Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Thursday October 29, 2009 and we are continuing our studies in the book of Luke, please read chapters 19-20 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-october-29
Today's Message: Change is Good
Many people who live in the world have no desire to accept Christ as their Savior for one reason, self. They believe that if they follow Him they have to give up their money, possessions, and or lifestyle. Of course, our lives will change, but change is good and we could all use a little bit of change.
The truth is this, Salvation has nothing to do with what we have or do, it's about trusting in and accepting that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ died to save all sinners from hell, regardless of our lifestyle. Jesus teaches us that everyone that seeks Him is saved. Zacchaeus, was a publican (tax collector), and was looked upon by the Jews as a thief and an agent of the Roman government. As Jesus entered the city on His way to Jerusalem He sought him. He was considered to be very unpatriotic to the Jews and even less religious. His position indicated that he had sold his soul for wealth because he was rich. Zacchaeus had long been accustomed to ridicule and wasn't concerned about what people would think of him. He was concerned about getting Jesus' attention. “And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” - Luke 19:1-10. Zacchaeus is an example to those whom place their own worth on worldly values, he was rich and had everything money could buy, but he knew something in his life was missing and when he heard about Jesus he figured out what that was. He was lost in sin and desperately longed for something that his money could not buy, Salvation. It was the love which Christ had for the world of sinners that led Him from heaven's glory to earth and caused Jesus to say to this unloved, hated publican, “Come down Zacchaeus, I am coming to your house to stay.” Zacchaeus found his Savior, and Jesus rejoiced over finding a lost sinner, he began to show evidence of his faith and repentance as his life was transformed, he immediately offered twice the restitution required of thieves under Jewish Law.
Never let a person that has everything convince you that he is happy, he is not. He knows something in his life is missing and constantly searches for it. King Solomon proves this, “So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.” - Ecclesiastes 2:9-11. The word vain means that he realized all he had to be without real significance, value, or importance, the word vexation means that his spirit (the life inside him) was in constant distress. I can honestly say I am proof of that, I was never rich by a long shot, but there was a time when I had everything I wanted. I was happy for a little while, but eventually lost that zeal and started searching for something else that could bring me some happiness, which eventually got me into a lot of trouble. It was not until I truly accepted Jesus as my Savior that I found happiness.
It's not always easy being a Christian, Satan attacks me everyday with words of “you are a sinner,” “you will never be worthy of God,” “I know what you use to do” “you will never be forgiven,” or “are you really happy.” All of these thoughts use to bother me and cause me a lot of pain, but than I realized something. I am a forgiven child of God, once I called on Jesus to save me, admitted that I was a sinner, and asked Him to forgive me, every sin that I committed from the time I was born was forgiven and erased from existence. The only way these things remain is if I constantly remind myself of them. Now, that is a sin and an insult to God. We can never doubt the power of God, He truly is the truth, the life, and the way. Jesus will do the same for every person who seeks Him. He loves you and wants you to have everything you desire, but unless you have Him in your life you will always desire more and more and more of what the world thinks you need. We can still have everything we desire and more, but we must let go of the world and let Jesus become our world.
Have a wonderful and blessed day/night
God Bless You,
Christina
P.S. I apologize for these being late the pass few days, gotta love how Satan tries to stop things, but Jesus always prevails. Praise God!
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