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Don't
Just Hope
A
few years ago a man was waiting for a friend at the
airport in
Portland
,
Oregon
.
As he was straining to locate his friend among
the passengers leaving the plane, he noticed a man
coming toward him carrying two light bags. He watched
as the man stopped to greet his family.
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!"
His son smiled somewhat shyly, averted his eyes and
replied softly, "Me, too, Dad!"
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!
How long have you two been married?"
"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!"
David A.
Sargent, Minister
Church of Christ at Creekwood
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama 36695
Adapted from Oz Sermon
Illustrations -- http://www.ozsermonillustrations.com/frames/choices,_decisions_frameset.htm
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