“For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward men appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit...” Titus 3:3-5 (NKJV).
“How about this one?” Timmy tapped the pages of the Bible. We’re studying Titus at Bible Study.” Grandfather put on his glasses. Timmy leaned forward, elbows on his knees, ready for the story.
“Propped against the wall, head bowed, a voice jerked her awake.
“‘Daughter?’ Who dared speak to her, an outcast? And to call her daughter? Her family was dead.
“Gentle fingers lifted her chin until she looked into His eyes. Piercing eyes--seeing into the darkest recesses of her heart--filled with love and without condemnation.
“‘Come.’ He offered her His hand. She hesitated. Voices screamed in her head.
“‘He’ll trick you, take advantage then toss you away like the garbage you are,” they snarled.
“‘I have not come to harm you but to offer you new life,’ He said.
“‘No, you can't trust him. No-one can love you,’ the voices screeched.
“‘Silence,’ He said, then turned to her. ‘The choice is yours. This life of darkness or a life of light?’
“She saw tenderness, love in his eyes. She lifted her crippled arm to Him. He took her hand, helped her to her feet.
“‘I can stand.’ Arm outstretched she flexed her fingers. ‘My arm is straight and my back. And no pain.’
“Falling at His feet, she wept tears of joy, her face filled with adoration.”
“What happened?” Timmy straightened. “One minute crippled, the next able to stand with no pain?”
“The Lord Jesus happened, son. He continues to reach out to us sinners even now.”
Kingdom Thinking. It’s difficult to believe the Lord Jesus would stop and call to me--to love and care so much He includes me in His family. He washed me clean and saved me through His mighty power and mercy. He promises never to forsake me. He offers His hand to you. Reach out, put your hand in His.
“How about this one?” Timmy tapped the pages of the Bible. We’re studying Titus at Bible Study.” Grandfather put on his glasses. Timmy leaned forward, elbows on his knees, ready for the story.
“Propped against the wall, head bowed, a voice jerked her awake.“‘Daughter?’ Who dared speak to her, an outcast? And to call her daughter? Her family was dead.
“Gentle fingers lifted her chin until she looked into His eyes. Piercing eyes--seeing into the darkest recesses of her heart--filled with love and without condemnation.
“‘Come.’ He offered her His hand. She hesitated. Voices screamed in her head.
“‘He’ll trick you, take advantage then toss you away like the garbage you are,” they snarled.
“‘I have not come to harm you but to offer you new life,’ He said.
“‘No, you can't trust him. No-one can love you,’ the voices screeched.
“‘Silence,’ He said, then turned to her. ‘The choice is yours. This life of darkness or a life of light?’
“She saw tenderness, love in his eyes. She lifted her crippled arm to Him. He took her hand, helped her to her feet.
“‘I can stand.’ Arm outstretched she flexed her fingers. ‘My arm is straight and my back. And no pain.’
“Falling at His feet, she wept tears of joy, her face filled with adoration.”
“What happened?” Timmy straightened. “One minute crippled, the next able to stand with no pain?”
“The Lord Jesus happened, son. He continues to reach out to us sinners even now.”
Kingdom Thinking. It’s difficult to believe the Lord Jesus would stop and call to me--to love and care so much He includes me in His family. He washed me clean and saved me through His mighty power and mercy. He promises never to forsake me. He offers His hand to you. Reach out, put your hand in His.