A Father's Greatest Sacrifice

* Here is a story (Fiction) below that i found which was perfect for this topic.*

After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church's Pastor slowly stood up, walked over to the pulpit and, before he gave his sermon for the evening, briefly introduced a guest Minister who was in the service that evening. In the introduction, the Pastor told the congregation that the guest Minister was one of his dearest childhood friends and that he wanted him to have a few moments to greet the church and share whatever he felt would be appropriate for the service. With that, the elderly gentleman stepped up to the pulpit and began to speak."A father, and his son, and a friend of his son were sailing off the Pacific coast," he began... "when a fast storm blocked any attempt to get back to the shore. The waves were so high, even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright and the three were swept into the ocean as the boat capsized."The old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers who were, for the first time since the service began, looking somewhat interested in his story. The aged minister continued with his story..."Grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life: to which boy would he throw the end of the life line? He had only seconds to make the decision. The father knew that his son was a Christian and he also knew that his son's friend was not. The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves.As the father yelled out 'I Love You, Son!' he threw out the life line to his son's friend. By the time the father had pulled the friend back to the capsized boat his son had disappeared beneath the raging swells into the black night. His body was never recovered," the old man said sadly.By this time, the two teenagers were sitting up straight in the pew, anxiously waiting for the next words to come out of the old Minister's mouth."The father," he continued, "knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus and he could not bear the thought of his son's friend stepping into an eternity without Jesus. Therefore, he sacrificed his son to save the son's friend. How great is the love of God that he should do the same for us? Our Heavenly Father sacrificed His only begotten Son so that we could be saved. I urge you to accept His offer to rescue you and take hold of the life line He is throwing out to you in this service."With that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room. The Pastor again walked slowly to the pulpit and delivered a brief sermon with an invitation at the end. However, no one responded to the appeal. But, within moments after the service ended, the two boys were at the old man's side."That was a nice story," politely stated one of the boys, "but, I don't think it was very realistic for a father to give up his only son's life in hopes that the other would become a Christian." "Well, you've got a point there," the old man replied, glancing down at his worn Bible. As a big smile broadened his narrow face, he looked up again at the boys and said, "It sure isn't very realistic, is it? But, I'm here today to tell you this story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God to give up His only Son for me. You see... I was that father, and your Pastor is my son's friend."

**From this story we are given a perfect example of what God did for us; sacrificing His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. We learn in this story, that even though the father had to choose between his son and the son’s friend to rescue at sea, the sacrifice was crucial to make.

The Father knew that if he would choose to save the obvious (his son), his son’s friend would face an eternity in hell, whereas he knew his son was saved and if he lost his life he would be eternally in paradise.

Can anyone imagine making that choice? It definitely would be a difficult decision to make, let alone think of. But think again to the sacrifice God made for US to have Life through His Son! **

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

**We learn over time as we form a relationship with Jesus Christ, a love for Him and for others. As we are called to serve the Lord and present the gospel on to the lost and broken, we are to also to serve and help those in need. As our hearts grow in Christ, our actions present a loving nature to give and comfort those who are lost in the world. **

2 Corinthians 1:4

“Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”

**There are times we may be tested by God to see where our hearts are with the choices we make when given the opportunity to spread the gospel and lending a helping hand to someone that is hurt. The people that come in our path, either has lost their job, lost a loved one or has a broken marriage. We as children of God are called to reach out to them and give them the time. You may not have to give up your first born child, but sacrificing time out of your day to do of the Lord’s service is certainly worth it and you will be rewarded for doing so. But don’t do it for the perks, but do it because you care and know you are making a difference in people’s lives. The Lord has given us the time, will you do the same? **

John 13:14-15

“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”

**If you would like to give your heart to Jesus today, repeat these words below:

'Dear Heavenly Father,i come to in the name of Jesus; Forgive me a sinner and wash me in your precious blood. Make this heart of stone to be made flesh, so that your word may be sown in it. Any addictions that i may have, remove them now in Jesus name! I've accepted Jesus Christ as my savior and believe that He died and rose from the dead! And from this day forward, i commit my life to you and seek for guidance and understanding in your word, as i walk in your path of righteousness, In Jesus name i pray, AMEN!!!'

If you have recited these words and meant them in your heart, you are saved and if the Lord would come today, you will be ready to go to Heaven!! I will keep you all in prayer, to continue to walk in the ways of Jesus Christ our Lord. READ, PRAY, SEEK and TRUST in Him and you will overcome this wicked world! **

I have also provided a link to the Full Gospel Holiness Church below, where you will find sermons from the word of God (no comprising to sin) but the Full truth to the Word of God! You can also view our contact information to email us or call us for prayer. May God bless you!

http://www.fghconline.com/

Our ways are not His ways

Isaiah 55:8

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.”

Have you ever imagined everything you thought you wanted, actually come to life? Exactly… in reality, people tend to realize the hard way that we are not in control of our lives. I can’t tell you the amount of times I have planned certain tasks in the day, and it goes either a portion or the complete opposite of what I expected it to happen. There are reasons for how things turn out in our lives, it can either be one of three things. 1. Satan 2. Our careless actions  or  3. By the Lord’s hands.

For those who know Jesus personally we always have to put Him first to receive the proper guidance, and not trying to handle things through our flesh. For as it is noted from Isaiah 55:8, our thoughts and ways are not like the Lord’s ways and thoughts. How are we properly guided? Well, number 1, you must have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ by confessing of your sins and accepting Jesus as your personal savior. Then, we keep in close contact with Him, by reading and living by His word (The bible), and praying continually to Him, then He will do the rest.

I have learned over time as a Christian, that no matter how many times I have tried to handle things on my own, it never went the way expected, because the Lord sought different and had a better plan for me. I look back now and smile, to know that where things didn’t quite make sense in that time, it makes perfect sense now, and I am happy that things turned out the way they did.  If any of you have not watched the movie “GODS NOT DEAD” please be warned *Spoiler alert*.  Here is a perfect example for my discussion today….

For those who have seen the movie, the Professor of a Philosophy class  had placed a task for all of his students to do before starting the class, and that task was to write on paper that (GOD is DEAD), each student had wrote the statement, except for one (a Christian teen); He refused to and when questioned by the professor, he said he couldn’t for the statement was not true. This movie was a movie that tested faith, and a confirmation of the Lord’s works in place in each person’s life; for Christians seeking guidance in the Lord’s work, and for those who are far from the Lord’s loving arms. This young teen was challenged by the professor to fight for the faith of God, and prove that God is NOT Dead. The young teen’s faith had grown throughout the movie regardless of others trying to cause doubt. In his discovery he had learned that the professor who denied the Lord’s existence, knew in fact that the Lord existed, but blamed the Lord since a little child, for his mother’s death (caused by cancer) who was a faithful Christian woman. The young teen went on to say things happen for a reason and that we can’t explain events at the moment; for the Lord knows. Through thorough research and prayer, the young teen was able to successfully win the case of God’s existence as well as win his fellow peers in the classroom. The professor was torn by the repetitive truth he grew up to know, and at the end he was struck by a car that led to his death, but before he died he was companied by a reverend who was there at the right moment (orchestrated by the Lord). In that time the professor had recited the scripture Isaiah 55:8, for he knew God was in control. By help from the reverend, He asked the Lord for forgiveness and accepted Him in his heart before peacefully passing away.

As a Christian living in this wicked world, there are times where your faith will be tested, but by perseverance in reading the Lord’s word, and trusting in Him only, we shall receive knowledge and understanding through our ordeals in life. Whether or not we understand the events that take place and what comes before us, we know that as the scripture noted above says that, for His thoughts are not our thoughts, nor His ways are our ways. No matter if it makes sense to us at the moment just know that the Lord is always in control in all matters.

1 Chronicles 29:11 “Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.”

Jesus healed a blind man

The Blind Man At Bethsaida

 

A. A BLIND MAN IS BROUGHT TO HIM...

1. By those who begged Jesus to touch him

 Mark 8:22

“And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.”

 

B. JESUS TAKES HIM OUT OF THE TOWN...

1. Leading the blind man by the hand

 Mark 8:23

“And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.”

 

C. JESUS HEALS HIM IN TWO STAGES...

1. Stage one

 Mark 8:23-24

“And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.”

a. Jesus spat on his eyes and then touched him

1) Perhaps to convey to the blind man His intentions

2) The spit - His intention was to heal, saliva was thought

to have medicinal properties

3) The touch - "Something will be done for your eyes...and I

will do it."

b. When asked if he saw anything, he looked up and said, "I see

men like trees, walking"

2. Stage two

 Mark 8:25

“25After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.”

a. Jesus put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up

b. His sight was completely restored and saw everyone clearly

 

D. JESUS SENDS HIM AWAY WITH AN ADMONITION...

1. To his house, not into town, not to tell anyone

 Mark 8:26

“26And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.”

2. Undue attention would hinder His ability to travel and do His

work

3. Especially by the Pharisees, Sadducees, and the Herodians

Mark 8:11

“And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.”

 

E. SPIRITUAL GROWTH OCCURS IN STAGES...

1. Similar to how this particular miracle occurred

2. Such was the case with Jesus' disciples

 Mark 8:18

“Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?”

 

3. So we should expect our spiritual growth to take time

 1Corinthians 3:1-2

“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.”

 2Peter 3:18

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

-- Faith is patient, understanding that important things often

take time

The Lord Jesus had performed many miracles and wonders before many as He walked the earth, and continues to do so through His faithful workers today. Where carnal minds think all things are impossible when it is beyond their comprehension, but with the Power of our Lord Jesus, all things are possible.

(Matthew 19:26)

"But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."

The Parable of the Rich Fool

Luke 12:13-21

"And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in abundance of the things which he possesseth. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: and he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because i have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will i do: i will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will i bestow all my fruits and my goods. And i will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

**Why do you save money? to buy more expensive cars or toys? for security? Jesus challenges us to think beyond earthbound goals to use what we have been given for God's kingdom. Faith, service, and obedience are the way to get rich with God. **

Matthew 6:33-34

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness' and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

**To seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness means to turn to him first for help, to fill your thoughts with his desires, to take his character for your pattern, and to serve and obey him in everything. **

Psalms 37:4

"Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

Jesus is the Bread of Life

Matthew 5:6

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”

** Jesus is the bread of life which came down from heaven to give life unto the world, saving us from our sins through His precious blood. He spoke of truth and did the will of His father, ministered to many, showing that the only way they can receive life is to believe in Him, and follow His commandments. Repent, confess of our sins, and obey the Words of God. He simply says that those that come to Him will not hunger and thirst; for they shall be filled. **

 

John 6:27

“Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.”

**It is spoken to not labour for the meat (things of this world) that will perish. But for the meat (The Word of God) that Jesus has given us that will provide us everlasting life with Him. **

John 6:29-34

29Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. 30They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? 31Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. 32Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 34Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.”

** In the time when Moses led the Israelites in the wilderness and took them out of Egypt; God had rained bread upon the earth from heaven for them to eat. But that was just physical food. The bread that Jesus talks of is the true bread of life; He who God had sent to the earth from heaven to give life unto the world. That is Jesus Christ our Savior and King. **

John 6:35-38

“And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 36But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. 37All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.”

 

Time is in the Lord's Hands

There is a time For Everything

 

 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-10

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.”

** There is a time for everything, like the scriptures say. Everything is put in a timeline, and not every day is the same. As much as we try to control and orchestrate our lives together, things still fall into another order. (God’s plan) As a Christian, we truly see, experience and understand what that means. We have to put our trust in Jesus all the time in our lives. As much as we try and try to do things our own way, things just don’t work out the way we intend it to; especially if God has something else planned for you. And for a sinner, God calls you multiple times because He loves you and wants to pull you out of your dangerous path to hell. Every day, every hour is required for “everything”. What we have to remember is that God is the maker of time; He makes the timeline, whether we like it or not. But there is a reason it works that way. Because like I said before it is all in God’s plans. Even though at times we think we are alone, and the devil is on your trail, and you think you have control over everything, just know that God is “always” in control. **

Daniel 2:21

“And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:”

** Did you hear that? God has the power to remove kings and set them up. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to them that know understanding. And when you see the seasons (fall, winter, spring, summer), just think to yourself that God had created that. He has everything in time and in place. Those seasons matter, because the food that is grown is made in certain seasons; God provides us our food that way. Remember that. Could a mere human think of that? No. Why because God’s wisdom is greater than that of the worlds. **

Isaiah 55:9

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

 Isaiah 14:24

“The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:”

1 Corinthians 3:19

“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.”