Friday, October 29, 2010

Pulling the Wrong Latch

Two young men looking under the hood of a car
Did you ever do something stupid, and then acted as if nothing had happened? I remember a story that the illustrious Erma Bombeck told about her husband. It seems that he rented a car while in Pittsburgh and accidently pulled the “open hood” latch rather than the “brake release”. Instead of getting out of the car, closing the hood and driving off, he got out of the car and spent five minutes under the hood adjusting wires that didn’t need adjusting - just so he could save-face.

I thought of the many times that I’ve done dumb things just to save-face. God never minces words. We call it saving-face, but He simply calls it PRIDE. We’ve all got it, but God hates it. He tells us in 1 John 2:16, “For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes, and the boasting or what he has or does (the pride of life) – comes not from the Father, but from the world.”

Could it be that our willingness to let go of our pride and admit that we’re wrong could even lead to our healing? In James 5:16 it says, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

I want to be powerful and effective, don’t you? Let’s remember this the next time that we pull the wrong latch.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Rescued Miners

Thirty-one year old Alex Vega became the tenth rescued miner at the site of the San Jose mine in Copiapo, Chile on October 13, 2010. A mine collapse left the workers trapped underground for 69 days. UPI/Hugo Infante/Government of Chile Photo via Newscom
Who has not been glued to the TV set over the last few days as the 33 Chilean Miners were hauled to the surface one by one? We have been astounded that these men could be held captive underground since August 5th, yet emerge alive and well. Many of the freed miners are sharing their spiritual experiences. God was doing a mighty work while they were entombed over 2,000 feet underground, in the depths of the San Jose mine.

As the last miner emerged, church bells were ringing and car horns were honking as people throughout Chile celebrated the rescue. Everywhere, people were weeping and laughing because the miners were set free. There was reason to celebrate; they were given up for dead, yet they’re alive!

In John 3:3 &16 Jesus says, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born-again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.”

We’re all sinners and like the trapped miners we need to be set free. It took a ton of people and equipment to free the miners, but it only takes Jesus Christ to set us free from our sins. The payment for unrepentant sin is eternity in hell – but Jesus paid a ransom that we may be set free from sin and the punishment of hell. He died on the cross over 2,000 years ago to pay for your sins, my sins, and the sins of the world. Anyone who believes in Jesus in their heart, will not perish, but have eternal life.

What is your part? Accept Jesus Christ’s payment for your sins, turn away from your lifestyle of sin, and ask Him to come live in you and guide you. Then the angels in heaven will be praising God and shouting Hallelujah! You, who were once dead in your sins, is now alive – you’ve been set free!

Saturday, October 2, 2010

What if...?

Mature Woman Wondering
Have you ever played the game “What if…?” You know, you think of something good that happened in your life or the life of others. Then you think of a slight change of circumstances that would have altered the outcome of the situation entirely. The scenarios are endless. An example would be taking a different route to work one day and later discovering there was a fatal accident that you avoided. What if…?

I love the fact that God is in control and not me. Proverbs 3:4-6 LB says “If you want favor with both God and man and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don’t ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success.”

When I’m wondering “What if…?” It makes me see the wonderful hand of God in everything I do. His way is perfect and He directs my path. I can’t depend on myself because I make too many mistakes, but I put my life in His hands and it’s amazing the way He leads me.

What are some of your “What ifs…?” Leave me a comment; I’d love to hear from you!