Thank You, God, for Your Rescue
“LORD my God,
I cried to You for help, and
You healed me.
LORD, You have brought up
my soul from Sheol;
You have kept me alive, that I
would not go down to the pit.”
(Psalm 30: 2-3 NASB)
Who do you know who is lost?
Who do you know who is walking alive, but dead in their sins?
Who do you know who needs to meet Jesus?
This morning, I was reminded of the twenty-seven individuals listed on my prayer list who (from all outside appearances) do not know Jesus as Lord.
This morning, I was faced with this reminder, and when I was, the question became: What will I do now that I am reminded?
So, I also wonder about fellow believers: Who are the people listed on their prayer lists who (from all outside appearances) do not know Jesus as Lord? & What will they do now that they are reminded?
The place of Sheol is a place of separation. Jesus spoke of this place when he recounted about the lost man in hell who wished for Lazarus to dip his finger in water, so that the tip of his tongue might be in less torment. The tip of his tongue!
Will a person REALLY go to Hell if he dies without Jesus?
Will a person REALLY go to heaven if he gives his heart to Jesus before his life is finished?
How much of a person goes to Hell if he remains lost to Jesus?
How much of a person goes to heaven if he gives his heart to Jesus?
How exactly does one avoid the punishment of Sheol, of Hades, of Hell?
How exactly does one receive the reward of paradise?
JESUS!
Jesus is the way!
Jesus is the truth!
Jesus is the life!
No one comes to the Father BUT through Jesus! (John 14:6 NASB)
It is the cross of Calvary that Jesus endured for us: for every man, woman, boy, and girl so that we may receive God’s grace.
Even while enduring the cross, we read within God’s Word how Jesus offered God’s grace to one of the prisoners (one who was to be executed that day for his crimes)—God’s salvation found only through Him—through JESUS!
- That man did not need to do anything but BELIEVE JESUS is the SON of GOD!
- That man could not do anything, could not “do” any good works, as he faced death, but ACCEPT JESUS’ offer of SALVATION!
- That man faced a decision that day, and he chose to CONFESS his sins & RECEIVE GOD’S GRACE!
“And He said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
(Luke 23:43 NASB)
Thank You, God, for Your Rescue.
- Jesus Christ, the only one who stands in the gap between a holy God and a sinful human!
- No one else can bridge this gap, but JESUS!
- No one can but Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Redeemer, & the Savior of the whole world!
The Apostle Paul reminded us how we are to pray, interceding for those who are lost. In the Bible, we read how there is but ONE WAY: JESUS!
“First of all, then, I urge that requests,
prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving
be made in behalf of all people, . . .
This is good and acceptable in the sight
of God our Savior,
who wants all people to be saved and to
come to the knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God, and one mediator
also between God and mankind, the man
Christ Jesus,
who gave Himself as a ransom for all,
the testimony given at the proper time.”
(1 Timothy 2: 1 & 3-6 NASB)
Twenty-seven names.
Twenty-seven people.
Twenty-seven lost souls.
“LORD, please open their eyes today.
Please lead them to see Your Son Jesus today.
Lead someone in their path, someone who believes in You.
Lead me into their path.
Let today be the day these lost ones come to know You as their Savior.
LORD, we ask that you help us open our mouths to those we will encounter today.
LORD, give us boldness & give us the right words to say.
LORD, forgive us when we were silent about Your salvation.
Forgive us when we were indifferent.
Forgive us for the sins of pleasure that fill our hearts.
Forgive us, LORD, and wash us clean.
LORD, we ask all these things, today, in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.”
“Sing praise to the LORD,
you His godly ones,
And praise the mention
of His holiness.
For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for a lifetime;
Weeping may last for the night,
But a shout of joy comes
in the morning.”
(Psalm 30: 4-5 NASB)