Learn how Doug White landed a King Air plane on Easter weekend in this 15 minute video: https://bit.ly/31uDVQl
Hear Doug describe some of what he experienced here: https://bit.ly/2QOHNJV
Monday, March 29, 2021
"Easter Miracle Landing" of King Air by Doug White
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
challenges for substitute teachers
Not Forgotten
Substitute teachers can face many challenges. Sometimes they can be taken
advantage of or be the recipients of some student pranks. Some substitute
teachers, however, are deeply respected and make a profound and lasting
influence on the lives of their students. Jose Villaruel, affectionately
known as "Mr. V" by his students, was one of those beloved substitute
teachers in the Fontana (CA) Unified School District.
One of Mr. V's former students, Steven Nava, recently re-connected with his
former teacher. Nava has many good things to say about Villaruel. He said
Villaruel always acted like a "family figure" to his students.
"[Villarruel] was just someone that kind of wanted you to stay on and guide
you on that right path." Nava added: "Mr. V has influenced [me] . to be a
better person. He's taught me to have that drive and that 'never give up'
attitude whenever facing a struggle in my life and that's what's helped me
be the person I am now."
Those powerful lessons from his teacher were re-emphasized when Nava was
recently reunited with him in Fontana. Nava saw Villaruel rummaging in his
car, recognized him, and stopped to ask how he was doing. Mr. V, now
77-years-old, opened up to his former student about his struggles. He had
been living in his car for the past eight years trying to make ends meet.
The pandemic had made his situation worse because he had not had
opportunities to work as a substitute teacher to supplement his Social
Security income. He had been sending most of his money to help care for his
sick wife who was living in Mexico.
Nava, 21-years-old, was heartbroken to see his beloved teacher going through
such a difficult time and vowed to help. Nava created a GoFundMe account
and asked his followers on social media to help Mr. V. In just a few days,
thanks to the generosity of people throughout the world, Nava was able to
raise $27,000 for Villaruel. He presented a check for that amount to Mr. V
on his 77th birthday. With the money, Villaruel was able to pay off some
debts and prepare to return to his family in Mexico.
When we were destitute and alone due to our sins, Someone came to our
rescue. That Someone was Jesus, the Son of God. He paid our sin debt by
dying on the cross for our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21). He invites us into
His family in which we can be under the watchful care of the Father and
enjoy fellowship with other members of God's family, the church. When our
situation is bleak and hopeless due to our sin, Jesus offers grace and life,
eternal life.
God will save, add to His family, and give eternal life to those who place
their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in
repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and
are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).
He will continue to cleanse from sin and prepare for a heavenly home those
who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).
Alone and struggling because of sin, we have not been forgotten. God loves
us and desires to save us. And He will, if we will only submit our lives to
Him in trusting obedience.
-- David A. Sargent
* Information gleaned from "California substitute teacher living in car gets
surprise $27,000 check on 77th birthday from former student" by Daniella
Genovese, www.foxnews.com.
Substitute teachers can face many challenges. Sometimes they can be taken
advantage of or be the recipients of some student pranks. Some substitute
teachers, however, are deeply respected and make a profound and lasting
influence on the lives of their students. Jose Villaruel, affectionately
known as "Mr. V" by his students, was one of those beloved substitute
teachers in the Fontana (CA) Unified School District.
One of Mr. V's former students, Steven Nava, recently re-connected with his
former teacher. Nava has many good things to say about Villaruel. He said
Villaruel always acted like a "family figure" to his students.
"[Villarruel] was just someone that kind of wanted you to stay on and guide
you on that right path." Nava added: "Mr. V has influenced [me] . to be a
better person. He's taught me to have that drive and that 'never give up'
attitude whenever facing a struggle in my life and that's what's helped me
be the person I am now."
Those powerful lessons from his teacher were re-emphasized when Nava was
recently reunited with him in Fontana. Nava saw Villaruel rummaging in his
car, recognized him, and stopped to ask how he was doing. Mr. V, now
77-years-old, opened up to his former student about his struggles. He had
been living in his car for the past eight years trying to make ends meet.
The pandemic had made his situation worse because he had not had
opportunities to work as a substitute teacher to supplement his Social
Security income. He had been sending most of his money to help care for his
sick wife who was living in Mexico.
Nava, 21-years-old, was heartbroken to see his beloved teacher going through
such a difficult time and vowed to help. Nava created a GoFundMe account
and asked his followers on social media to help Mr. V. In just a few days,
thanks to the generosity of people throughout the world, Nava was able to
raise $27,000 for Villaruel. He presented a check for that amount to Mr. V
on his 77th birthday. With the money, Villaruel was able to pay off some
debts and prepare to return to his family in Mexico.
When we were destitute and alone due to our sins, Someone came to our
rescue. That Someone was Jesus, the Son of God. He paid our sin debt by
dying on the cross for our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21). He invites us into
His family in which we can be under the watchful care of the Father and
enjoy fellowship with other members of God's family, the church. When our
situation is bleak and hopeless due to our sin, Jesus offers grace and life,
eternal life.
God will save, add to His family, and give eternal life to those who place
their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in
repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and
are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).
He will continue to cleanse from sin and prepare for a heavenly home those
who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).
Alone and struggling because of sin, we have not been forgotten. God loves
us and desires to save us. And He will, if we will only submit our lives to
Him in trusting obedience.
-- David A. Sargent
* Information gleaned from "California substitute teacher living in car gets
surprise $27,000 check on 77th birthday from former student" by Daniella
Genovese, www.foxnews.com.
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Tom Brady, Part 3" from 60 Minutes, www.cbsnews.com
The GOAT
He is called "The GOAT" of NFL quarterbacks, the "Greatest Of All Time."
Tom Brady has many stats to back up the title, including 7 Super Bowl rings.
The latest ring he earned as he led his Tampa Bay Buccaneers to victory in
Super Bowl LV, at the "ripe old age" (in NFL player standards) of 43.
Back in 2005 after Brady led the New England Patriots to their and his third
Super Bowl win, CBS 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft interviewed Brady.
During the interview, Kroft asked Brady to reflect on his successes: "This
whole experience -- this whole upward trajectory -- what have you learned
about yourself? What kind of an effect does it have on you?"
In his response, Brady said, "Why do I have three Super Bowl rings, and
still think there's something greater out there for me? I mean, maybe a lot
of people would say, 'Hey man, this is what is.' I reached my goal, my
dream, my life. Me, I think: '.It's gotta be more than this. I mean this
can't be what it's all cracked up to be. I mean I've done it. I'm 27. And
what else is there for me?"
"What's the answer?" asked Kroft.
Brady responded, "I wish I knew. I wish I knew."
Now in 2021, after winning a record 7 Super Bowls, I wonder if Brady is
still asking these questions and searching for answers. I hope so.
Mr. Brady, I think there is something greater out there for you. It's not
about what you know, but WHO you know.
The "Who" that can answer these deep questions in life is Jesus Christ.
Yes, I am a preacher and I'm supposed to say that. But if I don't believe
it, I'd better not be preaching it.
I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He came to this earth to
reveal God to us, and to pay the price for our sins by dying on the cross.
He did this so that we can be forgiven of our sins and live eternally with
Him in heaven.
And, Mr. Brady, I believe that He is the Answer to your questions about what
life is all about.
I believe Jesus when He said, "I have come that you may have life and have
it more abundantly" (John 10:10). Jesus is the key to the abundant life now
and eternal life to come. The abundant life now is experienced through the
spiritual blessings that Jesus gives to us when we submit our lives to Him -
blessings such as forgiveness, peace that surpasses understanding, joy that
isn't based on circumstances, a love that doesn't quit, and hope that
extends beyond this life.
Mr. Brady, I hope you are still searching and I hope that you will
investigate Jesus. Read about Jesus in the Gospel accounts. Observe His
life and teachings. If you study His life and teachings with an open heart
and mind, I believe you will reach the same conclusion that I and many
others have reached: Jesus is the Greatest Person Who has ever lived on this
earth. And although it cost His life, Jesus offers the greatest gifts to
all who will accept them on His terms: the abundant life now and eternal
life to come.
Here is how we accept His offer, according to the ones that Jesus
commissioned to share the Good News: God will save and give eternal life to
those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from
their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans
10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of
sins (Acts 2:38). God will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue
to follow His Word (1 John 1:7-9).
Mr. Brady (and anyone else reading this article), I believe abundant life
and eternal life are found in Jesus. Please see for yourself. I believe
you'll find something greater than winning 7 Super Bowls.
-- David A. Sargent
* Information gleaned from "Transcript: Tom Brady, Part 3" from 60 Minutes,
www.cbsnews.com.
He is called "The GOAT" of NFL quarterbacks, the "Greatest Of All Time."
Tom Brady has many stats to back up the title, including 7 Super Bowl rings.
The latest ring he earned as he led his Tampa Bay Buccaneers to victory in
Super Bowl LV, at the "ripe old age" (in NFL player standards) of 43.
Back in 2005 after Brady led the New England Patriots to their and his third
Super Bowl win, CBS 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft interviewed Brady.
During the interview, Kroft asked Brady to reflect on his successes: "This
whole experience -- this whole upward trajectory -- what have you learned
about yourself? What kind of an effect does it have on you?"
In his response, Brady said, "Why do I have three Super Bowl rings, and
still think there's something greater out there for me? I mean, maybe a lot
of people would say, 'Hey man, this is what is.' I reached my goal, my
dream, my life. Me, I think: '.It's gotta be more than this. I mean this
can't be what it's all cracked up to be. I mean I've done it. I'm 27. And
what else is there for me?"
"What's the answer?" asked Kroft.
Brady responded, "I wish I knew. I wish I knew."
Now in 2021, after winning a record 7 Super Bowls, I wonder if Brady is
still asking these questions and searching for answers. I hope so.
Mr. Brady, I think there is something greater out there for you. It's not
about what you know, but WHO you know.
The "Who" that can answer these deep questions in life is Jesus Christ.
Yes, I am a preacher and I'm supposed to say that. But if I don't believe
it, I'd better not be preaching it.
I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He came to this earth to
reveal God to us, and to pay the price for our sins by dying on the cross.
He did this so that we can be forgiven of our sins and live eternally with
Him in heaven.
And, Mr. Brady, I believe that He is the Answer to your questions about what
life is all about.
I believe Jesus when He said, "I have come that you may have life and have
it more abundantly" (John 10:10). Jesus is the key to the abundant life now
and eternal life to come. The abundant life now is experienced through the
spiritual blessings that Jesus gives to us when we submit our lives to Him -
blessings such as forgiveness, peace that surpasses understanding, joy that
isn't based on circumstances, a love that doesn't quit, and hope that
extends beyond this life.
Mr. Brady, I hope you are still searching and I hope that you will
investigate Jesus. Read about Jesus in the Gospel accounts. Observe His
life and teachings. If you study His life and teachings with an open heart
and mind, I believe you will reach the same conclusion that I and many
others have reached: Jesus is the Greatest Person Who has ever lived on this
earth. And although it cost His life, Jesus offers the greatest gifts to
all who will accept them on His terms: the abundant life now and eternal
life to come.
Here is how we accept His offer, according to the ones that Jesus
commissioned to share the Good News: God will save and give eternal life to
those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from
their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans
10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of
sins (Acts 2:38). God will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue
to follow His Word (1 John 1:7-9).
Mr. Brady (and anyone else reading this article), I believe abundant life
and eternal life are found in Jesus. Please see for yourself. I believe
you'll find something greater than winning 7 Super Bowls.
-- David A. Sargent
* Information gleaned from "Transcript: Tom Brady, Part 3" from 60 Minutes,
www.cbsnews.com.
Saturday, February 27, 2021
Dr. Richard Selzer
It Still Works
Dr. Richard Selzer wrote about a report that he gave after a surgery he
performed on a young lady had left a lasting blemish:
I stand by the bed where a young woman lies, her face postoperative, her
mouth twisted in palsy, clownish. A tiny twig of the facial nerve, the one
to the muscles of her mouth, has been severed. She will be thus from now
on. The surgeon had followed with religious fervor the curve of her flesh;
I promise you that. Nevertheless, to remove the tumor in her cheek, I had
to cut the little nerve. Her young husband is in the room. He stands on
the opposite side of the bed and together they seem to dwell in the evening
lamplight, isolated from me, private. Who are they, I ask myself, he and
this wry mouth I have made, who gaze at and touch each other so generously,
greedily?
The young woman speaks. "Will my mouth always be like this?" she asks.
"Yes," I say, "it will. It is because the nerve was cut."
She nods and is silent. But the young man smiles. "I like it," he says,
"It is kind of cute." All at once I know who he is. I understand and I
lower my gaze. One is not bold in an encounter with greatness. Unmindful,
he bends to kiss her crooked mouth and I am so close I can see how he twists
his own lips to accommodate to hers, to show her that their kiss still
works. *
Our sins have marred the image of our souls. We have "missed the mark" in
many ways (Romans 3:23) leaving scars that glaringly reveal our mistakes.
But when Jesus looks at us, His gaze is one of love. He loves us anyway,
scars and all. He came to us and died on the cross for our sins so that we
may be made whole in His sight (1 Peter 2:24). Despite the mistakes of our
past and our future, His grace still works. He has never stopped loving us,
and He never will.
Accept His offer of love, grace, and life. Place your faith and trust in
Him (Acts 16:30-31), turn from your sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31),
confess His sweet and glorious name (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized
(immersed) into Christ and He will cleanse your soul (Acts 2:38; 22:16).
Then continue to follow Him faithfully, and He will continue to cleanse you
from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:7-9).
Marred by sin, we come face to face with Jesus. Though it cost Him His life
to pay for our sins, He looks at us with love and mercy, longing for us to
accept His offer of salvation and eternal life.
"Bring Christ your broken life, So marred by sin; He will create anew, Make
whole again.
Your empty, wasted years, He will restore, And your iniquities Remember no
more."
-- T.O. Chisholm
And when we accept His offer, we realize that we have encountered God - a
loving, gracious God.
-- David A. Sargent
* Richard Selzer, M.D., Mortal Lessons: Notes on the Art of Surgery, 1978,
pp. 45-6 as quoted in www.sermonillustrations.com.
Dr. Richard Selzer wrote about a report that he gave after a surgery he
performed on a young lady had left a lasting blemish:
I stand by the bed where a young woman lies, her face postoperative, her
mouth twisted in palsy, clownish. A tiny twig of the facial nerve, the one
to the muscles of her mouth, has been severed. She will be thus from now
on. The surgeon had followed with religious fervor the curve of her flesh;
I promise you that. Nevertheless, to remove the tumor in her cheek, I had
to cut the little nerve. Her young husband is in the room. He stands on
the opposite side of the bed and together they seem to dwell in the evening
lamplight, isolated from me, private. Who are they, I ask myself, he and
this wry mouth I have made, who gaze at and touch each other so generously,
greedily?
The young woman speaks. "Will my mouth always be like this?" she asks.
"Yes," I say, "it will. It is because the nerve was cut."
She nods and is silent. But the young man smiles. "I like it," he says,
"It is kind of cute." All at once I know who he is. I understand and I
lower my gaze. One is not bold in an encounter with greatness. Unmindful,
he bends to kiss her crooked mouth and I am so close I can see how he twists
his own lips to accommodate to hers, to show her that their kiss still
works. *
Our sins have marred the image of our souls. We have "missed the mark" in
many ways (Romans 3:23) leaving scars that glaringly reveal our mistakes.
But when Jesus looks at us, His gaze is one of love. He loves us anyway,
scars and all. He came to us and died on the cross for our sins so that we
may be made whole in His sight (1 Peter 2:24). Despite the mistakes of our
past and our future, His grace still works. He has never stopped loving us,
and He never will.
Accept His offer of love, grace, and life. Place your faith and trust in
Him (Acts 16:30-31), turn from your sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31),
confess His sweet and glorious name (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized
(immersed) into Christ and He will cleanse your soul (Acts 2:38; 22:16).
Then continue to follow Him faithfully, and He will continue to cleanse you
from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:7-9).
Marred by sin, we come face to face with Jesus. Though it cost Him His life
to pay for our sins, He looks at us with love and mercy, longing for us to
accept His offer of salvation and eternal life.
"Bring Christ your broken life, So marred by sin; He will create anew, Make
whole again.
Your empty, wasted years, He will restore, And your iniquities Remember no
more."
-- T.O. Chisholm
And when we accept His offer, we realize that we have encountered God - a
loving, gracious God.
-- David A. Sargent
* Richard Selzer, M.D., Mortal Lessons: Notes on the Art of Surgery, 1978,
pp. 45-6 as quoted in www.sermonillustrations.com.
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
The historian Xenophon
Observe Him
The historian Xenophon states, that when Cyrus had taken captives including a young prince of Armenia with his young and beautiful wife, they were brought before the tribunal of Cyrus to receive their sentence. The warrior inquired of the prince what he would give to be reinstated in his kingdom. The prince replied that he valued his crown and his liberty at a very low rate, but that if the noble conqueror would restore his beloved wife to her former dignity and possessions, he would willingly pay his life for the purchase. The prisoners were dismissed, to enjoy their freedom and former honors; and each was lavish in praises of the conqueror.
“And you,” said the prince, addressing his wife, “what did you think of Cyrus?”
“I did not observe him,” she replied.
“Not observe him!” exclaimed her husband, “upon whom, then, was your attention fixed?”
“Upon that dear and generous man,” she replied, “who declared his readiness to purchase my liberty at the expense of his life.” *
May I direct your attention to the One who gave His life for you so that you can be saved from your sins and look forward to eternal life in heaven?
His name is Jesus. He is the Son of God. He is the One that died on the cross for your sins and for mine. He died for us so that we might live. He took upon Himself the punishment for our sins so that we can be saved. Peter reminded some “suffering saints” of what Christ has done for them: “He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24).
God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” – Hebrews 12:2-3 NIV
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace”
-- Helen H. Lemmel
Won’t YOU turn your eyes upon Jesus, accept His offer of salvation, and follow Him all the way to heaven?
-- David A. Sargent
* Source: Practical Bible Illustrations From Yesterday And Today, Richard A. Steele, Jr. and Evelyn Stoner as quoted in www.ministry127.com. Verified in “History of Iran: Cyropaedia of Xenophon; The Life of Cyrus the Great. Book 3, Section 1, as quoted in www.iranchamber.com.
David A. Sargent, Minister
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Shonda Lemon United States Postal Service
A Caring Carrier
Shonda Lemon has worked as a mail carrier for the United States Postal
Service for eight years in the city of Chicago. While delivering mail to
individuals, she has built a relationship with many of the recipients,
especially some senior citizens who live alone. 89-year-old Helen Iwanski
is one of those senior citizens that Lemon has befriended. In the last four
years, the two have exchanged short, friendly conversations. Lemon has
tried to make it easier for Iwanski to handle her bundle of mail more easily
by wrapping a rubber band around it.
But for three days in a row last month, Iwanski had not picked up her mail.
Lemon was very concerned.
Lemon told Fox Television Stations' Stephanie Weaver that she knew Iwanski
lived alone, didn't have children, and hadn't traveled anywhere in years, so
she called the police to do a wellness check on January 14.
Police found Iwanski on the floor in her home. She had fallen and had been
lying there for several days.
When a police officer told Lemon that Iwanski had fallen but was alive, she
broke into tears. "I began to cry, because it was a rejoicing moment for
me, knowing that I had assisted her in [saving] her life," Lemon explained.
"And, ya know, it was just the pain and thought of what she may have been
going through for those three days on the floor."
Iwanski was admitted to a local hospital and is currently regaining her
strength at a rehab facility. She is incredibly thankful for her caring
mail carrier.
"My Aunt [Helen Iwanski] sends her love and appreciation to Shonda for being
there for her. She said she will be forever grateful for Shonda caring
enough to call the police," said Mary Mason, Iwanski's niece.
Each of us has "fallen" because of our sins. We are helpless and cannot
save ourselves.
But God loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son to rescue us
(John 3:16). Jesus had to give His life for us to pay the price for our
redemption from sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). He "gave Himself for our sins to
rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and
Father, to Whom be glory forever and ever. Amen" (Galatians 1:4-5 NIV).
Jesus cared enough to carry the burden of our sins upon Himself (1 Peter
2:24), to save us.
If we will only accept His offer of salvation, He will cleanse us from sin
and give us eternal life (Ephesians 1:7).
God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust
in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts
17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will
continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His
Word (1 John 1:7-9).
You have fallen, but Somebody has noticed and Somebody cares. The God who
created you wants to save you from sin. He sent His Son to rescue you.
Won't YOU accept His offer by trusting and obeying Him today?
-- David A. Sargent
* Information gleaned from "Chicago USPS mail carrier helped rescue
89-year-old woman who fell and couldn't get up" by Lucas Manfredi,
www.foxnews.com.
Shonda Lemon has worked as a mail carrier for the United States Postal
Service for eight years in the city of Chicago. While delivering mail to
individuals, she has built a relationship with many of the recipients,
especially some senior citizens who live alone. 89-year-old Helen Iwanski
is one of those senior citizens that Lemon has befriended. In the last four
years, the two have exchanged short, friendly conversations. Lemon has
tried to make it easier for Iwanski to handle her bundle of mail more easily
by wrapping a rubber band around it.
But for three days in a row last month, Iwanski had not picked up her mail.
Lemon was very concerned.
Lemon told Fox Television Stations' Stephanie Weaver that she knew Iwanski
lived alone, didn't have children, and hadn't traveled anywhere in years, so
she called the police to do a wellness check on January 14.
Police found Iwanski on the floor in her home. She had fallen and had been
lying there for several days.
When a police officer told Lemon that Iwanski had fallen but was alive, she
broke into tears. "I began to cry, because it was a rejoicing moment for
me, knowing that I had assisted her in [saving] her life," Lemon explained.
"And, ya know, it was just the pain and thought of what she may have been
going through for those three days on the floor."
Iwanski was admitted to a local hospital and is currently regaining her
strength at a rehab facility. She is incredibly thankful for her caring
mail carrier.
"My Aunt [Helen Iwanski] sends her love and appreciation to Shonda for being
there for her. She said she will be forever grateful for Shonda caring
enough to call the police," said Mary Mason, Iwanski's niece.
Each of us has "fallen" because of our sins. We are helpless and cannot
save ourselves.
But God loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son to rescue us
(John 3:16). Jesus had to give His life for us to pay the price for our
redemption from sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). He "gave Himself for our sins to
rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and
Father, to Whom be glory forever and ever. Amen" (Galatians 1:4-5 NIV).
Jesus cared enough to carry the burden of our sins upon Himself (1 Peter
2:24), to save us.
If we will only accept His offer of salvation, He will cleanse us from sin
and give us eternal life (Ephesians 1:7).
God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust
in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts
17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will
continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His
Word (1 John 1:7-9).
You have fallen, but Somebody has noticed and Somebody cares. The God who
created you wants to save you from sin. He sent His Son to rescue you.
Won't YOU accept His offer by trusting and obeying Him today?
-- David A. Sargent
* Information gleaned from "Chicago USPS mail carrier helped rescue
89-year-old woman who fell and couldn't get up" by Lucas Manfredi,
www.foxnews.com.
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Mark 12:37
"The Common People Heard Him Gladly"
When Jesus taught in the temple "the common people heard Him gladly" (Mark 12:37).
The gospel of Christ is God's power to save all who believe (Romans 1:16), but those most receptive to His message have always been commoners. Jesus even gave thanks to God, saying "that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes" (Matthew 11:25). Salvation is not reserved for the college educated, for captains of industry, or the crowned heads of Europe. The word of God is most appealing to those who prefer simplicity. Paul remarked, "not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called" (1 Corinthians 11:26).
That common people could hear Him gladly indicates the Lord spoke to them in a way that was simple to comprehend. He didn't dumb it down for them, but neither did he speak over their heads. The message is meant to be understood, which is why God commanded the prophet Habakkuk to "Write the vision and make it plain" (Habakkuk 2:2). When the people of Judah returned from captivity and restored proper worship, Ezra's assistants "read distinctly from the book, in the law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading" (Nehemiah 8:8). Sound doctrine doesn't impress the audience with the preacher's eloquence (1 Cor. 2:1-5); it just communicates God's word in a straightforward fashion. When this is accomplished, common people will gladly hear it.
- by Bryan Matthew Dockens
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