Glory to the Creation?
Henry Ford sold his first vehicle on July 20, 1903 to a Detroit physician. He was only in business for one month when he delivered his first vehicle.
Although we all know that from this has come one of the largest vehicle manufacturers in the world, what people don’t know is the peculiar and interesting, yet weird occurrences that took place after Ford sold that first car.
Of course as we can imagine, the physician was excited with the newness of this technology and proud to be the first to own such a machine; he had “bragging rights”! He was so excited that he bought a second vehicle from Ford and made a special garage to house both cars.
One morning, the Doctor was coming out to his garage with a steaming cup of coffee in hand and was alarmed when he heard voices coming out of the garage! Immediately he thought someone was in there trying to steal his new cars, but when he opened the door slowly and quietly he was astonished at what he saw and heard!
The two cars were not only talking to each other, but one was telling the other that he was faster, made better and could fill up his own tank with gas. He said he didn’t need anyone to drive him or clean him up or even fill him with gas… he could do it all by himself!
As ridiculous and far-fetched as the twist to Ford’s history sounds, so it is when we (God’s creation, “fearfully and wonderfully made”) talk to each other as if we “do” things in our own power. Can you imagine the cars telling each other they can fix themselves too!? “I don’t need a mechanic! That’s for the weak cars!”
In essence, that’s what God sees when people talk that way and behave that way. Henry Ford was the vehicles’ creator; he knew every detail of the vehicle; and, he knew how and what needed to be fixed on the vehicle. Henry had the tools to fix the vehicles! Henry was the creator and was great to the vehicles, and the conversation the Doctor should have heard was… “I am so grateful to Henry for making me the way I am. I hope and pray that I live up to my purpose and serve those around me in a way that Henry would want me to. And if I need fixing, then I know that Henry is the only one that can take care of me.”
Today I pray that the works you meditate on are the works of our Maker, our Creator, our God…
“I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works.” – Psalm 145:5
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Whispers: A Devotion from Luke 6:40 & John 14:26 NKJV
Marathon-Ready Overnight?
I just started training for Camp Pendleton’s “Mud Run”. This is a 10k race over hills, down hills, through obstacles, sprayed down with water from the start and the last part is about a 50 foot mud pit!
If you’ve ever run a 10k race, you know that the run itself is difficult enough when you’re racing for your best time! But add everything else I described and you have more than a challenge to the race.
I haven’t been running much up until now. I have a treadmill and my first “good” workout was about a week ago. My time was less than desirable and I was sore for a few days afterwards (that was expected but not desirable).
I wish I could instantly be in shape after the first couple times I run and be ready for the 10k but I know that isn’t realistic! To run, and finish the race in June, I need to train, get in shape and discipline myself to eat (somewhat) right. Otherwise, I’ll either not finish the race, or if I do, I could get very sick!
The same is true of our walk as Christians: We look at someone that has been walking with the Lord for a handful of years or decades consistently, and we automatically want our relationship with the Lord to be just like theirs. We want our knowledge of the Bible to be “unrealistically” amazing so that we can spurt out scripture to people around us. We want to be able to run a marathon with little training and knowledge of how to run.
Here’s what the Bible says about this: A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher. – Luke 6:40 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. – John 14:26
Your relationship with Jesus is not a sprint, it’s not a 5k, nor is it a 10k, it is a marathon! And, we need to understand how to run the race with endurance, perseverance, strength, power, desire and knowledge. Don’t expect to have this overnight, it takes some pain, some discipline and it takes help, which you have in the Holy Spirit.
Today, I encourage you to train and not grow weary of where you are with the Lord. If you’ve stumbled, fallen or gone off the path then get back up and continue the run, even if you have to walk at times. Remember, God sent a Helper to those that put their trust in Jesus… you’re never in this race alone!
I just started training for Camp Pendleton’s “Mud Run”. This is a 10k race over hills, down hills, through obstacles, sprayed down with water from the start and the last part is about a 50 foot mud pit!
If you’ve ever run a 10k race, you know that the run itself is difficult enough when you’re racing for your best time! But add everything else I described and you have more than a challenge to the race.
I haven’t been running much up until now. I have a treadmill and my first “good” workout was about a week ago. My time was less than desirable and I was sore for a few days afterwards (that was expected but not desirable).
I wish I could instantly be in shape after the first couple times I run and be ready for the 10k but I know that isn’t realistic! To run, and finish the race in June, I need to train, get in shape and discipline myself to eat (somewhat) right. Otherwise, I’ll either not finish the race, or if I do, I could get very sick!
The same is true of our walk as Christians: We look at someone that has been walking with the Lord for a handful of years or decades consistently, and we automatically want our relationship with the Lord to be just like theirs. We want our knowledge of the Bible to be “unrealistically” amazing so that we can spurt out scripture to people around us. We want to be able to run a marathon with little training and knowledge of how to run.
Here’s what the Bible says about this: A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher. – Luke 6:40 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. – John 14:26
Your relationship with Jesus is not a sprint, it’s not a 5k, nor is it a 10k, it is a marathon! And, we need to understand how to run the race with endurance, perseverance, strength, power, desire and knowledge. Don’t expect to have this overnight, it takes some pain, some discipline and it takes help, which you have in the Holy Spirit.
Today, I encourage you to train and not grow weary of where you are with the Lord. If you’ve stumbled, fallen or gone off the path then get back up and continue the run, even if you have to walk at times. Remember, God sent a Helper to those that put their trust in Jesus… you’re never in this race alone!
Friday, January 26, 2007
Whispers: A Devotion from 1Corinthians 4:16 & 1Corinthians 11:1 NKJV
Imitate Me Right
Imitation Crab, Imitation Mayo, or Imitation Cheese… How about a comedian that imitates; a replica of an antique car; or, a double of an actor in a movie?
Each one of the things I just listed is very deliberate and concise in the calculation of the characteristics of the original. Each manufacturing company and person has done their “homework”, researching and studying everything about the original so that they can very closely resemble and pass for the original item or person.
I’m sure if the “real” crab, mayo, actor or antique car could talk they would say how honored they are that they are being imitated. But, what if they are being imitated by someone for the wrong reasons? What if others are just being duped into believing they are another person for selfish, prideful, or fraudulent reasons?
Let me get to the point… If you call yourself a Christian then let me tell you what that means: The original meaning of “Christian” is little Christ, or imitators of Christ. So, if this is the meaning, shouldn’t our reasons for imitating Christ be sincere? Shouldn’t they last longer than just after Sunday Church Service? Shouldn’t we be studying the Man we call Lord? Shouldn’t we honor Jesus’ name by being as much like Him as we can, allowing the Holy Spirit within us to help us do so and be so?
Think about the next question and carefully consider it…
If you are a Christian can you say to someone else “follow me”, “imitate me”, or “be like me”?
If you can’t say that to someone else, don’t throw in the towel… don’t give up because it seems impossible. Just simply ask God to give you a new heart, a new mind, and a new desire to know Him better and closer today. Read about our Lord in the Bible, and find out how much He loves you and wants you to live in Him and He in you!
One day maybe you can utter the same words that the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians,
“Therefore I urge you, imitate me.” 1Corinthians 4:16; and, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” 1Corinthians 11:1
Imitation Crab, Imitation Mayo, or Imitation Cheese… How about a comedian that imitates; a replica of an antique car; or, a double of an actor in a movie?
Each one of the things I just listed is very deliberate and concise in the calculation of the characteristics of the original. Each manufacturing company and person has done their “homework”, researching and studying everything about the original so that they can very closely resemble and pass for the original item or person.
I’m sure if the “real” crab, mayo, actor or antique car could talk they would say how honored they are that they are being imitated. But, what if they are being imitated by someone for the wrong reasons? What if others are just being duped into believing they are another person for selfish, prideful, or fraudulent reasons?
Let me get to the point… If you call yourself a Christian then let me tell you what that means: The original meaning of “Christian” is little Christ, or imitators of Christ. So, if this is the meaning, shouldn’t our reasons for imitating Christ be sincere? Shouldn’t they last longer than just after Sunday Church Service? Shouldn’t we be studying the Man we call Lord? Shouldn’t we honor Jesus’ name by being as much like Him as we can, allowing the Holy Spirit within us to help us do so and be so?
Think about the next question and carefully consider it…
If you are a Christian can you say to someone else “follow me”, “imitate me”, or “be like me”?
If you can’t say that to someone else, don’t throw in the towel… don’t give up because it seems impossible. Just simply ask God to give you a new heart, a new mind, and a new desire to know Him better and closer today. Read about our Lord in the Bible, and find out how much He loves you and wants you to live in Him and He in you!
One day maybe you can utter the same words that the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians,
“Therefore I urge you, imitate me.” 1Corinthians 4:16; and, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” 1Corinthians 11:1
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Whispers: A Devotion from 1Corinthians 15:33 NKJV
Monkey See, Monkey Do…
If you’ve ever dealt with a teenager, or remember your teen years, you’ll agree that these kids, in all their wisdom, come up with some pretty incredulous lines to help convince parents that their thoughts and “needs” are so important. Personally, I don’t think there’s much actual thought put into many of the statements they make during these growing years.
One thing that I hear teens say is that who they hang out with and what they hear on the radio and Ipod is of no consequence both to the way they think and how they behave. They go to great lengths to try and convince us that this is true and that they know what they’re doing and who they’re hanging out with. But we know that at some point, influence causes one to do what the other has been doing all along… monkey see, monkey do.
As parents we need to be very careful of who our kids are associating with and what they are listening to on the radio and on their Ipods; not because we can find psychological and pathological information that supports what we’re saying but because God, in all His perfect knowledge and wisdom, says the following: “Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” – 1Corinthians 15:33 God also says in Proverbs 23:7 that as a man “thinks in his heart, so is he.”
I use teens as an illustration here, but ask yourself this question also: What company are you keeping? Are you consistent in your reading of the Bible, fellowshipping at Church, and listening to something worthwhile on the radio? Or, are you watching some TV show that is not what Jesus would join you on your couch to watch; or are you going places you shouldn’t go to with people that you wouldn’t allow your children to keep company with? What are your thoughts of others? What company are you keeping?
Society’s morals are degraded, down and dirty because as one person thinks so does the other because it’s accepted by the majority. But, the world is sadly mistaken for one with the Lord IS the majority and all else is foolishness.
Remember… “Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits.” – 1Corinthians 15:33
If you’ve ever dealt with a teenager, or remember your teen years, you’ll agree that these kids, in all their wisdom, come up with some pretty incredulous lines to help convince parents that their thoughts and “needs” are so important. Personally, I don’t think there’s much actual thought put into many of the statements they make during these growing years.
One thing that I hear teens say is that who they hang out with and what they hear on the radio and Ipod is of no consequence both to the way they think and how they behave. They go to great lengths to try and convince us that this is true and that they know what they’re doing and who they’re hanging out with. But we know that at some point, influence causes one to do what the other has been doing all along… monkey see, monkey do.
As parents we need to be very careful of who our kids are associating with and what they are listening to on the radio and on their Ipods; not because we can find psychological and pathological information that supports what we’re saying but because God, in all His perfect knowledge and wisdom, says the following: “Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” – 1Corinthians 15:33 God also says in Proverbs 23:7 that as a man “thinks in his heart, so is he.”
I use teens as an illustration here, but ask yourself this question also: What company are you keeping? Are you consistent in your reading of the Bible, fellowshipping at Church, and listening to something worthwhile on the radio? Or, are you watching some TV show that is not what Jesus would join you on your couch to watch; or are you going places you shouldn’t go to with people that you wouldn’t allow your children to keep company with? What are your thoughts of others? What company are you keeping?
Society’s morals are degraded, down and dirty because as one person thinks so does the other because it’s accepted by the majority. But, the world is sadly mistaken for one with the Lord IS the majority and all else is foolishness.
Remember… “Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits.” – 1Corinthians 15:33
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Whispers: A Devotion from 1Corinthians 1:3 NKJV
A Specific Gift
Everyone loves receiving gifts, right? There are some ladies that like chocolate, flowers, clothes or jewelry, and guys that like gift cards to Home Depot, computer stores, or a car shop. Even if you do give a gift card, which is a more general gift, it still goes specifically to someone that enjoys what that store has to offer, right? The gift goes to someone that you know.
Have you ever been somewhere where you find out that someone is going to win a prize? The announcer may hype the situation up and get you all excited, but then you find out that you have to buy a raffle ticket… so you run and buy one. Then you find out that you need tickets that are between specific numbers and yours isn’t one of them… so you run out and buy some more tickets. Then you find out that there is only one prize for one specific ticket and yours is… the one!
The Apostle Paul doesn’t sell raffle tickets but he does talk about specific gifts and begins his first letter to the Corinthians by getting specific very quickly. He says, “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours;” – 1Corinthians 1:2
Paul is not just speaking to a church, but also to those that have made professions of faith in Christ Jesus; and, not just to those who have made professions of faith, but specifically to those who have relationships with Jesus, walking hand-in-hand with Him. The next verse has a gift specifically for these people; a gift beyond what money can buy and any person can provide.
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
God wants to give His gifts to everyone, but we can only receive certain, specific gifts when we are walking with Him intimately on that path that leads to eternal life… hand-in-HAND.
I pray today you are allowing God to hold your hand in His, so that you too can not only receive the gift of grace, but also His specific gift of peace.
May God’s grace and peace be with you today, tomorrow and forever.
Everyone loves receiving gifts, right? There are some ladies that like chocolate, flowers, clothes or jewelry, and guys that like gift cards to Home Depot, computer stores, or a car shop. Even if you do give a gift card, which is a more general gift, it still goes specifically to someone that enjoys what that store has to offer, right? The gift goes to someone that you know.
Have you ever been somewhere where you find out that someone is going to win a prize? The announcer may hype the situation up and get you all excited, but then you find out that you have to buy a raffle ticket… so you run and buy one. Then you find out that you need tickets that are between specific numbers and yours isn’t one of them… so you run out and buy some more tickets. Then you find out that there is only one prize for one specific ticket and yours is… the one!
The Apostle Paul doesn’t sell raffle tickets but he does talk about specific gifts and begins his first letter to the Corinthians by getting specific very quickly. He says, “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours;” – 1Corinthians 1:2
Paul is not just speaking to a church, but also to those that have made professions of faith in Christ Jesus; and, not just to those who have made professions of faith, but specifically to those who have relationships with Jesus, walking hand-in-hand with Him. The next verse has a gift specifically for these people; a gift beyond what money can buy and any person can provide.
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
God wants to give His gifts to everyone, but we can only receive certain, specific gifts when we are walking with Him intimately on that path that leads to eternal life… hand-in-HAND.
I pray today you are allowing God to hold your hand in His, so that you too can not only receive the gift of grace, but also His specific gift of peace.
May God’s grace and peace be with you today, tomorrow and forever.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
How to have eternal life
If you want to truly live with joy and you want to know what eternal life is, then continue reading, this is for YOU...
The Bible says in Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Because we have all sinned, we are separated from God. If you've lied, stolen, coveted, or had lustful thoughts then you have sinned; even if you've lost your temper a little. We all have personal weaknesses and personal guilt. People are naturally self-serving. Even though people do good things, we all have done our share of wrong.
The Bible says in Romans 6:26: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." The consequences of our sin is death. This verse explains one of the most important concepts of the Bible in one sentence. God is Holy and perfect, without any wrong. He cannot be in the presence of sin. Because we have all sinned, we are all separated from Him. This is much like a limb being cut from a tree; it has been removed from its source of life! We cannot have spiritual life because we have been removed from God because of sin. So if we have all sinned and God cannot be in the presence of sin, how can we be saved from eternal spiritual death?
The Bible says in Romans 5:8: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." The penalty for our sin was paid by Jesus Christ. Notice that this verse does not say "God loved us so much that He was really distressed that we were separated from Him by our sin." No! God demonstrated His love. He did something in history that proved His love; Jesus Christ died for us. Despite our sinful condition, Christ died for us. This is the wonderful message of the gospel: God loves us despite our sinful condition, so much that He became a man, Jesus Christ, the perfect, Holy, and sinless God in the form of man. He came to die in our stead, taking the penalty of our sins (death)on Himself so that we might live the way God intended for us to live: in total dependence on Him and in total obedience to Him.
The Bible says in Romans 10:9: "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." If we repent of our sinfulness, then confess and trust Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of our lives, we will be saved from the penalty of sin. The gospel offers us a promise, to save us from the penalty of sin; we must believe it. The gospel also offers us a person, Jesus Christ who paid our penalty and who deserves to be Lord of our lives; we must receive Him.
I would like to invite you right now to pray to God, telling Him you're ready to trust Jesus Christ to save you from the penalty of sin and to confess Him as the Lord over your life. There is a prayer you can pray right now, but let the words be your own; don't just repeat the words as if they were a spiritual chant, but speak them to the personal God who loves you enough to die for you.
Prayer: Lord, I admit that I have sinned and am unclean before You, the Holy God. I understand that I deserve death as the penalty for my sins, and I believe that Jesus Christ paid the price with His blood. I want to turn away from my life style of selfishness and sin; I repent. I confess Jesus Christ as my Savior and I ask that He take the steering wheel of my life; that He take control of my life as my Lord. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
If you've prayed this prayer and received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior there are some very important, foundational steps you want to take immediately to begin building your relationship with God.
1. Read... the Bible Daily. If you don't have a Bible, then send me an email and I can send one to you, but if you do, then begin reading it. Many suggest you begin reading the gospel of John and the reason for this is so that you can read about Jesus Christ.
2. Pray... without ceasing. This doesn't mean that you have to do it with your eyes closed. It just means that you ask God for direction and guidance each step of your day. It's when you pray that you have communication with God and it's at those times that God can speak to you.
3. Church.. attend one that teaches from the Word of God: the Bible. It's very important to find a church that teaches only the Bible and doesn't add any other books to the teaching. I suggest you find a Calvary Chapel-affiliated church in your local area and attend every Sunday.
4. Share... the Good News. You've received an immeasurable gift and I'm sure you want others to have the same. So, tell others what you did to receive this gift and tell them what God has done for you.
May the Lord Bless you richly!
The Bible says in Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Because we have all sinned, we are separated from God. If you've lied, stolen, coveted, or had lustful thoughts then you have sinned; even if you've lost your temper a little. We all have personal weaknesses and personal guilt. People are naturally self-serving. Even though people do good things, we all have done our share of wrong.
The Bible says in Romans 6:26: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." The consequences of our sin is death. This verse explains one of the most important concepts of the Bible in one sentence. God is Holy and perfect, without any wrong. He cannot be in the presence of sin. Because we have all sinned, we are all separated from Him. This is much like a limb being cut from a tree; it has been removed from its source of life! We cannot have spiritual life because we have been removed from God because of sin. So if we have all sinned and God cannot be in the presence of sin, how can we be saved from eternal spiritual death?
The Bible says in Romans 5:8: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." The penalty for our sin was paid by Jesus Christ. Notice that this verse does not say "God loved us so much that He was really distressed that we were separated from Him by our sin." No! God demonstrated His love. He did something in history that proved His love; Jesus Christ died for us. Despite our sinful condition, Christ died for us. This is the wonderful message of the gospel: God loves us despite our sinful condition, so much that He became a man, Jesus Christ, the perfect, Holy, and sinless God in the form of man. He came to die in our stead, taking the penalty of our sins (death)on Himself so that we might live the way God intended for us to live: in total dependence on Him and in total obedience to Him.
The Bible says in Romans 10:9: "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." If we repent of our sinfulness, then confess and trust Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of our lives, we will be saved from the penalty of sin. The gospel offers us a promise, to save us from the penalty of sin; we must believe it. The gospel also offers us a person, Jesus Christ who paid our penalty and who deserves to be Lord of our lives; we must receive Him.
I would like to invite you right now to pray to God, telling Him you're ready to trust Jesus Christ to save you from the penalty of sin and to confess Him as the Lord over your life. There is a prayer you can pray right now, but let the words be your own; don't just repeat the words as if they were a spiritual chant, but speak them to the personal God who loves you enough to die for you.
Prayer: Lord, I admit that I have sinned and am unclean before You, the Holy God. I understand that I deserve death as the penalty for my sins, and I believe that Jesus Christ paid the price with His blood. I want to turn away from my life style of selfishness and sin; I repent. I confess Jesus Christ as my Savior and I ask that He take the steering wheel of my life; that He take control of my life as my Lord. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
If you've prayed this prayer and received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior there are some very important, foundational steps you want to take immediately to begin building your relationship with God.
1. Read... the Bible Daily. If you don't have a Bible, then send me an email and I can send one to you, but if you do, then begin reading it. Many suggest you begin reading the gospel of John and the reason for this is so that you can read about Jesus Christ.
2. Pray... without ceasing. This doesn't mean that you have to do it with your eyes closed. It just means that you ask God for direction and guidance each step of your day. It's when you pray that you have communication with God and it's at those times that God can speak to you.
3. Church.. attend one that teaches from the Word of God: the Bible. It's very important to find a church that teaches only the Bible and doesn't add any other books to the teaching. I suggest you find a Calvary Chapel-affiliated church in your local area and attend every Sunday.
4. Share... the Good News. You've received an immeasurable gift and I'm sure you want others to have the same. So, tell others what you did to receive this gift and tell them what God has done for you.
May the Lord Bless you richly!
Whispers: A Devotion from John 10:9 NKJV
It’s Your Choice…
An Arab chief tells a story of a spy who was captured and then sentenced to death by a general in the Persian army. This general had the strange custom of giving condemned criminals a choice between the firing squad and the big, black door.
As the moment for execution drew near, the spy was brought to the Persian general, who asked the question, "What will it be: the firing squad or the big, black door?"
The spy hesitated for a long time. It was a difficult decision. He chose the firing squad.
Moments later shots rang out confirming his execution.
The general turned to his aide and said, "They always prefer the known way to the unknown. It is characteristic of people to be afraid of the undefined. Yet, we gave him a choice."
The aide said, "What lies beyond the big door?"
"Freedom," replied the general. "I’ve known only a few brave enough to take it."...
God’s heart breaks every time He sees people choose the firing squad instead of the Door that leads to true eternal life with Him. Many people rely on the known, which is limited beyond measure. People resort to human intelligence, peer pressure (even as adults) and conform to the world’s standards instead of walking through One passage that will release them from the chains of sin and degradation and into a loving, merciful and graceful God!
Today, if you haven’t made the choice to walk through the Door, I implore you to do so because the firing squad is final, but the Door is Jesus in which you’ll only begin to live when you make a decision for Him and walk into Him, through Him and into a life with God.
Think of this… Jesus is with you even at that last moment. The same tree that you are leaning on when facing the firing squad is the same tree, that if you look up, will show you where God the Son hung and wants to take your place so that you can freely go and live.
Today, contemplate the power of choice and use it to choose life in Christ Jesus…
“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” – John 10:9 [Jesus speaking]
If you want to know how you can receive forgiveness, no matter where you are in life, follow the link below and read “How to have eternal life”
http://godwhispers.blogspot.com/
An Arab chief tells a story of a spy who was captured and then sentenced to death by a general in the Persian army. This general had the strange custom of giving condemned criminals a choice between the firing squad and the big, black door.
As the moment for execution drew near, the spy was brought to the Persian general, who asked the question, "What will it be: the firing squad or the big, black door?"
The spy hesitated for a long time. It was a difficult decision. He chose the firing squad.
Moments later shots rang out confirming his execution.
The general turned to his aide and said, "They always prefer the known way to the unknown. It is characteristic of people to be afraid of the undefined. Yet, we gave him a choice."
The aide said, "What lies beyond the big door?"
"Freedom," replied the general. "I’ve known only a few brave enough to take it."...
God’s heart breaks every time He sees people choose the firing squad instead of the Door that leads to true eternal life with Him. Many people rely on the known, which is limited beyond measure. People resort to human intelligence, peer pressure (even as adults) and conform to the world’s standards instead of walking through One passage that will release them from the chains of sin and degradation and into a loving, merciful and graceful God!
Today, if you haven’t made the choice to walk through the Door, I implore you to do so because the firing squad is final, but the Door is Jesus in which you’ll only begin to live when you make a decision for Him and walk into Him, through Him and into a life with God.
Think of this… Jesus is with you even at that last moment. The same tree that you are leaning on when facing the firing squad is the same tree, that if you look up, will show you where God the Son hung and wants to take your place so that you can freely go and live.
Today, contemplate the power of choice and use it to choose life in Christ Jesus…
“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” – John 10:9 [Jesus speaking]
If you want to know how you can receive forgiveness, no matter where you are in life, follow the link below and read “How to have eternal life”
http://godwhispers.blogspot.com/
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