Category: Devotionals

“Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.” – Psalm 36:5

I remember as a child I often would lay on the grass and watch the clouds change their shapes as they floated by high overhead. As they moved, they became whatever my imagination saw in them. Sometimes it would be an animal, and at other times, the faces of people, but eventually the clouds would morph into something else right before my eyes, and I would be delighted to identify new shapes.

Today, when I look into the skies, I see beyond what a small child might see. The vastness of the heavens speaks to the enormity of God’s mercy. The clouds that float miles above testify of the faithfulness of God that reaches to the highest heights. Psalm 19:1 states, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” His mercy and faithfulness know no bounds! Praise the Lord for His great faithfulness! Praise Him for His mercy that endures forever!

One day, a trumpet will sound, and I will cast my eyes upward into the skies once more. I will see the clouds, but this time my Saviour, Jesus Christ, will be there, calling me home, and I will rise up to meet Him in the air! “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (! Thessalonians 4:16-17) What a glorious day that will be!

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming,
One day the skies with His glory will shine;
Wonderful day, my beloved One bringing:
Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine!

Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;
Buried, He carried my sins far away;
Rising, He justified freely forever:
One day He’s coming– O glorious day!

(from “One Day!” by J. Wilbur Chapman)

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” – Titus 2:13

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Keep looking up and listening for the trumpet!

“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” – John 3:7

How many birthdays do you have? I don’t mean how many times have you blown out candles or gotten a year older. I mean, how many times have you been born? You see, even if you celebrate your birthday 5 times, 10 times, or even 100 times, it’s still just one birthday—the day that you were born into the world.

Some people, myself included, have two birthdays. I have a physical birthday, August 16^th, and I have a spiritual birthday, March 10^th. Yes, that’s right. I have two birthdays! Jesus talked about being born in the book of John. He told a man named Nicodemus that he needed to be born again. John 3:3 records Jesus’ words. “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

How does someone get born again? Nicodemus wondered that very same thing. Jesus was referring to a spiritual birth, which becomes necessary because of sin. When we are physically born, each of us enters the world as a sinner. Sin is anything that goes against God’s Word. Anything. And that sin keeps us separated from God. Sin is such a generic word for me. It doesn’t really sound as bad as it really is. Let’s think about it for a minute. Have you ever heard people say that they weren’t so bad… that they never cheated on their taxes; they never murdered anyone; they never committed adultery? Possibly. However, I’ve never had anyone say to me, “I’ve never lied,” or “I’ve never had evil thoughts,” or “I’ve never said an ugly word” … the list goes on and on. Most of us don’t give these types of sins a second thought. But God does.  In fact, in His Word, He tells us His thoughts on any kind of sin.

• Romans 3:23 tells us, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;“
• Isaiah 59:2 states, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid [his] face from you, that he will not hear.”
• Ezekiel 18:20 records, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.”

The Bible also tells us that we are all spiritually “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). That’s a pretty sobering thought. Is there hope? Yes, and it’s found in that second birthday! Being born again is all about forgiveness of sin and receiving new life from God. Lots of people know John 3:16. The Bible tell us “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.” This verse tells us that God loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to become our Savior. That’s the reason Jesus went to the cross.

Romans 5:8 says “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” When Jesus died on the cross, He took upon Himself the punishment that you and I deserve for all of the bad things that we have done and will do during our lives. We are reminded of this in 1 Peter 2:24. “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” However, the story doesn’t end there. Three days after Jesus was buried, He rose from the dead, which proved that He was God, and He alone had the power to forgive sins and give us eternal life in heaven.

My second birth happened on March 10, 1968. A missionary came to a church I went to and shared about how much God loved me. He loved me enough to send His only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for me. I remember thinking that every blow of the hammer on the nails represented one of the sins I had committed in my life. Even at the age of 12, I realized I was a sinner, and I realized it was my sin that nailed Jesus to the cross. I remember going to the altar and praying for forgiveness, and when I returned to my seat, I knew Jesus had forgiven me. The Bible says in Romans 10:13, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Romans 6:23 states, “The wages of sin is death…” That’s pretty dismal, but the second part of that verse offers us hope. It says, “… but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” When Christ forgives your sins, He also gives you the everlasting life promised in John 3:16.

Getting saved, or receiving Jesus’ forgiveness of sins is as easy as A-B-C.

• Admit you’re a sinner and you need forgiveness for your sins.
• Believe that Jesus is God’s only Son who died on the cross for your sins, rose from the dead, and that HE alone has the power to forgive you
• Choose Him to be your Savior through prayer

The day when you ask Jesus to forgive your sins becomes your second birthday. If you don’t know if you have ever asked the Lord to save you, or you’re not sure, I urge you to take care of that today. Salvation doesn’t just happen. It’s proactive. My pastor once said, “Many people believe the Bible, but they don’t do what it says.” Here are three biblical examples of being proactive in your salvation with God.

• Acts 16:31 says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…”
• Psalm 55:16 says, “As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.”
• Psalm 116:13 says, “I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.”

You must make that first step through prayer, and I promise you that Jesus will hear you, forgive you, and welcome you with open arms into the family of God. He will not turn anyone away.

A ruler once came to Jesus by night
To ask Him the way of salvation and light;
The Master made answer in words true and plain,
“Ye must be born again.”
 
“Ye must be born again,
Ye must be born again,
I verily, verily, say unto thee,
Ye must be born again.”

(from “Ye Must Be Born Again” by William Sleeper)

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” – Romans 10:9

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If you want a second birthday, it’s just a prayer away!

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” – Matthew 18:20

1+1 = ?  Most people can answer this math problem easily. You probably have the answer “two” in your mind at this moment, but I am going to explain how the answer can be “three.”

In the book of Matthew, Jesus tells His followers that whenever there are two believers gathered together, He would be with them. That means that one believer plus one believer equals three individuals… the two believers and Jesus! Therefore, 1+1=3!

Can you see the value in being with others who are in God’s family? Hebrews 10  tells us that it is important that Christians are “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Each time we gather together in church services, Sunday school classes, Bible study groups, there is always one unseen visitor… the Lord Jesus Christ Himself!

Think about the awesomeness of that… the Son of God is there with you! It’s not a possibility… it’s a given. Those words in Matthew were spoken by Jesus! Every single time you meet with another believer, Jesus is with you… every single time!!! When you kneel by the bedside of your child to pray with them, He is there. When you work on a devotional with a friend, He is there. When you and your spouse pray over a meal, He is there! Every time you gather together with another Christian, Jesus is there! Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known;
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing;
Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine!

We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,
And pray that Thou still our Defender will be;
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

(from “We Gather Together” – author unknown)

“That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.” – Romans 1:12

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The next time you fill out your Sunday school class’ attendance sheet, you might want to add one more number!

“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” – 1 Peter 3:12

“Mothers have eyes in the backs of their heads!” I remember hearing that as a child, and it was in reference to my mother seemingly knowing everything I did, whether good or bad. I was mystified as to how she knew some things and amazed that she knew others. What astonishing power my mother had! I couldn’t even see those extra set of eyes on the back of her head! Today I know better, but like my mother, the mystique of my children believing I knew everything about them was passed down, and somewhere underneath my dark hair was another set of eyes that saw everything, or so they thought!

Unlike a mother, whose all-knowing powers are merely imaginary, God’s abilities to see and hear everything we do are real. He is truly omniscient and omnipresent, and because of that, we can have confidence that wherever we are, whatever situations we find ourselves in, and whenever we call out to Him, He is completely aware. He sees and hears us at all times!

While this is comforting in most aspects, we must also remember that when we choose to be in places where we should not be, or act in ways that dishonor God, say things that displease Him, He also sees and hears those times in our lives as well. This should spur us on to living a life for Jesus; a life in which “…we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world…” (Titus 2:12) When we chose to live for God, He blesses us abundantly. Matthew 6:33 states, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

There is another set of eyes that watches us. Those eyes belong to the world. Christians are often under the world’s microscope. People look at us with a critical eye. Are we living any differently than they? Do they see Christ in us, or do they see someone exactly as themselves? Do they see the “real deal,” or do they see a hypocrite? This is the reason we must strive to live a life that honors God. As the world keeps its eyes on us, they should be able to recognize a difference that can only be explained by a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
 
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

(from “Living for Jesus” by Thomas O. Chisholm)

“For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.” – Acts 17:28

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A life lived for Jesus is a life worth living!!

“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” – Romans 8:37

Today, I read an encouragement card that said, “Be unstoppable!” I thought about that for a bit, then came to the conclusion that it was urging me to be bold in doing whatever it was that I had planned for the day. At that time, my plans included homeschooling my granddaughters, preparing for my Sunday school lesson, and going for a quick swim.  I didn’t anticipate having any difficulty getting any of those three accomplished, however, as I pondered being “unstoppable,” I felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit, and my mind moved to what it would mean to be unstoppable in my walk with Christ.

To answer that question, I had to identify what would actually stop me in serving Jesus. Here are a few things that could potentially be obstacles in my Christian walk.

• Sin
  • “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” – Isaiah 59:2
• Worldly pleasures
  • “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” – 1 John 2:15-16
• Peer pressure
  • “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10

To overcome these obstacles, I must go forward in faith following my Saviour’s lead, trusting Jesus to direct my paths in all areas of my life (Proverbs 3:5-6). Since He is unstoppable, I will also be unstoppable if I am following in His footsteps! “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

How do I follow Him? I read His Word, listen to the Holy Spirit, don the armor of God, and go forth in the power of His name! “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” – Colossians 3:17

Following Jesus, following Jesus,
Gently He leads me in the heavenly way;
Watching and praying, trusting, obeying,
He will restrain me from going astray.
 
Following Jesus, following Jesus,
Following Jesus by day and by night;
Watching and praying, trusting, obeying,
He is my helper in doing the right.

(from “Following Jesus” by Barney E. Warren)

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” – John 10:27

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It’s impossible to get lost if I follow the true “Light of the World!”

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” – Proverbs 22:1

Now that I am officially a senior citizen, I sometimes wonder about the legacy I will leave behind should I pass on before the Lord returns.  When I reflect on my life, I wonder what aspects of it stand out, and if those aspects influenced my family and others for God.

I hope I will be remembered as…

• A mother and grandmother who was faithful to God and a good testimony to her family.
  • “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” – 2 Timothy 1:5
• A woman whose faith was demonstrated through service to God.
  • “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” – James 2:18
• A woman who used her gifts and talents for God.
  • “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” – 1 Peter 4:10
• A woman life reflected respect for God’s Word and His guidelines for living.
  • “The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” Titus 2:3-5
• A woman who loved the Lord with all her heart.
  • “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” – Deuteronomy 6:5

When my life on earth is over, I hope that I am not found lacking in my service for the Lord, and that what I did in my life honored God and pointed others to Christ. I hope that when my grandchildren and great-grandchildren think of me, they will know without a doubt that I lived for Jesus, and I loved Him with all my heart. Until then, I plan to continue serving God to the best of my ability, helping my grandchildren grow in their own faith and showing them that a life lived for Jesus is the best life ever!

Living for Jesus a life that is true,
Striving to please him in all that I do,
Yielding allegiance glad hearted and free
This is the pathway of blessing for me.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to you,
For you in your atonement did give yourself for me.
I own no other master, my heart shall be your throne:
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for you alone.

(from “Living for Jesus” by Thomas O. Chisholm)

“Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.” – 1 Samuel 12:24

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What legacy will you leave behind?

Choir

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” – Philippians 2:5

This morning, the choir at my church sang this song (click on link above the picture to hear the song), and it really touched my heart. All signs around us seem to indicate that the time of Jesus’ return to call God’s children home is imminent. While this event is wonderfully anticipated by every saved person, it will be an awful moment for those left behind. As I listened to the words, tears filled my eyes when I thought of all those who would not be part of the group to whom 1 Thessalonians 4;17 refers. “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

I pray I will see the world through the eyes of Christ and share His gospel with those who desperately need Jesus. He alone can provide the peace of God that comes with salvation through Him.

“Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.” – Luke 10:2

(“Through the Eyes of Christ” written by Ron Hamilton and Cheryl Reid)

“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13

There are many precautions we have been advised to take in regard to the coronavirus. Wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing, and vigorous handwashing are all recommended to safeguard us against a very dangerous illness. While following these guidelines is no guarantee that a person will not become infected with the virus, it certainly does lessen one’s chances of acquiring it, and thus maintaining optimal physical health.

Our spiritual health is no different than our physical health in several aspects. First, it can be destroyed by sin, which like a virus, can spread rapidly. To protect ourselves, we have spiritual clothing… the full armor of God. Ephesians 6 lists all the pieces of this armor, and it covers us as follows.

• Ephesians 6:17a – “And take the helmet of salvation…” This protects our minds from the influence of sin by keeping our thoughts focused on that which is righteous and godly.
• Ephesians 6:14b – “…and having on the breastplate of righteousness;” This protects our heart from sin’s deception and wickedness.
• Ephesians 6:14a – “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth…” The truth of God and His Word supports us and enables to stand firm for the gospel of Christ.
• Ephesians 6:15 – “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;” Again, we stand firm, unmovable, due to the surety we have in the gospel of our Saviour.
• Ephesians 6:16 – “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” As our faith grows through God’s Word, prayer, and fellowship with other believers, it is used effectively to defend us against the attacks of Satan and the sin he promotes.
• Ephesians 6:17b – “…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” Lastly, we have our only offensive weapon, the Scriptures. Like a vaccine, the Word of God will protect against any ill effects of the “sin virus.”

There are many who believe that the coronavirus is not as much of a threat. Many are resistant to taking any precautions, willing to take the risks in order to do as they please. If they are fortunate, they will remain untouched by the virus. However, many have not been successful in doing so and have become very sick and even died.

The only way to avoid the fatal consequences of the coronavirus is to be wise and take the appropriate precautions. Wearing a mask and washing one’s hands is not too difficult for anyone to do, yet there will always be those who resist.

Although sin is similar to covid-19 in many ways, it differs in one major characteristic. The outcome of a life infested by sin is ultimately death… 100% of the time, and that means spiritual separation from God forever. Those who choose to ignore the gravity of sin’s consequences live as though there never will be a time when they will have to account for their behavior. The Scriptures tell us otherwise. 2 Corinthians 5:10 states “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad,” and Romans 6:23 clearly states, “For the wages of sin is death…”

The only way to avoid the eternal consequences of sin is to follow the guidelines God has given us to avoid the punishment for wickedness and unrighteousness. The cure for sin is Jesus. Once we have accepted Christ’s forgiveness of our sins, He empowers us to “stand fast” and live according to God’s precepts. Then, with His Word hid in our hearts, He will help us reject the sinful ways of the world and live for Him as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto the Lord which is our reasonable service. (Romans 12:1) Additionally, once we have been “saved” from the punishment of our sins, we are guaranteed everlasting life in heaven with God. The latter part of Romans 6:23 states, “…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Don’t take chances with your health, physical or spiritual. Choose wisely what you will do with your body and your soul.

I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.

 Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.

(from “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” by S. Sundar Singh)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

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Jesus is the only cure for this sin-sick world!

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” – Luke 19:10

sI don’t know anyone who wants to go to hell. Occasionally, someone make joke about it, but in reality, there isn’t anyone that I know of who truly desires to spend eternity there. It is a place of eternal torment and complete separation from God forever.

The Bible describes hell as follows:

• “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” -Revelation 21:8
• “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;” – 2 Thessalonians 1:9
• “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:” – Mark 9:43
• “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” – Daniel 12:2
• “The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” – Matthew 13:41-42

There are many other verses in the Bible that reference hell, and none of them are pleasant by any stretch of the imagination. Initially, hell was a place prepared for the devil and his angelic followers. “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” (Matthew 25:41) It is also a place where those who reject God’s Son will spend eternity.

If a person truly understood the gravity of what it meant to be sent to hell by God, there would be no jokes about going there to “be with my friends.” Unfortunately, everyone is destined to go there. Why? Because we are all sinners in the eyes of God. According to Romans 3:10, “…There is none righteous, no, not one:”

But there is good news! The Bible tells us in Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” This means that God loved us so much, He sent His only Son, Jesus, to become our Saviour! While it is clear that the punishment for our sins is eternal damnation, Jesus chose to take upon Himself the punishment meant for us. When He shed His precious blood and died on the cross of Calvary, He became the gift of God in Romans 6:23. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The reason that Jesus came to earth was to provide a way for us to escape the punishment of hell through the forgiveness of our sins. His death and resurrection prove He is exactly who He said He was, and that He alone has the power to forgive the iniquities of all mankind.

The Bible says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13) Simply put, if you want to avoid the punishment for your sins, eternity in hell, all that you need to do is ask Jesus to forgive you! When you put your faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, He forgives your sins and promises you everlasting life with Him in heaven! John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Not only does salvation in Christ promise you an eternal future in heaven, but you will also become empowered by His Holy Spirit to live for Him today! A life for Christ is filled with promise and hope! If you’ve never asked Jesus to forgive your sins and become your Saviour, you can do that today! There is no sin too big for Him to forgive. No shame too heavy for Him to relieve. Go to Him just as you are. He will not reject you. He is waiting for you with open arms, ready to forgive, ready to heal, ready to love.

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

(from “Just As I Am” by Charlotte Elliott)

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” – John 3:17

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If you have any questions about salvation, please let me know. I’d love to share with you from the Word of God how you can be saved today!

“And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.” – Luke 18:42

Imagine what it must have been like for the blind man that Jesus healed. One moment, his entire world was enveloped in darkness, and the next, his eyes open to see colors so vivid they take his breath away! He sees the faces of loved ones before whom he could only hear and touch! He glances upward and sees the glorious blue sky with puffy white clouds changing shapes, and he gazes in wonder and awe! Unbridled jubilation that bubbles up inside him, then bursts forth in rapturous praise as he glorifies God for His healing touch, and all those around him celebrate by clapping and praising the name of the Lord for His miraculous work. For the first time, he is able to run through the streets, not worrying about hitting something or stumbling over a rock, so he does! Shouting and crying out that he can finally see! Jesus had touched him in a way he had never dreamed possible, and now he has been made whole! What joy floods his soul!!

What Jesus did for us when He saved our souls from judgment and the punishment for our sins was so much more than what He did for the blind, the lame, or the infirmed. Jesus healed our spiritual being… the eternal part of us. He did what no one else could do! When was the last time you jumped for joy because Jesus touched your life and saved your soul? When was the last time you shouted to the world that the Lord had made you whole? When was the last time the joy of the Lord overwhelmed you so much that you burst forth in songs of praise to God? When was the last time you genuinely thanked Him for working a miracle in your life?

Maybe because we cannot “see” the outward healing of our sin-sick souls, we lose sight of the magnitude of what Jesus did for us, but if we just stop for a moment, and reflect on what the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus really  means to us, there would be no power on earth that could stop us from acknowledging the amazing grace and love of God in our lives! Because of Calvary, we have become redeemed sinners! No longer enslaved by sin; no longer fearful of eternal separation from the Lord!! We have been saved by the grace of the Almighty God!! We will spend eternity in heaven because of what Jesus did for us!! If that doesn’t make you jump for joy and praise the Lord, nothing will!

Praise God, I am saved by the blood of Jesus! My soul has been set free from the shackles of sin, and I am bound for the Promised Land!!! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!!!

I’ve found a Friend, who is all to me,
His love is ever true;
I love to tell how He lifted me
And what His grace can do for you.

Saved by His pow’r divine,
Saved to new life sublime!
Life now is sweet and my joy is complete,
For I’m saved, saved, saved!

(from “Saved, Saved” by Jack P. Scholfield)

“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:” – 1 Peter 1:8

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Got Jesus? Got joy!