Devotion by Barbara Baker
Good morning! Today our Lord is blessing us in Hebrews 9:27-28:
And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”
Hebrews 9:27-28
Last night I had a vivid dream that really stayed with me. In the dream, my sister was crocheting a huge number of baby gifts. I learned to crochet as a child, but now my arthritic hands just can’t do it. My sweet sister learned the skill late in life, so with no arthritis she makes baby blankets, sofa throws and precious gifts for all of our family. In the dream, there were rows and rows of gifts displayed individually as if each was set in an orderly fashion for someone different.
When I awoke at 3:00 am, I talked to Papa God about the unlikelihood that there will be more babies in our family… at least not anytime soon. He quickly responded, “The presents are for the new babes in My family. Many are coming to the saving grace of Jesus Christ!” I am blessed to be granted such an encouraging dream!
Yesterday I received a prayer request from the family of a man who is near death, now nonverbal, but refusing to hear about Jesus and His plan for salvation. We’re praying fervently that in this man’s last hours he chooses to say “Yes, Jesus!” As our verses today tell us, there will be a judgment and (praise God!). Jesus is coming again! He will take “those who eagerly wait for Him” home to eternity.
It’s harvest time, dear friends. As the birth pangs of time press hard into our daily lives, let’s make sure that anyone who will listen has heard the Gospel and knows that Jesus died on the Cross for their sins. His precious Blood washed away all inequities and we will wear robes of white linen at the Lamb’s supper table. If sharing the Gospel doesn’t come easy, just start with John 3:16:
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
Holy Spirit will fill in the gaps with what else needs to be said. The Sinner’s Prayer doesn’t have to be certain words, it just needs to be confession of sin and acceptance of our Lord. Let’s bring in the lost sheep, giving them hugs and an assurance of our Lord’s unconditional love.
Jesus loves you! Me, too!