FREE INDEED!

SCRIPTURE

John 8:31-36 (NRSV)

Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, 'You will be made free'?"
Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

MEDITATION—Today is Saturday Psalmody; the mediation is offered as a psalm from my heart! If you would like a more traditional devotion, please search the archives for a title that appeals to you! (smile)

FREE INDEED

I was slave.

Slave to sin.

Bound for the grave.

Never to rise again.

But my King

He died for me

He took the sting

Rose in victory!

Truth I know

Has set me free

And-whom the Son sets free

THE INVITATION

If you have 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

Let My Boast Be In My GOD!

SCRIPTURE



Romans 3:21-31 (NRSV)

Atonement through Christ's blood

But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus.

Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one; and he will justify the circumcised on the ground of faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.


DEVOTION

Today’s scripture reading sends a song of praise flitting through my heart!

I love the Apostle Paul’s explanation of the good news message and his reminder that since all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, there can be no boasting about any good works that we may be blessed to accomplish!

I often think about evangelism as “boasting on God.” I love to boast about how much God loves all of us! I love to share the good news that God gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life. I love to tell the story that Jesus did not stay dead, but was resurrected on the third day, just like he promised that he would!

I learned long ago that I have no-thing to boast about. I am a sinner, saved by grace. I fall short every day and rely on the righteousness of Jesus’ sacrifice to make atonement for my sin. I know that it is only because I have put all of my faith in Jesus that I have received the gift of eternal redemption!

There are two songs that I love to sing whenever I want to remind myself about the free gift of salvation. The first is “Love Lifted Me!” The chorus says, “Love Lifted Me, when nothing else could help, Love lifted me!” The second is “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus!”

In both cases, I recognize that salvation is an act of God; I can do no-thing to save myself! All I can do is believe—by faith—that Jesus died and was resurrected on the third day!

How wonderful!

Now that my heart is full of faith, I remember the scripture that says, “Faith without works is dead." And again, "...without faith it is impossible to please God.”

Because my heart is full of faith, I am compelled to love God and neighbor. I am activated to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give drink to the thirsty, visit the sick and imprisoned, and care for the widows and orphans. Because of the great gratitude in my heart, I have a strong desire to fulfill the Great Commission to share the good news message with every person that I meet!

I don’t do these things to earn “brownie points” with God or because I am fearful of God's wrath, if I do not.

I do these things because I want to share God’s love and care with others. I am the recipient of the greatest gift ever given—SALVATION--and I want, nay need, to share that gift with others.

Have you accepted this free gift from God? If not, please pray with me:

God, thank you so much that your love gave Jesus to die on the cross to save me from my sin and gift me with eternal life. Thank you that you raised him on the third day in victory! Today, I am putting all of my faith in Jesus! Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I can share this good news with others. I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.



SPECIAL NOTE

If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! Let me encourage you to tell a Christian friend that you just put all of your hope in Jesus. Ask him or her to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand and to find a good Bible believing church where you can be baptized and make new friends who will walk with you on your Christian journey!

I would be honored if you would take a moment to click “YES” in the upper-right hand corner of the good news blog in answer to the question, “Did God save you today?”

Congratulations and Happy Re-birthday! Your salvation is our GOOD NEWS, please go and share the GOOD NEWS with others!

Eternal Redemption

SCRIPTURE



Hebrews 9:1-12 (NRSV)

Temple sacrifices and Christ

Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was constructed, the first one, in which were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of the Presence; this is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a tent called the Holy of Holies. In it stood the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which there were a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot speak now in detail.

Such preparations having been made, the priests go continually into the first tent to carry out their ritual duties; but only the high priest goes into the second, and he but once a year, and not without taking the blood that he offers for himself and for the sins committed unintentionally by the people. By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the sanctuary has not yet been disclosed as long as the first tent is still standing. This is a symbol of the present time, during which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, but deal only with food and drink and various baptisms, regulations for the body imposed until the time comes to set things right.

But when Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation), he entered once for all into the Holy Place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.



DEVOTION

Hallelujah!

I don’t know about you, but I am happy-glad about what Jesus accomplished on the cross for all of us!

Today’s scripture says that with his own blood Jesus obtained our eternal redemption!

To redeem means to “discharge, pay off, fulfill, set free, rescue, or ransom." Isn’t it wonderful that Jesus did this for us?

The Bible says that “the wages of sin are death.” In other words, all sinners should rightfully be executed for failing to obey the law of The King.

Since, all human beings have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, that means that none of us should be spared.

BUT, JESUS…

But, Jesus allowed Love to give him up to the cross where he died to redeem us from our sin-debt and to make provision for our eternal life!

Because Jesus is The Redeemer, he was able to enter into “The Holy of Holies.” He was able to offer his blood as atonement for our sin. He came into that space as our Great High Priest, holy, perfect, and spotless and offered his life in exchange for ours!

Let’s say it again---HALLELUJAH!

Jesus has created an amnesty program. That program is accessed when we say—and believe—that Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected just for us!

Can it truly be that simple? Yes, indeed!

LOVE made our eternal redemption easy peezy lemon squeezy (giggles)! Jesus has done all of the hard work for us! Our only “work” is to believe…

Will you put all of your hope in Jesus today believing that by his blood Jesus has secured your eternal redemption?

If so, please pray with me:

Holy God, thank you that Jesus was able to enter the Holy of Holies on my behalf. Indeed, he is my Great High Priest. I believe with all my heart that your love gave Jesus to die on the cross to save me from my sin and gift me with eternal life. I am so glad that Jesus did not stay dead, but was resurrected just like he promised! I am so grateful for Jesus’ blood that secured my eternal redemption. I want to share this good news story with others! Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I will be empowered and equipped to tell this story to all my friends. I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

SPECIAL NOTE

If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! Let me encourage you to tell a Christian friend that you just put all of your hope in Jesus. Ask him or her to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand and to find a good Bible believing church where you can be baptized and make new friends who will walk with you on your Christian journey!

I would be honored if you would take a moment to click “YES” in the upper-right hand corner of the good news blog in answer to the question, “Did God save you today?”

Congratulations and Happy Re-birthday! Your salvation is our GOOD NEWS, please go and share the GOOD NEWS with others!

O Love Me Truly!*

SCRIPTURE



Simon and Jude, Apostles

1 John 4:1-6 (NRSV)

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. And this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming; and now it is already in the world. Little children, you are from God, and have conquered them; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us, and whoever is not from God does not listen to us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.



DEVOTION

Long ago I learned that it is not just what a person says, but what a person does that matters!

Today’s devotional reminds us that many people will say many things that appear to be good, righteous, and beneficial. But, scripture instructs us to be wise as serpents and gentle as doves.

As we interact with people on a daily basis, we know that every human being is in a different place in regard to their walk with God.

We must be very, very careful not to follow people who will lead us off of the path that God has set before us! We must always remember that The Way has been paved for us by King Jesus.

Any path that does not lead us into greater love and greater service to God and humanity is a wrong path!

1 John 4 says that God is love and anyone who does not love, does not know God! We know that this is uncategorically true because 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!

Real love gives itself away in service to others. True love serves without counting the cost! Jesus gave himself away as he died on the cross; Real love then raised him from the dead in victory!

Sometimes false “love” tries to pass itself off as the real thing. But, the litmus test is simple. As the person “loves” do they seek greedy gain for themselves, or do they unselfishly give in service to others.

The Spirit of the Anti-Christ will attempt to fool us, seduce us, and lead us astray. It will pass illicit sex off as love, addiction as an emotional high, and/or thievery as hard work. But, we will know the truth, and the truth will make us free!

Today, I want us to take a hard and prayerful look around. I hope that we will ask God for the wisdom and the understanding to rightly discern real love from the fake stuff.

I want to love and be loved in the most authentic way possible! Real love is a gift from God. Real love is JESUS…

Who can you love into the arms of Jesus today?

Let’s pray:

Holy God, thank you that you are Love. If I am looking for love, I need look no further than Jesus! Help me to become more aware of your real and true love for me so that I will recognize the fake stuff when I see it. Today, I am reminded that your Love is more than enough to meet my every need. Please forgive me for looking for love in all the wrong places. I want to be so filled up with the Holy Spirit that your Love will overflow into the lives of all those people around me! You are a caring God and I want to share your care with others. I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.


*Title comes from a John Keats poem by the same name.




THE INVITATION

If you have 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

OPEN MY EYES, THAT I MAY SEE!

SCRIPTURE



2 Kings 6:8-23 (NRSV)

Elisha has power over sight

Once when the king of Aram was at war with Israel, he took counsel with his officers. He said, "At such and such a place shall be my camp." But the man of God sent word to the king of Israel, "Take care not to pass this place, because the Arameans are going down there." The king of Israel sent word to the place of which the man of God spoke. More than once or twice he warned such a place so that it was on the alert.

The mind of the king of Aram was greatly perturbed because of this; he called his officers and said to them, "Now tell me who among us sides with the king of Israel?" Then one of his officers said, "No one, my lord king. It is Elisha, the prophet in Israel, who tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedchamber." He said, "Go and find where he is; I will send and seize him." He was told, "He is in Dothan." So he sent horses and chariots there and a great army; they came by night, and surrounded the city.

When an attendant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. His servant said, "Alas, master! What shall we do?" He replied, "Do not be afraid, for there are more with us than there are with them." Then Elisha prayed: "O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see." So the Lord opened the eyes of the servant, and he saw; the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. When the Arameans came down against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, and said, "Strike this people, please, with blindness." So he struck them with blindness as Elisha had asked. Elisha said to them, "This is not the way, and this is not the city; follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek." And he led them to Samaria.

As soon as they entered Samaria, Elisha said, "O Lord, open the eyes of these men so that they may see." The Lord opened their eyes, and they saw that they were inside Samaria. When the king of Israel saw them he said to Elisha, "Father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?" He answered, "No! Did you capture with your sword and your bow those whom you want to kill? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink; and let them go to their master." So he prepared for them a great feast; after they ate and drank, he sent them on their way, and they went to their master. And the Arameans no longer came raiding into the land of Israel.



DEVOTION

This has long been one of my favorite passages of scripture! I am in awe of God’s power to save even in the most horrific of circumstances.

Although it appeared the prophet Elisha was truly up a creek with no paddle, God had a plan! Although it was not possible to see salvation with natural eyes, spiritual eyes allowed Elisha and his servant to see a mighty and heavenly army surrounding and protecting them from all hurt, harm, and danger!

My friends, right now you may be facing an impossible situation. You may be hemmed in on every side with frightful physical, mental, or spiritual challenges. You may have been panicking asking, “What should I do? What should I do?”

Today, I speak Elisha’s prayer over your life. “O Lord, please open her eyes that she may see OR Please open his eyes that he may see.”

Do not be afraid, beloved of God!

God has a wonderful plan to deliver you from your desperate circumstance and it may even be in a way you never would have thought, hoped, or imagined.

After all, Elisha led the blinded Aramean army straight to their enemies. One might have expected them to be immediately cut down and buried. Instead, the Arameans were treated to a wonderful meal and sent home.

I don’t know how God is going to rescue you; I only know that God will! I want all of us to walk in victory today. Put a little spring in your step. Lift your head high. Encourage yourself with positive thoughts. Pray without ceasing. And make up in your mind that you are going to trust God to deliver you!

I look forward to sharing in your praise reports! Peace be with you friends…

Let’s pray:

God, thank you that you are well able to deliver me from any peril! I know that you are able because your love already gave Jesus to die on the cross to save me from my sin and gift me with eternal life! You have already rescued me from my greatest danger and enemy! Now, I fully entrust my life and every circumstance therein to you. You are a good God and I love you so very much! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.



THE INVITATION

If you have 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