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An
Outreach Publication of the Church of Christ at
Creekwood |
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Don't Just Hope A
few years ago a man was waiting for a friend at the
airport in First
he motioned to his youngest son (maybe six years old)
as he lay down his bags. They gave each other a long,
loving hug. As they separated enough to look in each
other's face, the father said, "It's so good to
see you, son. I missed you so much!" Then the man stood up, gazed in the eyes of his oldest son (maybe nine or ten) and while cupping his son's face in his hands said, "You're already quite the young man. I love you very much, Zach!" They too hugged a most loving, tender hug. While this was happening, a baby girl (perhaps one-year-old) was squirming excitedly in her mother's arms, never once taking her little eyes off the wonderful sight of her returning father. The man said, "Hi, baby girl!" as he gently took the child from her mother. He quickly kissed her face all over and then held her close to his chest while rocking her from side to side. The little girl instantly relaxed and simply laid her head on his shoulder, motionless in pure contentment. After several moments, he handed his daughter to his oldest son and declared, "I've saved the best for last," and proceeded to give his wife a long, passionate kiss. He gazed into her eyes for several seconds and then silently mouthed, "I love you so much!" They stared at each other's eyes, beaming big smiles at one another, while holding both hands. The
bystander then realized how totally engrossed he was
in the wonderful display of genuine love beside him.
He suddenly felt uncomfortable, as if he were invading
something sacred, but was amazed to hear his own voice
nervously ask, "Wow! "Been married twelve years," the man replied, without breaking his gaze from his lovely wife's face. "Well, then, how long have you been away?" the bystander asked. "Two whole days!" came the reply... TWO DAYS?? The bystander was stunned. By the intensity of the greeting, he assumed the man had been gone for at least several weeks, if not months. Almost offhandedly, hoping to end his intrusion with some semblance of grace the bystander said, "I hope MY marriage is still that passionate after twelve years!" The
man suddenly stopped smiling. He looked the bystander
straight in the eye, and with forcefulness that burned
right into his soul, said something that left the
bystander a different person. He said, "Don't
hope, friend ... DECIDE!" Consider YOUR relationship with God… Some may respond, “Well, I hope I am right with God. I hope I will go to heaven.” LISTEN: Jesus has made it possible for US to be reconciled to God through His death on the cross for our sins (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). We CAN be reconciled to Him through Christ by: believing in Him (Acts 16:30-31), repenting of sin (Acts 17:30-31), confessing Christ (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed) in His name for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will CONTINUE to cleanse us from sin as long as we CONTINUE to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7). YOU CAN BE SAVED by the grace of God, -IF- you receive that grace on His terms. The choice is yours..... "Don't
hope, friend ... DECIDE!"
Adapted from Oz Sermon Illustrations -- http://www.ozsermonillustrations.com/frames/choices,_decisions_frameset.htm To Subscribe to "Living Water" send a blank e-mail to:
HTML version: subscribe-livingwater@lyris.dundee.net Follow this link to locate the church of Christ nearest you: www.churchzip.com Archived issues of "Living Water" can be accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org
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