Gospel gems – Follow Jesus’ example

For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. John 13:15 

Jesus constantly showed by example how we should live as Christians. We are here to serve others. It may be hard in some situations but it is doable. The purpose of serving is to show others the love of Christ.

Christ served with compassion Matthew 14:14

Christ served with kindness. Luke 17:11-19

Christ served the “underdogs” Matthew 9:11-12

Christ served with love. John 13:34

Christ served with gentleness. Matthew 11:29

Christ served with mercy. John 8:1-11

Christ served unselfishly. John 3:16

Is there something you can do for someone? Don’t procrastinate – just Do it!

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Gospel gems – Believe

22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. 23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.  Mark 9:22-24

The man with the lunatic son came to Jesus for help, after he had gone to the disciples. The disciples could not heal the son but the father knew where he could get help, straight to the source – Jesus.

Jesus then said to the father, as well as to the disciples, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” We need to believe; Jesus can do and will do if we believe. It is a two part equation (believe = all things are possible). How much faith (belief) do we need?

Jesus said, "If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.” (Luke 17:6)

Mustard seeds are small but the black mustard seed from Israel can grow as tall as twelve feet.

Jesus is saying if we have just a little faith it will grow if we believe and trust His word.

Your faith may be “small” and you might have a hard time believing, then cry out with the father “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.”

Have a blessed day,
Donna

What about the 9?

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, [16] And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. Luke 17:15-16

Sunday I taught about the 10 lepers. We had four visitors who had never been to church. As I told the story they watched and listened as I explained the disease of leprosy. I cut out a chain of ten paper people. As we counted the people I asked how many were healed. The children all yelled out “TEN”. I cut off one lone figure off the paper chain and explained that only one thanked Jesus. They were surprised that only one was thankful. The lepers were not “healed” of the common cold, but of a dreaded disease. A disease so bad they were not allowed to live with their families. A disease so horrible a nose or ear might fall off.

Nine men ran off and forgot to thank Jesus. Ninety percent of the people where unthankful. I do not want to be included in the majority but the minority. What about you? Do you want to be part of the ninety or ten? Look for something each and every day to be thankful for, be part of the ten percent.

Giving thanks,
Donna