Kelli Haigwood, member Hermitage Baptist, Hermitage
Scripture passage: Luke 23:32-49
Growing up, we had a family Bible with pictures. It was heavy, and my parents would place it in my lap on a pillow. What a thrill it was to turn the pages. I would stare at the pictures as they told the stories. Adam and Eve, Noah and the ark, Abraham and Isaac – all these images came to life in my mind.
There was one image that broke my heart each time – the image of my precious Jesus dying on a cross. My parents shared with me the message of the cross and how to obtain salvation. I believed. As simple as that – I believed. I knew Jesus loved me and died so I could live again. I asked Him into my heart.
Why is it hard for some to believe? Sure, there are those who believe in God and His Son, but they feel salvation is not for them. Some feel they have gone too far in sin for Jesus to ever forgive.
Listen to what Luke 23:39-43 (NIV) says: “One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’
“But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’
“Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’
“Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’”
The two thieves had two different arguments. One, in anger, challenged Christ to save them if He really was the true Messiah. The other defended Christ for he knew He was innocent. Jesus was touched by that thief’s humbleness. Today the thief has been pardoned and lives in paradise.
Oh, my friend, Jesus loves you more than you will ever know. His love fills the heart and surrounds the soul. Like the thief on the cross, believe in Him. Put your trust in Him. Lay your burdens at His feet. Let Him meet your need. Allow Him to fill that void in your life. He is all you will ever need to ease your weary mind. He is patiently waiting. Believe, just believe.
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May 20, 2012
Kelli Haigwood, member
Hermitage Baptist, Hermitage
Scripture passage:
Luke 23:32-49
Growing up, we had a family Bible with pictures. It was heavy, and my parents would place it in my lap on a pillow. What a thrill it was to turn the pages. I would stare at the pictures as they told the stories. Adam and Eve, Noah and the ark, Abraham and Isaac – all these images came to life in my mind.
There was one image that broke my heart each time – the image of my precious Jesus dying on a cross. My parents shared with me the message of the cross and how to obtain salvation. I believed. As simple as that – I believed. I knew Jesus loved me and died so I could live again. I asked Him into my heart.
Why is it hard for some to believe? Sure, there are those who believe in God and His Son, but they feel salvation is not for them. Some feel they have gone too far in sin for Jesus to ever forgive.
Listen to what Luke 23:39-43 (NIV) says: “One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’
“But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’
“Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’
“Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’”
The two thieves had two different arguments. One, in anger, challenged Christ to save them if He really was the true Messiah. The other defended Christ for he knew He was innocent. Jesus was touched by that thief’s humbleness. Today the thief has been pardoned and lives in paradise.
Oh, my friend, Jesus loves you more than you will ever know. His love fills the heart and surrounds the soul. Like the thief on the cross, believe in Him. Put your trust in Him. Lay your burdens at His feet. Let Him meet your need. Allow Him to fill that void in your life. He is all you will ever need to ease your weary mind. He is patiently waiting. Believe, just believe.