Tag: the words of Jesus Christ

Staying Focused on Jesus

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

    [As Christ walked with Peter along the beach, he said] “Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”  This he spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God […] Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on his breast at the supper, and had said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?”  Peter, seeing him asked Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”  Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?  You follow me?” (John 21: 18 – 22.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

     Shortly after His resurrection, Jesus appeared to his Disciples on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.  He ate with them; He fellow-shipped with them; and He encouraged them.  He also privately took Peter on a walk along the beach. The apostle John followed them at a close distance.  The Lord told Peter that one day he would be crucified for his faith.  Peter then inquired about the Apostle John’s fate.  Jesus gently rebuked him; such matters were not his concern.  Jesus reminded Peter to remain completely focused on following his Lord and Savior.  During their brief conversation, Peter had made a very common error; a mistake that is still prevalent within the church today.  Many incorrectly focus their attentions on other believers; or on their circumstances; or even on themselves.  However, Jesus Christ alone requires our complete and undivided attentions.

     How important is it to remain focused on Jesus Christ?  On another occasion, prior to the crucifixion, the disciples were rowing across the Sea of Galilee when they saw Jesus walking toward them on the water.  Peter, being filled with faith, yelled “Lord if it is you […] tell me to come to you on the water.”  Jesus replied, “come.”  Peter got out of the boat, and began to walk on water; but as he approached Christ, he began to focus on the large waves that encircled him.  Because he had taken his eyes off of the Lord, he began to sink; he cried out to Jesus saying “Lord save me.”  Jesus grabbed him, and pulled him from the raging sea.  Peter’s faith had wavered because he turned his attentions away from the messiah.  We can all learn from Peter’s mistake; those who are wise will continually remain focused upon Jesus Christ.

    This world is full of diversions.  We, like Peter, are all guilty of looking to the left and to the right; we have all, on occasion, misplaced our attentions and have succumb to the numerous distractions in life.  Though we have failed in many ways, with God’s help, we can once again refocus upon our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.  May our trust, faith, and hope in Him never waiver; for in Him we find our strength, our salvation, and our greatest victory.

    “Lord Heavenly Father, we look to Your Son, and we place our faith fully in Him.  Remove any distractions or diversions that exist in our lives and in our hearts.  May our attentions always be focused upon You and our Messiah.  Continue to sanctify us Father, that we might continue to be fruitful.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name.  Amen.”  God bless all of you!

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, many individuals believed that deformity and dysfunction were the result of some manner of personal sin.  The disciples therefore inquired concerning who’s sin had caused the man’s blindness (either his parents or the man himself?)  But Jesus revealed that the man’s deformity hadn’t arisen from sin, but rather, from God’s desire to display a miraculous feet of divine healing. The blind man was made whole again so that many others would honor and glorify God. In life, often the things that appear to be the most tragic, are actually orchestrated to bring God the greatest glory.  Although they can be, tragedy and adversity are not always punishments; in fact, they are often the greatest blessings we will ever know.

     In 2003 a 13 year old Christian girl named Bethany Hamilton was surfing when she was suddenly attacked by a 14 foot long tiger shark.  The shark severed her left arm just below the shoulder.  After nearly bleeding to death, she was rushed to the hospital.  Prior to the injury, Bethany had been one of the world’s top competitive junior surfers.  Despite her strong faith, she questioned why God would allow her to endure such a tragedy.  Still she became determined to surf again competitively.  Trusting in God, Bethany entered the water 3 weeks after the accident and began training.  She started with a long board; then moved to a smaller board; until she was eventually able to surf on a short board again. Because Bethany refused to quit she eventually placed in and won a number of the world’s top female surf competitions.  Her experience quickly became famous. She received thousands of letters and numerous awards; she’s appeared on ‘20/20, Good Morning America, and the Oprah Winfrey Show,’ to name a few.  Eventually she published a book chronicling her struggles and victories (which was made into a movie entitled “Soul Surfer.”)  Throughout her ordeal, Bethany remained an outspoken Christian.  She thanked Jesus Christ for her strength, her courage, and her triumph. What appeared to be a tragedy had become the greatest blessing she would ever know.  Yes, with two arms she would’ve likely won some surf competitions; perhaps she might have even made it onto the cover of a surf magazine.  But with God in her heart and one missing arm, she was able to reach the entire world for Christ.  She is now a symbol of faith and a living example of God’s power 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 pain or suffering?  If you take another look you may find a wonderful blessing hidden within what appears to be a 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 turn them into strengths.  And when He transforms our lives, we must always remember to give Him the credit He so richly deserves.  If we utilize God’s power and face our fears, many will come to see ‘the glory of God,’ revealed in us.

  “Lord Heavenly Father, we ask that You transform our weaknesses into strengths.  May Your enduring power and wisdom give us victory over the obstacles we currently face.  Heal us Father, and fill us with Your courage, that by faith we may overcome our fears and shortcomings.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name.  Amen.”  God bless all of you!      

Leading Others to Christ

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

    While journeying through Samaria, Jesus chose to sit down beside a well; as He rested, he began speaking with a Samaritan woman who had come to draw water. During their conversation He revealed to her certain intimate details of her life; details that only God Himself could know.  Amazed and astonished, ‘the woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet […] I know that the messiah is coming (who is called the Christ.)  When He comes He will tell us all things.”  Jesus answered her saying, “I who speak to you am He.” […] The woman then left her water-pot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, “Come, see a man who told me everything I’ve ever done.  Could this be the Christ?” […] And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified saying, “He told me everything I’ve ever done.”  So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days.  And many more believed because of His own words.” (John 4: 19 – 41)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

    One fateful afternoon, Jesus Christ chose to reveal himself to an immoral woman who was attempting to draw water from a well.  She was unaware that on that day she would find the Son of God and receive salvation and eternal life.  Upon hearing Him recount every intimate detail of her life, she became overwhelmed with joy.  The astonished woman left her water-pot behind and entered the city; seeking to lead others to Jesus.  As expected, those who followed her eventually received the free gift of God.  Everyone who places their faith in Jesus Christ becomes His messenger.  Having been redeemed, we must strive to lead other sick individuals to the ‘Great Physician;’ the only one capable of mending their wounds and healing their broken hearts.

    Like our ‘Great Physician’, there was once a missionary Doctor who was practicing medicine in a Chinese hospital. As he sought to alleviate the suffering of his fellows, he surgically healed a man afflicted with cataracts (a clouding of the lenses of the eye that causes blindness.)  A few weeks later, 48 blind men arrived from the wilds of china (each one seeking to undergo the same incredible procedure.)  Incapable of proper navigation, they forcefully clung to an extremely long rope.  Not surprisingly, the man who had been cured weeks earlier was guiding them.  Some of these desperate men had journeyed hundreds of miles just to reach the hospital.

    There are so many people in this world who have been blinded by sin and death.  These individuals need someone to guide them toward the ‘Great Physician.’  Like the Samaritan woman, those who have been enlightened are given the task of leading others to Jesus Christ.  As ‘reborn’ Christians, we are instruments in the hands of an almighty God.  If we are willing, He will use us to reach out to our family members, co-workers, friends, and even complete strangers.  One of our major tasks is to testify concerning the wonderful works that He has accomplished in the our lives, and in the lives of others who have placed their faith in Him.

    “Lord Heavenly Father, fill us with Your Holy Spirit.  May we be amazed every day by Your righteous deeds and wonderful miracles.  Help us to embrace our obligation to lead others to Your Son.  Provide us with opportunities to witness to our family members, co-workers, and friends; that they would hear our words and desire Your gift of eternal life.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You; and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name.  Amen.”  God bless all of you!