Devotion for Thursday, November 1
By carpenter5
@carpenter5 (6782)
United States
November 1, 2007 12:04pm CST
On the way to school today, Lauren and I pulled up behind an old and beaten up station wagon at a red light. The back windows, chrome and bumper were plastered with dozens of bumper stickers. We were rolling with laughter, as we read messages such as:
The early bird may get the worm, but it's the second mouse who gets the cheese.
___________________________________________________________
I is a college student
___________________________________________________________
If we quit voting-will they ALL GO AWAY?
___________________________________________________________
If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving is not for you
___________________________________________________________
I haven’t lost my mind-It’s backed up on disk somewhere
_________________________________________________________
Honk if anything falls off!
_________________________________________________________
If you haven't changed your mind lately
how can you be sure that you still have one?
___________________________________________________________
Change is inevitable-Except from a vending machine
___________________________________________________________
Dear IRS: I would like to cancel my subscription. Please remove my name from your mailing list.
___________________________________________________________
What happens if I get scared to death-twice?
___________________________________________________________
Why is abbreviation such a long word?
Then I read this one: “I pray Jesus isn’t too picky”
It stood out to me, because it really wasn’t funny like the rest. But after I got to my office, the statement kept going through my head—and then it hit my heart. Because it can be answered and argued both ways!
Jesus can be described as picky. We can’t save ourselves. Salvation only comes by the blood of Jesus Christ, through his grace and mercy. John tells us in his gospel (14:6) that Christ is THE way, THE truth and THE life…and no man comes to the Father, except through Him.
But, when it comes to who he loves, and who he will accept, he isn’t picky. He forgives the drunkards, the murderers, the thieves, the liars, and the adulterers just as quickly and completely as he does the mothers, the preachers, the teachers, the farmers and the small child. Acts 20:21 says that “anyone who calls on my name, shall be saved!”
Salvation is free….all we have to do…is ask
4 people like this
8 responses
@peavey (16936)
• United States
2 Nov 07
I have prayed that. "Dear Lord, I'm glad You're not picky, because I'd never even know You if You were."
When I think of the things He's walked with me through and how He's always there, no matter how much I mess up... no, He's not picky at all when it comes to fellowshipping with the worst of us who have accepted His sacrifice for our sins.
2 people like this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
2 Nov 07
Christ didn't belong to the Country Club. Not saying he doesn't save those with money or influence, BUT, he was with the poorest of the poor because that's the background he came from. We need to remember that when we enter our churches on Sunday mornings...or during your worship time.
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
2 Nov 07
That was fast. I was beginning to think I was the only one online this morning, because I wasn't seeing any e-mails about postings from the usual suspects!
I'm working from home today and doing a bit on mylot while I wait for things to upload from my computer at work.
@ailema4ever (2668)
• Finland
1 Nov 07
GREAT post!!!
I laughed while reading the bumper stickers...then I nodded in agreement when you explained about Jesus. I'm GLAD Jesus is NOT picky when it comes to who He loves. :-))))
THX for sharing! ;-D
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
2 Nov 07
There were others on their as well. You couldn't even see the actual car! I wondered if the stickers were what was holding it together.
This is all Lauren had time to write down, or that we could remember.
@ailema4ever (2668)
• Finland
2 Nov 07
GEEEEEEE!!! So the stickers looked as if they were holding the car together? That's nuts he he he...
Well, you managed to write pretty much anyway, even though not all of them. ;-D
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
6 Nov 07
You've seen them I know....the cars that you pull up behind on the road and wonder...Do I dare to follow behind them or is something going to fly off of there and shatter my windshield, or roll under my car and make me have a wreck? Or dear...could the exhaust smell any worse?
@loved1 (5328)
• United States
1 Nov 07
What a great post! I love it when the Lord uses something as simple as a bumber sticker to draw us closer to Him. You are exactly right in your description too. He really can't be considered picky when He will accept each of us, warts and all. On the other hand, He is unwavering about how we become saved. Good thing the requirements for salvation are easily attainable for everyone. Keep up the great posts and thanks for making me think today.
2 people like this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
2 Nov 07
I love your mickey mouse icon! I need to change mine, but just haven't found anything I want yet :(
You are so correct in your statement that he is unwavering. That was the exact word I was looking for yesterday, and it just wouldn't come to me!
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
5 Nov 07
I always enjoy your devotionals. I dont think "picky" can be used to discribe Jesus at all. I think know he is very forgiving and always listens. He only wants the best for us. Like you said, "all we have to do is ask" I would like to add another part to that if I may?
All we have to do is ask and change, then we can have salvation. As long as we stay on the correct path. "
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
6 Nov 07
You are certainly welcome to add another part...and you are right. So many times, I find people who make a profession of faith, and never bother to change the way they are living. Even though I believe Christ is faithful and just to forgive our sins....he also tells us that falling into the same sin over and over again just because we know we'll be forgiven isn't the right thing to do.
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
2 Nov 07
Me either sister! It has been a game for many years with my children when we travel to look for silly and funny bumper stickers. When we go to New Mexico to hubby's parents, we actually keep a journal, because we are on the road for so many hours at a time.!
@simchedeken (9)
• Canada
2 Nov 07
WOW! People respond fast here! I was the second responce this morning. Other places still would only have maybe a few responces!
Carpenter5, I loved what you wrote about the Refiner's Fire! The stuff that gets melted out is called dross. That the junk that isn't usable for anything. It makes it impossible to use the gold. The dross takes days on end to melt down. It has to be skimmmed off on a constant basis. The less dross in the final product, the more the gold is worth.
In the physical, 10K is the highest amount of gold. The lower the Ks the higher the value.
As He skims off the dross - or sin - in our lives our value to Him incresses because of what we're willing to do for Him. If gold in this world were skimmed to only 1 karrat, it would melt from sweat in our hands! His hands don't sweat! PTL!
Most people know about purging by fire, but not everyone is willing to go through what the other one did to get where they are spiritually. Lots of people want a short cut. Short cuts raise the Ks and lower the value - or the usefulness.
Purging isn't fun, that's a given, because it also involves eating that yucky stuff called humble pie! I want to start a post on that stuff soon!!! LOL!
I have zillion thing to do today, so I'll just finish by saying God bless, and talk to you soon!
- Annie
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
6 Nov 07
oh but I want to be 10K! It is softer and easier to mold! Isn't that just the most wonderful analogy? that we should be 10K gold in Christ's hands, willing to be molded into whatever he wants us to be?
@AmbiePam (85711)
• United States
2 Nov 07
I was just reading about a son who revealed something about his father that he shouldn't have to gain money. Now the father did do something wrong, but no way should the son have made it public. And I thought, if I were the dad, I wouldn't let anyone in my family have contact with that particular son again. Over and over that son in the past and the present has done hurtful things to his entire family.
But you are right on with the bumper sticker. Jesus is not picky. He loves that son who turned against his father. He loves the father who no doubt will eventually forgive his son. When we think someone is out of the realm of grace, we have to remember, I have to remember, that Jesus is not picky. After all, He saved me.
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
2 Nov 07
Your last sentence gave me chill bumps, because he also saved me, and I'm not sure by the world's standards that I deserved it! Yes, I'm a pastor's wife, but I'm no where near perfect, and wonder every day about his design for me to marry Michael..knowing that He was goign to call him into the ministry.
1 person likes this
@terri0824 (4991)
• United States
1 Jan 08
I really like this devotion. So very true. Time is running short. Everyone needs to get ready! Jesus is Coming to take us home ( I love that song!) So people need to be prepared and ask Jesus into their hearts, he has already chosen everyone of us. It is now time for those who haven't chosen him to do so!
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
3 Jan 08
I agree with you whole heartedly. It seems that there are so many people who are coming back to the church movement. I hope they are sincere, because that worries me more than anything. That those that are just going through the motions are going to be so disappointed when Christ comes back and they are still left here. You have to be sincere in your faith and truly ask for forgiveness.
