LOST OR SAVED?

All humanity is divided in just one of two categories: lost or saved.

In the 15th chapter of the Gospel of Luke Jesus tells the proud, self-righteous Pharisees and Scribes that God is pleased over one outcasts, despised person, sinner, who  repents. Jesus said to them, “there is more joy in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no repentance.”  We need to get the point because the righteous who need no repentance do not exist. We need to hear Isaiah say, “all we like sheep have gone astray,”  or the Apostle Paul who wrote, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”  Scripture says, “let him that thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall.”

Jesus didn’t speak of people being sick, maladjusted, ignorant, socially deprived.  He said that they were lost.  Now, how do people get lost? 
Sometimes, a person gets lost like a sheep through carelessness.  It wanders here and there. It strays off into the distant hills thinking that the grass is greener and does not know his way home.
People are like this. They do not revolt against God or fight against His Church.  They just edge away from God little by little.  They put aside their Bible reading, close their prayer closets, stop fellowshipping with others in worship.  They become spiritually numb, having drifted away from Christ.
Sometimes a person gets lost, like the coin, because of the fault of someone else.  Many lives are lost because of the mistakes of others. Paul said, “Evil companionship corrupts good morals.”  You are told by the company you keep.  You become like those who you associate with.  You allow the influence of others to lead you astray.
Sometimes a person is lost like the younger son was lost. The son was lost not through the carelessness of others but through his own selfish will.  He deliberately threw away all restraints and violated the laws of God. He rebelled against the love of the father. Selfishness is the root of all sin.  Deliberately, people will pursue the will of self rather than the will of God.

The new truth, is astonishing, that no matter how people get lost, God yearns and seeks for their return to Him,  Jesus values every soul and wants them saved.  God’s joy is over a sinner, lost person, who repents.
Repentance is a change of mind and heart, leading a person to turn from sin and turn to God. The sinner must acknowledge that he/she is under new management.  Jesus is truly Lord (Master) of life.  It is a matter of dethroning self and enthroning God.

Once Abraham Lincoln was asked, “How he would  treat the Southerners after they surrendered?”  He replied, “I would treat them as if they had never been away.”
This is the way that God treats the lost when they return to Him through accepting His Son, Jesus as Lord and Savior.  There is great joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.  COME HOME.

 

PRAYER FOR PEOPLE GROWING OLD

I make this my prayer…“Lord, thou knowest better than I know myself, that I am growing older and will someday be old.  Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.  Release me from craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs.  Make me thoughtful, but not moody, helpful, but not bossy.  With my vast store of wisdom it seems a pity not to use it all.  But Thou knowest Lord that I want a few friends at the end.
Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point.  Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of other’s pain, but help me endure them with patience.
I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others.  Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.
Keep me reasonably sweet; I do not want to be a Saint – some of them are so hard to live with – but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil.  Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people, and give me the grace to tell them so.”    AMEN                                                          Selected

No matter our years, we don’t know it all.  There is lots to learn.  We haven’t done everything.  There are new vistas, challenges, opportunities to serve. We are not too old to change.  You may not be able to teach an old dog new tricks but that has nothing to do with people.  We are never too old to change.  The passing of years is not what makes us old.  Our concern must be as we live and as long as we live, does our life glorify God?  We must allow God’s love and truth to be seen through us.  With the Apostle Paul, we must be able to declare, “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.”  God offers us life:  meaningful, purposeful, abundant life through Jesus.

MORE THAN I CAN BE

Some time ago, our Praise Team at Lester Road Christian Church sang this song.  It was new to me and very inspirational.
Just the thought, “You raise me up to more than I can be” is encouraging.

You Raise Me Up

“When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary
When troubles come and my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until you come and sit awhile with me

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be

There is no life – no life without its hunger
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly
But when you come and I am filled with wonder
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be”

Songwriters: Brendan Graham, Rolf Loveland

It makes me think of the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:13 – 14  “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: 
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward he goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Those who have made reasonable progress in spiritual growth will inherit everlasting glory.  There are heights yet to be scaled; do not become complacent.  No matter the cost, keep on keeping on for Him.                    It is worth it all.

IT REALLY DID HAPPEN

The city of Jerusalem is silent. The Passover is finished. The throbbing excitement of the past few days is over. The cruel voices of the mob to crucify Jesus are still now. The city sleeps. A bloody period, it seems, has been placed at the end of the life of Jesus of Nazareth.

But, in the midst of the stillness of Jerusalem, there is one who moves restlessly through the city streets and on through the gate of the city. It is a woman, bent and frail, her hands are clutched as in unutterable grief and there are tears on her face. It is Mary Magdalene. What tragedy Christ’s death was to Mary. He had done so much for her. She had lived in open sin and shame but by His love, He had lifted her to a new way of life and to self respect. Now, all of this is gone. Jesus was dead. He had died before her very eyes. She came to the tomb, but to her amazement the tomb is empty. She knows not who took the body nor where the body had been placed. As Mary stood in the half darkness, suddenly there was a figure standing in the deeper shadows. She thought he was the gardener and she said, “They have taken my Lord away…and I don’t know where they have put Him… Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni” (which means Teacher). John 20:15-16 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord.” John 20:18
I can only imagine what Mary must have felt. But, she knew what she saw. She saw Jesus resurrected from the dead. She had to share such good news.

Christ is alive. How do you know? Because He lives in your heart. That is subjective evidence, very personal. But, there is objective truth. The resurrection is a historical fact based on reliable witnesses. Jesus appeared alive, following His death and burial, to many people. He appeared to Mary Magdalene, to the women, to two men on the road to Emmaus, to Simon Peter, to ten Apostles, to seven disciples by the Sea of Galilee, to over 500 people at once, to James, to the Apostles at the time of His ascension, and to the Apostle Paul at the city gate of Damascus. Now, these are all matters of historical fact. What we do with such evidence is a matter of faith.

I thought of the preacher, William Sangster. he was dying of cancer. He could get around but couldn’t speak. He lived with his daughter. One Easter Sunday, he became very despondent and discouraged. The daughter hardly knew what to say to this preacher.
Mr. Sangster wrote on a pad, “What a tragedy. Resurrection Lord’s Day and no voice with which to praise my great Redeemer’s name.” His daughter could give him no answer.
Finally, this broken hearted man wrote, “There is only one thing more tragic – to have a voice and fail to praise the great Redeemer’s Name.

Praise Him who died for our sins, was buried and then rose from the dead.
Because He lives, we can live also.

IT TOOK A LAMB

The Lester Road Christian Church Praise Team presented their Easter Cantata.  They did it for our worship service this Easter Sunday.   I want to put the words of a song that they have sung on my devotional so that you can share in it.  What marvelous words, “IT TOOK A LAMB.”  Read it and let it touch your heart.

“He could have come in all His splendor, greater than the eye has ever seen.  He could have come in robes of scarlet so all the world could see that He was King.  He could have ridden on a white horse, as a warrior and conquered every land.  Oh, yes – But He knew that if redemption’s price were paid, it would take a lamb.

It took a lamb to die upon a rugged cross.  It took a lamb, only blood could pay  the cost.  Nothing less could take away my sin, that is why the great I Am didn’t come as a King because He knew it took a lamb.

For many years, the temple altars were stained with sacrifices every day and though the blood appeased the Father, still the curse of sin was never wiped away until one day the rule of justice was halted by a touch from mercy’s hand.  O mercy’s hand, as the father in compassion said, it’s time to send the spotless lamb, spotless lamb.

It took a lamb to die upon a rugged cross.  It took a lamb, only blood could pay the cost.  Nothing less could take away my sin. That is why the great I Am didn’t come as a King because He knew it took a lamb for sinners crucified.

O holy sacrifice.  Behold the lamb of God.  Behold the lamb.  Nothing less could take away my sin, that is why the great I Am didn’t come as a King because He knew it took a lamb, spotless lamb, holy lamb.”

Words and music by Geron Davis