Our Ugly Chapters

Moses had blood on his hands, Abraham was a bald faced liar, Elijah was at times a coward, Jacob was a liar and a cheat, Esther kept her faith a secret, Peter was a betrayer, and Paul was a murderer.

Yet God used them all. They chose to trust God with their futures and because they did, their pasts no longer had a hold on them. God is not put off by our ugly chapters and with his help, we can soon say what Paul came to say. But one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ, Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)

God never gives up on you.

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Devotion by Max Lucado | The Almighty Jehovah | https://thealmightyJehovah.com

The Next Door Savior

In the aftermath of 9/11 a group of religious leaders was invited to come to Washington and pray with President Bush. The group was well-frocked and well-known. You might wonder if I felt out of place. The only time I wear a robe is when I step out of the shower.

But when it came my turn to meet George W. Bush, I added, “And Mr. President, I was raised in Andrews, Texas—a half-hour drive from your hometown.” He smiled that lopsided smile and let his accent drawl ever so slightly. “Why, I know your town. I’ve walked those streets. I’ve even played your golf course.” It was nice to know that the president knew my home.

How much nicer to know the same about God. Yes, he rules the universe. Yes, he has walked your streets. He’s still the next door Savior. Jesus – above all powers? You bet he is!

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Devotion by Max Lucado | The Almighty Jehovah | https://thealmightyJehovah.com

You will Never Have To

Suppose you were to stand on a stage while a film of every secret and selfish moment of your life was projected on the screen behind you. Would you not scream for the heavens to have mercy? And would you not feel just a fraction of what Christ felt on the cross? The icy displeasure of a sin-hating God.

The Bible says Christ carried all our sins in his body. See Christ on the cross? That’s a gossiper hanging there. See Jesus? Embezzler. Liar. Bigot. “Hold it, Max! Don’t you lump Christ with those evildoers.” I didn’t. He did. More than place his name in the same sentence, he placed himself in their place. And yours! With hands nailed open, he invited God, “Treat me as you would them.” And God did.

“My God my God, why did you abandon me?” Why did Jesus scream those words? Simple – so that you’ll never have to.

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