Monday Morning Munch No. 8 - Redemption is Here

My mind and heart are completely fixed in prayer for the salvation of souls. I am beyond ready for God to pour out His Spirit and save multitudes;

my True Beauty girls,

my family, 

our church members who sit in the pews week after week and know the truth but choose to reject it, 

my classmates, 

my teachers, 

the basketball team,

the lady in Kroger, 

the tiny African baby and her parents who are dying of HIV/AIDS, 

the young men at church, 

the old men who are too proud to ask for help from anyone, especially God...

The list goes on. 

I don't even know all of them, but these people have my heart. I desire so desperately for them to experience the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ. The One, completely God as if not man and completely man as if not God, who left heaven to come down to us. He didn't make us go to Him, He came to us, meeting us in our sin and pain and mockery of a life and offering the hope of redemption. 

Redemption (Greek word lutrosis from lutroo = to release on receipt of a ransom. Lutroo is derived from the root verb luo = to loosen that which is bound, freeing those in prison, release from prison, opening of what is closed, destroying of foundations, putting off of fetters) describes a ransoming, a liberation, or a deliverance (in the New Testament, especially from the penalty and power of sin).  [From Precept Austin]

I'm writing this because I know the person reading this has been changed by the Lord also has a heart for lost souls perishing every minute without hope. Sometimes it can be frustrating, daunting and downright exhausting pouring into hungry and not-so-hungry souls day in and day out, but don't lose heart! 

"Never must we cease to pray until they cease to breathe. No case is hopeless while Jesus lives." -Charles Spurgeon 

Praise the Lord. We are not responsible to save, but we are responsible to speak His Word.

Go. Tell. Minister. Serve. Love. Forgive. Support. Share. Speak. He is worthy.


Dear holy Father,

Thank You for Your love. Thank You for redemption. I pray You continue that work and redeem the nations, draw them to Yourself and show them the love they've only dreamed of. I pray for the people on the above list, save them, God. Open their eyes and reveal Truth to them. Show them mercy, Lord, for they don't know what they're doing as they fool about with frivolous and mundane things while the hope of glory waits expectantly. Don't let them die in their sin, Lord. Redeem them with the blood of You Son- our ransom. 

For my brothers and sisters this week, Father, encourage their spirits, uplift their faces and turn them to see Your face. Refresh their hearts and revive their hope. Help us to share Your Word and our very lives with others this week. May our countenance scream Your glory so that the nations may be glad and sing for joy, so everyone around us may know of the hope that lies within us. Help us to not waste our lives living for anything less than what You died for. 

Father, receive the glory. May the Lamb of God receive the reward of His suffering.

 

Jesus is dessert

Yesterday a group of us from Murray were on our way home from a conference in Chattanooga when we stopped to eat lunch at Applebees.

One of the girls, Tai, ordered a brownie and ice cream concoction for dessert. She took one bite of the hot, fudge-y mess and declared, "This tastes like heaven!"

The rest of us at the table smiled and agreed it looked amazing. She pushed the plate toward me and said, "Take a bite! Everyone, take a bite- it's SO GOOD!"

This is how we are supposed to be with Jesus.

We've tasted and seen that He is good (Psalm 34:8) and, if we're living in submission and joyful obedience, people can see a relationship with Him looks good. But just like Tai knew our understanding of how good the brownie was wouldn't be full until we tasted it for ourself, we know the nonbelievers' joy won't be full until they experience Jesus for themselves.

After sharing this revelation with the girls in the car ride back one said she treated Jesus more like a vegetable no one likes.

"I treat Jesus like He's a lima bean," she said. "I'll tell people, 'I know this is good for you, but I know you don't like it so you don't have to eat it if you don't want to.'"

Wow. Far too often I treat Jesus like a lima bean instead of what He is- the greatest dessert ever offered to man. He is delicious and yet healthy- we need Him for survival and yet He offers us pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11). It's a win-win our worldly-driven minds can't conceive.

How often do I plead with sinners to come to Christ and taste the greatest dessert available?

"What are we here for, to have a good time with Christians or to save sinners?"  -Malla Moe

"Some wish to live within the sound of a chapel bell, I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of Hell."  - C.T. Studd 

I want to be known as a begger of souls. Will you join me?