salvation

Appointment With a Thief

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. Matthew 27:38 KJV

The day Jesus was crucified was the most horrible day of our Savior’s life. He had prayed and released Himself to the Father’s will, now, soldiers, guards and corrupt leaders seemingly were in control. Yet before He was led away, Jesus wanted to make one thing clear to His disciples:

For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. John 10:17‭-‬18a ESV

Jesus knew exactly what He was doing and He knew who He would meet that day. He was keeping an appointment with a thief. Neither nails nor a crown of thorns stopped the thief from seeing who Jesus was. Where soldiers saw a victim and the other thief pitiful person worthy of mockery, he saw a merciful King. Because of his faith and his humble appeal to be remembered, the thief received a guarantee of heaven better that anyone else in the Bible “Today you will be with Me. In paradise!”

Are you feeling defeated and forgotten by God? Has tragedy or failure unexpectedly struck your life leaving you helpless to respond? Do not give up or give in to despair. Nothing happens to us by accident and we are never beyond the reach of the hands of Jesus. If He willingly took the nails, and the cross to reach one thief He will not abandon you today. He is near and willing to receive you if you are ready to keep your appointment with the Savior today!

Jesus is Knocking at Your Door

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20 KJV

I enjoy watching Police Dramas and the popular show Bluebloods is my favorite. I especially love scenes when Detective Danny Reagan stands outside the bad guy’s door shouting. “Police! Open Up or we’re coming in!” Then two seconds later he kicks the door open yelling, “Put your hands where I can see them!”

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In some ways Jesus Christ is like Danny. He has collected all the evidence against us and has obtained a search warrant from the Judge of the universe. But there the similarity ends, because Jesus hasn’t come to arrest us and His plan is not to slap us in handcuffs and drag us down to the station. Even though He is able to knock down even the heaviest door, Jesus chooses to stand outside and knock. That gives us hope in three ways. First, we know that God has our address. He knows where we are and cares enough to come to our door. He has not forgotten us. Secondly, Jesus wants to enter our home. He has been knocking since He came to the manger of Bethlehem and He kept at it all the way to the cross of Calvary. Now He wants to sit down at our table – the one with a few spaghetti sauce stains and a chip or two on its corners. He didn’t come to see how perfect our house is. He came for us, and He is waiting just outside this morning to see if we will hear His voice and open our door.

The Next Snap of the Ball

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. Titus 2:11-12

Most of us agree that God’s grace is the key to becoming a Christian, but a lot of arguments have been made over just how that happens. Today’s verse begins by telling us that what we need is a grace that brings salvation. Just like the huddle before a football game, Paul is saying to Titus, “Huddle up! Focus on what I am about to say.”  Following that football analogy, Paul gives this young pastor a strategy to not only play, but also to win the game. He starts by saying that everyone knows about God’s grace, but that for this grace to be effective, it has to go beyond simply filling people’s ears. The kind of grace that brings salvation must accomplish two things. First, in the same way that players line up to play according to the coach’s game plan and not their own, we must begin by giving up our old way of life and accepting God’s new one. Next, this grace that brings salvation also prepares us to spring into action when ball is snapped. Paul summarizes our part in the play as “Living soberly, righteously and godly in this present world.” Does that mean we have to be perfect? Of course not. No one would be on the team if that were true! So when we mess up God’s game plan, it is just like the receiver dropping the ball or the running back fumbling. Stuff happens in this life and we mess up. But when the whistle blows, we don’t change our uniforms and line up on the other side of the ball. Instead, we just say “Sorry coach, It was my fault.” Then get back to the line of scrimmage because God’s game plan of grace is still in effect. Get ready for the next snap of the ball!

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