Daily Devotional For Saturday, April 13, 2024
It’s Saturday! Hoorah! And it looks like the weather is going to be fantastic for the weekend. I hope you are able to get outside and enjoy it. For years I was a lifeguard in Texas, California and sometimes even good old North Carolina. I have been a lifeguard at pools, lakes, and oceans. To this day, when I go to the beach I cannot enjoy it because of watching children (whose parents aren’t watching them) out in the ocean. Rip currents and undertows can be very dangerous. There have been a few times I have had to go rescue someone. When you do, your adrenaline is high and your heart is pumping so fast you think it is going to come out of your chest. In addition to that, your anxiety and stress levels go up because depending on the situation, time is crucial. Most people have no idea how quickly you can drown. Therefore, rescuing someone from waters that could kill them is rewarding.
The Apostle Paul writes this in Colossians 1:13-14, “For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, (14) who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins” (NLT). The truth is Jesus Christ has rescued us from sin, hell and a life without genuine freedom. But to hear some people talk about their relationship to Christ, you get the impression they are worse off. They may say, “Well, before Christ, I was wild. I had an exciting life. Fast cars, fast dates, traveling the world, partying and then . . . I met Jesus.” What a horrible representation of the Christian life and faith. Jesus is not a party pooper. He is the party. He is the reason we celebrate life over death, heaven over hell, faith over fear, and abundant life here over a depleted life here.
The truth is an ungodly life will not bring you lasting joy, happiness, peace, fulfillment or contentment. We’ve all experienced the truth of Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (NLT). Sin kills, destroys, maligns, steals, and lies to us. We all understand the vulnerabilities of temptations and how pursuing them enslaves us, not frees us.
Christ ran to the cross to save us and free us from the hounds of sin chasing us. Read the following below by A. C. Dixons:
“A friend of mine who was quite a lover of the hunt told me the following story.
Rising early one morning, he said, "I heard the barking of a number of dogs chasing a deer. Looking at a large open field in front of me, I saw a young fawn making its way across the field and giving signs that its race was almost run. It leaped over the rails of the enclosed place and crouched within ten feet of where I stood.
A moment later two of the hounds came over, and the fawn ran in my direction and pushed its head between my legs. I lifted the little thing to my breast, and, swinging round and round, fought off the dogs. Just then I felt that all the dogs in the West could not and would not capture that fawn after its weakness had appealed to my strength. So is it when human helplessness appeals to Almighty God. I remember well when the hounds of sin were after my soul that at last I ran into the arms of Almighty God” (Source: A. C. Dixon, quoted in E. M. Bounds On Prayer by E. M. Bounds, p. 107).
Jesus Christ is the ultimate Life Guard. As we are struggling to get to Him, He is there instantaneously to pick us up in His arms and hold us dear to His chest keeping the hounds of hell and sin away from us. Whatever “waters” you find yourself drowning in today, call out to THE Life Guard — Jesus Christ. He will save you and protect you.
Questions To Consider
- Have you ever felt trapped in some kind of emotional or spiritual or psychological “rip current”? Call out to Jesus immediately.
- How are you grateful for Christ purchasing your freedom and forgiving your sins?
- Though darkness may touch you, though the hounds of hell may chase you, you are safe in the arms of Jesus. What do you need to do to let Jesus take you into His arms?
Scripture To Meditate On: Titus 3:3-6, “Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. (4) But—When God our Savior revealed His kindness and love, (5) He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. (6) He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior” (NLT).
Prayer To Pray: “Dear Jesus, I often take for granted my salvation and freedom you have given me. I am so sorry I do not thank You enough for it. I am sorry that at times You are not the first One I go to for help. I want You to be my #1 to go to for help. Thank You for loving me, saving me, freeing me, giving me a purpose and life here and eternal life with You in Heaven. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside! — Pastor Kelly