Romans 3:21-24
But now God has shown us a different
way to heaven — not by “being good enough” and trying to keep his laws,
but by a new way (though not new, really, for the Scriptures told about
it long ago). Now God says he will accept and acquit us —declare us
“not guilty”— if we trust Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all
can be saved in this same way, by coming to Christ, no matter who we
are or what we have been like. Yes, all have sinned; all fall short of
God’s glorious ideal; yet now God declares us “not guilty” of offending
him if we trust in Jesus Christ, who in his kindness freely takes away
our sins.
The Living Bible
copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of
Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights
reserved.
Timothy is often a serious child…and when
things don’t go well, he will sometimes ask, “Are you disappointed in
me?” And more than once, he has told me, “Aunt Debbie, I’m so
disappointed in you” – usually when I tell him “No” about something!
I’m
afraid that God is often “so disappointed” in me…like every day at one
point or another. And I’ll let you in on a little secret…He’s
disappointed in you, too! Feeling a little “disappointed” now? I know I
am…along with embarrassed, frustrated - and a healthy dose of “why
can’t I get it right?”!
Hear the words of Romans 3:23…”all have
sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious ideal.” Now hear the GREATER
news that follows…”yet now God declares us “not guilty” of offending him
if we trust in Jesus Christ, who in his kindness freely takes away our
sins.” So while we disappoint God often, He still loves us and forgives
us. We must strive to get it right…to do better…to please Him. We
should want to do this! But the times that we fall short…God is still
there.
When children disappoint us or misbehave, we may detach
from them for a few minutes. There may be a “time out” involved in
which we do not communicate. Or if the child is angry or upset with us,
he/she may walk away and ignore us momentarily. But this is usually
short lived. And while we may feel like God has left us for a while,
the truth is that He never leaves us. He may let us simmer in our
misgivings for a bit, but He is right there whenever we are ready to
make things right and try again.
So today as you go about your
routine, remind yourself often that God is with you…that He loves you
more than you can ever imagine – much less deserve. Remember that the
only thing you could ever do to disappoint God irreparably is to deny
Him completely…and even then, He would fight tooth and nail to remain in
your life! Doesn’t that kind of love make you want to do all you can
to please Him? Will this be the day that you begin?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label Jesus' mercy and forgiveness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus' mercy and forgiveness. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for August 22, 2014
Matthew 26:28
“...for this is my blood, sealing the new covenant. It is poured out to forgive the sins of multitudes.”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I’ve been seeing trailers for the movie Left Behind, starring Nicholas Cage. This film is set to be released in October 2014. It’s been probably a decade since I read the Left Behind series, written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. This set of 12 fictional novels gave me insights into the biblical passages of the book of Revelation and helped “unpack” this chapter of the Bible for me in a manner that I could understand. So I am anxious to see this film and see how Hollywood has treated this story.
As I read the passage from Matthew 26 today – this tiny piece of a verse in which Jesus is speaking – I was reminded of a scene in one of the last books of the Left Behind series. Jesus has returned for His church. All of His believers are gathered in one assemblage...millions of people – maybe more. And Jesus is sitting on His throne and calling their names, one by one. Each person is sitting patiently and waiting his/her turn with Jesus. No one grows impatient...and nothing is rushed. Time must quite literally stand still! As each believer comes to sit with Jesus, it is as if no one else is there. Jesus has all of the time, energy, love and focus for that one person in that moment. Everything centers on the interchange between this Christian and his/her Jesus. When I read this part of the story, I literally cried. I was so moved by this deeply personal interaction and how much Jesus loves each of us...how much He loves ME!
So as I read Jesus’ words in Matthew 26 today, I thought of His blood shed on the cross...for ME...and YOU...and the other guy...each and every one of us individually. People could easily say, “It’s really no stretch to say that Jesus’ blood was shed for each one of us, because He was there...either way He was crucified.” And anyone who believes this has totally missed the point.
When God sent Jesus to earth, knowing fully well what would happen to Him...how high the cost would be...He said, “I’m sending Him anyway. I’m sending Him to die for Joe, Sue, Jim, Margaret, Sanjay, José, Chou Ling, Svetlana, Ingrid, Marco, Dakotah, Moses, Naomi, Kenyatta...” and on and on. Jesus didn’t die on that cross for anyone else more or less significant than YOU! When Jesus surrendered His spirit to God...He was thinking of YOU! Out of His abundant love, grace, mercy and forgiveness, He stayed nailed to the cross and suffered unimaginable atrocities...for YOU!
If you don't take away anything else from these words today, hear this. Jesus died for the sins of the multitudes...but no one is any more or less precious to Him than you are. When you think of the blood of the cross...when you “drink the cup” in Holy Communion...consider this to be your “time at the throne” in His presence. Imagine that someday, you truly will have your “moment” with Him in this manner...and it will be as if you are the only one who exists for Him. You are THAT special and important!
So whatever is happening in your life today, stop and think of the cross and Jesus’ blood...shed for you. Remind yourself that you are so important to Jesus that He made this amazing sacrifice...just for you. Surely He can handle the challenges of your day. The One who sacrificed everything on your behalf is not about to abandon you now! Feel His presence. Recognize His amazing love for you...His grace and mercy over every aspect of your life. Thank Him for such glorious compassion and devotion. Honor Him with every word and action.
Jesus came to the world for YOU. If you have committed your heart to Jesus, He will come back...for YOU. This promise is signed and sealed for all who belong to Jesus...those who call on Him and trust in His power to forgive. Are you one of His already? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
“...for this is my blood, sealing the new covenant. It is poured out to forgive the sins of multitudes.”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I’ve been seeing trailers for the movie Left Behind, starring Nicholas Cage. This film is set to be released in October 2014. It’s been probably a decade since I read the Left Behind series, written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. This set of 12 fictional novels gave me insights into the biblical passages of the book of Revelation and helped “unpack” this chapter of the Bible for me in a manner that I could understand. So I am anxious to see this film and see how Hollywood has treated this story.
As I read the passage from Matthew 26 today – this tiny piece of a verse in which Jesus is speaking – I was reminded of a scene in one of the last books of the Left Behind series. Jesus has returned for His church. All of His believers are gathered in one assemblage...millions of people – maybe more. And Jesus is sitting on His throne and calling their names, one by one. Each person is sitting patiently and waiting his/her turn with Jesus. No one grows impatient...and nothing is rushed. Time must quite literally stand still! As each believer comes to sit with Jesus, it is as if no one else is there. Jesus has all of the time, energy, love and focus for that one person in that moment. Everything centers on the interchange between this Christian and his/her Jesus. When I read this part of the story, I literally cried. I was so moved by this deeply personal interaction and how much Jesus loves each of us...how much He loves ME!
So as I read Jesus’ words in Matthew 26 today, I thought of His blood shed on the cross...for ME...and YOU...and the other guy...each and every one of us individually. People could easily say, “It’s really no stretch to say that Jesus’ blood was shed for each one of us, because He was there...either way He was crucified.” And anyone who believes this has totally missed the point.
When God sent Jesus to earth, knowing fully well what would happen to Him...how high the cost would be...He said, “I’m sending Him anyway. I’m sending Him to die for Joe, Sue, Jim, Margaret, Sanjay, José, Chou Ling, Svetlana, Ingrid, Marco, Dakotah, Moses, Naomi, Kenyatta...” and on and on. Jesus didn’t die on that cross for anyone else more or less significant than YOU! When Jesus surrendered His spirit to God...He was thinking of YOU! Out of His abundant love, grace, mercy and forgiveness, He stayed nailed to the cross and suffered unimaginable atrocities...for YOU!
If you don't take away anything else from these words today, hear this. Jesus died for the sins of the multitudes...but no one is any more or less precious to Him than you are. When you think of the blood of the cross...when you “drink the cup” in Holy Communion...consider this to be your “time at the throne” in His presence. Imagine that someday, you truly will have your “moment” with Him in this manner...and it will be as if you are the only one who exists for Him. You are THAT special and important!
So whatever is happening in your life today, stop and think of the cross and Jesus’ blood...shed for you. Remind yourself that you are so important to Jesus that He made this amazing sacrifice...just for you. Surely He can handle the challenges of your day. The One who sacrificed everything on your behalf is not about to abandon you now! Feel His presence. Recognize His amazing love for you...His grace and mercy over every aspect of your life. Thank Him for such glorious compassion and devotion. Honor Him with every word and action.
Jesus came to the world for YOU. If you have committed your heart to Jesus, He will come back...for YOU. This promise is signed and sealed for all who belong to Jesus...those who call on Him and trust in His power to forgive. Are you one of His already? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 7, 2014
Isaiah 55:6-7
Turn to the Lord!
He can still be found.
Call out to God! He is near.
Give up your crooked ways
and your evil thoughts.
Return to the Lord our God.
He will be merciful
and forgive your sins.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A few days ago, a friend of mine posted a video of a baptism she performed in her church. She wrote... “God has truly blessed us through this church and her people. Had a steeple dedication this morning and baptized a couple that has been married 73 years. Met on the lawn of the church. He is 94 and she is 90. They have been attending for years and joined the church today. Words cannot express my joy....Thank you Jesus.”
This reminded me of my grandmother’s “companion”, whom she met after my grandfather died in 1984. My grandparents were married almost 52 years. When my grandfather left us, Mam-ma Polly was incredibly lonely. She “kissed a few toads” before she began “keeping company” with Delbert, who everyone called “Deb”. Mam-ma Polly and Deb were inseparable for about seven years. They never married and maintained their own homes...but they did everything together. She cooked breakfast for him at one of their houses, and then they would “garden” or visit others, shop together, and more for much of each day. They both returned to their respective houses many afternoons for a nap before sharing dinner and “Wheel of Fortune” or “Lawrence Welk” together...and three nights a week, they danced at a local social hall. On Sundays they attended church services together.
Deb became like a second grandfather to us. He endeared himself to all of us, and we grew to love him. He was tremendously supportive to Mam-ma Polly when my brother Tim died...and again 13 months later when my dad – her only son – left us for heaven. And then Deb got sick. He was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Over the course of several weeks, he took some radiation treatments that left him weak and tired, and Mam-ma “nursed” him as best she could.
Here’s the kicker...this sweet, generous, kind and loving man had never given his heart to Jesus. He attended church services with Mam-ma on Sundays, but he really didn’t know much about the Bible...or how much God loved him. He did not have any understanding of spending eternity in heaven at the feet of Jesus. I’m pretty sure Deb knew he had sins in his life...but he did not realize that Jesus could – and would – forgive him of them. Mam-ma Polly set in to change this!
My grandmother began talking to Deb about Jesus...and heaven. She told me that one night as she and Deb sat on the couch, she fell to her knees and - through her tears - she told him, “I don’t think I can bear it if I get to heaven and you’re not there.” She shared with Deb once more how easy it was to ask Jesus to forgive his sins and invite Him to live in his heart...and Deb did exactly that.
This 87-year-old man had served in the Army in Germany during WWII, where he found himself behind enemy lines for several days at one point - and once related to Greg how he felt the “whoosh” of a German bullet as it passed by his ear. Deb had lived all these years without the peace of Jesus in his heart. He had married, reared three children, faced the death of his wife and countless loved ones, and endured a myriad of life experiences...all without the confidence that Jesus was guiding his steps. I am convinced that Jesus poured out His grace and mercy over Deb...that He had His hand on this situation all along...that He placed my grandmother in this man’s path to lead him into a relationship with Jesus – and assured that we will all see him again someday in heaven.
Even though he was sick, Deb was like a “new man”...because he truly was. I bought him a Bible, and as his body betrayed him, he read the scriptures and was renewed. As I sat with him on his last earthly day and held his hand, I knew that Jesus was there...holding him tenderly and ushering him fully into His presence. And as I read my friend’s post about the 90-something couple in her congregation, I was once again reminded...as long as we draw breath, it.is.never.too.late. God can still be found. He will be merciful and forgive our sins, through the blood of Jesus.
My prayer today is two-fold...1) that we would not spend decades without Jesus...that we would turn to Him sooner, rather than later, and walk in His amazing grace and mercy; and 2) that we would take a page from my Mam-ma Polly’s book...that we would “fall to our knees” and make every effort to bring those in our midst into their own personal relationship with Jesus. I pray that we would make sure that heaven is FILLED to overflowing with God’s children...that we would never waste an opportunity to extend the grace, mercy, forgiveness, compassion and kindness of Jesus Christ to others.
Take some time today to look around you and see who needs to feel the grace and mercy of Jesus...and where He needs you to be the vehicle to convey this. Turn to the LORD...seek His wisdom...share His love with others. It is never too late!
©2014 Debbie Robus
Turn to the Lord!
He can still be found.
Call out to God! He is near.
Give up your crooked ways
and your evil thoughts.
Return to the Lord our God.
He will be merciful
and forgive your sins.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A few days ago, a friend of mine posted a video of a baptism she performed in her church. She wrote... “God has truly blessed us through this church and her people. Had a steeple dedication this morning and baptized a couple that has been married 73 years. Met on the lawn of the church. He is 94 and she is 90. They have been attending for years and joined the church today. Words cannot express my joy....Thank you Jesus.”
This reminded me of my grandmother’s “companion”, whom she met after my grandfather died in 1984. My grandparents were married almost 52 years. When my grandfather left us, Mam-ma Polly was incredibly lonely. She “kissed a few toads” before she began “keeping company” with Delbert, who everyone called “Deb”. Mam-ma Polly and Deb were inseparable for about seven years. They never married and maintained their own homes...but they did everything together. She cooked breakfast for him at one of their houses, and then they would “garden” or visit others, shop together, and more for much of each day. They both returned to their respective houses many afternoons for a nap before sharing dinner and “Wheel of Fortune” or “Lawrence Welk” together...and three nights a week, they danced at a local social hall. On Sundays they attended church services together.
Deb became like a second grandfather to us. He endeared himself to all of us, and we grew to love him. He was tremendously supportive to Mam-ma Polly when my brother Tim died...and again 13 months later when my dad – her only son – left us for heaven. And then Deb got sick. He was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Over the course of several weeks, he took some radiation treatments that left him weak and tired, and Mam-ma “nursed” him as best she could.
Here’s the kicker...this sweet, generous, kind and loving man had never given his heart to Jesus. He attended church services with Mam-ma on Sundays, but he really didn’t know much about the Bible...or how much God loved him. He did not have any understanding of spending eternity in heaven at the feet of Jesus. I’m pretty sure Deb knew he had sins in his life...but he did not realize that Jesus could – and would – forgive him of them. Mam-ma Polly set in to change this!
My grandmother began talking to Deb about Jesus...and heaven. She told me that one night as she and Deb sat on the couch, she fell to her knees and - through her tears - she told him, “I don’t think I can bear it if I get to heaven and you’re not there.” She shared with Deb once more how easy it was to ask Jesus to forgive his sins and invite Him to live in his heart...and Deb did exactly that.
This 87-year-old man had served in the Army in Germany during WWII, where he found himself behind enemy lines for several days at one point - and once related to Greg how he felt the “whoosh” of a German bullet as it passed by his ear. Deb had lived all these years without the peace of Jesus in his heart. He had married, reared three children, faced the death of his wife and countless loved ones, and endured a myriad of life experiences...all without the confidence that Jesus was guiding his steps. I am convinced that Jesus poured out His grace and mercy over Deb...that He had His hand on this situation all along...that He placed my grandmother in this man’s path to lead him into a relationship with Jesus – and assured that we will all see him again someday in heaven.
Even though he was sick, Deb was like a “new man”...because he truly was. I bought him a Bible, and as his body betrayed him, he read the scriptures and was renewed. As I sat with him on his last earthly day and held his hand, I knew that Jesus was there...holding him tenderly and ushering him fully into His presence. And as I read my friend’s post about the 90-something couple in her congregation, I was once again reminded...as long as we draw breath, it.is.never.too.late. God can still be found. He will be merciful and forgive our sins, through the blood of Jesus.
My prayer today is two-fold...1) that we would not spend decades without Jesus...that we would turn to Him sooner, rather than later, and walk in His amazing grace and mercy; and 2) that we would take a page from my Mam-ma Polly’s book...that we would “fall to our knees” and make every effort to bring those in our midst into their own personal relationship with Jesus. I pray that we would make sure that heaven is FILLED to overflowing with God’s children...that we would never waste an opportunity to extend the grace, mercy, forgiveness, compassion and kindness of Jesus Christ to others.
Take some time today to look around you and see who needs to feel the grace and mercy of Jesus...and where He needs you to be the vehicle to convey this. Turn to the LORD...seek His wisdom...share His love with others. It is never too late!
©2014 Debbie Robus
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)