Memory Scripture of the Week ~
For
the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through
Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
God doesn’t
like sin and the result of sin is death. We can’t escape it. Adam and Eve chose
poorly…sinned and were punished. An animal had to be sacrificed and die—shed
its blood—for their nakedness, their sin, to be covered. All mankind is equally in bondage to sin and
it still results in death, both physically and spiritually. But the great thing
is that God has made a way for us to be reconciled to Him, so that means that
we really can escape death. That “plan” involved one death for all mankind’s
sin. Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice. On a cross just outside of Jerusalem,
Jesus was crucified. A horrible painful death—but it was a “once for all”
sacrifice by God of His own son that literally “washed away” the sin of
mankind. To receive the benefit of this sacrifice a person must admit that they
do have sin in their life…and then ask God to forgive them. Easy…but difficult.
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short
of God's glorious standard. Romans 3:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of
God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23
We cannot earn or buy forgiveness for our sin. It is a gift from
God—but to receive it a person has to accept that gift. That is what SALVATION is all about. It is what
really matters in life.
I pray that your love will overflow more and more,
and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want
you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless
lives until the day of Christ's return. May you always be filled with the fruit
of your salvation--the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus
Christ--for this will bring much glory and praise to God. Philippians 1:9-11
Each day it
is important to be doing what really matters. Doing the things that matter to
God should make a difference in our lives…if we care about pleasing God. I do.
I want to live to please Him. Over a lifetime what does it really matter how
many movies I’ve watched, sporting events I’ve attended, or how many designer
clothes for which I’ve shopped. Does it matter? Not really. Those aren’t things
I’ll be taking to heaven…or even sharing with others here. Jesus told us to…Seek first His righteousness…. Initially
when He sent out His disciples He gave them the commission…
Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions:
"Don't go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, but only to the people of
Israel—God’s lost sheep. Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is
near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out
demons. Give as freely as you have received! " Matthew 10:5-8
So we too are
to “go to the lost sheep” and encourage them with the hope of Jesus. That is
what really matters. The Kingdom of Heaven is near.
 |
| Sheep grazing in Israel |
The Old Testament gives a prophetic scripture in Ezekiel.
For thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I Myself
will search for My sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd cares for his herd in
the day when he is among his scattered sheep, so I will care for My sheep and
will deliver them from all the places to which they were scattered on a cloudy
and gloomy day. I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the
countries and bring them to their own land; and I will feed them on the
mountains of Israel, by the streams, and in all the inhabited places of the
land. I will feed them in a good pasture, and their grazing ground will be on
the mountain heights of Israel. There they will lie down on good grazing ground
and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I will feed My flock and I
will lead them to rest," declares the Lord GOD. "I will seek the
lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken and strengthen the sick; but
the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with judgment.” Ezekiel 34:11-16 NASB
What really
matters to you? Salvation and caring for lost?
Prayer ~ Lord, I recognize that the wages of sin is
death. Forgive me for my sin—help me to live to please you. May I always seek
first Your Kingdom and Your righteousness. That is what really matters to me.
Daily
Bible Reading: March 2 – Numbers 16-17
© 2019 Text and
Photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All
scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
www.blueletterbible.org/dailyreading
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