers get upset and become hostile.  Others wisely consider making the necessary adjustments and their lives are changed for the better.

            Weekly, if not daily fellowship is an expression of genuine faith.  Those who desire to grow closer to God must also grow closer to their brothers and sisters in Christ.  We can remain in communication with other believers through social media, phone calls, and text messages.  We can pray for and encourage one another.  We can frequent weekly services and take communion.  We can attend small group bible studies and other church functions.  By loving our fellow Christians we will know the fullness of God’s love; as we draw near to Him and to others, our minds will know peace, and our hearts will be filled with joy.

            “Lord Heavenly Father we strongly desire to fellowship with other believers.  As we draw nearer to one another may we draw nearer to You.  Provide us with opportunities to commune with the other members of Your body; may our actions always be loving and may we never fail to encourage our eternal brothers and sisters.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things in Jesus Christ’s name.  Amen.”  God bless all of you.