Rescue

Rescue

by | Jun 23, 2023 | Faith, Hope, Redeemed

John 8: 1-11 tells a story of a woman caught in adultery. The scribes and the Pharisees brought her to Jesus to test Him. Thrown into the sand, she awaited the sting of the stones that would crush her and seal her fate.

She was guilty. She knew it. Her accusers knew it. She had been caught in the act and there was no way out.  

Did panic set in? Or was she resigned to her punishment of death? Were her eyes locked on Jesus? Or cast down to the ground?

But then Jesus’ hand reached down and wrote in the sand. One by one, her accusers left.

No stone was cast her way.

Jesus had her back. He did not condemn her; He rescued her. His words only directed her to go and sin no more.

One Pair of Hands

I heard a new song last week. It is an old song, but new to me. Written and recorded by Carroll Roberson in 1971, One Pair of Hands was also sung by Elvis Presley.

The song encourages us to put our faith in Jesus. Its lyrics tell us God formed creation with one pair of hands. Jesus healed people from sickness, raised people from the dead and fed thousands with one pair of hands.

Like the adulterous woman, we have all sinned. Maybe it’s obvious to those around us. Maybe not. Maybe it’s simply a lack of faith.

Consider Peter’s short stint of walking on water.

Strong and confident, bold was his middle name. But when he began to sink, his confidence faltered and fear gripped him. Once locked on Jesus, his eyes shifted to the wind around him. He began to feel the weight of the wet substance as it soaked into his cloak.

However, in the next moment, a hand reached down and rescued Peter from the deep, dark water.

The Bible speaks of many more rescues by Jesus.

  • One pair of hands cleansed a leper.
  • One pair of hands broke a loaf of bread, placing the pieces in baskets to nourish the crowd.
  • One pair of hands took saliva and dirt, placing mud over the eyes of a man born blind. And gave him sight.
  • One pair of hands held babies and children.
  • One pair of hands raised a girl to life.
  • One pair of hands washed the feet of his closest friends, even his betrayer.
  • One pair of hands were extended and nailed to a cross. Arms stretched in agony secured our hope and sealed our fate . . . if we only believe and receive.

The Price Paid

Have you been desperate for a rescue? Do you need forgiveness today? Restoration? Salvation?

Jesus has already paid the price. His hands have already done the deed, reaching out to us.

Let the goodness and love of our Lord Jesus Christ wash over you today.

Seek Him and put your faith in the one pair of hands.

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.” Isaiah 43:1-2

Careful what you wish for

Careful what you wish for

by | Mar 3, 2023 | Determination, Faith, God

Have you ever wished for something to have it backfire on you when you got it?

When our boys were younger, we visited a local park for a family outing. We took our dogs – both large – with us. The two younger boys begged to hold their leashes and walk them. We finally gave in and gave each son a dog to walk. A few moments in, the dogs saw a squirrel and bolted, dragging both boys through the woods.

I can still see it in my mind playing out in slow motion. In hindsight, it was quite comical. . . something you’d see in an old western movie with a spooked horse on the run dragging some poor soul.

We caught up to them and rescued the boys with, thankfully, no serious injuries!

The simple desire on their part took them much quicker than they wanted to go and down a path they never intended.

Game day guidance

On another occasion, while playing football in elementary school, my oldest son’s coaches encouraged him on several occasions to step it up and be more aggressive.

He was a big boy, so coaches naturally thought he’d be aggressive. He was not.

They had that same talk while warming up before a game one Saturday morning. As they ran plays, my son Connor did what they asked. The downside? He nailed our own quarterback!

That blow during warmup kept the quarterback out the entire game. The coach got more than he bargained for that day.

From honor to disgrace

In the book of Esther, Mordecai, Esther’s cousin and also a court official sat faithfully at the king’s gate.

One day, King Xerxes realized Mordecai had never been thanked for uncovering a conspiracy to assassinate the king. He asked his second-in-command, Haman, to tell him what to do for the man the king delights to honor. (Esther 6:6)

Haman assumed the king was referring to himself. His answer included all the things he wished for.

The tables turned

Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.” (Esther 6:10)

Let’s review the events that led to this. Haman devised the plan to annihilate the Jews—all because Mordecai wouldn’t bow to him. This filled Haman with rage, so one day he went home and built gallows to hang Mordecai. That next morning, he showed up at the same time the king sought advice.

Haman got more than he bargained for that day. Instead of hanging Mordecai, he was the person responsible for parading Mordecai throughout the city in a position of honor. Verse 11 tells us that Haman recited “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”

Haman wished for a hanging on the gallows he built, confident his enemy’s life would end there. He just didn’t know it would be his own life that would eventually hang.

A God-Guided Life

Haman’s passion and hatred for Mordecai set in motion the event to destroy the Jews. His self-guided life and pride cost him his own life.

Esther’s passion and sense of purpose exposed Haman’s evil plan. She didn’t let anything hinder her from helping her people. She allowed God to guide her life.

Mordecai also followed God’s lead. Because of his strong faith, his leadership, his submission to the Lord and his unwavering convictions, the Jews were rescued from Haman’s evil plan. He didn’t allow circumstances or self-preservation to dictate his value system.

Mordecai went from camping outside the king’s gate in sackcloth and ashes, wailing loudly and bitterly, to being second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews. He worked for the good of his people, speaking up for the welfare of all the Jews.

What about us?

While we may not take pride and selfishness to Haman’s level, we also run the risk of letting pride inch into our lives and take us on a downward spiral.

Are there some things in your life that you haven’t released to God?

When we embark on our own without God’s guidance, we may travel down an out-of-control path leading to destruction. Or our pride could hinder the very goal we are trying to accomplish.

Think of a time when you followed God’s guidance. How was that experience different from when you let your pride control the outcome?

Let’s commit today to live with God as our guide. Let our passion and purpose shed light in the darkness, let our convictions be unwavering, and our submission to God lead others to His rescue plan.

 

There is so much more we can learn from Esther and Mordecai. For the full story, read the book of Esther in the Holy Bible.

 

 

A Changed Heart

A Changed Heart

by | Feb 25, 2023 | Belief, Faith, Redeemed

Matthew 27 tells us a story of a changed heart.

The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people. Matthew 27:52-53

Seeing is believing

The centurion and those with him guarding Jesus had a change of heart after they had seen all that had happened. Terrified, they exclaimed “surely he was the son of God.” (Matthew 27:54)

What a sight to see dead men walking – appearing to many people! I’d be terrified too.

As God breathed life into man when He formed him, Jesus’ death gave the breath of life back to many holy people.

You only live once

You’ve heard the saying “you only live once.” Well, there are people who got to live twice on earth. Scripture tells us about many who were raised from the dead. For example,

Lazarus;

Jairus’ daughter; and

The widow of Nain’s son.

But what about those who were given new life at the moment Jesus took His last breath? Matthew 27:52 says many holy people were raised to life at that moment.

I wonder what they did from the time they were raised until three days later when they went into the holy city.

I wonder how they honored God when they came back to life. Were they able to finish unfinished business this second time around?

What would you do if you had a second chance at life on earth? If I had a do-over, I’d try to correct past mistakes, and be more mindful of my words and actions.

The Bible also says we are dead in our sins before we come to Jesus. (Ephesians 2:1) The apostle Paul goes on to say that because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ.

Breathing new life

So, in a sense, we are like those dead men.

Once Jesus breathed his last, they breathed new life. Once we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we come out of a spiritual grave to walk into new life. We breathe new life and are told to walk in it.

Can you imagine the families of those people? How excited they were – and maybe a little afraid – to see them again.

What about us? Here on earth, our loved ones (in most cases) rejoice in our new life. But not only that, the angels rejoice too. They rejoice when a sinner repents. (Luke 15:9-11)

Walking beside them

So what can we do to help new believers walking around in new life?

Walk beside them.

  • Teach them what we’ve learned in our walk of faith.
  • Encourage them to stand strong in their faith.
  • Pray for them to grow and seek Jesus in the big decisions in life as well as the small.

If you don’t know Jesus personally, don’t let his suffering and last breath be for nothing. He rose again into new life, conquering death before He returned to the Father in heaven. He did so that we might live through Him and spend eternity in heaven.

The centurion got it right that day. You can too. Today, receive His gift of life, His mercy and grace, and show many people what your new life is like. What a great time to begin a new life, and astonish others with your boldness and faithfulness.

 To learn how, you can go here.

A Hope-filled Life

A Hope-filled Life

by | Feb 10, 2023 | Faith, Hope, Trust

A hard winter freeze destroyed many plants and shrubs in my yard. They look pathetic, really.

I have four sweet olive trees, once evergreen, now leafless and sparse. I wondered if I would ever delight in their sweet scent again.

Upon further inspection, a green layer hides underneath that dry, gray bark. It speaks of beauty to come. Beauty from devastation. A speck of hope that, once touched by the sun of Spring, will find new life.

While a storm robbed it of its leaves and color, I look forward to the day I get to see its beauty once again, inhale its sweet fragrance and rest in its shade.

Does your life sometimes mirror that sweet olive tree? I know mine has at times.

Cold. Hard. Uninviting. Withdrawn and without hope.

But beneath our exterior, we hope for better things to come.

Beauty from devastation

Jesus Christ offers us that hope. He is the lifeblood within us. He brings beauty from our devastation. And he will give us new strength that allows us to grow and flourish.

Be encouraged, my friend. This season of sadness or emptiness will one day blossom into life again. Life that comes from the life-giver Himself.

If you know Him, you know He is faithful. Cling to Him in the good days as well as the not-so-good days.

If you do not have a relationship with God and don’t know the love of Christ, would you trust Him today? Jesus sees great value in you and tenderly calls your name. Receive His gift of salvation by putting your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Receiving His salvation means recognizing that you are a sinner, repenting of your sin, confessing with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead.

All who receive His salvation are changed by the Holy Spirit and are born again, becoming children of God and receiving eternal life with God.

That sweet olive tree appears dead. But it will look alive again one day. Thank God He can do the same with us. He can take a life that’s broken and without hope and transform it into a vibrant and full life.

Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (ESV)

But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)

Taking Down Walls

Taking Down Walls

by | Feb 3, 2023 | Faith, Fear, Praise

One of the hardest things I have ever done was tell my three boys their daddy had gone to be with Jesus in Heaven. The task seemed insurmountable. I was already numb from the news myself; how could I ever speak it to them?

It seemed a wall loomed ahead, threatening our way of life. Somehow, I had to make it to the other side and begin an unwanted and unfamiliar future.

Walls can be daunting. However, I believe there are two essentials to tackling the walls that stand in our way.

  • Our faith
  • God’s power

A promise fulfilled

As described in Joshua 6, a wall stood between the Israelites and the place God had promised them. That wall surrounded the city of Jericho and God had a plan for Joshua to defeat the city.

(Jericho was the first city conquered by Israel after crossing the Jordan River and occupying the Promised Land. Joshua 5:13-6:23)

I feel certain the plan to circle the walls of Jericho seemed bizarre to the people. But Joshua listened to God, then executed the plan exactly as God had laid it out for him. And the people followed Joshua’s instruction.

When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city. Joshua 6:20 (NIV)

The power of praise

The walls of Jericho fell – not because of human strength or skill – but because of the faith and shouts of praise of the people. That, my friend, is the power of praise.

Because of their faith, they saw the power of God in action. And with their faith, they accomplished the task as God intended.

Oh, that we would approach our walls – or mountains – before us with that same faith accompanied by praise. When we say “I can’t do this” or “I won’t do that,” we limit God.

Joshua was a man of great faith. And he saw the limitless power of the Lord. Verse 27 closes out Chapter 6 with this about him.

So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land. Joshua 6:27 (NIV)

I have witnessed the power of the Holy Spirit in my life. It was only through faith in Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit that got my family to the other side of that wall during those dark days.

Do you have a wall standing in your way? Or a mountain before you? Sometimes fear can be that barrier that holds us captive. Or grief could keep us bound and not able to move forward.

Let’s cling to our faith to move those mountains, tear down those walls and see the power of the Holy Spirit in our everyday lives, working on our behalf.

A Bold Move

A Bold Move

by | Jan 7, 2023 | Courage, Determination, Faith, Victory

J. R. R. Tolkien once said, “courage is found in unlikely places.”

That’s what we find in the story of Esther. Hers was not a “commander of an army” type courage. Nor one accompanied by physical strength and stamina.

Her courage was a quiet, “I’ll risk my life for my people” type of courage.

Esther had been queen for about three years before she had the test of a lifetime. Haman, second in command of Susa, had devised an evil plan to destroy all Jews throughout the kingdom and convinced King Xerxes to sign it into law.

Esther’s cousin, Mordecai, challenged her to step in and use her position to change this course of action. A task not easily done.

There was no knocking on his door to ask a question. She had to be invited. And thirty days had passed since Esther had been summoned by the king. Approaching him without an invitation was against the law. However, she risked her life for her people. Her response to Mordecai must have been a chilling one.

When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish. Esther 4:16.

How do we prepare for courage?

I believe several things contributed to her courage, and ultimate victory, to make such a bold move.

Even before this time, God had prepared Esther for that critical moment.

  • She was adopted by Mordecai who treated her like his own daughter. He taught her that God was always in control.
  • She was one of the virgins chosen as a potential queen, winning the favor of Hegai, the king’s eunuch and overseer of the king’s harem. He even moved Esther and her maids to the best place in the harem.
  • Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her.
  • She won the king’s favor and approval more than any of the other virgins.
  • She had an accountability partner. Mordecai challenged her to do the right thing.
  • Esther reported an assassination plot to take out the king.
  • Before she acted, she called on people to fast and pray, putting her faith in God first.

After being seized from her cousin to become the possession of a cruel king, Esther could have become bitter. Instead, she demonstrated courage, patience and wisdom. She did this not only in her gracious appeal to the king, but through offering a solution that gave the Jews the chance to survive.

And that is the way with us, too. Sometimes our trials springboard us to a place of courage and boldness. God also prepares us for our “moment” through a consistent, everyday walk with Him. Obedience in the “little things” could be just what gets us through that next obstacle.

What do we do with the sting of pain?

Life is hard. Difficult times happen. Pain will come. When it does, do we turn TO God or FROM Him?

You may be thinking, “I do not have the courage of Esther.” But consider this. Esther took one step at a time, allowing her trials to shape her into a courageous young woman.

She didn’t settle for less than God’s plan for her. She strove for the best, whether she suffered for it or not.

And we can too. We CAN find the courage when courage seems in short supply. We CAN pray boldly and act boldly. We CAN live in victory.

Do you have a decision to make? A plan to implement. How has God prepared you to be bold? Draw upon those experiences that have made you into who you are today and take courage in your moment of decision.

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7

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