Passage of the Day:
Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. 5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.”[a] 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’”[b] (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’”[c] (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”[d] that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”[e] 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved,” Romans 10:1-13.
Reflection:
When I first heard the gospel message presented by Skip Wilkins, the emphasis was on asking Jesus to come into my heart. Since most of the audience at the Valley Forge Music Fair that night were high school students, I wasn’t asked to make Jesus the Lord of my life. I wasn’t ready for this kind of commitment anyway. Subsequently, I developed a personal relationship with Jesus as my friend and Savior. This was all I knew until I entered college.
Prayerful Action:
The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” 29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household,” Acts 16:27-31.
Retracing Your Steps:
I was in the basement of a building at James Madison University. I thought the winter retreat that I attended was over until one of the leaders provided a small room for what was deemed an open mic. Apparently, this was a time for college students to share what God did in their life and taught them. The chair I was sitting in felt like it was on fire so after there was a slight pause on who would get up next to share, I ran to the podium and began taking. I don’t remember exactly what I said, but I wanted to let everyone know that I had decided to make Jesus the Lord of my life.
Song of the Day:
Whenever anyone makes the decision to make Jesus the Lord of their life, you will experience Carrie Underwood moments where you take the wheel back from Jesus. Human nature and temptation lurk around every corner encouraging you to head back to the broad road, Matthew 7:13-15. Resist this urge by holding on to Jesus.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 