From: Our Daily Bread
A Mighty Stream
READ: Amos 5:21-27
Let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream. —Amos 5:24When I was a young teenager, my dad, uncles, cousins, and I went trout fishing at the head waters of the Sacramento River in California. The source of the river is melted snow, so the water was swift, clear, cold, and refreshing. My cousins and I couldn’t resist stepping into the cool current while angling for rainbow trout.
On the way home, we stopped for a dip in a pond that was far different. The pond water was warm, and it smelled stagnant. It contrasted greatly with that swiftly flowing, invigorating stream.
The prophet Amos used the metaphor of a stream to illustrate the transforming power of righteousness. Appalled at Israel’s dead religious ritual and their exploitation of the poor (Amos 2:6-8; 5:21-27), he called for justice and righteousness to prevail. He saw that God’s people were stuck in the stagnant pond of injustice toward others when what they needed was a life marked by “righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Likewise, God desires for us to allow justice to “run down like water” from our lives. One way that can happen is to strive for just laws and to champion loving care for the poor. May we seek to be a part of God’s mighty stream of His righteousness until Christ returns. — Dennis Fisher
Justice is the clarion call for Christians—
We cannot step aside from what God said;
He has told us how to treat our neighbor,
And we must follow on the path He’s led. —Hess
Righteousness follows when truth springs into action.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
What I Read Today - Tuesday March 2, 2010
From: Our Daily Bread
God Is Here
READ: Luke 4:16-21
[The Lord] heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. —Psalm 147:3Leslie and her two daughters were about to be evicted from their home. Although Leslie believed that God could help, so far He hadn’t given a clue as to how. She wondered, Where is God? As she drove to the courthouse, she prayed for God’s intervention. Then she heard a song on the radio proclaiming, “God is here! Let the brokenhearted rejoice.” Could this be the assurance from God that she was longing to hear?
Inside the courtroom, Leslie stood before the judge, heard his decision, and signed the legal documents, but still God had not given her an answer.
As Leslie was walking to her car, a truck pulled up beside her. “Ma’am,” said the driver, “I heard your testimony inside the courtroom, and I believe God wants me to help you.” And he did. Gary helped Leslie get in contact with a woman from a local church who was able to work with the parties involved to reverse the process so that she and her girls could stay in their home.
When people ask, “Where is God?” the answer is, “Right here.” One way God is at work is through Christians like Gary who are continuing the work Jesus started—healing the brokenhearted and binding up their wounds (Ps. 147:3). — Julie Ackerman Link
God is here; He stands beside you.
God is here; He wants to guide you.
God is here and He will help you,
So do not fear—Your God is near. —D. De Haan
When we love God, we will serve people.
God Is Here
READ: Luke 4:16-21
[The Lord] heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. —Psalm 147:3Leslie and her two daughters were about to be evicted from their home. Although Leslie believed that God could help, so far He hadn’t given a clue as to how. She wondered, Where is God? As she drove to the courthouse, she prayed for God’s intervention. Then she heard a song on the radio proclaiming, “God is here! Let the brokenhearted rejoice.” Could this be the assurance from God that she was longing to hear?
Inside the courtroom, Leslie stood before the judge, heard his decision, and signed the legal documents, but still God had not given her an answer.
As Leslie was walking to her car, a truck pulled up beside her. “Ma’am,” said the driver, “I heard your testimony inside the courtroom, and I believe God wants me to help you.” And he did. Gary helped Leslie get in contact with a woman from a local church who was able to work with the parties involved to reverse the process so that she and her girls could stay in their home.
When people ask, “Where is God?” the answer is, “Right here.” One way God is at work is through Christians like Gary who are continuing the work Jesus started—healing the brokenhearted and binding up their wounds (Ps. 147:3). — Julie Ackerman Link
God is here; He stands beside you.
God is here; He wants to guide you.
God is here and He will help you,
So do not fear—Your God is near. —D. De Haan
When we love God, we will serve people.
Monday, March 1, 2010
more What I Read Today - Monday March 1, 2010
From: TaxVox.com
http://taxvox.taxpolicycenter.org/blog/_archives/2010/2/26/4466190.html
Why is the U.S. Olympic Committee Tax-Exempt?
by Howard Gleckman on Fri 26 Feb 2010 08:59 AM EST
Watching the made-for-TV Olympics the other night, I could not help but wonder: Why does the federal government subsidize the United States Olympic Committee by granting it tax-exempt status? The question is especially interesting because The Washington Post reports the USOC may soon ask for direct government support.
The law provides a specific tax exemption for organizations that “foster national or international amateur sports competition,” according to the IRS. But much of the competition the USOC fosters is not amateur at all. True, amateurs still participate in some minor sports. But marquee U.S. team sports like hockey and basketball, and the glamour individual sports such as skiing and ice dancing (is this really a sport?) are dominated by professionals. Ski racer Lindsey Vonn, for instance, made an estimated $3 million last year from race winnings and endorsements. We've come a long way from the days when the Olympics stripped a track-and-field gold medal from Jim Thorpe because he made a few bucks playing semi-pro baseball.
Then there is the matter of the way the USOC itself makes and spends money. To learn more, I pulled the committee’s IRS Form 990 for 2007 and 2008.
On the income side, the USOC is a massive marketing operation that makes money by charging for sponsorship and broadcast rights. In 2007, a year in which there were no games, USOC had revenue of $147 million. More than half—over $78 million—came from corporate royalties. The story was roughly the same in 2008, although, because summer games were played that year, the numbers were far bigger (including $123 million in broadcast rights). USOC is in a titanic battle with the International Olympic Committee over how to divvy up that TV money. In 2003, NBC paid the IOC a staggering $2 billion for the rights to broadcast the games through 2012.
In contrast to its carefully crafted public image, the olympic committee gets relatively little from individual charitable donations. According to The Washington Post, the group expected to raise only about $10 million in such contributions in 2009.
The way USOC spends its money is even more troubling. For context, the American Institute of Philanthropy recommends that charities spend at least at least 60 percent, and preferably 75 percent, of income on programs. Yet in 2007, the USOC spent about two-thirds of its revenue on administrative expenses, including almost $35 million on salaries, benefits, and other compensation. In 2008, at least 20 of its top executives earned $200,000 or more.
In '07, the committee distributed about $57 million--or less than 40 percent of its income-- to its member athletic organizations, various foundations, and individual athletes. For instance, the speedskating association got $2.8 million, Hockey USA got $1.3 million, the curling association got $635,000, and the badminton association got $237,000 (I guess those birdies are cheap).
Much of the money pays for coaches and training costs. What do the athletes get directly? In 2007, the USOC distributed a total of about $14 million in “grants” and spent another another $3 million on health insurance for elite athletes. And, no doubt, some who play less commerical sports could use the help.
But let’s not kid ourselves, it has been a long time since the Olympic movement was about the love of sport. Today, the Olympics is about big bucks entertainment provided mostly by highly-paid athletes. It would be an outrage if, in an era of $1 trillion-plus deficits, Congress provided direct funding for the USOC. It is bad enough the Olympic committee enjoys tax-exempt status. I can’t image why Washington subsidizes a private organization to create commercial entertainment. The producers of American Idol--the winter games' prime-time competition-- seem to do a fine job of running made-for-TV competitions without government subsidies. Why can’t the Olympic movement?
http://taxvox.taxpolicycenter.org/blog/_archives/2010/2/26/4466190.html
Why is the U.S. Olympic Committee Tax-Exempt?
by Howard Gleckman on Fri 26 Feb 2010 08:59 AM EST
Watching the made-for-TV Olympics the other night, I could not help but wonder: Why does the federal government subsidize the United States Olympic Committee by granting it tax-exempt status? The question is especially interesting because The Washington Post reports the USOC may soon ask for direct government support.
The law provides a specific tax exemption for organizations that “foster national or international amateur sports competition,” according to the IRS. But much of the competition the USOC fosters is not amateur at all. True, amateurs still participate in some minor sports. But marquee U.S. team sports like hockey and basketball, and the glamour individual sports such as skiing and ice dancing (is this really a sport?) are dominated by professionals. Ski racer Lindsey Vonn, for instance, made an estimated $3 million last year from race winnings and endorsements. We've come a long way from the days when the Olympics stripped a track-and-field gold medal from Jim Thorpe because he made a few bucks playing semi-pro baseball.
Then there is the matter of the way the USOC itself makes and spends money. To learn more, I pulled the committee’s IRS Form 990 for 2007 and 2008.
On the income side, the USOC is a massive marketing operation that makes money by charging for sponsorship and broadcast rights. In 2007, a year in which there were no games, USOC had revenue of $147 million. More than half—over $78 million—came from corporate royalties. The story was roughly the same in 2008, although, because summer games were played that year, the numbers were far bigger (including $123 million in broadcast rights). USOC is in a titanic battle with the International Olympic Committee over how to divvy up that TV money. In 2003, NBC paid the IOC a staggering $2 billion for the rights to broadcast the games through 2012.
In contrast to its carefully crafted public image, the olympic committee gets relatively little from individual charitable donations. According to The Washington Post, the group expected to raise only about $10 million in such contributions in 2009.
The way USOC spends its money is even more troubling. For context, the American Institute of Philanthropy recommends that charities spend at least at least 60 percent, and preferably 75 percent, of income on programs. Yet in 2007, the USOC spent about two-thirds of its revenue on administrative expenses, including almost $35 million on salaries, benefits, and other compensation. In 2008, at least 20 of its top executives earned $200,000 or more.
In '07, the committee distributed about $57 million--or less than 40 percent of its income-- to its member athletic organizations, various foundations, and individual athletes. For instance, the speedskating association got $2.8 million, Hockey USA got $1.3 million, the curling association got $635,000, and the badminton association got $237,000 (I guess those birdies are cheap).
Much of the money pays for coaches and training costs. What do the athletes get directly? In 2007, the USOC distributed a total of about $14 million in “grants” and spent another another $3 million on health insurance for elite athletes. And, no doubt, some who play less commerical sports could use the help.
But let’s not kid ourselves, it has been a long time since the Olympic movement was about the love of sport. Today, the Olympics is about big bucks entertainment provided mostly by highly-paid athletes. It would be an outrage if, in an era of $1 trillion-plus deficits, Congress provided direct funding for the USOC. It is bad enough the Olympic committee enjoys tax-exempt status. I can’t image why Washington subsidizes a private organization to create commercial entertainment. The producers of American Idol--the winter games' prime-time competition-- seem to do a fine job of running made-for-TV competitions without government subsidies. Why can’t the Olympic movement?
more What I Read Today - Monday March 1, 2010
From: The New York Times - Sunday February 28, 2010
How the G.O.P. Goes Green
By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN
It is early evening on Capitol Hill, and I am sitting with Senator Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina Republican, who, along with John Kerry and Joe Lieberman, is trying to craft a new energy bill — one that could actually win 60 votes. What is interesting about Graham is that he has been willing — courageously in my view — to depart from the prevailing G.O.P. consensus that the only energy policy we need is “drill, baby, drill.”
What brought you around, I ask? Graham’s short answer: politics, jobs and legacy. We start with politics. The Republican Party today has a major outreach problem with two important constituencies, “Hispanics and young people,” Graham explains:
“I have been to enough college campuses to know if you are 30 or younger this climate issue is not a debate. It’s a value. These young people grew up with recycling and a sensitivity to the environment — and the world will be better off for it. They are not brainwashed. ... From a Republican point of view, we should buy into it and embrace it and not belittle them. You can have a genuine debate about the science of climate change, but when you say that those who believe it are buying a hoax and are wacky people you are putting at risk your party’s future with younger people. You can have a legitimate dispute about how to solve immigration, but when you start focusing on the last names of people the demographics will pass you by.”
So Graham’s approach to bringing around his conservative state has been simple: avoid talking about “climate change,” which many on the right don’t believe. Instead, frame our energy challenge as a need to “clean up carbon pollution,” to “become energy independent” and to “create more good jobs and new industries for South Carolinians.” He proposes “putting a price on carbon,” starting with a very focused carbon tax, as opposed to an economywide cap-and-trade system, so as to spur both consumers and industries to invest in and buy new clean energy products. He includes nuclear energy, and insists on permitting more offshore drilling for oil and gas to give us more domestic sources, as we bridge to a new clean energy economy.
“Cap-and-trade as we know it is dead, but the issue of cleaning up the air and energy independence should not die — and you will never have energy independence without pricing carbon,” Graham argues. “The technology doesn’t make sense until you price carbon. Nuclear power is a bet on cleaner air. Wind and solar is a bet on cleaner air. You make those bets assuming that cleaning the air will become more profitable than leaving the air dirty, and the only way it will be so is if the government puts some sticks on the table — not just carrots. The future economy of America and the jobs of the future are going to be tied to cleaning up the air, and in the process of cleaning up the air this country becomes energy independent and our national security is greatly enhanced.”
Remember, he adds: “We are more dependent on foreign oil today than after 9/11. That is political malpractice, and every member of Congress is responsible.”
This isn’t just for the next generation, says Graham: “As you talk about the future, if you forget the people who live in the present, you will have no future politically. You have to get the people in the present to buy into the future. I tell my voters: ‘If we try to clean up the air and become energy independent, we will create more jobs than anything I can do as a senator.’ General Electric makes all the turbines for the G.E. windmills in Greenville, South Carolina.” He also is pushing to make his state a manufacturing center for nuclear reactor components and biomass from plants and timber.
What would most help him bring around his G.O.P. colleagues? The business lobby. “The Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers need to tell my colleagues it is O.K. to price carbon, if you do it smartly,” he says.
Sure, Graham’s strategy will give many greens heartburn. I don’t agree with every point. But if there is going to be a clean energy bill, greens and Democrats will have to recruit some Republicans. Graham says he’s ready to meet them in the middle. “We’ve got to get started,” he says, “because once we do, every C.E.O. will adopt a carbon strategy, no matter what the law actually requires.”
And for those Republicans who think this is only a loser, Senator Graham says think again: “What is our view of carbon as a party? Are we the party of carbon pollution forever in unlimited amounts? Pricing carbon is the key to energy independence, and the byproduct is that young people look at you differently.” Look at how he is received in colleges today. “Instead of being just one more short, white Republican over 50,” says Graham, “I am now semicool. There is an awareness by young people that I am doing something different.”
Five more G.O.P. senators like him and we could have a real energy bill.
“We can’t be a nation that always tries and fails,” Graham concludes. “We have to eventually get some hard problem right.”
How the G.O.P. Goes Green
By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN
It is early evening on Capitol Hill, and I am sitting with Senator Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina Republican, who, along with John Kerry and Joe Lieberman, is trying to craft a new energy bill — one that could actually win 60 votes. What is interesting about Graham is that he has been willing — courageously in my view — to depart from the prevailing G.O.P. consensus that the only energy policy we need is “drill, baby, drill.”
What brought you around, I ask? Graham’s short answer: politics, jobs and legacy. We start with politics. The Republican Party today has a major outreach problem with two important constituencies, “Hispanics and young people,” Graham explains:
“I have been to enough college campuses to know if you are 30 or younger this climate issue is not a debate. It’s a value. These young people grew up with recycling and a sensitivity to the environment — and the world will be better off for it. They are not brainwashed. ... From a Republican point of view, we should buy into it and embrace it and not belittle them. You can have a genuine debate about the science of climate change, but when you say that those who believe it are buying a hoax and are wacky people you are putting at risk your party’s future with younger people. You can have a legitimate dispute about how to solve immigration, but when you start focusing on the last names of people the demographics will pass you by.”
So Graham’s approach to bringing around his conservative state has been simple: avoid talking about “climate change,” which many on the right don’t believe. Instead, frame our energy challenge as a need to “clean up carbon pollution,” to “become energy independent” and to “create more good jobs and new industries for South Carolinians.” He proposes “putting a price on carbon,” starting with a very focused carbon tax, as opposed to an economywide cap-and-trade system, so as to spur both consumers and industries to invest in and buy new clean energy products. He includes nuclear energy, and insists on permitting more offshore drilling for oil and gas to give us more domestic sources, as we bridge to a new clean energy economy.
“Cap-and-trade as we know it is dead, but the issue of cleaning up the air and energy independence should not die — and you will never have energy independence without pricing carbon,” Graham argues. “The technology doesn’t make sense until you price carbon. Nuclear power is a bet on cleaner air. Wind and solar is a bet on cleaner air. You make those bets assuming that cleaning the air will become more profitable than leaving the air dirty, and the only way it will be so is if the government puts some sticks on the table — not just carrots. The future economy of America and the jobs of the future are going to be tied to cleaning up the air, and in the process of cleaning up the air this country becomes energy independent and our national security is greatly enhanced.”
Remember, he adds: “We are more dependent on foreign oil today than after 9/11. That is political malpractice, and every member of Congress is responsible.”
This isn’t just for the next generation, says Graham: “As you talk about the future, if you forget the people who live in the present, you will have no future politically. You have to get the people in the present to buy into the future. I tell my voters: ‘If we try to clean up the air and become energy independent, we will create more jobs than anything I can do as a senator.’ General Electric makes all the turbines for the G.E. windmills in Greenville, South Carolina.” He also is pushing to make his state a manufacturing center for nuclear reactor components and biomass from plants and timber.
What would most help him bring around his G.O.P. colleagues? The business lobby. “The Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers need to tell my colleagues it is O.K. to price carbon, if you do it smartly,” he says.
Sure, Graham’s strategy will give many greens heartburn. I don’t agree with every point. But if there is going to be a clean energy bill, greens and Democrats will have to recruit some Republicans. Graham says he’s ready to meet them in the middle. “We’ve got to get started,” he says, “because once we do, every C.E.O. will adopt a carbon strategy, no matter what the law actually requires.”
And for those Republicans who think this is only a loser, Senator Graham says think again: “What is our view of carbon as a party? Are we the party of carbon pollution forever in unlimited amounts? Pricing carbon is the key to energy independence, and the byproduct is that young people look at you differently.” Look at how he is received in colleges today. “Instead of being just one more short, white Republican over 50,” says Graham, “I am now semicool. There is an awareness by young people that I am doing something different.”
Five more G.O.P. senators like him and we could have a real energy bill.
“We can’t be a nation that always tries and fails,” Graham concludes. “We have to eventually get some hard problem right.”
What I Read Today - Monday March 1, 2010
From: Our Daily Bread
The Fairest
READ: Revelation 5:8-14
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain! —Revelation 5:12When I first became a Christian and started attending church at age 19, I immediately fell in love with singing the great hymns of the faith. My heart overflowed with joy and thanksgiving as we sang of God’s love for us in Christ. Soon one of my favorite hymns (from the late 1600s) became “Fairest Lord Jesus!” I love the simplicity of the melody and the awesomeness of the One exalted in these words:
Fair is the sunshine,
fairer still the moonlight,
and all the twinkling starry host: Jesus shines brighter,
Jesus shines purer than all the angels heaven can boast.
Beautiful Savior!
Lord of the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration
now and forevermore be Thine!
God’s Son, whom we sing about in this song, came to this earth, lived a perfect life, and gave Himself for us on the cross (Luke 23:33). He arose from the grave (Luke 24:6) and is now seated at God’s right hand (Heb. 1:3). One day we’ll join in worship with thousands upon thousands and say: “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!” (Rev. 5:13). Maybe we’ll sing “Fairest Lord Jesus!” too.
Until then, let’s allow Jesus to be “the fairest” above all in our personal lives by seeking wisdom from His Word and following in His ways. — Anne Cetas
We can never praise Jesus too much.
The Fairest
READ: Revelation 5:8-14
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain! —Revelation 5:12When I first became a Christian and started attending church at age 19, I immediately fell in love with singing the great hymns of the faith. My heart overflowed with joy and thanksgiving as we sang of God’s love for us in Christ. Soon one of my favorite hymns (from the late 1600s) became “Fairest Lord Jesus!” I love the simplicity of the melody and the awesomeness of the One exalted in these words:
Fair is the sunshine,
fairer still the moonlight,
and all the twinkling starry host: Jesus shines brighter,
Jesus shines purer than all the angels heaven can boast.
Beautiful Savior!
Lord of the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration
now and forevermore be Thine!
God’s Son, whom we sing about in this song, came to this earth, lived a perfect life, and gave Himself for us on the cross (Luke 23:33). He arose from the grave (Luke 24:6) and is now seated at God’s right hand (Heb. 1:3). One day we’ll join in worship with thousands upon thousands and say: “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!” (Rev. 5:13). Maybe we’ll sing “Fairest Lord Jesus!” too.
Until then, let’s allow Jesus to be “the fairest” above all in our personal lives by seeking wisdom from His Word and following in His ways. — Anne Cetas
We can never praise Jesus too much.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
What I Read Today - Saturday February 27, 2010
From: Our Daily Bread
Strength In Weakness
READ: Matthew 20:20-28
Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. —Matthew 20:26No one wants to be weak, so we find ways to appear strong. Some of us use the force of our emotions to manipulate people. Others use the force of personality to control people, and some use intellect to intimidate. Although these create an illusion of strength, they are signs of weakness.
When we are truly strong, we have the courage to admit our limitations and to acknowledge our dependence on God. As a result, true strength often looks a lot like weakness. When the apostle Paul prayed that an affliction would be taken from him, God answered, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). Paul responded with these troubling words: “When I am weak, then I am strong” (v.10).
Toward the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry, some of His disciples were striving for positions of prominence. Jesus used their argument as an opportunity to teach them that in His kingdom things are different: greatness comes when we willingly assume positions of weakness (Matt. 20:26).
This is a hard truth. I prefer the illusion of strength to the reality of weakness. But God wants us to realize that true strength comes when we stop trying to control people and start serving them instead. — Julie Ackerman Link
The life that we live for God’s glory,
Let’s live it in biblical light:
God’s strength is made perfect in weakness;
He alone controls power and might. —Branon
God’s greatest power can be displayed in our biggest weakness.
Strength In Weakness
READ: Matthew 20:20-28
Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. —Matthew 20:26No one wants to be weak, so we find ways to appear strong. Some of us use the force of our emotions to manipulate people. Others use the force of personality to control people, and some use intellect to intimidate. Although these create an illusion of strength, they are signs of weakness.
When we are truly strong, we have the courage to admit our limitations and to acknowledge our dependence on God. As a result, true strength often looks a lot like weakness. When the apostle Paul prayed that an affliction would be taken from him, God answered, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). Paul responded with these troubling words: “When I am weak, then I am strong” (v.10).
Toward the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry, some of His disciples were striving for positions of prominence. Jesus used their argument as an opportunity to teach them that in His kingdom things are different: greatness comes when we willingly assume positions of weakness (Matt. 20:26).
This is a hard truth. I prefer the illusion of strength to the reality of weakness. But God wants us to realize that true strength comes when we stop trying to control people and start serving them instead. — Julie Ackerman Link
The life that we live for God’s glory,
Let’s live it in biblical light:
God’s strength is made perfect in weakness;
He alone controls power and might. —Branon
God’s greatest power can be displayed in our biggest weakness.
Friday, February 26, 2010
What I Read Today - Friday February 26, 2010
From: Our Daily Bread
Under New Orders
READ: Deuteronomy 6:1-9
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. —Matthew 22:37Herman Wouk’s thrilling World War II novel The Caine Mutiny contains an excellent illustration of what happens when someone becomes a follower of God.
In the novel, a young man from an influential family has enlisted in the Navy. On the day of his induction, his mother drops him off in her fancy car and then kisses him goodbye. He shakes hands with the guard as he enters the building, and the door closes behind him.
His mother, suddenly worried that he might not have enough money, rushes up to the door. But the guard politely stops her. When she demands entrance, he refuses to let her in. She can see her son standing inside the door, so she reaches for the doorknob. “He’s my son!” she cries. The guard gently removes her hand from the knob and says softly, “I know, Ma’am, but he belongs to Uncle Sam now. He’s a sailor.”
When we believe in Jesus Christ and become His followers, we are under new authority. We are subject to new commands. Now we belong to Him. What was once important to us loses its significance. We evaluate things differently. Our new desire is to love and serve the Lord with all our heart (Deut. 6:5-6). Have you joined His ranks? — David C. Egner
Jesus my Lord will love me forever,
From Him no power of evil can sever;
He gave His life to ransom my soul—
Now I belong to Him! —Clayton
Followers of Christ get their marching orders from Him.
Under New Orders
READ: Deuteronomy 6:1-9
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. —Matthew 22:37Herman Wouk’s thrilling World War II novel The Caine Mutiny contains an excellent illustration of what happens when someone becomes a follower of God.
In the novel, a young man from an influential family has enlisted in the Navy. On the day of his induction, his mother drops him off in her fancy car and then kisses him goodbye. He shakes hands with the guard as he enters the building, and the door closes behind him.
His mother, suddenly worried that he might not have enough money, rushes up to the door. But the guard politely stops her. When she demands entrance, he refuses to let her in. She can see her son standing inside the door, so she reaches for the doorknob. “He’s my son!” she cries. The guard gently removes her hand from the knob and says softly, “I know, Ma’am, but he belongs to Uncle Sam now. He’s a sailor.”
When we believe in Jesus Christ and become His followers, we are under new authority. We are subject to new commands. Now we belong to Him. What was once important to us loses its significance. We evaluate things differently. Our new desire is to love and serve the Lord with all our heart (Deut. 6:5-6). Have you joined His ranks? — David C. Egner
Jesus my Lord will love me forever,
From Him no power of evil can sever;
He gave His life to ransom my soul—
Now I belong to Him! —Clayton
Followers of Christ get their marching orders from Him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)