Only One Way to Enter

February 10, 2020 ~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy; I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full” (John 10: 7-10.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

In the first century shepherding was a very common profession. Every good shepherd would tirelessly love and care for his sheep. Feeding and watering the livestock remained an unending endeavor. Every shepherd was also tasked with fending off hungry predators and keeping their sheep free from dangerous parasites. Over time, the sheep would come to trust in and rely upon the individual guiding and protecting them. After many days and nights of grazing in the open fields, the shepherd would need to rest. Upon returning home, he would place his animals in a pen where he knew they would be safe. Jesus is the ‘Good Shepherd.’ He came to gather his sheep together and lead them to safety. In this parable, the sheep pen is meant to represent heaven; there remains a single gate through which one can enter. Only those who have faith in and follow Jesus Christ are granted access to God’s kingdom.

Today, flying is a very common mode of modern transportation. In recent years, terrorists have utilized airplanes to commit atrocious acts of violence against many innocent people. In an effort to prevent these attacks from occurring, airport security has become correspondingly severe. There is now only one way in and one way out. In turn, those seeking to enter through the security checkpoints must have the proper identification. No license or alternative form of identification means no entry. This rule is usually without exception; a nice smile, a kind face, and an appealing excuse are of no benefit whatsoever. God’s kingdom is similar in many respects. Simply put, there is one way to enter; and only those who have faith in the messiah are granted access.

Jesus Christ is the ‘Good Shepherd.’ He came to lead his sheep into everlasting life. Many have heard his words and received Him. Still others however, have rejected him entirely. Despite a number of differences, the faithful and the unfaithful have one thing in common; they will both one day stand at the gate; and only those who have called Jesus master and Lord will be able to enter God’s eternal Kingdom.

“Lord Heavenly Father, may we enter Your Kingdom. We have come to trust in You; please lead us and teach us; and provide for all of our needs. May we be Your sheep and may You be our Shepherd; may we know Your voice and never be deceived. Protect us from those who would seek to do us harm and inspire us to reach out to those who are lost. 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.

A Genuine Servant

January 27, 2020 ~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

But Jesus called them to himself and said, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. However, it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10: 42 – 45.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

As children we are taught that dominance is better than submission, and that a higher social status means a better life. Many therefore seek to acquire positions of great power and authority. Yet Christ’s teachings are in direct opposition to such worldly principles. Those who follow Jesus must deny what they have been taught, in order to embrace the doctrines of genuine faith and divine humility. Only by abandoning the desire for greatness, can one completely and lovingly serve others. [Note: This does not mean you need to quit your job or stop seeking a higher wage or position. However, we must always be humble, no matter our station in life.]

For years young men from across the country have flocked to the church where I used to serve, seeking to do pastoral ministry. Many hopefuls were initially referred to a pastor named Romain, who employed a special technique designed to separate the qualified from the unqualified. As the prospects approached, he would hand them a broom and tell them to go sweep a portion of the church. Although many were obedient, others felt insulted and became upset. One common response sounded something like this, “I came here to be a pastor and to teach the bible, not to sweep floors.” Pastor Romain knew then that they did not have a servant’s heart; they had not come to serve and to practice humility, but to acquire power and authority.

Those who follow the Son of God must give-up the desire for worldly greatness in order to pursue lowliness and humility. Seeking to serve others rather than to be served, we become the men and women God has called us to be. We can serve at home, in the community, at work, and in our church. We can serve our family members, coworkers, friends, neighbors, and even complete strangers. Only through selflessness and sacrifice can we be transformed into the image of our great Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

“Lord Heavenly Father, inspire us to seek lowliness and humility. May we hunger to love and serve others in sincerity and singleness of heart. Provide us with opportunities to place the needs of our fellows ahead of our own, that we might be examples of Your great mercy and everlasting affection. 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!

Actions Matter

January 20, 2020 ~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.’ He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir’ but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his Father?” They said to him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that the tax collectors and the harlots enter the kingdom of God before you” (Mathew 21: 28-31.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

There are two kinds of people; those who do and those who don’t. The priests and religious leaders failed to obey God despite their many years of biblical study; they preached of righteousness but were unsuccessful in achieving it. They confused knowledge with wisdom (knowledge is the comprehension of truth; whereas wisdom is the application of it.) While the intelligent were refusing to be obedient, many prostitutes and tax collectors were receiving salvation. These social outcasts possessed very little knowledge of scripture; yet what little they did possess, they chose to apply. The gospel is not just a thought or a good intention; it is an action.

In the spring of 1862 a confederate Major General named ‘Stonewall Jackson’ fought a famous military campaign in a valley near the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. His tactics were unorthodox and his troop movements unpredictable (he utilized speed and stealth to attack his union counterparts.) Concerning speed, he reportedly marched his 17,000 men nearly ‘646 miles in 48 days’ (approximately 13 miles a day.) Traveling at this furious pace, they met many natural obstacles (such as hills and streams.) At one point, they encountered a river too treacherous to cross. Jackson told his engineers to draw up plans for a bridge; he then summoned his wagon master and informed him that they urgently needed to cross the river. The wagon master began to gather together every rock, fence rail, and log he could find; before sunrise the next day, the wagon master approached General Jackson and said, ‘The artillery and wagons have crossed the river sir.’ General Jackson replied, ‘Where are the engineers, and what are they doing?’ The wagon master replied, ‘they are in their tent, drawing up the plans for the bridge.’

Knowledge is useless unless it is implemented to accomplish a task. We are called to be ‘doers of the word, and not hearers only.’ The Christian life is a life of action. When God commands us to love our enemies, we must love them. When he instructs us to give to the poor and needy, we must open our wallets (and purses.) When we are directed to pray for those who persecute us, we must drop to our knees. Keep the commandments of God and you will be blessed; obey Him and you will experience peace; follow Him and you will know joy; joy eternal; joy everlasting; joy without end.

“Lord Heavenly Father, give us the strength to live out Your commandments. May we receive Your words and accomplish them. May we be ‘doers of Your word and not hearers only;’ may our actions bring others to repentance; may we love our neighbors without restraint or indignation. We love You Father, and 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.