February 18- The End of the Voyage

I recently read an article from a religious magazine that chronicled the account of a particular pilgrim who journeyed all throughout the world looking for spiritual enlightenment.  He traveled to Mecca during the Islamic Hajj to find inner peace and tranquility.  He journeyed to the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem looking for spiritual answers.  He toured various churches, mosques, and temples in the United States surveying the different theologies and doctrines of men.

At the end of his voyage he came to terms with the fact that he was still empty and void on the inside.  However, the energy and effort he exerted in his religious expedition brought forth a wonderful truth in his life: peace cannot be discovered by entering into a particular place, but is rather experienced through the encounter of a particular person, and that Person is God Himself.

Jesus Christ came that we may personally know God.  We spend much time trying to find the answers to life in various avenues and venues; when the real answer to life if found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I encourage everyone to work for the Lord and to attempt great things for God; but our energy and efforts will come to naught if we have never met the One for whom we are working.

It is good to be tired and weary by the futile search after the true good; that we may stretch out our arms to the Redeemer” – Blaise Pascal

February 13- Four Seconds Past Midnight

In 2011 an Iron Man Competition took place in Kona, Hawaii.  The Iron Man consists of a 2.4-mile swim in the open water, followed by a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile marathon run.  You have 17 hours to finish the course with midnight being the deadline.  Nancy Summers, a 50 year-old grandmother was selected out of a lottery system to compete in the marathon.

The documentary of Nancy Summers tracked every mile in her journey.  She swam in the open waters with enthusiasm and strength; she then launched onto her bike and crossed 112 miles of mountainous terrain; finally she began her 26.2 mile course on foot.  With every step midnight was quickly approaching.  Exhausted and fatigued she crossed the finish line.  As she fell to the ground she heard someone say, “That poor woman, she missed it by 4 seconds!”  She finished the race with an official time of 17 hours and 4 seconds.  Unfortunately she could not officially be considered an Iron Man because she crossed the finish line too late.

Many people are spiritually like Nancy Summers- they are so close to heaven, yet they will cross the deadline too late.  Although they finish their course, their names are not officially recorded because they fail to trust Christ as Savior.  Four seconds into eternity is too late to make a decision about following Him.

We will have all eternity to celebrate our victories, but only one swift hour before the sunset to win them” – Robert Mofatt

February 12- The Psalm or the Shepherd?

Actor Charles Laughton attended a Christmas party with his family in London one year.  The host of the party asked everyone if they would be so kind to recite their favorite passage or poem that would coincide with the spirit of Christmas.  When it came to Laughton’s turn he quoted Psalm 23 with great dignity and poise.  Everyone applauded graciously and the host continued calling on people to participate.

The last person to take part was the elderly aunt of the host.  She had fallen asleep during the course of the evening and had no idea what was going on.  Once aroused, she slowly stood before the crowd and with a broken-voice recited Psalm 23.  Everyone was moved to tears by her discourse.  Charles Laughton received applause for his interpretation, but the elderly aunt moved the room emotionally.  Someone asked Laughton why such a different response to the same passage to which he replied, “I know the psalm; but she knows the Shepherd.”

There is a difference in head knowledge and heart knowledge when it comes to our relationship with Christ.  There are many who quote Scripture, memorize liturgy, and understand doctrine; but knowing about God is not a substitute for knowing God.  Do you know the psalm, or do you know the Shepherd?

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” – David

Picked by God

American Pickers is one of my favorite shows on the History Channel.  Two guys, Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, travel all around the country in search of “rusty gold.”  They tediously search through barns, basements, and backyards looking for items that have been tossed aside.  Most of the items they “pick” are old, tired, and seemingly useless; but to Mike and Frank they are prized possessions.  It seems like the rustier a particular item is the better.  They have genuine joy in their discoveries.

Rarely an episode goes by when I do not think of how the Lord found me.  I was useless, tired, and of little value, but He came looking for me.  When He found me He was elated and glad.  He picked me up from the scrap yard of life and saw value in me that others did not see.  He paid a price to possess me that others would mock at.  Through His purchase I became His.  Not only did I become His but He cleaned me up and restored me to a brand-new condition. I am a “trophy” a “treasure” if you will of His discovery and redemption.

Today I want to encourage you to feel special and unique.  You are His prized possession; you have been “picked” by Almighty God!

Again, the kingdom of heaven is likened unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls” –Matthew 13:34

The Watch-Maker Knows

There was pastor who was given a “Rolex” watch for his birthday by his sixteen-year old daughter.  Although he knew it wasn’t real he gladly received the gift. While he was preaching one Sunday his daughter could not take her eyes off the watch.  During the invitation she came to the altar to pray.  Broken-hearted she told her father, “Daddy, I have to confess something- the watch I gave you is not real.”

The father tried to console her by telling her everything was ok.  Continuing to cry she said, “No daddy you don’t understand, as I saw the watch on your hand I realized something- it has the right name, it is in the right place, and it even keeps the right time, but it is a fake.  Daddy, I have been in church my entire life, I bear the name of Christ, and have tried to do right, but I have never been saved.  I am just like that watch- I am not a real Christian.”  She bowed her head as a church member and received Christ as Savior.

There are multitudes of people who sit on the pews from Sunday to Sunday unsaved.  Although they look, dress, and act like believers, much like the “Rolex” they are not real; and the only one who knows the difference is the “Watch-Maker.”  Just because you bear the name of Christ doesn’t necessarily mean you are genuinely one of His.  Trust Christ today and believe on His name!

Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free” –Jesus Christ

Getting There is Not the Same As Getting In

Not long ago I typed the address of the White House into my GPS just for curiosity.  Sure enough, within ten seconds I had the exact directions from Loganville, Georgia to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington D.C.

I am certain gaining access into the Capital is not as easy as finding the directions; the reason being I do not have a relationship with the right people to enter the premises.  Directions can only take me so far; at some point I would need a relationship with someone of significance to enter the property.

The same is true with salvation.  We hear the preaching, we read the Bible, and we listen to the testimonies of others, but these things will only get us so close.  At some point we must have a relationship with Jesus Christ to enter into His glorious estate.  The only way of access is to personally know Him in the free pardon of sin.

I am afraid many people have the right direction but spend most of their time living apart from His presence.  Salvation is not about getting to a certain place; it is about knowing a certain Person and that Person is the Lord Jesus Christ.  Getting close is not the same thing as getting in.  Are you in Christ or just near Him?

Let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16