A funny thing happened yesterday. I had a devotion all written up, passed it by a friend for proof reading and spiritual accuracy. After a fix or two on wording, it was ready to go…only it wasn’t. Something didn’t sit right with it in my spirit. I didn’t know why, but I knew I wasn’t supposed to publish what I had written. It was scripturally accurate, but it just wasn’t meant for you today.
Perplexed, I surrendered to God’s leading and told my editor/friend that I would not be publishing that piece. She asked, “What are you going to write about? “I don’t know,” I said. Then I went to sleep.
This morning I read an article about how the queen of England made a public proclamation about how the “Good news of Jesus Christ is needed now more than ever” and how the Bible is as relevant today as it was when first written. I thought…That’s it! THAT is what I’m to write about! The Good news of the Gospel! It took Queen Elizabeth to remind me that God’s word and His Gospel message is like a cool suave to a world that is filled with hurt, fear and confusion. Sharing Jesus with the world, out of love for those enslaved by sin…That’s my job. Period.
I thought about the scripture that says, If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 1Cor. 1:31 I don’t write for me. I write for you! The message is this:
That man is dead in sin, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Rom 3:23
We are therefore separated from God. “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2
That is a terrible predicament to be in! Praise God, He doesn’t leave us in that state. He loves us and does not want us to be separated from Him! "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” Matt 23:37 Does that verse describe you? Do you sense God calling you to Himself, but you are unwilling to go to Him?
Why is that? Are you worried your life won’t be fun if you choose to do rightly in it? That’s a lie! Don’t believe it! There is nothing more enjoyable than a relationship with the Lord Jesus; God sent Him to redeem mankind, to redeem you! Think about the Christmas message… “But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” The Christmas we just finished celebrating is the Good news! Christ came and lived a perfect life, that you and I could never live. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2Cor 5:21
That is how much God loves you!
He sent His only Son, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16, whom He loved, ‘And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." Matt 3:17 to die in your place, “For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the spirit, 1Pet 3:18. Yes, He lives! “By His power God raised the Lord from the dead, and He will raise us also.” 1Cor 6:14 So we can also live!
God’s word calls to us from heaven and gives us a choice. “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.!” Duet 30:19-20
How will you respond to His calling today? God’s word says,” If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Rom 10:9
If you are reading this…THIS is the message God wants you to hear! He loves you and gave His very best, Jesus Christ, for you! How about getting 2019 right by trusting in Jesus Christ, your Lord and Savior today! If you will leave me a message, I’d like to pray with you to do that. Happy New Year and God bless you abundantly with his presence!