Thought for the day
The story is told of a preacher who attended a seminar with many well
known motivational speakers. One of these speakers boldly approached the
pulpit and, gathering the entire crowd's attention, said, "The best years of
my life were spent in the arms of a woman that wasn't my wife!" The crowd
was shocked!
He followed up by saying, "And that woman was my mother!" The crowd
burst into laughter and he gave his speech which went over well.
Several weeks later, this minister who had attended the seminar decided
to use that joke to introduce his sermon. As he shyly approached the pulpit
one Sunday morning, he tried to rehearse the joke in his head, but it seemed
a bit foggy to him. Getting to the microphone he said loudly, "The greatest
years of my life were spent in the arms of a woman that wasn't my wife!"
His congregation sat shocked.
After standing there for almost 10 seconds trying to recall the second
half of the joke, the preacher finally blurted out "...and for the life of
me, I can't remember who she was!"
Remembering the "punch line" is important in sharing a joke. It's also
important in relating the gospel message. Yes, Jesus was crucified for our
sins. And yes, he was buried in a borrowed tomb. But, if that's all we
remember, then we truly have no reason to rejoice. There's more to the
story!
That's why the apostles were so sad and discouraged when Jesus died.
They forgot the "rest of the story"! Jesus had told them, but they forgot.
"Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, 'The Son
of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill
Him, and the third day He will be raised up.'" (Matthew 17:22-23)
The gospel, the "good news," is not only that Jesus died to offer us
salvation from sin, but that he rose to give us hope of eternal life. Don't
forget the "punch line"!
Verses
Romans 8:28
Meanwhile we can be sure that God works tirelessly to see that everything that happens fits into a pattern for the ultimate good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
Exodus 23:26
and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span.
Galatians 6:7
Do not deceive yourselves; no one makes a fool of God. A man will reap exactly what he plants.
Psalm 112:1,3
Hallelujah. Happy is the man that feareth the Lord, that greatly delighteth in his commandments. Plenty and riches shall be in his house, and his righteousness shall endure forever.
Prayer
O Lord, hear me praying. Listen to my plea, O God my King, for I will never pray to anyone but You. Each morning I will look to You in heaven and lay my requests before You, praying earnestly. I know You get no pleasure from wickedness and cannot tolerate the slightest sin. Therefore proud sinners will not survive Your searching gaze, for how You hate their evil deeds…But as for me, I will come into Your temple protected by Your mercy and Your love; I will worship You with deepest awe.” Father, it is not the accolades of the world for which we live, but it is the affirmation of Your Word that serves as our trusted guide in all we seek to be and to do. We want to be faithful in the everyday obligations and opportunities that await us. Use us to glorify Your name and for the furtherance of the gospel of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen
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