3-21-07 One More Soul "Luke 23:39-43"

Memory Verse: Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

J.C. Ryle calls the dying thief "Christ's greatest trophy." Of the thief's salvation, he writes: If ever there was a soul hovering on the brink of hell, it was the soul of this thief. If ever there was a case that seemed lost, gone, and past recovery, it was his. If ever there was a child of Adam whom the devil made sure of as his own, it was this man.

"But see now what happened. He ceased to rail and blaspheme, as he had done at the first: he began to speak in another manner altogether. He turned to our blessed Lord in prayer. He prayed to Jesus to 'remember him when he came into His kingdom.' He asked that his soul might be cared for, his sins pardoned, and himself thought of in another world. Truly this was a wonderful change!

"And then mark what kind of answer he received. Some would have said he was too wicked a man to be saved; but it was not so. Some would have fancied it was too late: The door shut, and there was no room for mercy; but it proved not too late at all. . .

"I believe the Lord Jesus never gave so complete a proof of His power and will to save, as He did on this occasion. In the day when He seemed most weak, He showed that He was a strong deliverer. In the hour when His body was racked with pain, He showed that He could feel tenderly for others. AT the time when He Himself was dying, He conferred on a sinner eternal life."

Jesus had time to reach one more soul even while dying on the cross. Will you take time to reach one more soul today?

3-20-07 The Lost Coin "Luke 15:8-10"

Memory Verse: Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

The shepherd sought for a sheep that was lost and carried it home on his shoulders rejoicing.

The woman searched her house for a lost coin and called her friends together so that they could rejoice with her over the finding of the coin that had been lost.

The prodigal returned home and the father met him and called for the killing of the fatted calf and a great time of the rejoicing.

All three parables major on the rejoicing that takes place when the lost is found. And the lesson is clear: heaven rejoices when lost people come to Christ and when backsliders return.

We can have a part in reaching lost people. In his book, "Notes On The Parables Of Our Lord," Richard Trench suggests that the light which the woman uses to find the lost coin is the Word of God, saying: ". . . and it is by this light that sinners are found." Our responsibility then becomes that of holding the light . . . the Bible . . . so that those in need of the Saviour may come to Him.

God's Word is powerful. We do not need to defend it . . . just use it. And as we share its message with others the glad scene of salvation will take place again and again.

People often ask if those in heaven know what is going on here below. We can be sure that they know whenever one is born again for there is such rejoicing in heaven that there could be no mistake as to the reason.

Make heaven glad.
Tell someone about Jesus!

3-19-07 The Lost Sheep "Luke 15:3-7"

Memory Verse: Luke 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

In his book, "Addresses On Luke," Dr. H.A. Ironside shared an experience from a visit to a sheep ranch. He wrote:

"Years ago I was staying with friends who had a great sheep ranch, and one evening we were awaiting supper until the husband came home. We expected him to arrive about six o'clock, be he was late. When he came into the house he said to his wife, 'My dear, I shall have to drink a cup of coffee and eat only a snack tonight, for as I came from the station I heard the bleating of a lost lamb, and I must hurry and find it before the coyotes or rattlesnakes get it.' I was amazed to see that man's interest in one lost lamb. He and a friend had more then five thousand sheep, and literally thousands of lambs; and yet that one lost lamb had such a place in his heart that he could not resist going out in the night to find it. I said, as we went along a narrow trail, 'You have so many sheep and lambs, I wonder why you are so concerned about one.' He said, 'I would not be able to sleep tonight for thinking about that little lamb out in the wilderness, and perhaps torn into pieces by the coyotes or bitten by a rattler.' "

The concern of Jesus for lost sheep is far greater than that of any earthly shepherd. Those who doubt that may simply follow the trial of sorrows to cross where He died to save the lost.

He cares.
Do YOU?
WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT REACHING THE LOST?

3-18-07 Preparation "Luke 10:38-42"

Memory Verse: Luke 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Time spent in preparation is not wasted. Moses was not ready to be used to deliver his people until he had tended sheep for forty years. Patience, love and concern, developed in his work as a shepherd, would equip him to lead his people. God waited until he was ready.

Some rush off to serve without preparation and are often defeated when failure comes. In the work of witnessing and winning souls, we need time studying the Bible: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (ll Timothy 2:15).

Perparation for soulwinning may come through your own study of the Scriptures. It may come through classes designed to equip you to be a good witness and offered by your church. Perhaps your pastor or another who is trained in God's Word will take special time with you to help you prepare. Take advantage of every opportunity to become a workman not ashamed. The work of soulwinning is too important to take lightly.

On the other hand, some are so insecure in their present knowledge of God's Word that they never witness even though they have had numerous classes and plenty of instruction. A head full of knowledge is useless it is used. Share what you know and see how God opens doors for greater usefulness.

Martha was busy and Mary was listening to Jesus teach. There is a time to listen and a time to serve. Mary had her priorities right. She listened first and was therefore not filled with anxiety like Martha.

Get busy reaching the world. But first sit at Jesus' feet!

3-17-07 Where To Begin "Luke 8:26-40"

Memory Verse: Luke 8:39 Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.

In his autobiography, Pierre Loti tells how, as a small boy, reading stories of sainthood led him to aspire to become a saint. He resolved to imitate Simeon Stylites, who lived on top of a pillar and won a great reputation for sanctity. Pierre therefore mounted a high stoool in the kitchen and announced his plan to remain there for forty years. His mother, however, would have none of his sanctity in the kitchen and at the end of an hour he was wistfully recording in his diary. "thus I discovered that it is exceedingly difficult to be a saint while living with your own family."

Those who study the Bible know that all who are born again are saints. Nevertheless, the lesson is a good one. Testimonies that move crowds and influence strangers may be very weak at home. And it is at home that the acid test of Christianity is given. It is well and good to dream of being used of God on some far-off mission field, but if one is not faithful at home he will be of little use as a missionary.

Hudson Taylor said it well: "A small circle of usefulness is not to be despised. A light that does not shine beautifully around the family table at home, is not fit to rush to a long way off to do a great service elsewhere."

How does your family regard your testimony for Christ? Are you consistent at home? If your temper controlled by the Holy Spirit? And what about the return of Jesus? If He had come last week, would you have felt comfortable in His presence -- considering your actions at home?

Begin your ministry for Chris where it's most needed -- at home!

3-16-07 The First Missionaries "Luke 2:15-20"

Memory Verse: Luke 2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

The shepherds received word of Christ's birth from angels. Since then, the responsibility of telling the good news of the Saviour has been given to men. Unless we are faithful in witnessing to others of Christ, they will never hear of His love and salvation.

The shepherds told their hearers exactly what had been told them by the angels.

And what was that?

They had been told that the birth of Christ was good tidings of great joy. It is evident that the shepherds were thrilled with their find in Bethlehem. Their hearts must have overflowed with joy upon finding the Saviour just as the angel had said. They couldn't keep these good tidings to themselves. They were excited. And few accomplish anything for Jesus who do not get enthusiastic about Him.

These humble men had also been told that this message must be shared with all people. Salvation is available to all and there should be no restrictions on our concern for people. Tell the person you consider the most unreachable. See what God does as a result of your faithful witness.

There was no mistaking about the message given to the shepherds. This child born in Bethlehem's stable was Christ the Lord. The shepherd's mission was then to announce the coming of the Son of God. The deity of Christ was the theme of their public ministry. That message would never change for true servants of God. Paul would later declare: ". . . believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. . ." (Acts 16:31).

Are you thrilled enough with Jesus to tell of Him today?

3-15-07 To Every Creature "Mark 16:9-16"

Memory Verse: Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

The Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago has been the scene of salvation for many through the years. Billy Sunday, the evangelist, was one of their famous converts. The mission once published the following in the "Pacific Garden Mission News:"

"Remember, the man on Skid Row is not different in kind from the rest of us. He is merely worse in degree. On Skid Row we see fallen man at his dismal worst. In the better neighborhoods we see him at his polished best, but he is the same man for all his disguise. In the gutter we find him chained by dope and drink and dirt. On the avenue we find him bound by pride and greed and lust. To God there is no difference. He sees beyond appearances and he knows what is in every man. His remedy for every man is the same, a new birth and the impartation of a new kind of life.

"The Gospel is the power of God operating toward the moral and spiritual transformation of man. And it works! Thousands will testify that it does. No man who wants to climb up out of his past and find a new and better life should overlook the Gospel. It is God's way out, and there is no other."

God is no respecter of persons. That is, all have the same need and must come the same way: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).

But we often evaluate people by their position, their wealth or the color of their skin. And that is sinful. The Gospel is for everyone. It's time to see every person as one in need of salvation. Chris died for all. Go tell some today!

3-14-07 Leaving All "Mark 10:28-31"

Memory Verse: Mark 10:28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.

In his book, "What It Costs To Be A Good Christian," Dr. John R. Rice shares the following about leaving all for Jesus:

"Jesus is here talking about discipleship, and real discipleship is not easy. It is misunderstanding instead of understanding. It is infamy instead of fame. It is often hate instead of love by those who ought to love you, a loved one.

"In World War II, in the midst of those terrible days when England was tried almost beyond endurance, bombed and beaten by the German war machine of Hitler, Winston Churchill called upon the people of England to be ready for 'blood and sweat and tears.' It was no easy task to which he challenged them. And shall we expect it to mean less when we come to follow Jesus Christ with all our hearts?"

Dr. Rice follows with this challenge:
"Then count the cost today. Are you willing to pay the price in suffering and persecution, in poverty, even in death, if the Lord so wills it? Are you willing to be counted a nut and a fool, a crank, a fanatic, for Jesus? Are you willing to suffer the loss of all things like Paul, to leave home and kindred like Abraham, to leave the nets and the boats like Peter, Andrew, James and John? Are you willing to leave a lucrative job as Matthew the publican did? Weigh the thing well, for you do not want to put your hand to the plow and then turn back."

Leaving all for Jesus means total surrender. He will always lead us according to His Word. And in following Him, we will never go astray.

3-13-07 Not Ashamed "Mark 8:34-38

Memory Verse: Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

An old song asks:
"Jesus, and shall it ever be,
A mortal man ashamed of Thee?
Ashamed of Thee Whom angels praise
Whose glories shine through endless days?"

Unbelievable as it may seem, some Christians appear to be ashamed of their Saviour. They are ill at ease when given an opportunity to speak for Him. Other subjects flow from their lips freely: sports, fashions, the economy, the weather. But let the name of Jesus enter the conversation and they clam up - - or change the subject.

How the angels must wonder at our values!

And why should we be ashamed? Even the enemies of Jesus could find no fault in Him. At the trial of Jesus, Pilate returned Him to His accusers announcing that he could find no fault in Him. Since that time, skeptics have attacked the Bible and doubted the Gospel - - but not one honest person has ever found a fault in Jesus.

We have many faults. But He is not ashamed to be identified with us: "For it became him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren" (Hebrews 2:10, 11).

Don't be ashamed!

3-12-07 Wanted: Stretcher Bearers "Mark 2:1-12

Memory Verse: Mark 2:5: When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

Four burdened men went to get their friend who was sick of the palsy to bring him to Jesus. As a result, we still read of their compassionate act. They are known to the world and honored for their mission of mercy even though nearly two thousand years have passed. These four men are proof that the old saying is true:

"Only one life; 'twill soon be past
Only what's done for Christ will last."

There are many things that we don't know about these four men. We don't know their names, their ages or their positions in life. We don't even know how long they had known about Jesus or conditions of their hearts toward Him.

We do know that they believed Christ was the answer for their friend and that they were burdened enough to go get him and bring him to Jesus.

Heads must have turned in Capernaum when the four burdened men carried their sick friend, bed and all, to the Saviour. The immobility of the palsied man must have itself been an obstacle to the project and possibly to their faith. Nevertheless, the obstacles were overcome and they carried the needy one to the only One who could help him.

Upon arriving at the house where Jesus was ministering, more roadblocks waited. The crowd was so great that there was no way to enter the house. No way, that is until they made a way by tearing up the roof. That must have been costly. Never mind. Only one thing mattered...getting the palsied man to Jesus.

We need a lot of stretcher bearers.
Who can you bring to the Saviour?