[APRIL 2] The Rescue Business

Read: Romans 3:10-22

"There is joy in the presence if the angels of gods over one sinner who repent."

--Luke 15:10

Living in the Colorando, I climb mountain. On summer weekends, I see casual hikers who have no idea what they are doing. in sandals, shorts, and T-shirts, carrying a single container of water, they are start up a trail at mis-morning. They have no map no compass and no rain gear.

My neighbor, who volunteers for Alpine Rescue, has told me stories of tourists rescued from certain death after wandering  off a trail. Regardless of circumstances, Alpine Rescue always responds to a call for help. Not once have they lecture a hapless tourist, "Well, since you ignored the rules of the wilderness, you'll just have to bear the consequences." Their mission is rescue. They pursue every needy hiker, no matter how undeserving.

The central message of the Bible is one of rescue. Paul points out that none of us "deserve" God's mercy and none of us can save ourselves. Like a stranded hiker, all we can do is call for help. Quoting the psalmist, he says, "There is none righteous, no, not one; none who understands; there is none who seek after of God" (Rom. 3:10-11; Ps. 14:1-3).

The good news of the gospel is the spite of our state, God seeks after us and responds to every plea for help. You might say that God is in the rescue Business 

 

THINKING IT OVER

What keeps you from calling out to God for spiritual rescue? 

Your pride? Do you fear that you are too bad for God's grace? what does Romans 3:23-26 say?

REFLECT ON THIS:

The heart of repentance is turning from sin and toward God

[MARCH 31] The Beauty of Forgiveness

Read: Luke 15:11-24

"When he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran... and kissed him."

--Luke 15:20

What started out as a collection has grown into a ministry opportunity for Larry and Mary Gerbens. For the past 10 years they've been collecting artistic works based on the story of the prodigal son from Luke 15. Their collection includes a painting from Rembrandt and a number of items by other artists depicting this story.

The Gerbens wanted to share their collection, so they put it on display at a local college. Larry said, "The artists have ministered to us, and we hope their work will minister to others.

As I wandered through the displays, I was touched by the deep need of the prodigal, his honest repentance, and the beautiful forgiveness of the father portrayed in the variety of art pieces--paintings, etchings,engravings, glasswork, sketches, and silk screens.

We have all been like the son in this story, who had other plans for his life than what his father had for him. We have all run away from our heavenly Father (Rom. 3:10-12). But He welcomes us when we come to Him.

You too will see the beauty of forgiveness in your heavenly Father's face when you cry out to Him, "Father, I have sinned..." (Luke 15:18). If you're far away from Him, head home now and experience His love. --Anne Cetas

O Lord, I now admit my guilt,

And I accept Your grace;

Transform my life and help me grow

Until I see Your face. --Hess

REFLECT ON THIS:

When God forgives, He removes the sin and restores the soul.

[MARCH 8] To the Rescue

Read: Luke 15:1-7

"There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance" 

--Luke 15:7

Martie and I recently traveled to some major cities in several countries. We were struck with how lost our world is and grieved over the millions who have never heard the message of the saving grace of Jesus. The thought of reaching our world for Christ felt overwhelming.

Until I remembered the story of the boy walking on a beach. Encountering hundreds of starfish dying under the heat of the burning sun, he started throwing them back into the sea. A passerby asked, “What are you doing?” “Saving their lives,” the boy replied. “Forget it,” the man said. “You can’t possibly save all these starfish.” “Right,” replied the boy, “but it makes a big difference to each one I do save.”

I love the boy’s perspective. When the wave of sin threw us onto the shore to die, God sent His Son to walk on the beach to rescue all who would repent. And, as Jesus told His listeners in Luke 15, each time someone is rescued, heaven throws a party. “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7).

Has heaven rejoiced over your rescue? If so, join the ranks of those who reach other lost souls with the rescuing grace of Jesus.

Your love, O God, would spare no pain

To conquer death and win;

You sent Your only son to die
To rescue us from sin. --M. Gustafson

REFLECT ON THIS:

When you’ve been rescued, you’ll want to rescue others.

[MARCH 2] God is Here

Read: Luke 4:16-21

"[The Lord] heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" 

--Psalm 147:3

Leslie and her two daughters were about to be evicted from their home. Although Leslie believed that God could help, so far He hadn’t given a clue as to how. She wondered, Where is God? As she drove to the courthouse, she prayed for God’s intervention. Then she heard a song on the radio proclaiming, “God is here! Let the brokenhearted rejoice.” Could this be the assurance from God that she was longing to hear?

Inside the courtroom, Leslie stood before the judge, heard his decision, and signed the legal documents, but still God had not given her an answer.

As Leslie was walking to her car, a truck pulled up beside her. “Ma’am,” said the driver, “I heard your testimony inside the courtroom, and I believe God wants me to help you.” And he did. Gary helped Leslie get in contact with a woman from a local church who was able to work with the parties involved to reverse the process so that she and her girls could stay in their home.

When people ask, “Where is God?” the answer is, “Right here.” One way God is at work is through Christians like Gary who are continuing the work Jesus started—healing the brokenhearted and binding up their wounds (Ps. 147:3). --Julie Ackerman Link

God is here; He stands beside you.

God is here; He wants to guide you.

God is here and He will help you,

So do not fear--Your God is near. --D.De Haan

REFLECT ON THIS: 

When we love God, we will serve people.

[MARCH 1] The Fairest

Read: Revelation 5:8-14

"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!" 

--Revelation 5:12

When I first became a Christian and started attending church at age 19, I immediately fell in love with singing the great hymns of the faith. My heart overflowed with joy and thanksgiving as we sang of God’s love for us in Christ. Soon one of my favorite hymns (from the late 1600s) became “Fairest Lord Jesus!” I love the simplicity of the melody and the awesomeness of the One exalted in these words:

Fair is the sunshine,
fairer still the moonlight,
and all the twinkling starry host: Jesus shines brighter,
Jesus shines purer than all the angels heaven can boast.
Beautiful Savior!
Lord of the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration
now and forevermore be Thine!

God’s Son, whom we sing about in this song, came to this earth, lived a perfect life, and gave Himself for us on the cross (Luke 23:33). He arose from the grave (Luke 24:6) and is now seated at God’s right hand (Heb. 1:3). One day we’ll join in worship with thousands upon thousands and say: “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!” (Rev. 5:13). Maybe we’ll sing “Fairest Lord Jesus!” too.

Until then, let’s allow Jesus to be “the fairest” above all in our personal lives by seeking wisdom from His Word and following in His ways. --Anne Cetas

REFLECT ON THIS:

We can never praise Jesus too much.

[FEBRUARY 13] Time for a Change

Read: Luke 7:37-49

"This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner" 
--Luke 7:39

A friend once told me, “In my lifetime I’ve seen a lot of things change, and I’ve been against them all!” Perhaps he overstated the point, but many of us would agree that we don’t like change—especially if it involves altering our habits and attitudes.

That’s one reason Jesus was so unpopular among the Pharisees. He challenged their long-established system of good works and self-righteous living. Consider the incident when the town “sinner” entered the home of the town “saint” in Luke 7. Simon the Pharisee wasn’t impressed with the woman’s lavish display of affection for Jesus. Reading Simon’s self-righteous thoughts, Jesus immediately challenged his flawed perception of his own goodness by telling the story of two debtors—one who owed much to his master and one who owed less. “Which of them will love him more?” Jesus asked (v.42). Obviously, the one who had been forgiven more. Speaking to Simon’s I-feel-pretty-good-about-myself attitude, Jesus said, “to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little” (v.47).

The challenge is clear. Lulled into thinking how good we are, our love for Jesus wanes because we have forgotten that we too are among the ones “forgiven much.” And when that happens, ready or not, it’s time for a change! --Joe Stowell

Forgive us, Lord, for failures past,

Then help us start anew

With strength and courage to obey

And closely follow You. --Sper

REFLECT ON THIS:

When God starts changing things, He usually begins with changing us.

[February 10] Rich toward God

Read: Luke 12:13-21

"Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also"

--Luke 12:34

I watch the fluctuations of the stock market and reflect on the effects of fear and greed. A character in a 1980s movie had this philosophy: “Greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right! Greed works!... Greed [will] save... the USA!” What foolish thinking!

I think of that occasion when a man asked Jesus to serve as an arbiter and make his brother share their inheritance. Jesus refused the request but went on to do the man a greater kindness. He pointed out the motive behind the man’s request and its consequences: “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15).

Then Jesus told a parable about a man who harvested a bumper crop and began to make plans to increase and enjoy his riches. He concluded: “God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (vv.20-21).

The trouble with greed is that ultimately our goods go. But worse—we go. Better to store up treasure in heaven, invest in spiritual riches, and become “rich toward God.” --David Roper

The treasures of earth do not last,

But God has prepared us a place

Where someday with Him we will dwell,

Enjoying the riches of grace. --Branon

REFLECT ON THIS:

Our real wealth is what we invest for eternity.

[JANUARY 30] Behind the Parted Curtain

Read: Luke 23:39-43

Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." 

--Luke 23:43

Pastor and author Erwin Lutzer wrote: “One minute after you slip behind the parted curtain, you will either be enjoying a personal welcome from Christ or catching your first glimpse of gloom as you have never known it. Either way, your future will be irrevocably fixed and eternally unchangeable.”

Luke recorded a short yet powerful narrative that pictures two men about to go behind that curtain of death. When Jesus was being crucified, two thieves hung alongside Him. According to Mark, both men hurled insults at Jesus (15:32).

One of the thieves, however, had a change of heart as he realized Jesus’ innocence, his own sin, and his destiny. He rebuked the other thief and asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom. These words were a sign of repentance and simple faith. Jesus responded, “I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). Salvation for the man was immediate. He knew that day where he would spend eternity.

Realizing that we are sinners and placing our trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection assures us that we can immediately know where we will spend our eternal tomorrows when we slip behind the parted curtain. --Marvin Williams

Oh, why not turn while yet you may;

Too late, it soon will be--

A glorious life you may possess

Throughout eternity. --Anon.

REFLECT ON THIS:

To prepare for tomorrow, trust Jesus today.

[JANUARY 22] Neighborly Love

Read: Luke 10:29-37

"You shall love the Lord your God... and your neighbor as yourself" 

--Luke 10:27

It would have been simpler just to buy a new hair dryer. But determined to save a buck, I decided to fix it myself. In order to loosen the screw that was buried deep in the handle, I took out the ultimate handyman’s helper—my pocket knife. As I put pressure on the knife to turn the screw, the blade folded back—on my finger.

I learned a lesson that day: I love myself. And I am urgent about meeting my needs. There was no thought of, “Well, I don’t really have time to stop the bleeding now. I’ll get to it later.” Also, there was a tenderness about how the need was met. I instructed my first-aid team (my wife and kids) to wash my finger gently and then to put the bandage on in a way that would avoid having the hairs on my finger pulled up when it was removed. My thoughts, words, and actions were driven by my love for myself.

To love “your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27) requires the same urgent kind of love. It’s a love that notices the need of another person and won’t rest until it’s been met. It’s a gentle, tender love that thinks and acts carefully. It’s the sacrificial and compassionate love that a nameless Samaritan had for a fallen traveler. It’s the kind of love God wants to share with your neighbors through you. --Joe Stowell

Lord, help me see the heartfelt needs

Of those within my care,

And grant that through my words and deeds

Your love with them I'll share. --D. De Haan

REFLECT ON THIS:

You cannot touch your neighbor’s heart with anything less than your own.