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The Decision

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JESUS SPEAKING

  There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and one on the left […..] Then one of the criminals who were hanged, blasphemed Him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, this day you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23: 32 – 33 & 39 – 43)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

  Jesus was crucified in the middle of two guilty criminals.  One man began mocking Him, but the other spoke up in His defense. This second man rebuked the blasphemer. He also acknowledged Christ’s innocence, divine authority, and eternal kingship. In response to this display of faithfulness, Jesus granted him everlasting life. In this world, our primary purpose is to raise Jesus Christ up, so that everyone can choose a side; either Christ is nothing, or Christ is everything. Although many will seek to prevent us from spreading the gospel, we must never waiver.

  At one point during Paul’s ministry, he entered the city of Lystra and began preaching the gospel. Although many were saved, a great multitude rose up against him and pelted him with stones. Believing he was dead, they dragged him out of the city. However, when the other believers had gathered around him he stood up, and instead of fleeing, he reentered the town. The next day they traveled the to city of Derbe to preach the gospel, but they soon returned to Lystra. Clearly, despite his near death experience, Paul never succumb to fear, but rather, continued raising up the cross of Christ; especially in places where others were seeking to pull it down.

  Like Paul, we as well have been given a mandate; we must raise up the cross of Christ in the center of this world. We cannot allow it to remain hidden, or permit others to tear it down. Many will choose salvation and repent. Still others will despise Christianity and seek the destruction of all those who carry the message. We must be brave; we must be bold, and we must be steadfast in our mission.

  ”Lord Heavenly Father, we come before You and ask for the strength to elevate Your Son upon the cross. May Your light shine in us and through us; that others might hear the gospel message and be drawn to You. May we remain faithful in this, our Christian duty. 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!

Never Lose Hope

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JESUS SPEAKING

  ’Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.’ (John 5: 2 – 9)   

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

  A man who had been sick for 38 years lay beside the pool of Bethesda yearning to be healed. Despite the length of his infirmity, he remained faithful and never lost hope. In response to his enduring faith, Jesus performed a miracle in his life. After being made whole again, the man picked up his mat and walked away. Hope, like many other Christian virtues is powerful, essential, and everlasting. Those who have no hope in the future will sink into despair, and eventually die.

  As the story goes, one evening while eating dinner in Maine, a man fascinated his companions by telling them of his experiences in a little town named Flagstaff. The town was to be flooded, in order to create a large lake for which a dam was being built. In the months before it was flooded, all improvements and repairs in the entire town were stopped. What was the use of painting a house if it was going to be covered with water in six months? Why repair anything when the whole village was to be wiped out? So, week by week, the doomed town became more and more ragged, disheveled, and degenerated. Then the man added by way of explanation: ”Where there is no faith in the future, there is no power in the present.”

   Similarly, concerning Christianity, our hope in the future dictates how we behave in the present. Our faith is rooted in the hope of an eternal life with God in His kingdom. No one who genuinely believes this truth can ever sink into despair or be destroyed by any present circumstance. Although believers are not immune to suffering, we cannot be crushed by it; nor can we be robbed of our joy in the present, knowing that difficult trials may come and go, but God is everlasting.

  ”Lord Heavenly Father, we come before you with praise and thanksgiving. We yearn to be healed, as we hope in our future with You in Your kingdom. Increase our faith, that we may joyfully overcome the trials of this life and spread the gospel message to all those who have fallen into despair. With You there is a great hope on the horizon; may we never lose sight of that shining truth. 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!

The Gift of Singleness

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JESUS SPEAKING

  “All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.” (Matthew 19: 11 – 12)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

  A eunuch is someone who lacks the ability or the overwhelming desire to produce offspring. In this scripture, there are three main causes of sterility: a birth defect; the actions of an oppressor; or the will of God. According to Jesus, there are some believers who, in order to better serve the body of Christ, will forsake marriage and embrace a life of celibacy. God alone has the power to call these individuals to a life of selfless submission and only He can give them the peace needed to serve in singleness.

  According to the scriptures, Paul was one of the most influential evangelists of the early Church. After being saved by Christ, he committed his entire life to spreading the gospel message. While journeying from one city to the next, he encountered many perils, dangers, and hardships; a lifestyle not fitting for a wife and children. For the sake of efficiency God gave him the gift of singleness. And of course Paul received that gift and remained celibate until his death in Rome. Through his ministry, many came to know the Lord.

  The call to singleness is an active component of the Christian Church. Some are called to marry and raise their children according to God’s word; they are ministers in their own households. However, on occasion, there are others who are called by the Lord to remain single. They have received the gift of peace in the absence of marriage. Thus they can more efficiently accomplish their callings without wives or children.

  ”Lord Heavenly Father, we know that many of us are called to marry and raise our families in the Church. And yet there are others who are called to a life of singleness; whose ministries can only be accomplished in the absence of matrimony. Reveal to us our gifts, and give us the strength and the peace to accept our callings. 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!