NOTHIN'S  FREE

For you were bought at a price;

therefore glorify God in your body

and in your spirit, which are God's.

I Corinthians 6:20

Things might not bother others like they do me but increasingly, I am cautious regarding something we've come to tolerate and even bite into.  I don't know about you but my computer is often full of all the free stuff that's available to me on just about every level.  People either have forgotten or just haven't give it a thought that on this earth, there is absolutely nothing free.

I've wondered why there hasn't been a crack down on medicines of various sorts as well as medical equipment that will heal every hurt and twitch in one's body.  I'm surprised at the medications that are available for just about any ailment people can suffer with.  Many times, an ad on computer or TV will offer a free bottle of their medication....that will be sent to you with your first order...notice that last part.  So they tell me that  I have to order the medication in order to get a free bottle of the same thing.  NOTHIN'S FREE!

My computer gets overloaded with free offers from more Christian ministries than I can even name.  They offer a free book or whatever.  There are times I might like to have a book that's ordered but learned the hard way that even with such agencies, there's a catch.  I did this once and within a few weeks, I had any number of free offers from more places than I had ever heard of.  You see, many businesses or agencies sell our info to other places so one free book wasn't worth it.

One thing I know for a fact is that the only thing that has come to me totally free with no strings attached is my salvation.  There's no way I could have paid my own way when it came to my sinful self.  Even with that, there had to be a price paid and Jesus did that.  I'm expected to maintain a good relationship with Him but in it all, what He did for me was bought and paid for on a horrible cross.  It cost Him plenty for a debt I could never have paid.  He just asks us to come, accept the true promises presented in His Word and then anticipate a glorious future with Him in Heaven. 

 Thank You Jesus that with You, there are no gimmicks or false promises.  We can trust Your every word.  We can trust Your every request that will never be slight of hand.  Thank You Jesus for Who You are that we can trust You with our very being. Amen

  

 

I

CHANGES

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday,

today, and forever.

Hebrews 13:8

It's a word that gives me shivers.  I've never done well with any kind of change and can't figure out those who have to change from one thing to another almost for the fun of it.  I've never liked moving, relocating to different places but have done that anyway because of necessary moves.  We were about to make another move when a lady I didn't know well int the church we were in mentioned to me how much she loved moving.  She and her husband could move every other year from one house to another just for the recreation of it all.

When we moved here in Tennessee and got settled, Brian put some U-Haul boxes in our attic.  I cautioned him then that I had seen all of those boxes I ever intended to see.  Fortunately we planted here and have loved it, despite his going to Heaven four years ago.

Some folks jump from job to job because they become bored with where they are working at the time.  I see pro athletes that hop from team to another just for another couple of millions of dollars.  They already have millions they may never spend but there's the urge to move.  I have had friends who change doctors on with regularity.  They like the change and difference in opinions.

Changes are a part of our lives.  Children grow up and leave home to begin their own lives.  Where did that time go that took them away much too soon.  As we age we face alot of physical changes...some for the good but many for the whatever.  Finances may mean drastic changes in spending or a lack of it.  

The changes that may be uncomfortable aren't just those huge things that seem more drastic.  I have found in my own life that small changes can throw me for a loop as well.

With all the changes that come and go, what a comfort knowing that Jesus never changes.  He is the only constant in our lives.  Who He was in those beginning days of creation, He is still the same today and will always be who and what He is.  We can trust in the steadiness and consistency of our Lord.  We can always cling to Him no matter the change we might be facing.

Thank You Jesus for being Who You are in our lives.  We can trust You in every instance to do what is our best interest.  We are grateful that Your love and character will never change or disappoint us.  Praying in Your name....Amen

 

WHAT NOW ?

...and lo, I am with you always, even

to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:20b

The Easter weekend is over and it is always a very special one for those of us who so appreciate it's significance.  Most of us have memories of Easter down through the years that were mostly family traditions.  Our family always had Easter egg hunts in our back yard.  One of these days, someone will explain to me what in the world decorated eggs have to do with the significance of Easter.

For little girls, elementary school age, it usually meant a new dress, new Mary Jane slippers with fancy anklets and oh yes, don't forget the hat that was held to our heads by what felt like an attached thick rubber band under the chin.  We usually carried a purse, never knowing what it was for.  Mine had nothing in it at all.  Again, I guess something spiritual could be made out of the new clothes but was never explained.  All seemed to be wrapped in well-meant tradition.

I wish I had known then in reality what Easter was all about, spiritually speaking.  We sang the hymns and Easter Scriptures were read at church.  We then went home to indulge ourselves in boiled eggs, chocolate eggs and other assorted goodies.  It would seem that Easter lasted as long as the goodies.

I trust now that we have done some growing up spiritually .  Easter may have come with usual holiday fanfare and a wonderful Sunday capping it all off, BUT...what happens from here.   Spiritually speaking, how is our Easter Sunday and it's spiritual meaning going to affect our Monday and everyday between now and Easter next year?  

As much as I enjoy celebrating our risen Lord on a designated Sunday, I'm wondering if there shouldn't be a heart celebration every day of the year regarding Jesus and all He did for us all in those days when people were out to do nothing but destroy Him.  He doesn't just empower me on one Sunday in the year.  Through His Spirit, I am empowered to love and live for Him every day of the year.  Of course, there won't be any egg hunts or special music programs, but we can rejoice consistently that Jesus is our constant and will be on into eternity.

Father, You sent Your Son to do an incredible thing for us all and we are grateful for the resulting loving relationship we can have with You because of it.  Help us to realize that every day should be remembered as a resurrection day because we serve our risen Savior.  In Jesus' precious name...Amen