THE BEST THING...

SCRIPTURE

Colossians 1:15-23 (NRSV)
God reconciles all things through Christ

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers - all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him - provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel.

DEVOTION

Oh, how I love Jesus!

Isn’t today’s scripture reading phenomenal? I love the reminder that Jesus did not start to exist
when he was born as Jesus, to his earthly mother Mary.

Jesus was present at the creation of the world, Jesus is present today, and Jesus will always be present in every age to come!

Oh hallelujah!

I love the Name of Jesus! Jesus is so powerful, mighty, and awesome, and yet He became human—just like you and I—and loved us even unto the cross.

The Bible says, “No greater love hath a man than this, that he would lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).”

Aren’t you glad that God loves us so much that God gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life?

Today’s scripture says that we “were once estranged and hostile in mind and doing evil deeds.”
Now, tell the truth and shame the devil, we know that this sentence is true!

We know what we do in the dark. We know the lies we have told. We know the hearts we have broken. We know the friends we have betrayed. We know the damage we have done to our own hearts, minds, and souls with our poor choices and sinful ways.

But, today’s scripture is GOOD NEWS for all of us! Although we were once estranged and hostile in mind and doing evil deeds, JESUS has now reconciled us through his death on the cross presenting us holy and blameless before God!

Praise the Wonderful Name of Jesus!

When we put all of our hope in Jesus, believing the GOOD NEWS message that God loves, gave, and saves, Jesus’ shed blood creates peace between us and God.

No longer do we have to live in fear, wondering if God loves us, forgives us, saves us, or cares about us! We can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God loves us because God gave us Jesus! God gave us the means to be forgiven and reconciled! God has invited us to spend eternity in God’s home!

Listen my friends, today is a good day to become a Christian (or a follower of Jesus Christ).

You’ve tried everything else and you are still without a Savior. Your mother couldn’t save you. Your teacher couldn’t save you. Your money couldn’t save you. Your stuff couldn’t save you. Your spouse/lover couldn’t save you. Your children couldn’t save you. No one—and NO-thing—besides JESUS is capable of saving you!

It is Jesus Christ and Him crucified, risen, and coming again, who is the only One who is able to fill the God shaped hole in your heart.

Listen, please believe me when I say, Jesus is the best thing that will ever happen to you and He stands ready to welcome you home. You can’t out sin, out fox, or out run God’s great love for you revealed on Calvary’s Cross.

Will you come to Jesus while you have time?

If so, please pray with me:

Dear God, I don’t want to be estranged from you, hostile in mind and doing evil deeds. Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit. I believe that you love me and that JESUS died on the cross to save me from my sin and to gift me with eternal life. I believe that Jesus did not stay dead, but was resurrected just as He promised! I am amazed by Your Love and Your Grace. Please help me to share both with others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

SPECIAL NOTE

If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! I would be so honored if you would let me know about your decision by clicking “Yes” in the poll located at the top/right of today’s devotional! I am so happy for you! Happy Spiritual Re-Birth-Day!

Next steps: In response to what God did for you just now, let me suggest that you consider telling another Christian so that they can celebrate with you! Ask them to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand so that you can learn more about your new-found faith! Ask them to help you find a good Bible believing church where you can be baptized and make new friends who will walk with you on your new journey! You are already saved; now let God mature you by faith! Congratulations!






ANNOUNCEMENTS

If you would like to put all of your hope in Jesus today, please visit my blog entitled, “Putting All Your Hope In Jesus” located at
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/04/putting-all-your-hope-in-jesus.html

If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus"
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html

Pastor Yolanda is now publishing another blog entitled, “A Spoken WORD” in celebration of Holy Hip Hop, Gospel/Christian Rap and Spoken Word. Please check it out @ http://aspokenword.blogspot.com/

You are invited to follow Pastor Yolanda on Twitter www.twitter.com/PastorYolanda

Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews

You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.

EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right!

Thanks for reading and please come again. Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to all of our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.

From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com