We can't save ourselves. But Jesus can save us.

The first sentence of the story was so surprising I had to read it twice.  It went like this: "A police union in California has come under scrutiny after giving its 2020 Officer of the Year Award to a cop who didn't work a day in 2020."

Turns out that the officer was on paid leave from September 2019 to April 2021 after "higher-up in the department" according to the story in World Magazine, "accused him of spending a year investigating a simple domestic abuse case with little to show for it and bilking the city our of 42 hours of overtime pay."

Seems unbelievable, right? Who gets honored for having done nothing? Who receives an award for sitting at home and collecting a pay check.  A city council member asked the mayor why the ceremony was still scheduled, given the circumstances? The response? "(Union officials) have invited family members and ordered a cake."

When I first read the story, I had to shake my head.  How does a person get chosen for an award when it's so obvious they didn't deserve it? Then I realized that that very same thing happened to me.

I have in my office at home a golf trophy that was awarded to the first place team.  I was a member of that team.  And I didn't swing a golf club one time/

I was having back problems so playing a round of golf was out.  But my teammates urged me to ride in a cart and enjoy the spring day.  At the end of the round, our team shot the lowest score, won the tournament, and was awarded trophies.  

I was included in the picture of the winning team.  But I did nothing to earn the trophy.

Winning a trophy is one thing.  How about winning eternal life?

The Bible teaches that if a person wishes to earn eternal life they must live a perfect life.  That's harsh.  We're shut down before we get started.  But that's what God demands.  Leviticus 19:2 reads, Be holy for I the Lord am holy.

None of us have lived that life, that perfect, holy life.  Paul wrote to the Romans in 3:23, All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

No matter how hard we try, we can never do enough to win eternal life.  Our works are tainted by our sins.

We can't save ourselves.  But Jesus can save us.

Jesus - true God and true man - lived the perfect life that God demands - in our place.  Then Jesus died on the cross - paying for all our sins - in our place.  On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead.  His resurrection guarantees our redemption and a place in heaven.  All this is ours through simple faith in Jesus.

We contribute nothing to our salvation but our sins - we give them to Jesus and he gives back to us His perfect righteousness.  

Jesus takes the rap for our sins.  We do nothing but get everything - forgiveness of sins, peace with God, a place in heaven, eternal life spent in the presence of Jesus.

Romans 6:23 is a sweet Bible verse - The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I keep that golf trophy as a reminder.  As I did nothing to win it, the trophy also reminds me that I did nothing to win my salvation.  Jesus did it all and He makes you and me winners.

That's a pretty good thought to begin the day with.  God bless your day!

Coming next week - TGW!

One of the most enjoyable tasks I had each week while serving at Life in Christ was writing a weekly devotional tool called Treasuring God's Word.  Monday through Saturday the reader was given a Bible text along with a short prayer or an idea which might spark a time of prayer.

My blog averages about 100 readers each day.  In the blogosphere that's not a great number.  But if I stood in a room to speak to 100 people I'd feel pretty good about that.  So, for those of you who would like to take a few minutes out of your day to read some Scripture and then pray about what you've read, give TGW a try.  You'll find the entire week's worth of readings every Monday morning in a blog post.  I'm looking forward to sharing the readings and prayer ideas with you.  Check it out next Monday!

Good advice from a cat

One day I was in the office of the pastor who served at the congregation we attended when we lived in Illinois.  Sitting next to his desk was a brown paper bag.  I asked what was in it and he replied, "It's a collection of cards and letters I've received from members.  I look at their notes of encouragement and praise when I'm having a bad day and feeling down from criticism from some disgruntled member."

So, when I began my ministry in 1997, I began doing the same thing.  Over almost 25 years I've collected a large box full of notes, letters and pictures.  My pastor friend was right - words of appreciation and encouragement are good medicine with criticism causes thoughts of doubt to flood your mind.

One birthday card made me laugh out loud.  It is just the card this good friend would give me.  On the cover is a sleeping cat.  Open the card and you read: 

              Celebrate like a cat today.  Eat. Sleep. Ignore everyone who annoys you.

Perish those second thoughts

Have you ever had second thoughts about something or someone? Ever wish you had taken more time before you bought the new car or said "yes" when asked to go on a date, or accepting the new assignment at work? When the car breaks down or the date is a waste of time or the new assignment causes more headaches that you could have imagined, it's so easy to second guess yourself about the decision you made.

It might interest you to know that the people who received and read the letter to the Hebrews were having second thoughts.  They had converted from Judaism to Christianity.  The good news of God's love in Christ Jesus had made their hearts glad.  But their decision to embrace Christ as Savior had brought derision and scorn from those who had rejected the Lord's forgiveness and love.  They lashed out at these new Christians in both word and deed.  For the new converts, there was the possibility of facing persecution and even death for the faith.

The letter to the Hebrews was designed to help the Jewish converts deal with their doubts.  However, this is a letter from which we can all benefit.  The writer shows how Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all the promises of the prophets.  In times of persecution and struggle, whether 2000 years ago or 2 days ago, Hebrews teaches us that there is only one Lord and Savior to whom we can place our trust.  Trust in Jesus and walk with Him - there is no reason to ever look back!

A prayer for those taking Holy Communion today

"O Lord, in this wondrous Sacrament You have left us a remembrance of Your passion.  Grant that we may so receive the sacred mystery of Your body and blood that the fruits of Your redemption may continually be manifest in us; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen."

From "A Year in the New Testament," page 337

Sunday, a day of praise, thanksgiving, remembrance

Why is it important to worship God/ Jane Fryer, writing in the "Today's Light Bible," offers these thoughts: "Two families prepared to go on vacation.  One family planned their route in detail, studying the various Civil War sites they would visit.  The other family hopped in the car the morning their vacation began.  Mom gave Dad the map and asked, "What route should we take to Gettysburg?" Which family will likely get more out of the trip?

People who prepare for an experience and enter it with open eyes not only enjoy the experience more but are better able to notice and take advantage of happy coincidences that spring up along the way.

Corporate worship is like that too.  The psalmist encourages us to "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise." (Psalm 100:4)  We're always welcome in our heavenly Father's house because of Jesus and His cross.  But when the Holy Spirit prepares our hearts, when we think ahead of time about the good things for which we want to thank God, when the Lord's praise bubbles up in our hearts, then our worship in church becomes more meaningful.

Old-time evangelists used to scare people with the words, "Prepare to meet your maker!" But we, as Christ's blood-bought brothers and sisters, can rejoice as we prepare weekly to meet and worship Him.

Jane Fryer is right! Sunday is a day of praise...an opportunity to give the Lord the honor and glory that is His.  Sunday is a day of thanksgiving...offering gratitude for countless benefits and blessings we're received.  Sunday is a day of remembrance...recalling that Sunday is the day that Jesus sealed His victory and our deliverance from sin, death and the devil.  With the psalmist, let's give thanks to Him and praise HIs name.  For the Lord is good and His love endures forever! (Psalm 100:4-5)

Pastor Joke #520

A pastor and a lawyer arrived at the pearly gates.  St. Peter greeted both of them and gave them their room assignments.

"Pastor, here are the keys to one of our nicest efficiency units.  And for you, sir (the lawyer) here are the keys to our finest penthouse suite."

The pastor cried, "This is unfair.  Shouldn't I be given the better place?"

St. Peter replied, "Listen, pastors up here are a dime a dozen, but this is the first lawyer we've seen!"

My apologies to all lawyers (including my oldest daughter:-).

Have a good Friday!