The phone rang and a small child answered it softly. “Hello,” he said barely above a whisper.

“Hello,” came the response. “Is your mother home?”

“Yes,” came the reply, “but she’s busy.”

“Well,” wondered the caller, “is your father home?”

“Yes,” he said, “but he’s busy, too.”

“Are they both busy? What are they doing?” asked the salesman.

“They’re looking for me,” he whispered.

What a picture of our Savior! He said, “I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save the lost!”

This verse comes at the end of the story of Zacchaeus. Sometimes we focus on the different facts in the story: he was very short, the son of Abraham, he was a very influential man, and he was an unpopular tax collector. None of this actually mattered to Jesus.

What did matter to Jesus, then and now, is that a person is not saved because of his family, his wealth, his influence in the community, his appearance or his previous way of life. It is only through faith in the Son of Man that the lost can be forgiven and made new.

In one verse Jesus summarized His entire mission: to seek and to save the lost. Wherever they are, whatever they have done, Jesus continues to seek the lost.

Prayer: Lord, we may have much, but You ask little except that we, in faith, accept You as our Savior. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Luke 19:10  for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

The Taj Mahal of India is one of the most costly and beautiful tombs in all of the world. It was built by an Indian ruler, using twenty thousand men, in memory of his favorite wife.

It is built of white marble and rests on an eight-sided platform of red sandstone. Each side is one hundred thirty feet long. A beautiful dome covers the center part of the building. It is famous for its remarkable acoustics and visitors entering the building are advised to be cautious of their voices and the sounds they make. It is to be a place of quiet respect.

Years ago Henrietta Mears, founder of Gospel Light Publications and one of the greatest Christian educators in the history of the church, visited the Taj Mahal and asked the guide, “May I say something?” When she was granted permission she walked on the platform and exclaimed in a moving voice, “Jesus, Christ, Son of God is Lord over all!”

Like rolls of thunder echoing in a canyon between majestic mountains her powerful voice reverberated from wall to wall and down the corridors and all inside of the tomb heard the message, “Lord over all, over all, over all, over all...”

There are times when we look at the conditions that surround us and the problems facing us when we doubt that essential fact - “Lord over all!” God had David encode that fact in Psalm 103:19b: “His kingdom rules over all.” It was then; it is now and ever will be. God rules!

Prayer: May we never doubt, Lord, that You are the one who controls all things - and trust in Your sovereignty! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 103:19 The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

A comedian was known to have a quick mind and could turn any subject into a joke. On one occasion he said to his audience, “I can make a joke on any subject. Try me!”

A gentleman stood up and shouted, “The subject is The King.”

Quickly he replied, “The King can never be a subject!”

There is a Psalm that reflects this truth. The people of Israel had an unpredictable relationship with God. There were times when He was indeed their Lord and there were times when they refused to allow Him to be their King. They wanted their own way. They wanted Him to be subject to them.

But the writer of the Psalm was different. He said, “But God is my King from long ago; He brings salvation to the earth.” He wanted God to be His Ruler - His King.

Jesus was born to be King. There were twelve whom He chose to become His disciples. And there were many who followed Him, listened to Him, believed in Him - yet never fully surrendered their hearts and lives to Him. They did not allow Him to be their King and refused to become His subjects. One day they shouted: “We will not have this Man rule over us!” And they crucified Him.

Many years ago hundreds of college students from around the world met in London before going to their mission fields. The group from Japan could not attend but sent a message that read, “Make Jesus King!”

We can change the world if Jesus is King in our lives.

Prayer: Come, Lord Jesus, and rule in our hearts. May we serve You as loyal subjects and honor Your Name forever. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 74:12 But God is my King from long ago; he brings salvation on the earth.

It was the end of our summer break and my roommate and I were returning for our final year in seminary.

After driving several miles I asked, “Fritz, why is the sun shining in our eyes when we are supposed to be going west?”

Suddenly he realized that instead of turning right at the end of our driveway, he had turned left and we were going east and not west. Realizing our mistake, we laughed at ourselves, turned the car around and headed in the right direction.

No one can travel in the wrong direction and expect to reach the right destination. A wise Psalmist once wrote, “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face to shine on us so that Your ways may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations.”

God has made His wants known through Jesus Christ, His Son who said, “I am the way!” Every person on earth is going “somewhere” but if they refuse His “where” they will end up “nowhere” and spend eternity in hell.

Some of those we know are traveling the “Religion Roadway.” They have respect for what is sacred but have not accepted God’s Son as their Savior and made Him their Lord. They are depending on “something” to get them “somewhere” in life but do not know that there is “Someone” who can save them and give them eternal life.

Everyone we know is on their way going somewhere depending on something to get them some place. But it is our responsibility to show them the right way - His way!

Prayer: Father, may we accept our responsibility as Your disciples to present the right “Way” to those who are lost. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 67:1-2 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us— so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.

A leading scientist at a convention of scientists was asked, “Is there anyone anywhere whom you know who could solve any of the problems of illness and famine, poverty and killing?”

“Indeed I do,” came his quick reply.

Astonished, the chairman of the committee asked, “Who?”

“A King!” came the quick, confident response.

In utter disbelief the chairman replied, “A king? Where can we find such a king? Where has he been hiding?”

“Oh, He is not hiding,” replied the scientist. “He has made Himself well known. It is just that people refuse to recognize Him. You see, this Man is incapable of making any mistakes, knows the power of healing - both physical healing and mental healing and He knows how to feed thousands and have food left over to feed many more. He can also take care of those without water and solve other problems that people bring to him.”

In disbelief, the chairman asked, “Who is this person you have described and where can we find him?”

“You can find Him in the Bible. He is known as Jesus. In His life on earth He did all of the things I have mentioned. And He is capable of doing many more miraculous things,” he said.

The audience was stunned as the scientist took his seat.

The Psalmist wrote, “Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of Your Kingdom.” The “throne” described in this Psalm is Christ’s throne in heaven and will last through eternity. From this throne He will rule the world in love, justice and righteousness.

Prayer: Father, we look forward to that day of days when You will rule the world with Your peace that passes all understanding. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 45:6 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.

It was the first day of geography class. The teacher was trying to get the class involved in a lively discussion. “What is the shape of the world?” she asked.

Immediately, James held up his hand and said, “My Dad says it’s in terrible shape!”And most people would seem to agree with his dad.

Years ago a Psalmist gave us a reason for the condition of the world: “The kings and rulers of the earth,” he said, “take their stand together against the Lord...and His Anointed One.”

This Psalm points to the One who was to come - the Messiah. In it we find a description of Jesus - His life, death, resurrection and future reign. This Psalm also describes the rebellion of the nations of the world and their refusal to be obedient to the Word of God. The author wanted his readers to know and understand that God would fulfill His promises of peace and hope, grace and mercy, love and salvation. God, speaking to us through this Psalm, gave us His assurance that He is the One who is in control of all things - past, present and future. He wants us to know that through His Word we can become free from the worries and cares of this world and be certain of being with Him in eternity.

“Serve the Lord with reverent fear,” said the Psalmist, and “submit to God’s royal Son...and there will be joy for all who find protection in Him.”

Prayer: Lord, we lift our hearts to You in worship and thanksgiving, knowing that Your peace will calm our fears, quiet our hearts and bless our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

It was the first day in her new position as the secretary to the president. As she was being given her first task, she wanted to appear confident and competent.

Listening carefully he said to her, “These accounts that I am giving you are very important. They are the foundation of our income. I want you to go over each of them at least three times to make sure that all of the numbers are correct before you return them to me. Your results must be right!”

Working anxiously for quite some time, she finally completed her task. She went to him and handed him the results of her efforts. As he took the papers from her hands she said, “Sir, I want you to know that I exceeded your expectations. I went over each page ten times and there are ten different answers.”

When asked the way to heaven and eternal life, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

This statement in John’s Gospel is one of the most basic and important passages in all of Scripture. If anyone anywhere wants to know the way to God and eternal life, this is the one and only answer. Jesus, with no hesitation, declared once and for all that He is the Way. Some may argue that this declaration and proclamation is too narrow. But in all reality, it is wide enough for anyone, anywhere to enter at any time.

Prayer: Thank You, Heavenly Father, for sending Your one and only Son into the world to become, if we choose, Our Savior and the Way to eternal life with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: John 14 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.(Read more...)

Little Danny was proud of his new born brother. Every now and then he would quietly and carefully approach his crib, look down at him and smile.

On one occasion his mother stood watching him from a corner in the nursery while she was folding the baby’s clothes. After a few moments Little Danny said, “Little Brother, before you get too big and forget, please remember what God looks like ‘cause I want you to tell me when you learn to talk.”

Little Danny is not the only one who wants to know what God looks like. Hidden in the heart of everyone, everywhere is the same question. It was planted there by God Himself!

John wrote that “No one has ever seen God.” If this is true, Little Danny is in serious trouble. But John also wrote that “His only Son, who is Himself God, is near to the father’s heart, and He has revealed God (literally brought Him out) to us.”

Jesus was, and still is, the complete expression of God in human form. Through His life and teachings He revealed God to us so we do, indeed, know what He looks like, acts like and actually thinks like.

And Jesus passed on that “picture” of God to His disciples, and they in turn passed it on to their disciples. So, today, as His disciples, we have the same responsibility that Jesus had: to reveal God to the world through the way we live. What a great privilege!

Prayer: Lord, You have given us a responsibility to make You known to the world. Empower us with Your Spirit to live God-like lives that makes You visible. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: John 1:18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

Janie was having lunch with her friend Margie who had just started a new job. Anxiously, she asked, “How do you like your new boss?”

“Well, he’s O.K.,” said Margie. Then continued, “He’s kind of bigoted, though.”

“What do you mean, bigoted?” she wondered.

“Well,” answered Margie, “he thinks that words can only be spelled one way.”

Being bigoted is not always wrong. Sometimes it is necessary and important, even critical. Though we often think a bigoted person is unreasonable and unwholesome, there are times when it is essential to be fanatical about some things in life.

One of those “things” is the “way to the Father.” Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me!”

Peter was also bigoted when he said, “There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them.”

There are those whom we encounter every day that refuse to accept the fact that there is only one Name and one Person who can be called upon for salvation. This one way to eternal life did not come from a church or the disciples but from Jesus Himself.

God designated His Son Jesus to be the Savior of the world. There is no one else or any other way.

Prayer: Lord, help us to realize how important it is to fully accept, believe and declare that You alone are the only way to God and eternal life. May we never waver. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: John 14:1-6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Years ago there was a king who would leave his palace and walk through the streets of his city dressed as was one of his subjects. His guards feared for his life and often would try to stop him. Said one, “You must not do it for security’s sake!”

“But,” he replied, “I can’t rule my people unless I know them and how they live.”

What a comfort to know that our God knows us and understands us from having lived a human life in and through His Son. Whatever we face He has faced and whatever path we travel He has traveled. Jesus learned life’s secrets in the school of experience and can now bring us His encouragement, strength, insight and guidance.

We often forget that Jesus gained His knowledge of life’s ways because He was here among “us.” And He is now with His Father and remembers what it is like to be lonely and rejected, abandoned and fearful, alone and afraid, weary and worn out. He understands what it means to be tempted and tried, embarrassed and rejected and even forsaken by His very own brothers.

And it is because He passed through all of these experiences that now, in Heaven, He can be touched with our infirmities, and give us His sympathy, help, hope and understanding. Remember, He has endured and survived whatever His Father brings into our lives.

Prayer: We are grateful, Father, that You know us, understand us and now intercede for us. This gives us confidence to hold on tightly and never give up. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Hebrews 4:14-16 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Mitch was afraid of being in the dark at night when the lights of his room were turned off. His father wanted to help him solve this problem. After thinking about it he decided that if he had a picture of the Lord in his room he would not be afraid of the darkness.

One Saturday morning he took Mitch to the Christian bookstore to purchase a picture of Jesus. They stood in front of the pictures of Jesus and looked at each one. None seemed to please him. Finally, in desperation, Mitch’s Dad asked, “We’ve looked at all of these pictures, Son, and you don’t want any of them. What kind of a picture of Jesus do you want?” Looking at his Dad, Mitch smiled and said, “I want a Jesus that shines in the dark.”

That’s what we all need, isn’t it? We need a Savior Who will shine His light on our paths when they are uncertain, we need Him to illuminate the roads we have not traveled before and we need His brightness to turn our darkest hours into the glory of the rising sun.

Jesus brings the presence, the protection and the power of God into our lives. He is the Light of the world and from His light comes the Truth that all mankind seeks. Without Him we live in the darkness of doubt and despair. With Him we live in the fullness of God’s love, salvation and hope.
Prayer: Lord, we need You to shine brightly when we are facing a world of temptation, trouble and tears. Be the lamp for our path and the light for our journey. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”