Redeemed

It was not with perishable things … that you were redeemed.
1 Peter 1:18

Sally had been attending services for about two months when the pastor and an elder dropped by to visit her husband, Bob. They brought him an information packet that included a CD of the most recent sermon. Following an extended visit, they said good-bye, and invited for Bob to come check them out.
“Vietnam left deep scars on too many good men and women,” the elder remarked, alluding to Bob’s comments about taking part in the fighting and his struggles with God since then.
The following Sunday, Sally showed up alone. The pastor asked, “Do you think Bob will come?”
“I don’t know. Maybe someday. But not today,” she said with deep sadness.
“Don’t give up,” the pastor encouraged.
Halfway through praise and worship, Bob walked through the door. And that very day, he gave his life to Christ!
There was a church picnic that afternoon right across the street from Bob and Sally’s home. Midway through the picnic, Bob appeared from the house and approached the pastor. “I wasn't going to come today,” he began. “As a matter of fact, I turned around three times. But I wanted to see if you were as good in person as you were on the CD,” he said sheepishly. Growing serious, he reached in his pocket and stretched his closed hand toward the pastor. “I want you to have this. I was going to use it. But I don’t need it anymore.” And with that, he dropped a nine-millimeter bullet with his name written on it into the pastor’s hand.
Since that day, Bob has grown to know the One Who saved him with His redeeming power.

†

Nothing of intrinsic value could have redeemed us. The price sin required was Jesus’ blood.
Some believe they've done too much, committed too heinous a crime to be of any use to God. But no matter where we've been or what we've done, Jesus’ blood is sufficient to cover that sin.
God wants us to know our worthiness has nothing to do with salvation through His Son. He just calls us to come and be redeemed.

Prayer

“Lord, I feel unworthy. But Your Word says if I accept Your Son, You will redeem me anyway. Forgive me, Lord. I want to be redeemed. Amen.”

Just One Thing

But one thing I do.
Philippians 3:13b

Byron had asked Shane to run for a seat on city council. “Look, Shane, I understand your reluctance, but think about it.”
“I hear what you’re saying. I’m just not sure I agree. There’ll be many opposed to my holding political office if they find out about my past. You know campaigns are anything but private, and the other camp will surely dredge it up.”
Shane wasn't afraid of being found out; he just didn't want to drag his family through an unnecessary mudslinging contest.
Sixteen years ago, he’d been arrested for possession of marijuana and cocaine and had done a short stint in the county jail. He’d gotten clean and stayed that way. Yet he knew society could be a cruel reminder.
But Byron had witnessed the change in Shane and appreciated how he approached life today. “At least discuss it with Carol and see how she feels.”
That evening, Shane posed the question to his wife. “What would you think about me running for the vacant city council seat next November?”
“I think you will be a good councilman,” she said with finality and a twinkle in her eye. She understood his concern; she just wasn't going to let it dictate their lives. If it came up, so be it. It was what he did, not who he was.
Shane was sworn in on a windy and cold January evening and would faithfully serve the City of Grayson, being reelected to six consecutive terms.

†

We all have pasts and have fallen short of the mark. Too many of us let those mistakes define who we are today. If our personal sin were laid bare for all to see, we would cease throwing stones of incrimination, and we would judge less critically.
Paul was aware of his shortcomings to the point of listing many of them in the hope that others would understand the importance of not allowing past mistakes to affect present performance. So I emphasize his words for you: “Forgetting what is behind, and straining forward, I press on!” Do just that one thing; press on!

Prayer

“Forgive my mistakes, Lord. Help me not allow what I've done in the past dictate who I am in You. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

The Mantle

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.
2 Kings 2:9

From the mezzanine, they watched the crowd filtering in. Evangelist, Will Graham, placed his hand on Nathaniel Stover's shoulder and spoke softly, yet passionately, “Each one of these people here tonight has needs, son.” Pointing, he asked, “Do you see that man in the red shirt, son?”
“Yes, sir,” eleven year old Nathaniel answered.
“How about the lady with the blue coat?”
“Yes, sir. I see her,” came his reply.
“And how about the girl with the ponytails, there in the second row?”
“I see her, sir.”
Then this man of God spoke with an even deeper passion. “Ask God to show you what they need. Ask Him to show you their hearts, son!” He paused a moment and then continued. “I always survey the crowd before speaking. Then I ask God to speak through me what they need to hear.”
Nathaniel looked up, awed that this well-known man had taken time out of his busy schedule to share his heart with him. Will had discovered that Nathaniel had felt God’s call to become a pastor. He understood the importance of nurturing the vision. In those few moments, he did for Nathaniel what no one else could. He passed on the mantle.

†

God bestows His mantle upon those He calls. This godly man understood the privilege he’d been given. He remembered his father doing this very thing with him when he had answered God’s call to the ministry.
This was a night Nathaniel would never forget. Because of this night he was even more ready to answer the call than before.
God equips everyone for ministry. He provides all the skills we need for each situation we find ourselves in. He will never send us out to do anything we aren't ready for. We may feel apprehensive, but if we move forward in faith, we will find that the Holy Spirit is right there giving us courage and strength.

Prayer

“Sometimes I’m afraid of the unknown, Lord. I’m uncomfortable about being embarrassed. Help me put aside the fear so I might teach others about You. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

A Deeper Truth

Pray without ceasing…

I Thessalonians 5:17 KJV

Austin Miller is an exceptional young man. Always polite, he conducts himself with quiet confidence. His quick smile is disarming, his clever wit remarkable. Of average height, his straight back and lean muscular physique convey an impression of competence. He is handsome, yet would be embarrassed at the compliment. His deep blue eyes convey a premature wisdom.

If you spent any time around Austin you would discover a spiritual boldness, notably in the marketplace. His younger brother, Lee, never passes on an opportunity to tease his ‘super spiritual’ big brother. One recent event bears witness...

After having his braces tightened that day, Austin arose in the middle of the night to take some pain medication. On his way back to bed, he overheard his parents coughing from colds they’d passed back and forth. Going to their bedroom he asked if he could pray for them. After praying he returned to his room.

At breakfast the next morning Austin looked confused when his parents thanked him for his nighttime prayer. He didn’t remember any of it!

Lee looked at Austin and exclaimed, “No way! Now he’s sleep-praying?!”  

†

Most of us have experienced or heard of sleep-walking. But prior to reading this devotion I doubt if many of us had ever heard of sleep-praying. I know I never had.

I’m not sure this is what Paul meant when he urged the Church at Thessalonica to pray without ceasing. However, Austin’s experience reveals a deep truth; that what is in our hearts comes so natural that it can occur in our sleep. Prayer is so much a part of Austin’s life that when a need arose he responded spontaneously. And according to his parents the prayer was animated and on point.

I believe this exemplifies Paul’s exhortation.

Prayer

“Lord, I want my prayer life to be so natural that I would even bring You praise in my sleep. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Our Future Hope!

There is surely a future hope for you...

Proverbs 23:18

Jenny practiced devoutly for the upcoming National Talent Search tryouts being held in her city. She was nervous about performing in front of the judges, but she couldn’t shake the sense that singing was what she was created to do. So Jenny purposed herself to sing as best she could. And Jenny could sing!  

She was used to landing the lead role in her High School Drama Club’s annual musical. And though you might think that would have prepared her for this competition, this was not a group performance where she happened to be the best singer. This was give-it-your-best-shot stuff, against some very talented individuals, and hope you came out on top…or close to it.    

Jenny was looking for the validation of her dream; this could give it to her if she placed well. Standing in the wings, awaiting her chance, she uttered a prayer of hope, “Lord, whatever comes I ask for three things; give me strength to do my best today and every day; if this is my future, give me hope to carry on; but most of all…I pray that you receive all the glory. Amen.” and she took the stage.

Jenny advance in the competition until becoming one of twelve finalists. Her dream was becoming a reality!

 †

There is within each of us an innate hope, placed there by our Creator, to do something meaningful; and toward that goal we remain unsatisfied with anything less than our best effort.

To get from point A (where we are today) to point B (where we desire to be) we must travel with purpose, always looking toward our objective, yet understanding the trip is more about our maturation than the destination. And in order to be useful to God today we must remain in the present. So when the road gets rough, look just far enough ahead to remember: Hope is the ability to look toward the future in such a way that it gives us confidence in the present. And Jesus is the Hope in which that confidence resides.  

Prayer

“I surrender to Your leading, Lord. Guide me safely to my intended destination, and don’t let me miss life as we walk this road together. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Enough to Send His Son

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son … for our sins.
1 John 4:10

“What makes you so sure?” Jenna’s question about God loving us apart from our performance was valid. She wanted to know why God didn't require good behavior a prerequisite to salvation.
“God told us through His Word, Jenna,” Shari explained, opening her Bible and reading, ‘This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us.’”
Shari searched for the right words. “Jenna, we could never measure up to God’s standards. His holiness requires perfection, and we aren't perfect. Scripture says, ‘All have sinned.’ That means we needed a perfect sacrifice to save us. That was God’s Son. God’s love is so fierce that He would rather send Jesus to die in our place than allow us to spend eternity apart from Him.” Shari felt it was time to ask Jenna to make a decision. “Would you like to know such love?”
“You know,” Jenna began, “I've watched you and Walt, and I see something.” She paused. “You have such a peace, even when things aren't going so great. I’d really like to know that peace in my life.”
Shari silently asked for the right words. “Jenna, God wants you to know that peace too. All you need to do is accept His Son into your heart. You can’t earn salvation; it’s a free gift given at a high price.” Seeing tears begin to form in Jenna’s eyes, she pressed on. “Just ask Jesus to take over from today on. Tell Him you know you’re a sinner in need of His sacrifice.”
Jenna bowed her head and invited Jesus into her heart.

†

There is nothing we can do to earn God’s love or approval. He showed us His love on the cross of Calvary.
He does require a humble heart, a heart turned to Him, a heart willing to accept His great love and not one trying to earn it.
It costs us nothing. It cost Him everything because He cared enough to send His Son.

Prayer

“Father God, I lift my life to You in this moment and commit it to You. Wash my sins white as snow with Your Son’s blood. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Forever!

But he who feeds on this bread will live forever.
John 6:58
For whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.
Jude 1:13

“So you’re telling me that when I die I’ll continue to live, not in physical form, but live nonetheless?” Jack could see Stan’s skepticism. “And you believe that?” Stan asked.
“To the best of my ability,” was Jack’s honest answer. “Look, Stan, I admit that I don’t fully understand everything the term forever means, but Scripture says that we will live forever in heaven or hell. I believe that.”
Stan thought about that for a minute and then said, “I don’t know if I can wrap my mind around that enough to believe it.”
“You can’t wrap your mind around the things of God, Stan,” Jack tried to explain. “God is so much bigger than us. Just ask Him for the faith to believe now instead of trying to figure it all out before you accept His offer of salvation.”
Stan was unmoved.
“Look, Stan, I’m just saying it requires faith to believe in something we can’t categorically prove here and now. I’m also saying that I believe even though I have some questions about how forever actually works. Forever is a term we really don’t understand. But not understanding it completely has no effect on the truth that we will live forever.”

†

We tend to fear things outside our control, disbelieving what we don’t understand. We live from day to day, taking life as it comes. We’re not acquainted with more than a temporal existence, so it’s hard to grasp the nature of eternity.
Trying to completely understand eternity is like trying to remember what it was like breathing amniotic fluid. We know it happened; yet we don’t understand it much, if at all.
The word forever conjures thoughts of living with physical, emotional, or mental limitations for the rest of time. But throughout eternity there will be no curse, and those limits will cease to exist.
Faith requires belief in an Infinite Someone bigger than our finite mind truly understands. Our not understanding forever does not make it untrue.

Prayer

“Lord, give me faith to believe in forever so that my choices here are based on where I want to spend all that time. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”