“Accepting Christ Comforts Each Person Truly Everyday Daily! (A.C.C.E.P.T.E.D)”
By Ramesh
C.Reddy Pittsburgh Standard
May
13,
2008
Editors Note: The devotional has a background song which can be heard if you use Internet
Explorer.
SCRIPTURE:
"Jesus said
to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house
is a prophet without honor." (Mark 6:4, NIV)
Observations:
In v.3, the
people who heard Jesus took offense at him. I asked myself how Jesus
responds to those that took offense at him?
Jesus tells them 3 things:
-
Only in his hometown is a prophet without
honor.
-
Only among his relatives is a prophet without
honor.
-
Only in his own house is a prophet without
honor.
Interpretations:
I asked
myself the significance of Jesus’ statements?
Jesus went from stating the
general to stating the specific. Jesus first talked about those in his
hometown of Nazareth as a whole. Then, Jesus narrowed it down to his
relatives and then his own earthly family. By doing this, Jesus was
making a profound statement that He was accepted elsewhere for who He
was but not from those that were close to Him.
I asked
myself why?
I believe those close to Him had
preconceived notions of what Jesus should have been like and could not
see past that. They only wanted to believe in the one they had raised
and not the One who had come to serve and show them the pathway to
Eternal Salvation.
Implications:
I saw important implications for
my own life here. Jesus was with honor elsewhere except where He used to
reside and live. It is here that people had the hardest time believing.
It is here that people took offense at Him. This reminds me of my own
life at a certain time in my life.
It was easy for people to
accept me as a follower of Christ, who had come from a Hindu background,
on the outside where I could present the Gospel and do outreach than my
own home. At home, it became difficult to present the Gospel to my dad
but later He gave His life to Christ. Before my dad gave His life
to Christ, my dad had expected me to become someone who is regarded
highly by the world from the world’s standard.
However, that is not what I became. I became a counselor and campus
minister for awhile and then continued to do ministry while doing jobs
by tent-making (jobs on the side to make a living) so ministry could
continue.
Few years ago, my mom asked my dad,
“Do you want a son who takes a high paying/ great job by the world’s
standards but is not there for the family and not happy and cheerful in
their life?”
or “Do you want a son who does a job that is not seen as
high paying/great job by the world’s standards but is there for the
family and always happy and cheerful wanting to help the family out?”
My mom was making a point to my
dad that just because someone does not want to go into a high paid
profession but into ministry does not mean there life is a waste, etc.
The world has preconceived notion of what are professional jobs, real
jobs, etc but from the Christian point of view, when we do a job and
feel that is the Lord’s calling for us even if it is pointed towards
ministry, the Lord will take care of the rest.
It also means there will be
obstacles on the pathway from those closest to us as Jesus faced. We
need to acknowledge that but does not mean we should give up.
I ask you now dear friend, when do you feel accepted
in life?
Dear friend, if you feel you are only accepted when you do things
that other people like, when you live your life the way other people
want you to live, when you are only accepted for what others can get out
of you, that feeling can be a daunting and stressful feeling.
A lot of people base their identity on being accepted by others. When
they are accepted, it is there that they find joy. If they do not feel
accepted, then there can be pain and sorrow. The pain can take over the
life. You may be the one experiencing this feeling. But, it does not
have to be that way.
Friend, Jesus experienced what you are experiencing when you do not
feel accepted. When Jesus did all the miracles He did, people flocked to
Him and wanted more from Him. But, one day these same people who had
also shouted, 'Hosanna' shouted 'Crucify Him, Crucify Him'. They did not
accept Jesus but instead accepted a murderer in Barabbas.
But the Good News is even when the people did not accept Jesus, Jesus
still accepted to pay the price for their sin on the cross. Jesus did
not make His acceptance to go to the cross contingent on what the people
did but went to the cross for their sake to deliver them from the
bondage of sin. Jesus shed His precious blood on the cross for them and
for you and me. Jesus loves you so much and you can come to Him as you
are. Allow Him to work in your life. Share with Him what you are going
through with your family for He understands and will help you.
If you are not accepted by your
family because you have become a follower of Christ, it can be very
hard. It is hard not being accepted by those close to us when they are
the ones we most expect to accept us. You are not alone. Jesus went
through so much pain because of rejection but He did not let that get
Him down. He had His focus on God and His calling. God will help you
too!
Friend, when Jesus has called
you to be His own you need to realize the greatest thing has happened.
He has accepted you! Yes, He has friend. No matter who rejects you here
on earth because of who you have become in Christ, what job you have
decided to do, who you now hang out with, etc, you are never alone
anymore.
To all who
received Him, He gave them right to become children of God not born of
flesh but by the Spirit of God. (John 1:12)
This is exciting to know that
you can be accepted and Jesus will help you through your pain. I know He
will! It is never for nothing when you come to Jesus and what happens
around in when you are in Christ.
You may have loved someone so
much but then the feeling is not mutual because they see you differently
than how you want them to see you. There is pain there too. The pain can
sometimes be like a knife of fire. Yet, Jesus sees you friend and sees
what you are going through and wants to bring healing in your life.
While I was doing campus
ministry, a good friend of mine shared with me the choice she had
between her boyfriend she dearly loved and was also intimate with and
the new choice facing her life she could accept or reject. It was the
choice to follow Jesus Christ as her Lord and Personal Savior. She
decided to follow Jesus Christ as her Lord and Personal Savior and what
Jesus wanted for her life and not what she wanted.
In other words she shared with
me the hardest thing she had to give up after becoming a follower of
Christ is her boyfriend who did not want to come to know Jesus as his
Lord and Personal Savior. He wanted to remain as he was but she knew
after experiencing Christ, she could not go on living the life she lived
so she let him go.
Her boyfriend did not accept who
she had become and he was the closest to her. She gave him up for Christ
no matter how dearly she loved her boyfriend. She told me the pain is
there but as she holds on to Jesus, it is never for nothing.
Friend, not everyone will accept
you even when you accept them and love them. There could be different
reasons for it whether they are your family or friends. Even Jesus was
not accepted by some close to Him and we will face the same.
But what I want you to know is
what Jesus says to you, “Be not afraid, just
believe”
Believe in the One who loves you so much. His name is Jesus!
Jesus will accept you and knows
what you are going through. Your hearts desires He will give to you as
you seek Him diligently. You know many times His desires become our
desires as we seek Him.
So, you may have sought
someone in your life that you love but it was not returned, so you pray
to the Lord that it will happen. If it is the Lord’s desire for you to
be with that person, the Lord will make it happen. If it is not then as
you continue to seek Him whatever the result is, His desire for you will
become your desire.
Through it all, you will feel
accepted by the One who loves you so much that He went to the cross for
you and died on it. He shed His blood for you and came back to life to
save you. He loves you so much friend. Yes, He does!
As you turn to
Jesus, you will be loved and accepted in Christ and He will bring
everything else into perspective as you find your identity in Christ. Wait on the Lord and He will take care
of the rest. Be patient and do not give up!
Waiting can be the hardest thing
to do. In this world, people want answers quickly and promptly. They
choose a phone call over chat message, a chat message over an email,
when they want acceptance of their ideas, their feelings, certain
people, etc.
What is the point of being
accepted if being accepted compromises our relationship with Jesus!
It is important to know when
Jesus accepts you as you accept Jesus into your life to make Him your
Lord and Personal Savior then He will give you a new perspective on
life. Yes, He will friend. He will bring people into your life that will
make you feel accepted and loved. If the love does not come from a
family member because of your faith, it will come from above from those
the Lord chooses on earth for you. Yes, it will friend! You can be
sure of that. If the love does not come from a friend, because of doubts
etc, it will come from above from those the Lord chooses on earth for
you!
As I thought about Jesus not
being accepted but continued to do what He was called to do, that brings
me excitement. First, it tells me that I should not compromise my
beliefs in Jesus just to be accepted by others, for Jesus will work in
my life. As I take it to prayer, Jesus can also work in the lives of
others who have not accepted Him, even in the family. For He knows where
you are in life and when your life is in the care of the Master, it is
never for nothing! It is never for nothing!
May you rest in the Everlasting
Arms of the Savior knowing accepting Christ comforts each person truly
everyday daily!
“Accepting
Christ Comforts Each Person Truly Everyday Daily!”(A.C.C.E.P.T.E.D)/”When
do you feel accepted in life?”
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I love you so much. You Oh Lord, know what it feels like not
to be accepted by those close to you. Thank you Jesus you understand our
pain when it happens to us. We come to you right now and lift up those
who are suffering in silence, suffering in pain and agony and even
sometimes anguish, because they do not feel accepted by those they want
to accept them. Sometimes Lord it is because of their desire to serve
you and follow you, it happens. But, I thank you Lord that those who
come to you, you never turn away. You will accept them and make them
feel loved. You will give them a purpose for their life and whatever
their desires are, if they are in line with your will, we thank you that
you will let them come to pass. With you Lord, it is never for nothing.
The hardest thing can be to wait on you Lord many times. But we know it
is the right thing to do for you promise us those that wait upon you
Lord will mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be
weary, they shall walk and not faint. Thank you Jesus! We rest in you
Lord for it is not by might, nor by power, but by your Spirit you take
care of us and will help us through. I pray for the one right now who
wants to reach out to their family members/friends who do not know you
but their family member/s/friends do not want to hear from them about
you. You alone can make that happen where the opportunity can come and
be taken. For you promise to be with us and help us and also we believe
our entire household can be saved as we come to you and turn them over
to you. Please help Lord. I also pray for the one who is seeking your
will for the right person in their lives to be with the rest of their
lives. I pray that you will let them know your love and your ways. I
pray for the one who is seeking a job and your will for their lives in
all they do. We all want your will in our lives but need the strength to
rejoice in you when disappointments happen because many times our ways
are not your ways but your ways can be so awesome in the long run. It is
never for nothing when we turn our life over to you. When we feel it is
your will about something, help us to rest in you and wait upon you. Help us
to guard our hearts to be focused on you wherever we are, knowing where
we place our affections can influence the decisions of our lives. Help
us to always place our affections foremost with you Jesus and let all
the others fall in place as we love you and put our faith in you. Thank
you Jesus! Thank Jesus you have heard our prayers and answered us! Thank
you for dying for our sins and coming back to life to save us. When we
come to you, thank you so much Jesus it is never for nothing! In
Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!
If
you would like to invite Jesus Christ into your heart and make Him a
daily part of your life, you can this very moment. You will never be
alone. You can claim God's promises for you in the Bible and see them
come true, before your eyes, in His wonderful timing. You don't have to
wait for a special time to come to the Lord. You can come right now as
you pray this prayer, meaning it in your heart and finding your new
identity in Christ Jesus.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I am a sinner Lord. I am so sorry for
my sins. I confess my sins to you. I confess the wrong things I have
done and the times I messed up my own life. I need you Lord right now and in the
years to come. I have gone my own way and have not found what only you
can give me. You alone have the words of Eternal Life. You alone love me
unconditionally for who I am. I thank you Jesus. Thank you for going to
the cross for me, for dying for my sins, shedding your precious blood
for me, so I can me made whole. I am covered by your blood Lord! I come
as I am and accept you Jesus into
my heart. Please come into my heart Jesus. Please make my heart your
home. Please live in me Jesus. Thanks Jesus for coming into my heart and
living in me. Thank you for forgiving me
of all my sins. Thank you for giving me a new identity in you. I
acknowledge you as my Lord and Personal Savior as I believe in my heart
that you died and came back to life to save me now and forever. I give
myself to you and ask you to be in control of my life. Thank you Jesus
through the days, we can do things together. Thanks for being my
Lord and Personal Savior. Thank you Jesus you have heard my prayer and
answered me. Thanks Jesus for changing me and helping me through life's
storms and winds. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!
Friend, if you have prayed this
prayer and meant it in your heart, you are a new creation in Christ and
all old things are passed away and everything has become new! You may
feel something or may not but don’t base it on feelings but base your
new life in Christ on the promises of our Savior who will never leave
you nor forsake you! Amen!
Spend time in His word and let the Lord
speak to you! Start out in the Gospel of John! You can also check out
the Gospel of Mark which are the devotionals I have been going through.
Learn from Jesus through study and prayer. Also find yourself a church
fellowship and a college fellowship you can be part of where you can be
part of a community of believers to supplement your own walk with the
Lord. Let it be a Bible-believing and Bible-breathing church! Believe in
Bible Live Eternally!
Feel free to email me at
reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible,
pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My
number is 412-720-4579
"This is my
work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work
within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)
Love in Christ,
Ramesh
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' I AM ' Series
Archives:
What kind of L.I.G.H.T do you follow? (Dec 13,
07, 10:09 a.m.)
"What kind of B.R.E.A.D do you eat?" (Dec 08,
07, 10:10 a.m.)
"Who is your S.H.E.P.H.E.R.D?"
(June 30,
06)
Gospel of Mark Archives:
Mark 1:1:
"What does the G.O.S.P.E.L mean to you?" (Jan
15, 08, 1:15 p.m.)
Mark 1:1-4: "How
seriously do you T.E.S.T.I.F.Y about prophesy?" (Jan
12, 08, 11:18 p.m.)
Mark 1:5-8:
"Who do you P.O.I.N.T to?" (Jan 16, 08,
8:48 a.m.)
Mark 1:9:
How will you take a S.T.A.N.D? (Jan 17, 08,
11:21 a.m.)
Mark 1:9-11:
"How is your loving P.R.A.I.S.E?" (Jan 18, 08,
8:53 a.m.)
Mark 1:12-13: "How
do you handle T.E.M.P.T.A.T.I.O.N?" (Jan 19,
08, 12:27 p.m.)
Mark 1:14-15:
How do you handle T.I.M.E given to you? (Jan
21, 08, 1:31 p.m.)
Mark 1:16-18:
"What kind of P.R.O.F.E.S.S.I.O.N are you in?" (Jan
26, 08, 10:22 a.m.)
Mark
1:19-20:
"Without having to P.R.O.C.R.A.S.T.I.N.A.T.E, what should you do?"
(Jan 29, 08,
10:44 a.m.)
Mark
1:20-22:
"How do you rate in the B.U.S.I.N.E.S.S of Jesus?" (Jan
30, 08, 11:29 a.m.)
Mark
1:20-22:
"Whose T.E.A.C.H.I.N.G.S do you follow?" (Jan
31, 08, 11:52 a.m.)
Mark
1:23-28:
"What C.A.P.T.I.V.I.T.Y are you facing today?" (Feb
01, 08, 10:35 a.m.)
Mark 4:3-20:
"What if Jesus talked F.O.O.T.B.A.L.L?" (Feb
02, 08, 10:35 a.m.)
Mark 1:29-31:
"Where do you need H.E.A.L.I.N.G?" (Feb 05,
08, 11:44 a.m.)
Mark 1:32-34:
"Where do you need an A.N.S.W.E.R?" (Feb 06,
08, 11:16 a.m.)
Mark 1:35-39:
"Where do you give your S.O.L.I.T.A.R.Y time to the Lord?" (Feb
07, 08, 11:41 a.m.)
Mark 1:40-42:
"Where do you need to be C.L.E.A.N?" (Feb 09,
08, 11:00 a.m.)
Mark 1:43-45:
"What do your actions C.A.U.S.E?" (Feb 11, 08,
9:23 a.m.)
MARK CHAPTER 2:
Mark 2:1-2:
"What do you do with your P.O.P.U.L.A.R.I.T.Y?" (Feb
12, 08, 9:52 a.m.)
Mark 2:2-5:
"What kind of F.R.I.E.N.D are you?" (Feb
13, 08, 11:49 a.m.)
Mark 2:5-12:
"Where does P.A.R.A.L.Y.S.I.S take hold of you?" (Feb
15, 08, 7:42 a.m.)
Mark 2:5-12:
"What are you thinking in your M.I.N.D?" (Feb
16, 08, 11:08 a.m.)
Mark 2:5-12:
"What do you represent by your A.C.T.I.O.N.S?" (Feb
18, 08, 8:23 a.m.)
Mark 2:13-15:
"Where are you looking for A.C.C.E.P.T.A.N.C.E?" (Feb
19, 08, 11:22 a.m.)
Mark
2:15-17:
"Who do you I.N.V.I.T.E to Jesus?" (Feb 20,
08, 9:57 a.m.)
Mark
2:18-20:
"When do you F.A.S.T?" (Feb 21, 08,
9:32 a.m.)
Mark 2:21-22:
"How do you see your L.I.F.E?" (Feb 22, 08,
9:56 a.m.)
Mark 2:23-28:
"What kind of L.E.A.D.E.R will you be? (Feb
23, 08, 10:46 a.m.)
Mark 2:23-28:
"What does the S.A.B.B.A.T.H mean to you?" (Feb
25, 08, 10:46 a.m.)
CHAPTER 3:
Mark 3:1-6:"Whose
N.E.E.D.S do you meet?" (Feb 26, 08,
9:54 a.m.)
Mark 3:7-8:
"What is your I.M.P.A.C.T?" (Feb 27, 08,
8:17 a.m.)
Mark 3:9-11:
"What S.P.A.C.E do you give yourself?" (Feb
28, 08, 9:38 a.m.)
Mark 3:11-12:
"How do you fight E.V.I.L?" (Feb 29, 08,
9:11 a.m.)
Mark 3:13-16:
"What emphasis do you put on your R.E.L.A.T.I.O.N.S.H.I.P with Jesus?"
(March 01, 08, 9:29
a.m.)
Mark 3:17-19:
"Where do you have your A.P.P.O.I.N.T.M.E.N.T in?" (March
03, 08, 9:49 a.m.)
Mark 3:20:
"Where do you G.A.T.H.E.R?" (March 04, 08,
12:07 p.m.)
Mark 3:21:
"How are your actions seen by your F.A.M.I.L.Y?" (March
05, 08, 10:24 a.m.)
Mark 3:22-27:
"How do you handle S.L.A.N.D.E.R?" (March 06,
08, 7:57 a.m.)
Mark 3:28-30:
"What is your V.I.E.W of Jesus?" (March 07, 08,
8:18 a.m.)
Mark 3:31-34:
"What do you do with God's Will?" (March 08,
08, 8:45 a.m.)
CHAPTER 4:
Mark 4:1-20:
"What do P.A.R.A.B.L.E.S mean to you?" (March
10, 08, 7:15 a.m.)
Mark 4:1-20:
"What if Jesus talked F.O.O.T.B.A.L.L?" (Feb
02, 08, 10:35 a.m.)
Mark 4:1-20:
"Where are you in your W.A.L.K with the Lord?" (March
11, 08, 9:32 a.m.)
Audio:
"Where are you in your W.A.L.K with the Lord?" (March
11, 08, 11:05 a.m.)
Mark 4:21-23:
"What kind of L.A.M.P will you be?" (March 12,
08, 9:40 a.m.)
Audio:
"What do you C.O.N.C.E.A.L?" (March 14, 08,
10:11 a.m.)
"What do you C.O.N.C.E.A.L?" (March 14, 08,
8:52 a.m.)
John 12:12-15:
"How can you B.L.E.S.S the Lord?" (March 17,
08, 1:25 a.m.)
Philippians 2:8:
"What does the C.R.O.S.S mean to you?" (March
20, 08, 1:16 p.m.)
"How do you handle D.O.U.B.T.S?" (March
25, 08, 12:36 p.m.)
Mark 4:24-25:
"What do you do with what you H.E.A.R?" (March
31, 08, 8:39 a.m.)
Mark 4:26-29:
"What do you do with the W.O.R.D of God?" (April
05, 08, 10:18 a.m.)
Mark 4:30-34:
"What do you do with the S.E.E.D?" (April 07, 08,
11:48 a.m.)
Mark 4:35-41:
"What are the S.T.O.R.M.S in your life?" (April 08, 08,
11:52 a.m.)
CHAPTER 5:
Mark 5:1-13:
"Where is your T.O.R.M.E.N.T coming from?" (April 09, 08,
11:50 a.m.)
Mark 5:14-17:
"Where do you need H.E.A.L.I.N.G?" (April 11, 08,
11:46 a.m.)
Mark 5:14-17:
"What do people R.E.P.O.R.T about you?" (April 12, 08,
11:00 a.m.)
Mark 5:18-19:
"What makes you A.F.R.A.I.D of Jesus?" (April 14, 08,
10:40 a.m.)
Mark 5:18-19:
"Will you T.E.L.L others about Jesus?" (April 15, 08,
11:32 a.m.)
Mark 5:20:
"What do you do with your T.E.S.T.I.M.O.N.Y?" (April
16, 08,
12:03 p.m.)
Proverbs 17:4:
"What does G.O.S.S.I.P do to you?" (April 17, 08,
6:52 p.m.)
Exodus 12:5,7,11,13-14:
"How do you know judgment will P.A.S.S.O.V.E.R you?" (April
24, 08,
9:26 a.m.)
Mark 5:21:
"Why will you G.A.T.H.E.R before Jesus?" (April
28, 08,
9:36 a.m.)
Mark 5:22-24:
"What place do you give P.R.A.Y.E.R in your life?" (April
29, 08,
7:51 a.m.)
Mark 5:24b-29:
“Unclean
Now? Christ’s Leading Everyday Always Nurtures! (U.N.C.L.E.A.N)"
(May 05, 08,
10:24 a.m.)
Mark 5:30-34:
“Forever,
Redeemer Everyday Excitingly Delivers Omnipotent Message!(F.R.E.E.D.O.M)”
(May
05, 08,
10:24 a.m.)
Mark 5:35-37:
“Timing Is Messiah’s Involvement Nurturing Graciously!
(T.I.M.I.N.G)”
(May 07, 08, 10:07 a.m.)
Mark 5:35-42:
"What place do you give G.O.D.S W.I.L.L in your life?"
(May 08, 08, 9:33 a.m.)
CHAPTER 6:
Mark 6:1-2:"Where
do you seek W.I.S.D.O.M for your life?"
(May 09, 08, 10:31 a.m.)
Mark 6:2-3:"What do you do with your C.A.L.L.I.N.G in life?"
(May 10, 08, 9:43 a.m.)
Mark 6:2-3:
"Who/Where is your
I.D.E.N.T.I.T.Y found in?"
(May 12, 08, 8:45 a.m.)
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