Monday, November 19, 2007

Monday

Greetings Internet Campus,

How was your weekend? I hope that you enjoyed this weekend's message about breaking free of the patterns from past generations...

Today's devotional comes from Crosswalk.com. It is one of those truths that I think about often and I hope it helps you in your walk today...

Short on Change
by Fred Alberti, Crosswalk.com Manager of Communities

And the King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.' Matthew 25:40

Ever come up short at the grocery stand? A good friend of mine shared with me an experience he had when he was at the store picking up a few items. The lines were long so he jumped in the shortest one but he still wasn't satisfied. But then he saw it... an even shorter line. My friend, not one to waste time, jumped in that line. The lined moved along briskly until it got to the elderly lady in front of my friend.

Snag!

The cashier totaled her bill and the lady suddenly realized that she was short by over $2.00. Oh, what a dilemma! Not quite sure what to do, she began searching her groceries, hoping to find something she could do without. There was no luck.

The Bible says, "Whatever you do unto the least of these, you have done unto me" (Matthew 25:40). You know what my friend did? He stepped up to the cashier, asked how much was owed and then gave her the money that was needed. What a great act of kindness!

There's more to be learned here. The Bible says that "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Ow, there's that word again: short. You know, when we pass on from this earth, we'll gather before the throne. It is here that we shall lay before God all that we have done in this life. He'll tally it up and say, "You're short." All that you have done won't pay the bill. But there's hope; you see, if you have acknowledged Jesus as your Savior, then He will step up behind you and say, "Here Father, I've paid for this person's bill. It's all right here." And then He'll show the marks in His side, hands and feet.

Oh what amazing love He shows toward us!

Intersecting Faith & Life: Is Jesus paying your bill or are you trying to pay the bill your own way? Maybe you know someone who doesn't know about Jesus. Make a point to tell them. Ask them to get in His line. He'll gladly pay their bill too.

My challenge to you this whole week...share your faith. I know it might sound intimidating and challenging...and you are afraid they are going to think you are "weird". Step out. Explain to somebody this week that they will come up "short" as well. Not in a judgmental or mean way....just because you love them so much that you want them to spend eternity in paradise. As we experience this Thanksgiving week, each day I will be talking about something that I am thankful for....today (and everyday)...I am thankful for my Savior. When you share your faith this week...someday someone will be thankful to you for passing the Good News along!

Have a great Monday!

Pastor Brian



3 comments:

Yahweh's Man said...

Hello all,
Praise God for all the blessing that we as a church are reaping & as a family. The devotionals are always pertinent yesterday, today, & any day we breathe. God's Word constantly challenges me to read & study his word because I want to be blessed & live a life worthy of Christs' sacrifice. Like the devotional, I hate to waste my time in lines, but I am learning to wait on the Lord because God will not lead me astray or leave me stranded without options. Putting God's Word into practice is what my heavenly Father demands of me & I want to keep my Daddy happy.

On The Fritz said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
On The Fritz said...

Hey there Pastor Brian,

Thanks for posting my devotional.

If anyone would like to subscribe to recieve more great devotionals by email you can do that here:
Click Here

Thanks!

Fred
Manager of Communities
http://www.crosswalk.com