Hosanna Restoration Church

I have something special for you today. This was what God spoke to me when I least expected it! I will spare you the particulars of the actual moment. He then said to share that word with the people. So, I have done what He said. The rest He will fill in for you.

I have been reading in Philippians and as always, finding more that I have before. I know that this letter was written to a specific group of people at a specific time, and it was also written to each of us and all who have ears to hear.

As you know, he started asking the folks if there was anything worthwhile about following Jesus. Paul had been informed that the people were drifting a bit. Do you ever drift? Do verses ever jump out and correct your course?

When I read about what matters to Jesus, I noted it in my journal. Do I care about what matters to Jesus? I would have to say, mostly! I would like to think that I run everything through the filter of Jesus, but I don’t. Sometimes I act on what matters to me, and then I am convicted, and I fix it if I can.

Paul was preparing to die for his faith, and he was preparing the people to rejoice with him in his suffering. He was content and wanted them to be content as well. Living in the middle of the USA is different than living in places like Syria, where people are dying for their faith! Not only that, but there are reports of the faithful thanking their captors for sending them to heaven. That is what you call shining the light in a dark place.

Still, this is a word for all people. We must establish our faith in Christ to the degree that if we had to, we would certainly die rather than turn from God. We may not have someone with a sword ready to cut off our head, but we have compromise facing us daily. Those things are not as obvious as a terrorist standing over us or searching for us to destroy us; but they can destroy us with lots of little cuts if we do not take a stand for what matters to Jesus!

Honestly, it numbs my mind when I think of those things going on. It numbs my mind when I consider the treatment that Jesus received gladly for me. It really is beyond my ability to imagine. I would rather imagine other things, but nothing compares! You were the most important thing on Jesus’s mind. We all were and are. Can you imagine that?

I was sharing this in the nursing home recently and at the end I asked them who is most important to Jesus. A precious lady with a big smile on her face shouted, “me”! That was wonderful. She understood. As I was ready to leave, I asked each one the question and mostly they said they hoped so or they wanted to be. That matters to Jesus. Spread the word to people. They matter to Jesus!