Tue, Jun 30th - 9:34PM
I am continually inspired by the life that Jesus Christ led. He is so many things to so many people. He is God manifested in the flesh of man. He is....the "Godman".
In today's carnal world where it seems so easy to serve our selfish desires, we need only look to God's word for inspiration. God's word is something far beyond just mere ink on a page, it is the spiritual gateway in getting to know Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart".
For several weeks now my spirit has been continually touched by one verse which speaks to the power of God's word and how it supernaturally ministers to your heart.
Philippians 2:6 "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God".
Jesus Christ is God. Through the Holy Spirit, Paul is teaching us that even though Jesus Christ was divinity and man at the same time, he did not take advantage of the privileges that are associated with being God. Instead, he relinquished his privilege and humbled himself as a man.
Philippians 2:8 "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross".
Jesus Christ was the greatest servant of all time. He chose to die on the cross as a man, and through his resurrection and ascension, he provided us with a life of freedom. He allowed himself nothing and in doing so gave us everything. He is my inspiration. He is my salvation. He is....the "Godman".
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Tue, Jun 30th - 9:26PM
Our faith in many ways is like being on a tiny row boat stranded with no oars in a sea of enormous waves. We are constantly being tossed about like a rag doll. The imminent threat of sinking is lurking in the back of our minds. Our little boat springs leaks on a regular basis continually threatening our existence. We are thirsty yet we cannot drink of the salty water. Our fate is dependent on the wind. Where will it take us? After being battered and bruised for days on end, when all hope seems lost, we see in the distance, land!! As the wind blows us towards the shore we are filled with the hope of being saved but suddenly we are terror-stricken as we see the huge waves crashing onto the shoreline. There are jagged rocks everywhere. All we can do is cling to our little row boat for dear life and hope that we will be saved. After being thrashed about relentlessly, seemingly for hours , we realize that we are alive. It's a miracle!!
Everything seems still as we lay motionless on the beach in quiet contemplation of what has just happened. There is a peace about this place. A feeling of gratitude and relief is in our hearts. The ocean waves which once threatened our very existence are now harmlessly dissipating around us.
Aren't the waves of the sea just the trials of our lives?
And don't the leaks in our row boats just symbolize our human flaws?
And isn't the salty water just the contaminating sin of our lives?
And doesn't the wind just represent the guiding spirit of God and the His plan for our lives?
In this story we can see that the row boat without oars represents our Jesus. If we separate ourselves from the row boat, we would surely be lost at sea and die. Our faith is in our row boat . We cling to our row boat. We our completely dependent on our row boat.
And as the trials of our lives come crashing down upon us like waves in the sea, our human weaknesses get exposed and as a result our faith sometimes develops little cracks. We start doubting our little rowboat. Let us not forget that when our rowboat springs a leak, surely God is the glue that seals up those leaks and keeps our row boat afloat.
And let us always be grateful for the purifying blood sacrifice of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Let us always repent from our wicked ways and ask Jesus to remove the salty sin from our lives so that we can be spiritually hydrated with His purifying living water.
And let us also accept and recognize that we are not in control. The row boat has no oars. The oars represent our will. If we had oars on our row boat, we would certainly be rowing in the wrong direction. Let the spiritual wind of God take us where He intends us to be. Let His will be done.
Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God". (KJV)
And let us never abandon our faith in Jesus Christ. Cling onto your row boat and know that you will be divinely delivered onto that spiritual beach; that you shall never thirst and shall live eternally in heaven. Rejoice in your salvation and know that His mercy and grace are sufficient and that His plan for your life is perfect because He is perfect.
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Tue, Jun 30th - 9:01PM
A few weeks ago I was teaching the children in the youth ministry and I asked them to tell me if they had ever prayed to God to help them with something. Some of the children nervously shuffled there feet or twiddled there thumbs and looked about anxiously as they waited for the awkward moment when I would be calling on them. Before I called on any of them, one of the nine year old girls raised her hand. Her big brown eyes were so beautiful. She had this innocent look of a young girl with so much hope. She hadn't been contaminated by the world. Her pure heart was akin to the pure agape love that we all have received in grace from God.
Then, in a seemingly angelic voice, she said, "I asked God to help me be successful on my school test, and I did really good on that test, and I thanked God because God is good".
Psalm 107:1 "O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good: for his mercy endureth forever".
I was overwhelmed not only by her faith and gratitude, but also by her uncanny recognition that God is our provision.
When we had finished our lesson plan I asked the children if they were excited about school being out and if they were ready to have some fun!!
Surprisingly, the little girl looked directly into my eyes and said, "I don't want to have fun, I want to help my parents at the restaurant. They work so hard for me and I want to help them". Her parents own a restaurant and work long hours.
Philippians 2:7 "But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant......."
I could feel the tears welling up. I was struggling to keep my emotions in check. I couldn't believe that a nine year could possibly have the heart of a grateful servant.
I contemplated how a nine year old could be so obedient to God's Word.
I thought about all of the "comfortable" Christians I know. I thought about how much more I could be doing for the kingdom of God.
I wondered is our gratitude genuine or is it just lip service. Our we really serving Jesus or are we really just serving our egos.
This precious nine year girl was the reason I had to look in the mirror when I got home.
And when I looked, I wondered if I was seeing the face of a self-righteous sinner or that of a grateful little girl.
Children of God.......I ask you........what do you see?
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Name: kurt salfi
