…If any man thirst, let him come unto me…
John 7:37
Take your mind captive for a moment and race it back over two thousand years ago. Go across the ocean and land in the land of Israel. Go to the heart of the land into the city of Jerusalem. Walk down the street of the city and march up the steps that lead into the temple. Push your way through the crowd of beggars and paupers who were not allowed in the inner court and tune your ear to hear the voice of the Great Teacher. Listen as Jesus begins to give the greatest invitation that has ever been given. Watch the Great Master at the feast of tabernacles as He holds up a cup of water for all to see. He looks beyond the upper echelon of Pharisees and looks to the poor men and women who are not allowed to come into the temple. He knows they are hungry. He knows their dry, parched lips long for the refreshment of water. He says with a booming voice that has echoed through time, Come unto me, and drink the everlasting waters that will quench your eternal thirst. Imagine the joy that filled their hearts. I imagine that some even jumped up in excitement and cried aloud, “I am thirsty!” “I want to sip from the well that will never run dry.”
The same call still rings from the pages of God’s word. The Savior still calls all thirsty sinners to the river that never runs dry. He is still calling parched lips to come and drink from the deep well of His love. He calls all the men and women who have wandered far too long in the desert of decision. He offers the cup of eternal life to anyone who will come. He tells all men, Come unto Me. Dear sinner, do you feel abandoned in this world of sin, Come to Jesus. Sister, have you no fountain to drink from, Come to Jesus. All who are lost and lonely, Come to Jesus. Even the Christian who feels as if they are abandoned in the desert of life, Jesus begs you to come and drink from the fountain that will refresh you. It has deep reservoirs from which it gathers its supply. Oh, want you come today?
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
I Believe God
Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me
Acts 27:25
I can imagine being on that ship with the apostle Paul in the sea that night as the winds and waves crashed against the vessel. Can you imagine the fear on the faces of each of the men on the ship? Try to imagine how you would have felt if you had been on board that night. Imagine the darkness that would have encompassed you on every side. Imagine the water as it rolled over the sides of the ship. Think about the rain as it poured out of the sky. It was coming down in sheets so fast that it is nearly impossible to get your breath. Now, take these visuals and begin to think about the fear that would have gripped your heart. This is what real terror is like. It is knowing that you have no help and no signs of hope.
If you were on the ship that night, you would have seen these frightened men. You would have also seen a sight that night which far surpassed all the other sights. You could have looked over that night to the side of the craft and seen an aged man, the apostle Paul. As you stare into his face, you notice something different. You notice that he doesn’t look fearful. In fact, he doesn’t even look worried. As you stare deep into his eyes you see, peace. In fact, the apostle was so peaceful that the Bible says he yelled out to the other men, “Fear not”. What?! How can this be? How could there be two reactions to the same problem. Both sides were going through a storm. Both sides were being tossed to and fro. What has happened to make the difference between fear on one side and peace on the other? What could have caused such a stark difference? The answer can be summed up in three words, “I believe God”.
Paul had been given a promise by the angel of the Lord that he was going to make it to the other side. God had told Paul that he would make it to Rome and stand before the Caesar. He had heard from the heavens that he was going to make it through. He knew he was not going down for the count because he believed God. He knew that there was not a storm powerful enough to take him down because he believed God. He was unwilling to allow his circumstance to dictate how he was going to interpret his future. He refused to allow the pessimistic attitude of his fellow shipmen to bring him down because he believed God. He had been given a promise and he was going to believe God.
I was giving this thought on the radio the other day when an older lady called the church office. She gave me her story and shared with me how much this thought had helped her. She said it wasn’t the fact that this was a new thought I had presented, but she just needed to be reminded of the fact that she needed to believe God.
My friend, I believe this is probably the same situation many of us are in. The fact that we need to believe God over the sayings and comments of the world is no new thought. It has been preached ever since the apostle Paul said it under inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Even that night on the sea, those sailors had probably heard it numerous times throughout their lives. They didn’t need to learn that thought, they just needed to be reminded of it just like we need to be reminded of it. Friend, this isn’t a thought you haven’t already heard hundreds of times, but let me say it again, “I believe God”. When the world says no and God says yes, “I believe God”. When the doctor says death and God says life, “I believe God”. When the banks turn their heads, “I believe God”. When all hope is gone, I believe God”. When the world says it is over, God will have the last word. “I believe God”.
Acts 27:25
I can imagine being on that ship with the apostle Paul in the sea that night as the winds and waves crashed against the vessel. Can you imagine the fear on the faces of each of the men on the ship? Try to imagine how you would have felt if you had been on board that night. Imagine the darkness that would have encompassed you on every side. Imagine the water as it rolled over the sides of the ship. Think about the rain as it poured out of the sky. It was coming down in sheets so fast that it is nearly impossible to get your breath. Now, take these visuals and begin to think about the fear that would have gripped your heart. This is what real terror is like. It is knowing that you have no help and no signs of hope.
If you were on the ship that night, you would have seen these frightened men. You would have also seen a sight that night which far surpassed all the other sights. You could have looked over that night to the side of the craft and seen an aged man, the apostle Paul. As you stare into his face, you notice something different. You notice that he doesn’t look fearful. In fact, he doesn’t even look worried. As you stare deep into his eyes you see, peace. In fact, the apostle was so peaceful that the Bible says he yelled out to the other men, “Fear not”. What?! How can this be? How could there be two reactions to the same problem. Both sides were going through a storm. Both sides were being tossed to and fro. What has happened to make the difference between fear on one side and peace on the other? What could have caused such a stark difference? The answer can be summed up in three words, “I believe God”.
Paul had been given a promise by the angel of the Lord that he was going to make it to the other side. God had told Paul that he would make it to Rome and stand before the Caesar. He had heard from the heavens that he was going to make it through. He knew he was not going down for the count because he believed God. He knew that there was not a storm powerful enough to take him down because he believed God. He was unwilling to allow his circumstance to dictate how he was going to interpret his future. He refused to allow the pessimistic attitude of his fellow shipmen to bring him down because he believed God. He had been given a promise and he was going to believe God.
I was giving this thought on the radio the other day when an older lady called the church office. She gave me her story and shared with me how much this thought had helped her. She said it wasn’t the fact that this was a new thought I had presented, but she just needed to be reminded of the fact that she needed to believe God.
My friend, I believe this is probably the same situation many of us are in. The fact that we need to believe God over the sayings and comments of the world is no new thought. It has been preached ever since the apostle Paul said it under inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Even that night on the sea, those sailors had probably heard it numerous times throughout their lives. They didn’t need to learn that thought, they just needed to be reminded of it just like we need to be reminded of it. Friend, this isn’t a thought you haven’t already heard hundreds of times, but let me say it again, “I believe God”. When the world says no and God says yes, “I believe God”. When the doctor says death and God says life, “I believe God”. When the banks turn their heads, “I believe God”. When all hope is gone, I believe God”. When the world says it is over, God will have the last word. “I believe God”.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
The Storm of Sin
…The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God…
Psalm 9:17
In August 2005, the storm of all storms was brewing in the Gulf of Mexico. It was a storm that would forever change cities. It would wreak havoc upon hundreds of families. As Hurricane Katrina was churning over the warm waters of the gulf, fear was gripping the hearts of thousands as they sit in its potential path of destruction. As that overwhelming storm made landfall, it forever altered the lives of thousands. For over 1800 people, it ushered them to the doorpost of death.
As you sit here this day, there is a storm brewing over this nation. It is churning like a hurricane over warm water as it constantly gains strength. It is getting worse and worse. Soon this storm will be too large to control and will be too great to handle. Where is this storm? Is it churning in the Atlantic? How about the Pacific? Does its origins resonate from the Gulf of Mexico? The answer is, No! This storm is brewing in the hearts of men and women from coast to coast. It is booming from Washington to Raleigh. It is flourishing from Wilmington to Asheville. It is moving across the heartland of the Republic to the Canyons of Arizona. An evil is settling into the souls of millions. Wickedness is inhabiting the hearts of people all through this land. It seems there is a dark cloud of fear and turmoil that is ushering in the storms of sin.
You don’t agree? You don’t believe this is the truth? You may think I am an alarmist. You may believe I am just a pessimist. Allow me a moment to illustrate my point. How can a child kill classmates in cold blood? How can thieves murder a man in a Convenient store over a pack of cigarettes? Why would a man blow his paycheck on a pint of whisky instead of feeding his family? Why would a mother put a newborn in a dumpster just because the baby cries for milk? Friend, there is a cloud of wickedness that is on horizon and God Almighty is the only one who can stop it.
Why should we care? What difference does it make to the Christian? Besides, “This world is not my home, I’m just passin’ through!” My friend, I do agree with you on that point, but we should still worry about this storm of sin. We should care because this storm will affect our children. This storm will be a cloud over our grandbabies. Your children will go to war zones instead of classrooms because of this storm. They will learn about homosexuals instead of the Almighty Creator. They will learn how to practice safe sex instead of abstinence. Something is wrong! What will you do? Will you sound out the warning? Will you sound the alarm that the storm is coming? For you see my friend, when the storm gets here, it will be too late! Let us get a burden and pray to the God of Heaven to save us from this wave of wickedness. May this be the day we stand up and tell people about this sinful storm.
Psalm 9:17
In August 2005, the storm of all storms was brewing in the Gulf of Mexico. It was a storm that would forever change cities. It would wreak havoc upon hundreds of families. As Hurricane Katrina was churning over the warm waters of the gulf, fear was gripping the hearts of thousands as they sit in its potential path of destruction. As that overwhelming storm made landfall, it forever altered the lives of thousands. For over 1800 people, it ushered them to the doorpost of death.
As you sit here this day, there is a storm brewing over this nation. It is churning like a hurricane over warm water as it constantly gains strength. It is getting worse and worse. Soon this storm will be too large to control and will be too great to handle. Where is this storm? Is it churning in the Atlantic? How about the Pacific? Does its origins resonate from the Gulf of Mexico? The answer is, No! This storm is brewing in the hearts of men and women from coast to coast. It is booming from Washington to Raleigh. It is flourishing from Wilmington to Asheville. It is moving across the heartland of the Republic to the Canyons of Arizona. An evil is settling into the souls of millions. Wickedness is inhabiting the hearts of people all through this land. It seems there is a dark cloud of fear and turmoil that is ushering in the storms of sin.
You don’t agree? You don’t believe this is the truth? You may think I am an alarmist. You may believe I am just a pessimist. Allow me a moment to illustrate my point. How can a child kill classmates in cold blood? How can thieves murder a man in a Convenient store over a pack of cigarettes? Why would a man blow his paycheck on a pint of whisky instead of feeding his family? Why would a mother put a newborn in a dumpster just because the baby cries for milk? Friend, there is a cloud of wickedness that is on horizon and God Almighty is the only one who can stop it.
Why should we care? What difference does it make to the Christian? Besides, “This world is not my home, I’m just passin’ through!” My friend, I do agree with you on that point, but we should still worry about this storm of sin. We should care because this storm will affect our children. This storm will be a cloud over our grandbabies. Your children will go to war zones instead of classrooms because of this storm. They will learn about homosexuals instead of the Almighty Creator. They will learn how to practice safe sex instead of abstinence. Something is wrong! What will you do? Will you sound out the warning? Will you sound the alarm that the storm is coming? For you see my friend, when the storm gets here, it will be too late! Let us get a burden and pray to the God of Heaven to save us from this wave of wickedness. May this be the day we stand up and tell people about this sinful storm.
Monday, May 11, 2009
The Captain Of Our Salvation
…To make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings…
Hebrews 2:10
The fierceness of battle is something that every soldier prepares for, but very few actually look forward to. It is something they hope and pray is averted through the avenues of patience and diplomacy. When the inevitable day comes and battle commences, many emotions and thoughts quickly shuffle through the mind of the soldier. One feeling that certainly comes into their mind is the feeling of confusion. What are they supposed to do? Where are they supposed to go? Confusion and fear on the battlefield will assuredly lead to defeat and death. When uncertainty fills the soldier’s mind, and leaves him lost, all he has to do is look for his commanding officer. The ranking member on the battlefield sends out the order that takes the soldier from confusion to action because of their training. No longer does he have to wonder; now he can war. He no longer has to fear; now he can fight.
What comfort can this bring to you? Where can your heart find solace in this thought? Well, most assuredly you know we are in the battle for our lives. This is a fight we have never experienced before. No, physical warfare may not be raging in your home. You may not wake up to the sound of gun fire. You may not see the smoke from canon fire. But rest assured my friend, spiritual battle is furiously exploding all around you. We are in the fight of our lives.
In times like these, feelings of bewilderment can take hold of our heart and ultimately leave you in fear. You wonder, “What will be the outcome of this battle?” You think, “Will I make it out of this battle?” When you are engaging in the spiritual battles of faith and family, don’t let confusion be the dominating feeling. Don’t let fear grip you in the night. Look up to the Captain of your salvation. You see, He stands on the battlefield with you. He is sounding out the orders, saying, Fear Not, I am with thee. Let the peace of God keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Keep your eye on the Captain and your ear attentive to His order, for then, confusion will flee and understanding will enter because He hath not given us the spirit of fear.
I like the definition for the word “captain”; it means, “a person who is at the head of or in authority over others; chief; leader”. Aren’t you glad Jesus is still in control of all things? He still has all authority and dominion. He is still in possession of the keys to death and hell. Do not be afraid just because you are in the battle. My friend, we are all in the battle of our lives. Have no fear, the Captain of our salvation sill stands with us in the battle. Now is the time we, Look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
Hebrews 2:10
The fierceness of battle is something that every soldier prepares for, but very few actually look forward to. It is something they hope and pray is averted through the avenues of patience and diplomacy. When the inevitable day comes and battle commences, many emotions and thoughts quickly shuffle through the mind of the soldier. One feeling that certainly comes into their mind is the feeling of confusion. What are they supposed to do? Where are they supposed to go? Confusion and fear on the battlefield will assuredly lead to defeat and death. When uncertainty fills the soldier’s mind, and leaves him lost, all he has to do is look for his commanding officer. The ranking member on the battlefield sends out the order that takes the soldier from confusion to action because of their training. No longer does he have to wonder; now he can war. He no longer has to fear; now he can fight.
What comfort can this bring to you? Where can your heart find solace in this thought? Well, most assuredly you know we are in the battle for our lives. This is a fight we have never experienced before. No, physical warfare may not be raging in your home. You may not wake up to the sound of gun fire. You may not see the smoke from canon fire. But rest assured my friend, spiritual battle is furiously exploding all around you. We are in the fight of our lives.
In times like these, feelings of bewilderment can take hold of our heart and ultimately leave you in fear. You wonder, “What will be the outcome of this battle?” You think, “Will I make it out of this battle?” When you are engaging in the spiritual battles of faith and family, don’t let confusion be the dominating feeling. Don’t let fear grip you in the night. Look up to the Captain of your salvation. You see, He stands on the battlefield with you. He is sounding out the orders, saying, Fear Not, I am with thee. Let the peace of God keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Keep your eye on the Captain and your ear attentive to His order, for then, confusion will flee and understanding will enter because He hath not given us the spirit of fear.
I like the definition for the word “captain”; it means, “a person who is at the head of or in authority over others; chief; leader”. Aren’t you glad Jesus is still in control of all things? He still has all authority and dominion. He is still in possession of the keys to death and hell. Do not be afraid just because you are in the battle. My friend, we are all in the battle of our lives. Have no fear, the Captain of our salvation sill stands with us in the battle. Now is the time we, Look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
The Power of One
For the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel…
II Chronicles 28:19
King Ahaz was a wretched man. He was responsible for bringing a nation into idolatry and wickedness. He could have easily turned his heart toward God and shown the nation the power of God. He could have led the nation in casting down idols and images thus brining to their attention the wonderful Savior. Did he do it? No! He decided to let his wicked wife dictate what would be. He let her cold heart and pagan gods drag a nation into destruction. The choice of one man led an entire nation into destruction.
“Nothing happens in a vacuum”. I once had a college professor who said this all the time. He made reference to this statement almost every class period. What does it mean? It means that no action is void of consequences. It further means that no one person’s actions affect just that one person. You see, my decisions will affect someone else whether I want to admit it or not. You disagree? My friend, let me offer a rebuttal to your opinion. Ask the mother whose husband is a drunk if his decisions affect her. Ask the son whose parents abandoned him if their decision affected him. Ask the country if the king’s decisions affect them. Ask the daughter who would love to meet her mother, but cannot because of a drunken driver. You are not alone in your world. Your decisions have far reaching affects. What are you doing today that would leave detrimental consequences on those you love? Today is the day to change your ways while there is time.
Have you not yet been persuaded about one man’s actions? Do you need further convincing? My friend, let your mind race to the Garden of Eden. Find the lone man in the garden. Watch as he takes the fruit from his wife. Behold him as he draws it towards his lips. Now watch as his lone act of disobedience plunges the entire human race into depravity. Oh the effects of one man’s action. That one story has forever changed the eternal destiny of millions.
Are you still unconvinced of the far-reaching effects of a singular action? When I think of the actions of one man affecting others, my mind is immediately drawn to the Blessed Son of God. Just as the sin of Adam reached into the chasms of time; so did the blessed Christ’s actions reach through the ages. Oh the depth of His love for you! Oh the grace that brought His love down to man! What love and compassion found in one man’s actions! What great effects it has had on my life!
Your actions today will hurt or benefit those surrounding you. What will you chose to do? Will you continue in that action that you know is wrong? Will you continue to mire through the sin of life? Or will you chose to follow the model of Jesus Christ and decide to let holiness be the line that you measure your life against?
II Chronicles 28:19
King Ahaz was a wretched man. He was responsible for bringing a nation into idolatry and wickedness. He could have easily turned his heart toward God and shown the nation the power of God. He could have led the nation in casting down idols and images thus brining to their attention the wonderful Savior. Did he do it? No! He decided to let his wicked wife dictate what would be. He let her cold heart and pagan gods drag a nation into destruction. The choice of one man led an entire nation into destruction.
“Nothing happens in a vacuum”. I once had a college professor who said this all the time. He made reference to this statement almost every class period. What does it mean? It means that no action is void of consequences. It further means that no one person’s actions affect just that one person. You see, my decisions will affect someone else whether I want to admit it or not. You disagree? My friend, let me offer a rebuttal to your opinion. Ask the mother whose husband is a drunk if his decisions affect her. Ask the son whose parents abandoned him if their decision affected him. Ask the country if the king’s decisions affect them. Ask the daughter who would love to meet her mother, but cannot because of a drunken driver. You are not alone in your world. Your decisions have far reaching affects. What are you doing today that would leave detrimental consequences on those you love? Today is the day to change your ways while there is time.
Have you not yet been persuaded about one man’s actions? Do you need further convincing? My friend, let your mind race to the Garden of Eden. Find the lone man in the garden. Watch as he takes the fruit from his wife. Behold him as he draws it towards his lips. Now watch as his lone act of disobedience plunges the entire human race into depravity. Oh the effects of one man’s action. That one story has forever changed the eternal destiny of millions.
Are you still unconvinced of the far-reaching effects of a singular action? When I think of the actions of one man affecting others, my mind is immediately drawn to the Blessed Son of God. Just as the sin of Adam reached into the chasms of time; so did the blessed Christ’s actions reach through the ages. Oh the depth of His love for you! Oh the grace that brought His love down to man! What love and compassion found in one man’s actions! What great effects it has had on my life!
Your actions today will hurt or benefit those surrounding you. What will you chose to do? Will you continue in that action that you know is wrong? Will you continue to mire through the sin of life? Or will you chose to follow the model of Jesus Christ and decide to let holiness be the line that you measure your life against?
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
The Power of the Blood
…When I see the blood…
Exodus 12:13
The old song tells the story of the young Hebrew boy as he sat in the midnight hour on the appointed day when the angel of the Lord would smite the first-born. As he sat nervously, the boy rehearsed in his mind the sight of his father wiping the doorpost with the blood of his young lamb that they had killed earlier. At the time, he did not understand why his young lamb had to die. He could not fathom the reason for which his father had slaughtered the spotless lamb. He knew not to question his father’s actions so he stood there quietly watching his lamb innocently die. He watched as his father took the sharp knife and drew it across the lamb’s throat. He noticed as the blood dripped from the lamb’s neck, it did not bite the slayer. It did not refuse to die. It simply attempted to lick the wound, almost signaling to the little boy, “It’s ok”. When the angel of death passed by that night, he saw the blood and passed over. I am sure the boy thought within his heart, “What power there was in that blood”.
Dear friend, when the Christ of heaven ascended Calvary’s hill and lay upon the cross willingly, he was letting you know, “It’s ok”. He did not rebuke the lashes. He did not demand freedom. He did not condemn the world by calling legions of angels. He symbolically licked his wounds by saying, “Father, forgive them”. The God of glory accepted the blood as the ultimate payment for our sins. The angels heaven stood by thinking, “What power there is in that blood”.
Why did he do this? Why did he shed his blood as an innocent lamb? Why did he not speak up? Friend the reason is simple. He allowed the spotless blood to flow from His divine veins so that when the angel of death comes to the doorpost of our life, he will have to pass over because the blood was applied at salvation. So my brother, when you sit nervously like that little Hebrew boy wondering if the blood is still there, have no fear, for it was applied by the Holy Ghost with love and care. You can be encouraged at the fact, the blood has never lost its power. And one day when you step into the ivory palaces of Heaven, you can say with the millions, “What power there is in the blood”.
Exodus 12:13
The old song tells the story of the young Hebrew boy as he sat in the midnight hour on the appointed day when the angel of the Lord would smite the first-born. As he sat nervously, the boy rehearsed in his mind the sight of his father wiping the doorpost with the blood of his young lamb that they had killed earlier. At the time, he did not understand why his young lamb had to die. He could not fathom the reason for which his father had slaughtered the spotless lamb. He knew not to question his father’s actions so he stood there quietly watching his lamb innocently die. He watched as his father took the sharp knife and drew it across the lamb’s throat. He noticed as the blood dripped from the lamb’s neck, it did not bite the slayer. It did not refuse to die. It simply attempted to lick the wound, almost signaling to the little boy, “It’s ok”. When the angel of death passed by that night, he saw the blood and passed over. I am sure the boy thought within his heart, “What power there was in that blood”.
Dear friend, when the Christ of heaven ascended Calvary’s hill and lay upon the cross willingly, he was letting you know, “It’s ok”. He did not rebuke the lashes. He did not demand freedom. He did not condemn the world by calling legions of angels. He symbolically licked his wounds by saying, “Father, forgive them”. The God of glory accepted the blood as the ultimate payment for our sins. The angels heaven stood by thinking, “What power there is in that blood”.
Why did he do this? Why did he shed his blood as an innocent lamb? Why did he not speak up? Friend the reason is simple. He allowed the spotless blood to flow from His divine veins so that when the angel of death comes to the doorpost of our life, he will have to pass over because the blood was applied at salvation. So my brother, when you sit nervously like that little Hebrew boy wondering if the blood is still there, have no fear, for it was applied by the Holy Ghost with love and care. You can be encouraged at the fact, the blood has never lost its power. And one day when you step into the ivory palaces of Heaven, you can say with the millions, “What power there is in the blood”.
Monday, May 4, 2009
The Great Pardon
…He is near that justifieth me…
Isaiah 50:8
The story has been told numerous times of the suspected criminal as he stood before the judge. The charge had been read and the courtroom saw it as an open and shut case. The evidence was overwhelming against the suspect. Not only was there physical evidence, but there were also witnesses that stood ready to testify against the criminal. Finally the judge heard all that he needed to hear. The facts were undeniable. The testimonies were indisputable. The judge raised the gavel and slammed it against the desk and thundered out a loud, “Guilty”.
How could this be? The criminal knew he was guilty, but was there no way he could obtain a little mercy? Was there no way to receive a little leniency? What could be done? Just as the convicted man hung his head in shame and remorse, the doors leading into the courtroom burst open. The criminal turned his head to see the judge’s son walking through the door coming straight at him. Had this son come only to further humiliate? Was he going to add pain to the punishment? All at once the son took the criminal by the hand and led him to the judge’s seat. There at the seat the son looked into the eyes of the judge and said, “Father, I know he deserves death for his crimes, but father, please have mercy. I believe he has value. I believe he will be worth something. Father, I know he is guilty and his account is bleak; so Father, put his account into my folder. I have done no wrong. I have committed no crime. Let him bear my name. Let him walk with me. And as long as he bares my name, let him be justified. As long as I am by his side, let him considered acceptable.” The judge through the gavel to the bench and declared for all to hear, “Justified!”
Dear friend, this is what happened in the courtroom of your heart. You were guilty before God and were deserving of spiritual death. You had no hope. Your only plea was, “Guilty”. The charges had been levied. The witnesses had spoken. You were without defense. Then all of a sudden, the second person of the Trinity burst into your life and declared you as His possession. He gave you the change to go free. He gave you the chance to bear His name. And as long as you bear his name, you bear His record. He knew you had value. He saw you as important. When the world cast you off as a nobody, the great God of heaven looked your way and saw your potential. He reached down and saved your soul, and set you free. Oh, what a Savior.
Isaiah 50:8
The story has been told numerous times of the suspected criminal as he stood before the judge. The charge had been read and the courtroom saw it as an open and shut case. The evidence was overwhelming against the suspect. Not only was there physical evidence, but there were also witnesses that stood ready to testify against the criminal. Finally the judge heard all that he needed to hear. The facts were undeniable. The testimonies were indisputable. The judge raised the gavel and slammed it against the desk and thundered out a loud, “Guilty”.
How could this be? The criminal knew he was guilty, but was there no way he could obtain a little mercy? Was there no way to receive a little leniency? What could be done? Just as the convicted man hung his head in shame and remorse, the doors leading into the courtroom burst open. The criminal turned his head to see the judge’s son walking through the door coming straight at him. Had this son come only to further humiliate? Was he going to add pain to the punishment? All at once the son took the criminal by the hand and led him to the judge’s seat. There at the seat the son looked into the eyes of the judge and said, “Father, I know he deserves death for his crimes, but father, please have mercy. I believe he has value. I believe he will be worth something. Father, I know he is guilty and his account is bleak; so Father, put his account into my folder. I have done no wrong. I have committed no crime. Let him bear my name. Let him walk with me. And as long as he bares my name, let him be justified. As long as I am by his side, let him considered acceptable.” The judge through the gavel to the bench and declared for all to hear, “Justified!”
Dear friend, this is what happened in the courtroom of your heart. You were guilty before God and were deserving of spiritual death. You had no hope. Your only plea was, “Guilty”. The charges had been levied. The witnesses had spoken. You were without defense. Then all of a sudden, the second person of the Trinity burst into your life and declared you as His possession. He gave you the change to go free. He gave you the chance to bear His name. And as long as you bear his name, you bear His record. He knew you had value. He saw you as important. When the world cast you off as a nobody, the great God of heaven looked your way and saw your potential. He reached down and saved your soul, and set you free. Oh, what a Savior.
Friday, May 1, 2009
The Joy At The Tomb
…And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy…
Matthew 28:8
Their sorrow was definite. Their heart was broken. Their depression was near. Just a few days before, they had watched their hope disappear as the Hope of Eternity was crucified. The man that promised to fulfill the law had died. The man that offered them eternal life now lay sealed inside a tomb. The man that once raised the dead was now unable to move because death had chained His body. But oh, what a difference a day makes! The sorrow, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary had felt just days before was all erased because of what happened that day at the tomb. Though that morning when they arose from their sleep, their hearts were heavy with grief; that night they would be unable to sleep because of the joy that filled their soul. What happened?
It was the first day of the week. As the two women were walking down the road toward the garden tomb, there was a mighty earthquake that shook the earth beneath them. Sore afraid, they rushed to the sepulcher to be sure everything was ok. When they arrived that morning, it was not the Roman guards that met them, but rather they conversed with Holy Angels. "Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." It was those words which filled their hearts with great joy.
Dear friend, contrary to the world, the Bible is not a storybook full of fairy tales. It is the first hand account of God’s redemption plan for man that culminated at the resurrection of our Lord. Today, for a moment, put aside all the things that jockey for your attention. Put aside the bills and the job. Lay aside the repairs and the games. Think solely about the resurrection of our Lord. Think about the Christ that rose from the grave. Think about His triumph over death, Hell, and the grave.
Has you joy gone away? Are you struggling just to take a deep breath because the pressures of life have weighed you down? My friend, Jesus is still alive! He is still real! The tomb is still empty! Focus your mind upon the resurrection today. What delight there is to be found in the story of God’s redemption plan for you and me. If God has the power over death, Hell, and the grave, do you not think He has the power over your situation and heartache? Praise be to God!
Matthew 28:8
Their sorrow was definite. Their heart was broken. Their depression was near. Just a few days before, they had watched their hope disappear as the Hope of Eternity was crucified. The man that promised to fulfill the law had died. The man that offered them eternal life now lay sealed inside a tomb. The man that once raised the dead was now unable to move because death had chained His body. But oh, what a difference a day makes! The sorrow, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary had felt just days before was all erased because of what happened that day at the tomb. Though that morning when they arose from their sleep, their hearts were heavy with grief; that night they would be unable to sleep because of the joy that filled their soul. What happened?
It was the first day of the week. As the two women were walking down the road toward the garden tomb, there was a mighty earthquake that shook the earth beneath them. Sore afraid, they rushed to the sepulcher to be sure everything was ok. When they arrived that morning, it was not the Roman guards that met them, but rather they conversed with Holy Angels. "Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." It was those words which filled their hearts with great joy.
Dear friend, contrary to the world, the Bible is not a storybook full of fairy tales. It is the first hand account of God’s redemption plan for man that culminated at the resurrection of our Lord. Today, for a moment, put aside all the things that jockey for your attention. Put aside the bills and the job. Lay aside the repairs and the games. Think solely about the resurrection of our Lord. Think about the Christ that rose from the grave. Think about His triumph over death, Hell, and the grave.
Has you joy gone away? Are you struggling just to take a deep breath because the pressures of life have weighed you down? My friend, Jesus is still alive! He is still real! The tomb is still empty! Focus your mind upon the resurrection today. What delight there is to be found in the story of God’s redemption plan for you and me. If God has the power over death, Hell, and the grave, do you not think He has the power over your situation and heartache? Praise be to God!
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