The last devotional I want to share with you is one you might not expect. In Day 28 called “Nets,” the authors begin the conversation talking about how often Jesus talked about hell. They say, “…He actually talked about it a lot. Yep, that’s right. Jesus (thought by some to just be a nice guy who spoke of pleasant things) talked about hell, which, according to Him, specifically includes unquenchable fire (Mark 9:43), outer darkness (Matthew 8:12), fear and torment (Matthew 10:28), anguish and grief (Matthew 25:29-30), and unspeakable regret (Luke 16:19-31). While the subject isn’t an enjoyable one, it’s really important because if we don’t spend time thinking about what Jesus came to save us from, we may spend even less time thinking about – and accomplishing – what He saved us for.” (pp125-126) You see, we are not saved, then are to wait until Heaven to truly live. We are saved from sin, self and death so we can live for God, displaying His Character more and more as we humbly grow in His Love and Grace. And why? So we can be nets to gather others to God too.
It is way above our pay grade to figure out who is going to Heaven and who is not. Ours is just to gratefully, faithfully and joyfully obey God as we love Him with all we’ve got and love our neighbor as we love ourselves. If we will focus on fulfilling those two greatest commandments everything else in our lives will fall into place. And even for this we are still in desperate need of God’s help! We are never to try to sort what our nets haul in. That’s not our job. Listen to what these authors say: “Instead, we’re supposed to spend our days telling others what God has done for us in the hope that they too will believe and be saved. That’s the gig. We are nets that gather because, like our Savior, we want to see His creation rescued and restored; to see every kind of person be welcomed into the kingdom of heaven by the God who made and loves them.” (p127) Working with God to snatch some out of the eternal fire. What an honor and privilege!
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
April: Living the Resurrected Life: “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” by Dr Charles Stanley
May: My Spiritual Mom: “Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits” by Joyce Meyer
June: Spiritual Dad: “It’s Not About Me- Rescue from the Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy” by Max Lucado
July: Financial Freedom “Complete Guide to Money” by Dave Ramsey
August: Summer’s Soul Restorer “A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23” by W Phillip Keller
September: Covering Our Children: “Prayers for the Prodigals” by James Banks
October: Reformation of Our Hearts: “Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine” by Max Lucado
November: So Thankful To Be Chosen: “The Chosen 40 Days with Jesus Book One, Book Two & Book Three” by Amanda Jenkins, Kristen Hendricks and Dallas Jenkins
<>< Peace, Diane
