Devotions Archive Archive: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Search Archive Print This Article Gospel track Monday, November 30, 2009 Romans 10:13-15 Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!" God is love. He never leaves me nor abandons me. He is my source and my home. I came from him and I will return to him. All my sins are forgiven, and he knows my steps before I take them. He provides for me, protects me, listens to me and guides me. I might turn away from him, but he will never turn away from me. I am never alone. He prepares a table for me in the midst of my enemies. We saw Jim-Carrey-and-Walt-Disney's Christmas Carol on the Friday after Thanksgiving. I was most terrified when the Spirit-of-Christmas-Yet-to-Come showed Ebeneezer Scrooge his grave. It's far too cool a scene for me to give away the details, but I was holding on to the edge of my seat. Scrooge had no idea at that moment how much God loved him. Lots of people don't know how much God loves them. They are everywhere. They are in America and Europe and Africa and Australia, in my family and my office and my church. Jesus wants me to tell them to call on his name. Actually, I love to tell that story. I don't live it as well I like to tell it. But how is it hard to talk about being loved? The trouble comes when I lose my track. This story is good news, not bad. There's no threat, no fear, no condemnation in this story. Paul is not telling me to show people their graves. There is nothing to fear (except fear). Jesus found his way through the ugliness of men and women's selfishness and pride to preach good news. He did not allow himself to focus on condemning sin; he consistently loved the sinners. God's love shined through Jesus like the light of a city on a hill. Good news - the chariot's comin! Good news - the chariot's here! Lord, your law is perfect. It refreshes my soul. Your decrees are trustworthy, and so I will learn to trust them. You bring wisdom to my simple mind. What you require in me is true and just, and your words are more precious than gold. More precious than a heap of purest gold, and sweeter than honey from the honeycomb. (Psalm 19) "; Add      Edit    Delete