JACKS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
(Proverbs 23:15) "My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice."
Yesterday we celebrated the office of “fatherhood” and took some time to honor and lift up the men of our society and encourage them to be diligent in their opportunity to shape, mold, and protect the children God had gifted them with.
In my preparations for these little studies/devotions that I write each day and the sermons I prepare for each week,
I’ve run across some statistics that I found shocking concerning the state of the average North American family without a father, or "daddy" in the home.
Fatherless children are 200 percent more likely to experience emotional and behavioral problems…twice as likely to use drugs and alcohol…more likely to become sexually active at an early age…and three times more likely to commit violent crime.
Over 50 percent of teens who attempt suicide live in fatherless homes.
Most runaways come from fatherless homes… and boys without fathers are 300 percent more likely to be involved in criminal activity during their teens.
Seventy percent of juveniles in long-term correctional facilities grew up without a father.
Fatherless daughters are 53 percent more likely to marry in their teens, and 164 percent more likely to have children outside of marriage.
Fatherless daughters experience a 92 percent higher divorce rate, and fatherless sons are 35 percent more likely to experience marital failure.
Of teenagers admitted to psychiatric hospitals, 80 percent come from fatherless homes.
Children from fatherless homes are 50 percent more likely to grapple with learning disabilities… they fare worse in school and are three times more likely to drop out than kids who grew up in a home with a father.
Folks these are very disturbing statistics.
Did you realize that it’s possible to be "physically present" as a father… yet emotionally absent.
In a recent poll, 50 percent of fathers said they feel guilty about spending "too little time" with their children.
According to “The Family Research Council”, the average dad spends eight minutes a day in direct conversation with his kids.
And in families where the mom works outside the home, it drops to four minutes.
If you find these statistics shocking… then wake up and do something about it!
Ezekiel 22:30 says “I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one.
Now for those of us who's children are grown up already… it's a little late for us to change the status of these stats in our own lives… but maybe we can be a help and encouragement to our grandchildren and our kids and our neighbors families whom are raising their children.
After that, all we have left is prayer!
Prayer for the families around us and the children in our communities.
O God, that we could redeem the time.
O God, give us wisdom how!
O God, use us in some way, to save the fatherless children of our society and let it begin with me!
I’ve heard read several times over the years, and heard many sociology proffessors say that it takes a community to raise a child.
Perhaps that’s where the church… you and I can stand in the gap for many of these fatherless children.
As one of my favorite country sings goes… “This world has never been in the awful shape its in… Jesus take a hold and lead us thru”.
Lord help us to be an influence where ever we can!
Good Day!
(Proverbs 1:8) "Hear the instruction of your father."
So today is Fathers Day... a day set aside in our busy schedules to honour "fathers", "daddies" or men whom whom are providing for and raising children in a family setting.
I find it interesting how over time, we finally wake up (as it were) to the inconsistencies in our lives.
Some time ago I woke up to the realization that I hadn't spent enough time with my kids while raising them.
Oh they were with me every where we went.
We worked together, played music together and did a lot of things as a family.
But I am talking about heart to heart relationship... listening to them, getting into their young minds, heart, interests, their world... to find out what made them tick as they were developing into the young men they became.
I read a story about a pastor whom went into a barbershop and noticed a teenage boy sweeping the floor.
While making conversation with the young man, he learned that the boy’s dad had left him and his mother and he was pretty much on his own.
“Son,” the man asked, “Who do you want to be like when you grow up?”
The boy shot back, “Mister, I ain’t never met nobody I want to be like when I grow up.”
What a sad epitaph on the state of fatherhood.
I believe that at least one of every child’s heroes or influences need to be… should be his or her dad?
And a dad should want to be a hero to his kids.
And if you agree with me and that statement… then its time you begin to "make time for them" and work at being the father they need the influence in their lives they need you to be.
If you don’t, they may pick the wrong heroes and end up breaking your heart.
Child psychologist Wade F. Horn considered himself "an expert" on what made a good father.
But when doctors diagnosed him with cancer and told him that he had not long to live... he realized with a jolt that he was closer to first grade as a father than grad school in his level of expertise as a dad.
He said, “It became personally clear to me that if I were to have died because of that illness, my “unfinished business” would not have been my clinical practice.
My “unfinished business” would have been my two little girls, whom every morning when I was recuperating, would come and give me a kiss goodbye".
Fortunately most dads will never get “a wake-up call” of this nature.
But if you’ve been neglecting your kids, a wake-up call is exactly what you need.
America/Canada needs fathers to be daddies to there kids.
I've always maintained its easy to biologically father a child… its another thing to be a daddy to them!
And remember to be thankful for your children... there are couples out there that long to be parents, moms and dads, but unfortunately cannot for various reasons.
What they wouldn't do or sacrifice to be a parent.
Good Day
I find it interesting how over time, we finally wake up (as it were) to the inconsistencies in our lives.
Some time ago I woke up to the realization that I hadn't spent enough time with my kids while raising them.
Oh they were with me every where we went.
We worked together, played music together and did a lot of things as a family.
But I am talking about heart to heart relationship... listening to them, getting into their young minds, heart, interests, their world... to find out what made them tick as they were developing into the young men they became.
I read a story about a pastor whom went into a barbershop and noticed a teenage boy sweeping the floor.
While making conversation with the young man, he learned that the boy’s dad had left him and his mother and he was pretty much on his own.
“Son,” the man asked, “Who do you want to be like when you grow up?”
The boy shot back, “Mister, I ain’t never met nobody I want to be like when I grow up.”
What a sad epitaph on the state of fatherhood.
I believe that at least one of every child’s heroes or influences need to be… should be his or her dad?
And a dad should want to be a hero to his kids.
And if you agree with me and that statement… then its time you begin to "make time for them" and work at being the father they need the influence in their lives they need you to be.
If you don’t, they may pick the wrong heroes and end up breaking your heart.
Child psychologist Wade F. Horn considered himself "an expert" on what made a good father.
But when doctors diagnosed him with cancer and told him that he had not long to live... he realized with a jolt that he was closer to first grade as a father than grad school in his level of expertise as a dad.
He said, “It became personally clear to me that if I were to have died because of that illness, my “unfinished business” would not have been my clinical practice.
My “unfinished business” would have been my two little girls, whom every morning when I was recuperating, would come and give me a kiss goodbye".
Fortunately most dads will never get “a wake-up call” of this nature.
But if you’ve been neglecting your kids, a wake-up call is exactly what you need.
America/Canada needs fathers to be daddies to there kids.
I've always maintained its easy to biologically father a child… its another thing to be a daddy to them!
And remember to be thankful for your children... there are couples out there that long to be parents, moms and dads, but unfortunately cannot for various reasons.
What they wouldn't do or sacrifice to be a parent.
Good Day
(Joshua 1:8) “Then you will be prosperous and successful”.
One of the things that I have noticed about successful people is that they know how to own up to their mistakes.
When pursuing life and attempting to try new ideas, climbing to new and different heights through out your life, you are bound to make mistakes!
We are all human with weaknesses and flaws that show up sometimes at the most critical and embarrassing of times.
Its not always comfortable, and can be embarrassing when we are rebuked and or chastened for our mistakes and or failures.
That’s when our pride jumps in and often will cause us to retaliate and or deny any fault, or refuse to own up to mistakes/ failures we make.
The bible teaches us however that, "He who heeds rebuke gets understanding." (Proverbs 15:32)
Believe me I've made some serious blunders in life, and yes I have been guilty of not "owning up" to my mistakes.
And those were the times when I walked with a great load of stress upon my shoulders.
But I have found an example that has spoken to me many times in the story of King David.
In spite of his faults, flaws, and failures, God called David "a man after [my] own heart" (Acts 13:22).
And one of the qualities that made David great… was his willingness to acknowledge his mistakes.
Here were two very serious instances of it:
1) When fleeing the wrath of King Saul, he sought the help of a certain priest… a decision that caused the death of eighty-five priests and their families.
Devastated but not defensive, David told the surviving son of the slain priest who had assisted him, "I have caused the death of all your father's family" (1st Samuel 22:22)
He didn't blame the person that killed the priests.
No he personally took responsibility.
(2) When the prophet Nathan confronted him about his affair with Bathsheba and his attempt to cover up her resulting pregnancy by having her husband killed… David acknowledged, "I have sinned against the Lord" (2nd Samuel 12:13).
I wonder if you or I would have the emotional and spiritual maturity to make such an admission?
Or do you have a tendency to defend your actions for fear of being judged, criticized, or rejected? ?
Do you sometimes feel attacked when someone offers feedback, whether it is positive or negative?
Do you retreat in silence?
Do you counter-accuse or blame those questioning your motives?
Do you react with hostility or respond with humility?
Do you become sarcastic?
Do you justify your actions?
Making mistakes doesn't make you a lesser person, but defending and excusing them does!
Don't let pride rob you of the wisdom that comes from acknowledging your mistakes and ultimately growing through them.
"He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, but he who heeds rebuke gets understanding" (Proverbs 15:32)
If I’ve learned anything in my life it’s this… pride is the key to emotional distress and stress.
When I lay down my pride, say I am sorry, and repent … all of the sudden the offence, the strife, the stress begins to melt, reconciliation is made possible and peace begins to develop.
I know this!
There would be less pain in this world, and less marital strife and divorce, if more people could humbly say from the heart, "I am sorry"!
I’ve also learned this!
That making mistakes are keys to personal growth.
No one has ever learned anything with out failing at least once.
It’s arrogantly pressing on repeating the mistake or mistakes that is the problem
The Bible says that Jesus is an Advocate for those who’ve put their trust in Him:
(1 John 2:1). “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous”
(1st John 1:8–9) “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”.
I encourage you today to let go of your pride… take the path of humility… and take your failures your mistakes and let Gods grace bring you to healing and recovery and deliverance.
That when peace joy and success in life will begin to overtake you in all that you do.
Good Day!
(Proverbs 16:3)."Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed".
The moment we start believing were successful enough to rest on our own laurels, you're in trouble! ?
What I mean is, it is so easy for us as human beings to take the credit for our accomplishments, never realizing that our achievements are blessings that God has allowed us to enjoy!
And those victories and those achievements you've accomplished have been made possible by God, so that you can use them to help your fellow man! ?
Many people reach a certain place of success in their lives, and then stop running, stop working, stop striving for perfection or further growth, thinking they have arrived and there is nothing more to do but enjoy the fruit of their labors.
And when you begin to take the credit for it, and stop acknowledging God or giving credit to God, that’s when you've put a lid on your growth!
Solomon wrote, "Do you know a hard-working man? He shall be successful and stand before kings!" (Proverbs 22:29)
Success is always a possibility but never a guarantee!
It belongs to the man or woman who's willing to show up early, stay late, go the extra mile, and keep asking, "Is there a better way"?
An agency once created an ad for an automobile company.
It said, "At sixty miles an hour the loudest noise in this new Rolls-Royce comes from the electric clock". ?
When they ran the ad by the company's CEO, he smiled and said, I guess we've got to do something about that clock"!
A young man once asked Henry Ford, "How can I make a name for myself and be successful"??
Mr. Ford replied, "Decide what you want, then stick with it.
Never deviate from your course, no matter how long it takes or how hard the road, until you've accomplished your purpose".
Successful people have one thing in common… they refuse to quit!
No matter how many times they fall, they get back up, dust themselves off, learn from it, and continue onward.
Paul J. Meyer says, "Ninety-nine percent of those who fail are not actually defeated, they simply quit".
The Bible says, "To win, you must deny yourselves things that keep you from doing your best" (1st Corinthians 9:25)
Jesus said in (Matthew 7: 8-10) “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives… the one who seeks finds… and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.?
Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?
If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children… how much more will your Father in Heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
So today… decide what it is you want to be successful at.
Then go to God and ask him for the ability, the strength, the patience, and the tenacity to accomplish it… and then, as you succeed, give Him the glory and the praise and be thankful for His blessings.
Good Day!
(1st John 4:18) "Perfect love expels all fear."
I for one could not imagine living life without God in the center of it as I try to do.
Its so comforting to know that there is a "higher power" that is bigger or greater than all of this world’s calamity and problems.
If God loved us with an imperfect love, we would have cause to worry.
But God cares about you and I too much to leave us in any doubt about His love.
The Bible says His "perfect love expels all fear."
Human love is flawed; it keeps a checklist of our sins and shortcomings-and consults it often.
God keeps no such list.
His love casts out our fear because it casts out our guilt.
John writes, "If our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart".(1st John 3:20) ?
When you feel un-forgiven, question your feelings but don't question God.
Go back to His Word… it outranks self-criticism and self-doubt.
Nothing fosters confidence like a clear grasp of God's grace, and nothing fosters fear like ignorance of it.
The fact is, if you haven't accepted God's grace His love and His salvation… then you're doomed to live in and with fear.
No pill, pep talk, psychiatrist, or earthly possession can put your mind at ease.
Those things may help numb your fear, but they can't eradicate it… only God's grace can do that.
You see… with out God in your life, you are at the mercy of and the whims of your enemy the devil, “whom prowls about like a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour” (1st Peter 5:8)
He is “an accuser of the brethren” (Revelation 12:9-11)
The accuser is Satan, also called the devil or the old serpent.
His role is likened to a prosecutor who relentlessly brings charges against believers before God, seeking to undermine their faith and relationship with Him
Jesus our “Advocate”, is greater than “the accuser of the brethren”.
When Christians struggle with guilt and shame due to sin, the accuser seeks to break the fellowship we have with God.
But Christ intercedes for us, and we have the opportunity to confess our sin, and God “is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1st John 1:9)
The place of confession is also the place of cleansing and restored confidence toward God.
We can run back to the Father’s arms, knowing that there’s “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1)
Have you accepted Christ's forgiveness?
If not, humble your heart before the mighty hand of God today.
Your prayer can be as simple as this: "Lord, I admit I've turned away from You.
Please forgive me.
I place my soul in Your hands and my trust in Your grace.
In Jesus' name I pray… Amen"
Now, having received God's forgiveness, mercy, and grace, live like it!
Be a catalyst and a witness that shows others "the Way" to peace and comfort despite… what this world is throwing at us.
The old hymn says it well; ““What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the ever lasting arms,
I have blessed peace with my Lord so dear, leaning on the everlasting arms.
I am leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms”
And Its accomplished… “not by might and not by power” but by the Spirit of the living God… thru the completed atonement of Jesus Christ on the cross… and Gods perfect love for you and I.
Good Day!
Matthew 5:14-15) “Ye are the light of the world”
“Believe in Jesus… come to our church!”
How many times have we heard that message go out from TV Evangelists of history past, and the pulpits of churches around the world.
If you flip through the channels on any given Sunday morning, you will hear many TV preachers using these words trying to encourage their viewers to “believe in Jesus”, so they can have eternal life and go to Heaven.
Most of Protestant Christianity, has been taught that we need to convince as many as possible to pray a sinners prayer, or confess or profess belief in the name of Jesus Christ, in order for them to be saved from hell.
Yet still, there is a lack of interest by much of our world to follow or continue to walk in faith and its obvious to me that something is missing in all of our busyness to vocalize the offer of Gods mercy to an uncaring disinterested world.
Since the Bible is dogmatic about the need for humanity to accept Jesus Christ as Savior…
(Acts 4:12), "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."
It is essential for Christianity… you and to be witnesses of Christ… to spread the name of Jesus Christ far and wide.
It is our responsibility to “shine” the light of Christ… to be a living witness or light of Him.
In other words, “how we conduct ourselves in this world”… is among one of the most important tools that God uses “to draw men unto Himself”.
As I said yesterday, the other is “Creation” itself.
(Romans 1:20) “ For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky.
Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature.
So they have no excuse for not knowing God”.
However the greatest witness to convince people of the goodness of God is “changed lives”… yours and mine.
Not that we are perfect… but that there is an ongoing process of change taking place… a change that is evident to the world around us, a change that illustrates a clear confidence for living life.
A change that produces hope and joy despite the trials and challenges that many are experiencing in this world of darkness.
That’s what the gospel is all about.
Changed lives!
Jesus said, “Light has come into the world but men choose darkness”.
Because “the light of Christ” shines in your life and mine… you and I are to be an extension of that light…
And like a moth drawn to light… God uses you and I to draw others to the cross.
As I said yesterday, the other is “Creation” itself.
(Romans 1:20) “ For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky.
Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature.
So they have no excuse for not knowing God”.
However the greatest witness to convince people of the goodness of God is “changed lives”… yours and mine.
Not that we are perfect… but that there is an ongoing process of change taking place… a change that is evident to the world around us, a change that illustrates a clear confidence for living life.
A change that produces hope and joy despite the trials and challenges that many are experiencing in this world of darkness.
That’s what the gospel is all about.
Changed lives!
Jesus said, “Light has come into the world but men choose darkness”.
Because “the light of Christ” shines in your life and mine… you and I are to be an extension of that light…
And like a moth drawn to light… God uses you and I to draw others to the cross.
Because of the cross we go from judgment to forgiveness… death to life.
Because of the cross we go from condemnation to commendation.
Because of the cross… humanity is given a pardon from the penalty of death for sin… to freedom in Christ.
It is “the free gift of salvation”… made available by the mercy of a loving God… “whom is not willing that any should perish but that all would come to repentance”.
This free gift of God is not something earned but freely given… “For by grace are ye saved thru faith and that not of yourself but it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).
Yet humanity in all of its depravity clothed in darkness, continually refuses to accept it or receive it.
The Gospel of John records an interesting encounter Jesus had with a group of people who were following Him… but they did not really understand “who He was”… or the significance of His message (John 6:26, 41-44).
In this context Jesus said… “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me “draws” him… and I will raise him up at the last day”
Jesus Christ taught that one must be specifically “drawn” to the Father.
As I shared yesterday… the word “draws”, is from a Greek word that essentially means to drag, lead, or to compel.
Because of the cross we go from condemnation to commendation.
Because of the cross… humanity is given a pardon from the penalty of death for sin… to freedom in Christ.
It is “the free gift of salvation”… made available by the mercy of a loving God… “whom is not willing that any should perish but that all would come to repentance”.
This free gift of God is not something earned but freely given… “For by grace are ye saved thru faith and that not of yourself but it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).
Yet humanity in all of its depravity clothed in darkness, continually refuses to accept it or receive it.
The Gospel of John records an interesting encounter Jesus had with a group of people who were following Him… but they did not really understand “who He was”… or the significance of His message (John 6:26, 41-44).
In this context Jesus said… “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me “draws” him… and I will raise him up at the last day”
Jesus Christ taught that one must be specifically “drawn” to the Father.
As I shared yesterday… the word “draws”, is from a Greek word that essentially means to drag, lead, or to compel.
Jesus was saying that “intellectualism or emotionalism” does not make one born again, transformed or right with God.
Belief in “the evidence of Christ” is not what transforms a sinner.
(James 2:19) says, “even the demons believe and they tremble”.
This verse serves as a warning that mere acknowledgment of God’s existence is not enough.
True faith involves both belief and action, producing a life that reflects God’s mercy, love, and righteousness.
This verse challenges believers to ensure their faith is active, transformative, and evident in their daily lives.
That kind of service unto God, is what God uses to draw others to faith in His offer of redemption.
If we believe what Christ said, then the Father must initiate the process through a calling.
And that calling comes from the Holy Spirit.
“No man comes unto the father but the Spirit draw him” (John 6:44)
Our responsibility is to be there and to be light!
The Holy Spirit, the light of Christ, shining out from you and I will draw men to the truth.
We must be a light in the darkness, for people to whom “the call” is going out to, and point them in the needed direction.
The problem however is that you and I are to concerned and consumed with what we are doing… to be aware of what God is doing in the lives of others.
And because of our misdirected focus… I believe that we miss opportunities to help others respond to the drawing of God, and help them find “the way”…
So my challenge to you this morning is to realize what God is doing in the lives of others around you… and then be ready “to give a reason for the hope that lies with in you” (1st Peter 3:15)
Are you a witness for Him and His agenda… or are you only focused on your agenda?
God is calling… God is wooing… God is drawing the whole world to Himself thru Christ… and He wants you and I to be a continued light for them to find direction… and we do that by living lives that reveal Him to the world around us.
“And you shall be witnesses of me” (Acts 1:8)
Good day!
(John 6:44) “no one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him…”
In this scripture verse above Jesus declares, “no one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him”, and I will raise him up at the last day.”
What does it mean, “unless the Father draws Him”?
Now the question would come to mind, does the Father arbitrarily “pick and choose” those that would be saved?
Of course not!
Other wise Peter’s declaration in (2nd Peter 3:8) would be a lie: “for God is not willing that any should perish but that all would come to repentance/salvation”
From the original Greek, the word translated “draw” is “helkuo”, which means “to drag”.
God does the drawing or wooing or invitation unto salvation… and in fact we who are drawn, have a passive role in the process.
There is no doubt that we respond to His drawing us, but the drawing itself is all on His part.
Some come willingly, and some are dragged unwillingly, but the invitation goes out to all… we have no part in the drawing or the invitation …but we do have the option/choice of saying yes or know.
Why does God need to draw us to salvation?
Simply put, if He didn’t, we would never come.
Jesus explains that no man can come unless “the Father draws him” (John 6:65)
The truth is, “natural man”, or “humanity” has no desire to come to God.
Because the heart of humanity is hard and his/her mind is darkened, the unregenerate person doesn’t desire God and is actually an enemy of God.
(Romans 8:7) “For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.”
When Jesus says that no man can come without God’s drawing him, He is making a statement about the “total depravity” of sinful humanity and the universality of that condition.
So darkened is the unsaved person’s heart that he doesn’t even realize it: “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
Since the Garden of Eden, mankind has pursued a course of life disconnected from God’s guidance and direction in almost every way.
Humanity has formed its own religions, governments, customs, ideologies and lifestyles.
Since the Garden of Eden, God has allowed Satan to continue to deceive “the whole world” (Revelation 12:9).
In (2nd Corinthians 3:14 - 4:4) we are told that the majority of people who have lived, are in a state of blindness to spiritual truth.
Just as it is impossible for someone who is blind to see, it is impossible for someone who is spirituallyblind to understand spiritual truth.
Therefore, it is only by the merciful and gracious drawing of God, that we are saved.
(Ephesians 2:8) “for by grace are ye saved thru faith and that not of yourselves but it is the gift of God”.
In the conversion of the sinner, God enlightens the mind (Ephesians 1:18) and He influences the soul… giving the sinner a choice… or He sets options before us… and then tells us we can choose.
Without that influence, the soul of humanity would remain darkened and rebellious against God.
As todays scripture text tells us… “God draws all of humanity unto Himself”.
Scripture tells us that God’s eternal power and divine nature are “clearly seen” and “understood” from what has been made, “so that people are without excuse.”
The Creation is Gods evidence of Himself!
But the fact is… men still deny God, and those who acknowledge His existence and know about
Him, still do not come to a “saving knowledge or experience with Him… outside of His drawing them.
Only those who have been drawn through an enlightenment of who He is, or who have had a special revelation… ie thru the wooing and convincing power of the Holy Spirit by the grace of God… will come to Christ.
There are tangible ways in which those who are being drawn to salvation experience that drawing.
First, the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sinful state and our need for a Savior (John 16:8)
Second, He awakens in us a previously unknown interest in spiritual things and creates a desire for them that was never there before.
Only those who have been drawn through an enlightenment of who He is, or who have had a special revelation… ie thru the wooing and convincing power of the Holy Spirit by the grace of God… will come to Christ.
There are tangible ways in which those who are being drawn to salvation experience that drawing.
First, the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sinful state and our need for a Savior (John 16:8)
Second, He awakens in us a previously unknown interest in spiritual things and creates a desire for them that was never there before.
Suddenly our ears are open, our hearts are inclined toward Him, and His Word begins to hold a new and exciting fascination for us.
Our spirits begin to discern spiritual truth that never made sense to us before.
We develop a thirst that we just cannot quench.
(1st Corinthians 2:14) “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned”
And finally, because of His drawing, His intervention, we begin to have new desires.
He places within us a new heart that inclines toward Him, a heart that desires to know Him, and walk in the “newness of life” that He has promised.
So here is my point this morning.
God wants you and I to walk worthy of the great salvation He has given to us so freely.
He wants us to be salt and light, so that the darkness that blinds the heart of humanity is driven back so that people can begin to see the truth, or the depravity of this world.
It is you and I who are part of this “drawing of humanity” that God uses to reveal Himself to the world around us.
With out you and I doing our part, many will not have the opportunity to be drawn to Christ, because they just cannot see that there is a viable alternative.
Jesus told His followers that they/we would be witnesses of Him (Acts 1:8)
God uses us whom have been saved to be witness... to draw sinners to Him.
There are some that will reject that witness, God knows that… and yet still there is a time appointed when God will draw them, and they will come.
So my question is what am I being a witness of?
What are you being a witness of?
This world has never been in the awful shape its in!
It’s going to hell like a runaway locomotive careening down a track to no where… and many are unaware or blind to it not realizing that there is an alternative.
That alternative is “a life more abundant” (John 10:10) because of Gods grace.
God wants to save humanity from that, and He is calling those whom will come... those whom will be drawn... and beloved... He is drawing you today.
He wants us to be salt and light, so that the darkness that blinds the heart of humanity is driven back so that people can begin to see the truth, or the depravity of this world.
It is you and I who are part of this “drawing of humanity” that God uses to reveal Himself to the world around us.
With out you and I doing our part, many will not have the opportunity to be drawn to Christ, because they just cannot see that there is a viable alternative.
Jesus told His followers that they/we would be witnesses of Him (Acts 1:8)
God uses us whom have been saved to be witness... to draw sinners to Him.
There are some that will reject that witness, God knows that… and yet still there is a time appointed when God will draw them, and they will come.
So my question is what am I being a witness of?
What are you being a witness of?
This world has never been in the awful shape its in!
It’s going to hell like a runaway locomotive careening down a track to no where… and many are unaware or blind to it not realizing that there is an alternative.
That alternative is “a life more abundant” (John 10:10) because of Gods grace.
God wants to save humanity from that, and He is calling those whom will come... those whom will be drawn... and beloved... He is drawing you today.
Will you come?
Good day!
Good day!