Stop Getting Saved

April 26

For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

Romans 7:18b

Evan sensed movement and looked up to see Kenny, his twelve-year-old son,

heading for the altar. Concluding a powerful message, the pastor had given an

altar call. “If you need Jesus, then I want you to get up out of your chair and

come stand at the altar and ask Him to be your Lord and Savior. Come right

now while we wait.” That’s what Kenny was doing—for the third time this

month.

Following the service, Evan asked him, “Why’d you go to the altar today,

buddy?”

Kenny timidly answered, “I called a girl a bad name at school the other day

and needed Jesus to save me again.” Evan sought the right words to reach his

son’s tender heart. He opened his Bible and read Romans 7:14–25 to Kenny. He

read it in its entirety, then reread each verse, explaining, “Kenny, Paul, a mighty

man of God, struggled with sin all his life. It did not make him unsaved each

time he sinned.”

He finished by explaining that when we sin, it does not negate our salva-

tion; it means we made a mistake we need to repent of and then do our best

not to repeat it.

h

Kenny is not alone in his Christian walk. Many Christians walk around with-

out a true understanding of sin versus salvation, thinking that God is this mean

bully keeping track of each offense in order that He might hold them against

us.

God knows what is in the heart of man, yet chose to forgive us. He does

not expect Jesus to be crucified over and over again, nor does He need to be.

When we truly give our lives and hearts to Jesus, our salvation is complete

at that moment; no one can take it away.

Understanding that we will sin and when we do, it’s not resaving we need,

but a heart of repentance. This is a picture of reshaping and renewing our mind,

not our salvation.

Prayer

“Lord, help me understand that once I’m Yours,

I only need to turn away from the sin and not

be saved again. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Hypocrite? Not Me!

April 25th

God, thank you that I am not like other men.

Luke 18:11

Set free from the ravages of drug addiction, Jamaal had been out of prison for

two years. He had re-surrendered his life to Christ, and his rebellion was over.

He’d made a complete turnaround, his life becoming a positive influence on

those around him. But recently his wife had observed another tempter enter

her husband’s life: the spirit of judgment!

He seemed able, and willing, to spot every small offense in others. It was

as if Jamaal noticed things at the seed stage, and felt compelled to ‘set things

straight’, as he put it, ‘before they got out of control’. No one could offend God

without Jamal becoming aware of it.

For six months, Jamaal intervened for the Lord, keeping score of every

transgression, remarking to his wife about other’s shortcomings. One day

his wife felt led to call him on his righteous behavior, saying, “When did you

become the Holy Spirit, Jamaal?”

It took a few days for it to sink in, but Jamaal realized his actions were

judgmental at best … hypocritical at worst. Repentant for his hypocritical

spirit, Jamaal asked God to remove his eyes of judgment, and replace them

with eyes of love.

h

Quoting Oswald Chambers, “The average Christian is the most penetratingly

critical individual.” As Christians we can quickly qualify as Spiritual Supreme

Court Justices if our hearts aren’t constantly surrendered to the One True

Judge. It’s so easy to watch others make mistake after mistake, thinking that

we, like the Pharisee in today’s text, are above such things.

The world loves to call us hypocrites. And sadly, many times they’re right.

We don’t do as we say or should. Hypocrisy is not only saying one thing while

doing another; it can also be veiled behind self-righteous arrogance, unde-

tectable to the one being hypocritical. Chambers also said, “ … in the spiritual

domain nothing is accomplished by criticism.”

What we look for we will find. Hopefully, we are looking for Jesus in those

around us.

Prayer

“Forgive me when I get off track, Lord. I sometimes don’t

even recognize when it’s happening. Help me always

look for the good in others. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Love Deeply

April 24

Love … always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1 Corinthians 13:7

Adrian and Jennifer devised a unique wedding gift for their young friends.

Instead of something traditional, they decided to pass along one of their favor-

ite books. Hidden within its pages were three restaurant gift certificates and

a handwritten note encouraging them to love deeply. The book, written by a

Christian author, gave practical ways in which to enrich our relationships and

fend off complacency in marriage.

There was a catch though; this couple might not read the book immedi-

ately and may not find the certificates for years. In truth, that was exactly how

they envisioned their plan working out. Hopefully, when in times of struggle,

they would remember the book, pull it off the shelf to gain some inspiration,

and there find wisdom, the note, and the gift certificates.

In the note was a simple message: “When it feels like love is ebbing, press

on! Remember the hope you shared in courtship. Use one of the gift certificates

today. Learn to listen to each other; never give in; always persevere, dare to love

deeply!”

Thirty years of marriage had provided Adrian and Jennifer with a measure

of wisdom.

h

God has provided this same wedding gift for us, His bride. Not that we would

only open His Word in times of trouble, but that especially during those times

we would press on and seek to find the wisdom He has buried deep within the

pages of Scripture.

Wisdom comes through experience. Seldom do we learn lessons by hear-

ing about them. Most of the time, events must first happen to us before they

have any meaning in our lives. In those times, we can benefit from the experi-

ence of others, but only if we ask for help. God loves us so deeply that He has

hidden timeless and pertinent treasures in His Word. Just for us, just for now.

Prayer

“In those times when we need a boost, Lord, lead us to

the correct passage in Your Word. And please send us a

messenger of love who has been where we are now. Give

us courage to love deeply. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 What Goes Around

April 23

Give, and it will be given to you … For with the measure you use, it

will be measured to you.

Luke 6:38

Luke smiled as he hung up the phone. God had a sense of humor. Luke had

just been given a new-to-him used car, no charge. It had been a gift from

someone at his church to replace his lately deceased Honda Accord. His smile

was wonder filled, and this was where God’s sense of humor applied, because

now the shoe was on the other foot—on the other foot because in the past,

Luke and his wife, Connie, had given away several vehicles. It had been such

a blessing to see the appreciation in the beneficiary’s eyes, hence God’s ironic

economy: “Give and it will be given to you.”

Luke and Connie had both been raised in homes where helping others

was a way of life. Never well off financially, they learned to love blessing people

for the Lord.

This situation gave them a unique perspective. They went from blesser to

blessee. Being on the receiving end was certainly different—humbling. They

knew what their benefactor would feel each time he saw them driving this car

and that made it easier to accept his generosity.

They blessed God for the gift and asked His blessing on their benefactor,

who had been so generous in their time of need.

h

This couple hadn’t given away vehicles in the hopes that someone would return

the favor someday. They had done it out of a spirit of love and giving, with a

heart that heard the voice of the God whispering, “Someone needs My bless-

ing. Will you be My instrument?”

This incident does, however, point out the truth of today’s text: if you are

a giver, it will not guarantee God’s immediate blessing; it does, nevertheless,

promise God will give to you in the same way you give to others.

Prayer

“Lord, because of Your great love and mercy, I give all

I have freely to You to do what You want. How could

I do anything else? It’s all Yours anyway. Amen.”

 The Power of the Anointing

April 22

How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched

over me.

Job 29:1

The crowd pressed in, as if leaning forward in their seats would get them closer

to heaven. They were hungry for every word! This no-name evangelist was

bringing a message full of indictment, yet it was so true that it could not be

denied, and no one attempted to do so. He was calling them to repentance

through a message about God’s anointing.

The evangelist was speaking about Job and how in the midst of his greatest

trials, Job was remembering how blessed his life had been during the fullness

of God’s anointing.

His words carried power and truth, conviction and challenge. People began

to weep and fall to their knees in repentance. God’s Word was alive with the

glory of the Lord, and people were responding to God’s presence.

The pastor could sense a supernatural shift in the atmosphere; it was as if a

direct portal from heaven had opened and God Himself were pouring out His

anointing oil on those who were bold enough to believe what the Scriptures

said was true.

h

They had come hungry for God, not just for His healing or deliverance, but

also for God Himself. And in response to such hunger, God had showed up in

power! He wanted them to know the truth imbedded in the message: Job had

been blessed with God’s anointing because he had rescued the poor and the

fatherless; he had assisted the dying at the time of their death; he had lifted

the spirit of the widow and was righteous and just. Such a clear message: “My

anointing is on those who work in the trenches. They will experience power to

complete this work.”

God still anoints those who are hungry to love the lost and help the less

fortunate.

Prayer

“Lord, bring forth rivers of oil from Your Rock, and pour

them upon me so I can go forth and minister in Your power.

I want to work in power for You. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 It’s Just Not Fair!

April 21

I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you.

Isaiah 48:17

“It’s just not fair! It’s not a school night. It’s only eight o’clock; it’s too early for

bedtime!” Jeffrey argued.

“I know it doesn’t seem fair, buddy, but it’s your bedtime,” his father said.

“But, Dad!” Jeffrey whined. “I can’t sleep with you guys out there laughing

and having fun! Please, Daddy? I am eight, you know,” came his pitiful plea.

“Sorry, buddy. The answer is no. Now, climb in bed, and we’ll say our

prayers.”

Three minutes after Dad left the room, Jeffrey had his door cracked just

enough to listen. I can’t believe they’re torturing me like this! he thought. The

temptation to eavesdrop was more than he could handle. Deciding to risk his

father’s wrath, he snuck out the door and down the hallway. As he peeked

around the corner, he was spotted by one of his mom’s friends. She smiled at

him and winked. Oh no! I’m gonna get it now! he thought, sprinting for his room

as quietly as he could. He silently closed the door, jumped into bed, and pulled

the covers up over his head, pretending to be asleep. “It’s just not fair!” he mut-

tered, hoping that strange woman wouldn’t tell on him.

h

The prospect of missing something that holds the promise of fun and excite-

ment can be overwhelming. Like Jeffrey’s father, God gave His children sen-

sible instruction. But Israel was stubborn and did not pay attention.

Sometimes God’s instructions make no sense to us. In His infinite wis-

dom, God knows what’s best for us. He hopes we will listen and obey even

though we may not completely understand. As in Isaiah’s forty-eighth chapter,

God tries to spare us suffering. But we, like the Israelites, sometimes stomp

our feet and complain when things don’t suit us. We pout and rebel, defiantly

proclaiming, “It’s just not fair!”

As we mature, we discover that our parents were protecting us from our-

selves. God wants to do the same. But here’s the catch: it requires faith, faith

that what He told Isaiah is true.

Prayer

“Forgive my petulant attitude, Lord. Help me learn

to trust You more. Teach me to lean on You instead of

always pulling on Your hand. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 The Messenger

April 20

And no messenger is greater than the one who sent him.

John 13:16

Having gone over her notes for the umpteenth time, Gail looked out the win-

dow of the plane, focusing on nothing in particular. She was replaying Stepha-

nie’s earlier words of encouragement, “Look, Gail. I know you can handle orga-

nizing the final stages of the event. There’s not that much left to do. It’s not life

and death … well … okay, maybe spiritually, but you can’t do anything that will

cause anyone coming to the conference to accept or reject Jesus; you’re just the

messenger. You do your part—God will do the rest.”

The Women of Faith Conference was a week away, and Gail didn’t want

to make any mistakes. “Lord, I need Your help. I would never want to cause

anyone to miss her chance to meet You. Please guide my actions and help me

bring glory to You.”

God’s response was almost immediate. The woman in the seat next to her

happened to see Gail’s to-do list on her legal pad and asked, “I couldn’t help

but see your notes. Is that conference open to anyone? I’ll be in town, and I’d

love to come and see what it’s all about.”

The subsequent conversation found this stranger accepting Jesus as her

Savior. As Gail deplaned, she was filled with the wonder of God. “He always

knows how to reach me.”

h

Jesus’ disclosure to the apostles was, and is today, revelatory in nature. We are

His messengers, ambassadors of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was, and always

will be, His message unto salvation reaching for the lost. He alone is the power

of the message. That should give us tremendous confidence and comfort know-

ing we are not held liable for someone’s response, only for taking every oppor-

tunity to share the message when it comes. When those moments arise, just

remember Who sent you and tell them about Jesus. All of heaven stands in awe

of the privilege given to the messenger.

Prayer

“Show me who needs to hear Your gospel of love today,

Jesus. Give me confidence to look for them instead of

waiting for them to come to me. May I always remember

the day I fell in love with You myself. Amen.”