Second Chance

Second Chance

1 Corinthians 15: ⁵⁶ Death gets its power to hurt from sin, and sin gets its power from the Law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

 

⁵⁸ So then, my dear friends, stand firm and steady. Keep busy always in your work for the Lord, since you know that nothing you do in the Lord's service is ever useless.

 

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Cutting the tall bushes at our first house, I couldn’t quite reach the top. I didn’t have a ladder so standing on my toes was the best option. As I reached with the hedge trimmers, my arm gave way. My natural response kicked in and I tried to steady the moving blades with my other hand, which was bare. I only needed stitches, but the finger was not cut off.

 

• I have had many close calls.
• I have had situations that I could have really been hurt.
• I have been given a second chance to do things right many times.

 

Paul gives us the Good News again. He explains that JESUS gave us the victory over a situation that seemed lost. Everyone must die was the problem presented to GOD because of the first sin. “But thanks be to GOD who gives us victory through our LORD JESUS CHRIST.”

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to stand firm because of the victory JESUS did.
• GOD wants me to remain steady even though life may throw many obstacles in my way.
• GOD wants me to keep busy in my work for the LORD, for even the smallest service is useful to HIM.

 

Sin and death cause fear. I mean, who wants punishment and who wants the pain of death? No one. BUT JESUS overcame death and released us from the sentence that wasn’t even caused by us.

 

Being born into sin doesn’t seem fair. BUT JESUS dying because of my birth seems exponentially unfair to HIM. HE took on all my sins and I no longer have to die eternally. I can have peace as HE guides me in ways to serve HIM daily.

 

Challenge

• What victory is the writer speaking about?
• Does knowing that JESUS is not out to punish you but to save you give you any relief?
• When given a second chance to do things right, what would you do differently?

What to Say

What to Say

Acts 8: ³² The place in the Scripture which he read was this:

“He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;
And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.
³³ In His humiliation His justice was taken away,
And who will declare His generation?
For His life is taken from the earth.”

³⁴ So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” ³⁵ Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. ³⁶ Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”

³⁷ Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”

And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

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Sitting in the lunchroom a friend brought strangers to our table. Our usual game time was interrupted by a question. “Does JESUS exist?” I had not encountered that question before. I could not quote any scripture because I had not read the Bible yet. I stammered over the first words but came up with my answer. “Yes! And I believe HE died for my sins and is alive?”

• There were times when I did not know much about GOD, but I knew JESUS.
• There were times when I did not read about GOD, but I knew JESUS.
• There were times when I did not have an eloquent, elaborate answer, but I knew JESUS.

The Ethiopian eunuch read from the words of the prophet Isaiah that spoke about JESUS. Philip explained who JESUS was and is. The eunuch got so excited that he requested to be baptized. Philip explained the criteria. “Believe with all your heart.” The eunuch believe in JESUS.

• GOD wants me to tell people about JESUS, the SON of GOD.
• GOD wants me to be ready to share my belief in JESUS who died for me and is no alive.
• GOD wants me to help others understand that JESUS became a human, was murdered by HIS creation and was raised from the dead.

Speaking the words of life means talking about JESUS. Philip did not give the eunuch money or rake his lawn or fix his chariot. He shared JESUS with him. GOD wants a simple message to come from me.

Believe in the LORD JESUS, who is GOD, who became a human to die for our sins, and was raised from the dead. By believing in JESUS and what HE did, you will have everlasting life. I believe in JESUS.

• What is stopping you from believing in JESUS?
• Are you more concerned with current situations than what will happen to you after you die?
• Will you believe in JESUS today?

As long as I am here

As long as I am here

John 9: Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. ² And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

³ Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. ⁴ I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. ⁵ As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

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Holding my breath, I sped into the greasy, urine laced bathroom. It was the only option. On my way out, I remembered the words of one of the leader’s at work… “Leave a place better than you found it.” I looked at the overflowing garbage and knew I could not do anything about it. Instead, I cleaned the greasy sink as I washed my hands.

• Sometimes the situations that I face are really undesirable.
• Sometimes the solution that I come up with may be small.
• Sometimes I have to do something as long as I am here.

“Why is this man blind?” JESUS disciples questioned. They were on the right track because they believed everything stemmed from a spiritual nature. “Did he sin or his parents?” JESUS guides their thinking and provided the root cause of the blindness. “So GOD can should be revealed in him.”

• GOD wants me to serve HIM while I am alive.
• GOD wants me to serve others as long as I am living.
• GOD wants me to make the place a little better as long as I am in the world.

Solving poverty, abuse, neglect, pollution, crime, racism, and sexual misconduct seem overwhelming at times. Any one of those sins could have me dedicate my entire life trying to eradicate them from humans. BUT GOD gives me a different view.

HE wants me to see each person I encounter as unique. I can confess a variety sins I have done and explain how JESUS forgave them all. I can then spread HIS hope of an eternal future that only comes from HIM. As long as I am in the world, I may as well serve the Living GOD.

• What do you do daily?
• Why has GOD left you alive?
• Will you live your life for HIM, even if it is a smile or a word of encouragement to a stranger today?