"Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you." Matthew 25:34
Several youngsters playing at the seashore came across an artist painting a seascape. One of the children said to the artist, "Paint us into the picture, Mister." That is the major challenge for the church of the world today: Paint us into the picture. The Christian church has a great deal to offer: peace in the midst of surrounding turmoil, a purpose when everyone else seems to be devoted to self-service, forgiveness for all the times when we are less than what we ought to be, and always another chance. It's all wrapped up in the Savior, Jesus Christ.
But most of it seems so remote, so far removed, so much like "church." Does that have anything at all to do with us? Listen: All those things begin to live and move and have real meaning when you and I are in the picture. We need peace, purpose, forgiveness, and another chance. The echo of our need has sounded in the chambers of heaven, and God has addressed an answer to our need. In His great love He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to live and die for all people. That's the message of the church in our day. You and I are to be in the picture when it comes to believing and proclaiming it.
PRAYER: Help us to see that Your love, Lord, is for us; in Jesus' name. Amen.
(Devotions from "The Abundant Life" copyright 1998, CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time e-mailing of this link to a friend. For information on other devotional material, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit CPH at www.cph.org.)
Today's Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 13-14 2 Corinthians 4
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