Category Archives: Salvation

Jul 16

The Greatest Rescue Story Ever Known

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Perhaps like many of you, I recently was drawn in to the captivating story of the 12 young boys and their soccer coach who were trapped inside the cave in Thailand. For nine days the boys sat in the dark probably wondering if they were ever going to make it out to see the light of day again. After what we can only imagine was nine of the longest days of their lives, the boys and their coach were discovered by rescuers. The last of the boys and their coach emerged from the mouth of the cave nearly three weeks after first becoming trapped. What started as a nightmare ended up being a “feel good” story we won’t soon forget.

 

However, as great as this rescue story was, another rescue story trumps them all and that is the rescue story each one of us is involved in. Friends, the Son of Man came from heaven to earth so He could rescue us (Jn. 1:14; I Cor. 15:3). We learn from Hebrews that it was impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away our sins (Heb. 10:4). Therefore, Jesus came to offer Himself as a sacrifice for our sins, rescuing us from the dark pit of hell. Had Jesus not come, you and I would be without hope.

 

This is the greatest rescue story of all time, but sadly it is one that is too often forgotten. Jesus, who was in the form of God (Phil. 2:6; Jn. 1:1-4), left the glory of heaven to come to earth and be treated as anything but God. He was born in a manger (Lk. 2:1-7), despised and rejected by men (Isa. 53:3; Jn. 1:10-11) and sentenced to death in the most inhumane way possible in that time (Matt. 27:24-54). He endured all this just to rescue us.

 

Watching the young boys and their coach being rescued was heartwarming, something I will never forget. However, some 2,000 years ago, Jesus left the wonders of heaven and traveled down to earth to rescue and save us from being eternally lost. His great love for us (Gal. 2:20) is and always will be the greatest rescue story the world will ever know.

 

Now that’s Something to Think About!

 

Mar 11

Life Will Never Be the Same

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 Photo Credit: Jacob & Kiki Hantla via Compfight cc

Most people can recall the best moments of their lives. We remember these moments because they are life changing. If I were to ask you your wedding anniversary, you could probably tell me (at least for your sake I hope you could!). You probably know the birthday of your spouse and children. You might remember the date you graduated after all your years of hard work. You may even remember the day you got your job or the big promotion you spent so much time working toward. Whatever the event, if it was important and life changing, you probably remember when it took place.

Like most of you, I have experienced my fair share of life changing moments. I have graduated, started my career, married a beautiful woman of God and been blessed with a wonderful son who brings great joy to our lives. However, there is one important date I will never forget. This date sticks out because it was one of the first life changing moments I ever experienced. On January 12, 1994, late in the evening, I came to realize I was a struggling sinner who stood in need of the grace, mercy and love of God. Bible verses like, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) became real to me. I began to understand that I needed the free gift of salvation that God offers to all people.

Around 11:30 p.m. on January 12, 1994, I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ and obeyed His command to be buried in the waters of baptism for the forgiveness of my sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16). It was a life changing night on so many levels.

Since that night 21 years ago, my life has never been the same. When I experience difficult times, I am reminded of God’s love. When I feel hopeless, I remember I now have hope because of what Jesus has done. When I get too caught up in this present life, I recall my life is now about Jesus and not about me. When I’m struggling to forgive, I recount the forgiveness the Lord has granted me from my past sins. Surrendering to Jesus has truly changed my life.

You probably have a lot of events that have significant meaning in your life. What about the time you surrendered your life to Jesus and were baptized into His death? Do you remember the moment? If you haven’t surrendered your life to Him, what’s stopping you? There’s no greater decision a person can make than to obey the will of God and give their life and heart to Jesus Christ and be buried in the waters of baptism for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:38). Why not submit to the Lord through baptism today? I promise your life will never be the same.

Now that’s Something to Think About!

Dec 23

What a Strange Way to Save the World

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Photo Credit: Graceway Media

Back a couple of weeks ago, toward the very end of the CMA Country Christmas on ABC, Rascal Flatts performed a song I had never heard before. The song was called, “Strange Way to Save the World.” I have to be honest, as I listened to that song I couldn’t help but be moved. Think about it for a minute. What if Jesus, the King of Kings, would have entered the world in the manner He deserved? Consider how different His birth might have been.

  1. He might have come from a different place (Lk. 2:1-4). Jerusalem was the holy city; it was the epicenter of Christianity and definitely the kind of place from which a king might come. Nazareth was an obscure, insignificant village, which did not have a good reputation (Jn. 1:46).
  2. He might have had different parents (Lk. 2:4-6). There was nothing special about Joseph or Mary. They were common, ordinary people from a common, ordinary place. Neither was from a royal family.
  3. He might not have been placed in a manger (Lk. 2:7). Jesus, when He was born, was placed in a manger because there was no room in the inn. A manger is the feeding trough of animals. I would suspect most future kings would not be placed in mangers but in fancy royal cribs within the walls of the palace.
  4. He might have had many more people waiting for his birth (Lk. 2:8-16). When royal babies are born everyone is watching and anxiously awaiting the arrival. Remember when the British royal family had their baby earlier this year? When the shepherds arrived they found Mary, Joseph and the baby. There was no media craze. Just a quiet little family.

Yes, it was a strange way to save the world, but it was also the only way. Most kings don’t live anything like the people. Jesus did. Jesus, the King of Kings, entered the world in a humble, ordinary way to show us He understands. That’s why Jesus is able to identify with our struggles (Heb. 4:15). He understands. When you think of it like that, it’s not such a strange way to save the world after all.

Now that’s Something to Think About!

Dec 24

A Gift Worth Giving

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It’s only a few hours until Christmas! Most of you will probably be up bright and early in the morning with your children gathered around a Christmas tree. Your purpose: unwrapping all those presents. Christmas is such an exciting time. I can still remember the excitement I had as a child when it came time to open the presents. Going back and watching the home videos is rather embarrassing now. I would get super excited over everything, including clothes. Yes, I loved opening gifts regardless of the contents inside.

Although the excitement is still there when I unwrap a present that was picked especially for me, I get more joy out of giving presents now and watching the excitement on other’s faces. It is always a great joy to watch as those I love open the gifts I chose just for them. If you have children, you no doubt understand this. Watching them open their presents is probably one of your favorite parts of Christmas.

Christmas is an exciting and wonderful time; one I enjoy thoroughly. However, this year, I have been thinking about the types of gifts we give the ones we love.  Consider this: “Why do we enjoy giving physical gifts to those we love, but we neglect to share the greatest gift of all, that which is spiritual?”

The greatest gift anyone could ever receive is salvation. For without it, we would be hopelessly lost. God loved mankind enough to give something so dear and precious to Him, His one and only son. He did this so that we could be saved from the pits of torment. He is the greatest gift of all, and yet, sometimes we are reluctant to share Him with others. One of the final requests Jesus made to His disciples was, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:19-20). If I’m willing to go all out and spend lots of money on gifts that are perishable, why not take time to share with those I love about an imperishable gift that is absolutely free?

This Christmas, I hope you will be reminded to share the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ and the salvation He offers. I challenge you to make it a point to take time to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with your loved ones. After all friends, this is one gift worth giving.

Now that’s Something to Think About!

Dec 20

That One Gift

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It’s that time of year again. Christmas is only a few days away. If you have kids, they probably already have given you a long list of the things they hope to receive come Christmas morning. With most kids though, there is always one gift they desire more than any other. As long as they find that one gift under the tree on Christmas morning, they are happy.

If you are honest, you may have to admit that you were the same away when you were their age. We probably all pestered our parents at some point about that one gift that we just had to have. I remember various conversations around this time of year that went something like this; “But dad, I just have to have it. I don’t know if I will be able to live without it. It’s all I really want for Christmas; nothing else matters but this one gift. Please!”

As you go about doing your last minute Christmas shopping looking for that one gift your child thinks he or she can’t live without, I hope you will remember the greatest gift available to us all. We truly must have this one gift. None of us can ever live without it. This gift is the gift of salvation, and God offers this gift to us.

God sent His son into this world in order for Him (Jesus) to “Save His (God’s) people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Do you realize God desires one thing above all others?  He wants all people to repent of their sins and come to know Him (2 Peter 3:9). This is the very reason why God sent His son to die upon Calvary’s cross (John 3:16). Friends, this Christmas unwrap the one gift that can last for all eternity: salvation. This is truly THAT one GIFT mankind must have!

Now that’s Something to Think About!