Bible Says http://e-gracenotes.org GraceNotes offers Short Devotions that speak to the heart en-us Copyright 2010, e-gracenotes.org info@e-gracenotes.org (e-gracenotes.org) gracelines@e-gracenotes.org (e-gracenotes.org) News RSSGenerator by SimpleUpdates.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://e-gracenotes.org/images/rss-by-simpleupdates.com.gif Bible Says http://e-gracenotes.org Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:01:14 EDT The Bride is Coming! http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=1399 You could hear a pin drop. All heads were turned toward the back of the church. At the end of the long, long aisle stood 4-year-old Tommy, dressed in a tuxedo, bell in hand. The Bible Says Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT info@e-gracenotes.org (Dixie Dee Reed) http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=1399
Photo:Allison Bond
You could hear a pin drop. All heads were turned toward the back of the church. At the end of the long, long aisle stood 4-year-old Tommy, dressed in a tuxedo, bell in hand. His determined facial expression showed the importance of the job he had to do. As the cords of the huge pipe organ died down, Tommy began his walk down the aisle. The ringing of the bell accompanied his shouted announcement, “The bride is coming. The bride is coming.” At least that’s how it was supposed to go.

Rehearsal went perfectly, but when faced with the church filled to overflowing with expectant guests, Tommy lost his voice. His bell worked, though, and the ringing announced the beautiful bride.

Her face was radiant and the groom could barely contain his joy at seeing her walking toward him, knowing that in a short time she would be his wife. They’d waited a long time for this moment.

Weddings are organized to revolve around the bride’s appearance. The wedding party marches in ahead of her and turns expectantly toward the back door. As she walks down the aisle, those in attendance turn as she passes. Her father presents her to the groom and they proceed toward the altar. All eyes follow them.

The phrase, “The bride is coming,” brings tears to my eyes and not just because Tommy was supposed to say them and my sweet friend Becki was the bride. I’m touched because those words have a special significance to followers of Jesus.

Bridegroom in Heaven 

There’s a Bridegroom in Heaven waiting to announce "the bride is coming." Jesus is waiting for just the right time to meet his chosen people, his bride, and spend eternity with her. Talk about anticipation. He’s been planning for this event for thousands of years. He’s been waiting for his bride to adorn herself in fine linens. Sometimes, like the 10 virgins in the parable, we get drowsy and stop getting ready but our Bridegroom is patient to a point.

How can we feel insignificant when we realize there’s a wedding feast being prepared and a Bridegroom waiting for us. Even though Shawn and Becki’s wedding was fantastic, it’s nothing compared to when Jesus meets his bride. Can you imagine hearing shouts of heavenly beings announcing, “The Bride is Coming, The Bride is Coming,” and realizing it’s about us?

“Let us rejoice and shout for joy [exulting and triumphant]! Let us celebrate and ascribe to Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb [at last] has come, and His bride has prepared herself" (Revelation 19:7).

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By Dee Reed. Copyright © 2010 by GraceNotes. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines. Scripture taken from the Amplified Bible.]]> Heaven's Radio Waves http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=3779 When I was a boy I loved to play with my neighbor friends. Sometimes, after school, we would get so preoccupied with a game of basketball or baseball that I would not hear my mother calling me for supper. When I finally showed up, it was... The Bible Says Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:39:43 EDT info@e-gracenotes.org (Curtis Rittenour) http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=3779
Photo: Dreamstime
When I was a boy I loved to play with my neighbor friends. Sometimes, after school, we would get so preoccupied with a game of basketball or baseball that I would not hear my mother calling me for supper. When I finally showed up, it was gone! I usually complained that “Nobody told me it was time for supper!” But I had been told. I just wasn’t tuned in.

God calls to us all the time. Some people say, “No, God doesn’t call to me! I’ve never heard the Lord speaking to me.” Yet, like my mother’s voice, we can be so preoccupied with other things that we don’t realize God is close by. That’s what happened to Jacob when he ran away from home. He felt alone and distant from God when he lay down to sleep one night, using a stone for a pillow. That night, God gave him a dream of a ladder which extended from heaven down to earth on which angels were going up and down.

The Bible says, “When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it." He was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven" (Genesis 28:16, 17).

Invisible Signals

One way to understand how close God is to us is by looking at a radio signals. There are thousands of radio waves surrounding you at this very moment. Unless you are tuned into any of them, they will pass you by unnoticed. Without a receiver to zero in on a certain frequency, you cannot hear or see these invisible signals. Yet, these unseen waves are there.

Several years ago I wanted to be an amateur radio operator. I studied hard to pass the tests that would allow me to go on the air. Until I had my license, I could only listen. During this time, a friend loaned me an old tube receiver so I could at least begin to “listen”. One afternoon I strung a simple, single wire antennae across the roof of my house. Then I climbed down the ladder and ran excitedly into the house and hooked up the wires to the receiver. I still remember the thrill of warming up the old tube radio and hearing voices of people from around the world!

Like Jacob, when we turn our antennae’s (our hearts) toward heaven, we may say, “Surely God is in this place and I was not aware of it.” God wanted to speak to Jacob. He was running and not listening. God wants to speak to you. It would be good for you to stop and listen to the Lord. A very important way to “tune” your radio to God is through Bible study and prayer. Take time every day to listen to God talk to you. The Lord loves you and wants to let you know.

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By Curtis Rittenour. Copyright © 2010 by GraceNotes. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines. Scripture taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®.
]]> Choosing Contentment http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=385 As I peruse the pages of the newest Pottery Barn catalogue, I dog-ear the corners to mark items that catch my eye. The Bible Says Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EDT info@e-gracenotes.org (Lauren Schwarz) http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=385
Photo: Taina M.
As I peruse the pages of the newest Pottery Barn catalogue, I dog-ear the corners to mark items that catch my eye. Leather ottomans, expansive office groupings, bookshelves designed for my enormous book collection—bits and pieces of a life I can’t afford to lead.

I’ve learned to look without guilt and admire without coveting. I know I have school loans to repay and a savings account that could use a boost of spare change. I would rather live comfortably, albeit less luxuriously, for the peace of mind that comes with living within my means. I have found contentment with my life and my possessions, no matter what society or T.V. commercials may tell me I am lacking. Still, no matter how content I think I am, it’s sometimes hard not to wish for a few extra dollars to throw away on the newest trend.

Contentment is in short supply in today’s world. Credit card debt is at an all-time high, plastic surgery is the new splurge and record numbers of people rate their happiness level at lower than 50%.

Lucifer was the first malcontent. Not satisfied to be second best, he used his power to create tension and unhappiness among the other angels. Eventually, Lucifer’s inability to be happy with his high-ranking—but less than first—position got him kicked out of heaven.

Trouble In Paradise

Stirring up trouble in paradise wasn’t enough for Lucifer. His next target was the happiness of Adam and Eve. Even though the pair could eat from any tree in the garden except one, Lucifer cunningly convinced Eve that single forbidden tree was the only one she wanted to taste from. Again, discontentment took hold and cost Adam and Eve their heaven-like home—and cost forever the human race’s ability to commune directly with God.

In Philippians 4:12-13, Paul addresses and expresses contentment despite his exiled status. “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Paul had the assurance that Christ would strengthen his resolve to be content regardless of his position and would see him through any situation. We often hear this verse in conjunction with trials and tribulation, a promise of God’s love and help through hard times. But Paul is speaking not about God seeing him through his suffering, but about God helping him attain and retain contentment.

Being content is to reject the idea that more is better; that other people are happier than we are; that we could lead better lives if only we owned a boat or had a different nose. Contentment doesn’t hinge on having certain possessions or living a particular lifestyle, it is a conscious choice to be happy with what we have and accept the gifts we’ve been given. And with the grace of God and a promise of a perfect forever, what should keep us from being content?

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By Lauren Schwarz. Copyright © 2010 by GraceNotes. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines. Scripture taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®.]]> Celestial Insomnia http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=452 Chronic insomnia? Are you one of the millions of people who won’t sleep tonight? The Bible Says Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EDT info@e-gracenotes.org (Kathy A. Lewis) http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=452
Photo: Allison Choppick
Chronic insomnia? Are you one of the millions of people who won’t sleep tonight? Those questions recently caught my attention in a magazine mailer. The advertisement went on to invite readers who answered “YES” to participate in a clinical research study.

All of us have experienced the frustration of wrestling the bed sheets from dusk till dawn unable to get any shut eye. For most of us, however, this is an occasional occurrence rather than the norm. When it does crop up, the outcome is usually a tendency to drop off to sleep later on that day at some inopportune moment – dozing through a boring committee meeting, or perhaps a monotonous college lecture.

While going through my initial program of clinical pastoral education, one of my fellow classmates in-training consistently slept through our daily “group sessions.” Now, you might wonder, “How on earth could he get away with that?” But with an instructor who was blind, it was not that difficult! I often wondered if the student was sleep deprived, or just found it easier to “check out.”

Under trying circumstances it’s hard to stay engaged, isn’t it? Even Jesus’ disciples couldn’t seem to stay awake with Him when He agonized in the garden of Gethsemene prior to His crucifixion. According to the gospel of Luke (22:45) the disciples were sleeping because of their sorrow.

God Is Always Awake

But I’m happy to tell you that God is always awake. No encounter with us is too long, or boring to warrant a busy signal. No request is so trying or draining as to produce sleep. In fact, in the Psalms (121:3-4) we learn that the God who watches over us does not slumber or sleep!

Imagine that! The Lord is a hopeless insomniac! Not! But our every request receives the attention and consideration of a God who is always engaged and desires the best for us. Of course, like any wise parent, our Creator doesn’t always give us what we want. Yet, God delights to shower on us that which will be for our best good. And, it’s comforting to know that the Almighty doesn’t even take “cat naps.”

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By Kathy A Lewis. Copyright © 2010 by GraceNotes. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines. Scripture taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®.]]> Organized Church http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=3709 Studies are showing that more and more Christians are falling away from being members of organized churches. The reason? Primarily, they feel that Christianity is no place for giving and receiving positions of rank and that following Christ... The Bible Says Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EDT info@e-gracenotes.org (Gwen Simmons) http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=3709


Photo: Ron Sumners
Studies are showing that more and more Christians are are deciding not to be members of organized churches. The reason? Primarily, they feel that Christianity is no place for giving and receiving positions of rank and that following Christ should be an individual journey without the constraints of doctrinal guidelines.

While these concerns can be supported by examples of mismanagement in church organizations, there is also evidence of the effectiveness of church organization. For example, when a disaster strikes such as the one in Haiti, church organizations have funds already in place to send immediately. And while the most effective way to witness about Christ to others is through a one on one relationship, the church also provides ministries of health, Bible study, prayer groups, and even financial seminars for member and the public that individuals don't have the resources to provide.

So, to me, the real question is this: How can I be a member of a church organization and still retain my individuality as a personal follower of Christ?

Here are some suggestions. 
  • Remember that while I am a member of my church, I am first a member of the body of Christ as a whole. As such, I have the responsibility and privilege of surrendering my life to Jesus every day and not just on the day I attend church. When I give my life to Christ, my life becomes a ministry, and my primary source of power is the blood of Jesus. My church is there to nurture my spiritual growth through Bible study, prayer, and fellowship, which are all valuable to my growth. But the bottom line is that my spiritual journey is about Jesus and me.

  • Embrace the assets of the organized church. I need to recharge often, and listening to sermons and exposing myself to the perceptions of other like believers can give me a spiritual boost. It is valuable to be encouraged by views that I agree with, and it is likewise helpful for me to be challenged in my thinking by views that I may not have had on my own. I can also benefit from programs that my church provides, which may include Christian musical artists, speakers, and even recreational activities.

  • Prayerfully acknowledge the weaknesses of my church. The key word here is prayerfully. There is no sin in recognizing that a church organization has some weak areas. There may even be some situations that are unquestionably wrong. If that is the case, as a member of the church and as a member of the Body of Christ, I need to prayerfully take my concerns to the appropriate person or group and discuss it, all the while asking God for “meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13). It's just as critical here to recognize what places are inappropriate for discussion, in order to keep the concern in perspective and to avoid any opportunity for gossip.

  • Keep my own Bible and prayer time alive! I cannot expect to be valuable to anyone inside or outside of my church if I am not first infused with the power of the Holy Spirit in my own daily existence. Like anyone else, I can drift from a daily devotional time. And, like anyone else, I can soon sense a lack of spiritual strength and productivity. This affects me and my church.
While the organized church may not be perfect (since it happens to be operated by people who are not perfect), the mission of the church is directed by One who is perfect. Still, the organized church is made of individuals. Individuals who were each created in God's image and who carry with them personal spiritual gifts and talents that must be used for their intended purpose. While Christ is the head of the church, it will only be successful when it's members are seeing to their personal relationship with Jesus. As the hymn says, "The church has one foundation. It's Jesus Christ, our Lord."

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By Gwen Scott Simmons. Copyright © 2010 by GraceNotes. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines. Scripture taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION © 1982.

]]> Signs of the Times http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=600 Night flights aren't much fun. About all you can see is darkness for much of the trip. A lot of the passengers are sleeping, or at least resting, so you cannot visit. The Bible Says Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:30:26 EDT info@e-gracenotes.org (Bob DuBose) http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=600
Photo: Aaron Murphy
Night flights aren't much fun. About all you can see is darkness for much of the trip. A lot of the passengers are sleeping, or at least resting, so you cannot visit. At least you have time to think or read.

I’ve thought a lot about how the times we live in are like night flights. Especially when your plane near its destination. You start seeing lights. Just a few at first. Then a few more. Then suddenly, they're everywhere and you know you’re almost home.

The Bible throws light on the times we live in. It says that when you see certain things happening, these are signs of the times. You can know that you’re getting close to the end. Today we have profound evidence that earth's time is almost up.   

Take a look at this Bible prediction. It says there will be “on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear…of those things which are coming on the earth” (Luke 21:25, 26, NKJV). Just look at what’s happening in the political world and in nature. How many wars, hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, and other disasters do we need to experience to know that time is running out for our planet?

The Bible also predicts signs in the social world. “…in the last days…people will love only themselves and money. They will be proud, stuck-up, rude, and disobedient to parents…Their words will be cruel, and they will have no self-control or pity” (2 Timothy 3:2, 3, CEV).

Another sign of our times is forecast in the field of labor and economics. “You keep on storing up wealth in these last days. You refuse to pay the people who worked…and now their unpaid wages are shouting out against you” (James 5:3, 4, CEV). Sound like the evening news.

Where Are We Headed?

These are just a few of the many signs foretold in the Bible to take place in our day. Thinking people everywhere are asking, “What do all these things mean?” “What is our world headed for?”

The Bible says, “So, when you see these things happening, you know that God’s kingdom will soon be here” (Luke 21:31, CEV).

While no one knows the day or the hour when Christ will come again, we can know that it’s near. And let’s remember these words of Jesus: “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things…and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36, NKJV).

Just watch for the lights. They are signs that tell you your journey is almost over. And if Jesus is your Pilot, you can be sure of a safe landing!

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By Bob DuBose. Copyright © 2010 by GraceNotes. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines. Scripture taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION © 1982 and the CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH VERSION ®.]]> Written in Our Hearts http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=911 Psalm 40:8 tells us, “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.” The Bible Says Thu, 12 Aug 2010 08:16:39 EDT info@e-gracenotes.org (Melissa Ringstaff) http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=911
 
Photo: Sanja Gjenero
Psalm 40:8 tells us, “I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart.”

As followers of Christ we look to His example for how to live our lives. Christ was a commandment keeper, thus as men and women seeking God’s will for our own lives, we too, should write His law within our hearts. (Hebrews 8:10).

We have all fallen short of the glory of God and understand that we are sinners. How merciful our loving Savior is that despite all of our weakness, He offers His own strength that we might be strong. Being a faithful Christian is not about being who the world would have you to be. It is about being the person God would have you to be. It is about seeking out His perfect will everyday. 

Beautiful Assurance

The Bible tells us that “the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” (Psalm 19:7). Isn’t that what we all want? A conversion of the soul? For our lives to be holy and pure and righteous? If we do our best to follow His commandments, we can trust that God is faithful to keep His promise when He says, “I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth,” (Isaiah 58:14). Isn’t that a beautiful assurance?

Keeping God’s commandments is a heart issue – no one can justify their salvation by works. God knows a sincere heart when He sees one. It is not always easy to do the right thing. Christ never said it would be easy. We can be certain that Christ will give us the courage, the strength and the wisdom we need if we only keep our eyes on Him. Let’s listen to Jesus as He whispers, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

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By Melissa Ringstaff, Director of www.virtuouswoman.org. Copyright © 2010 by GraceNotes. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines. Scripture taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION © 1982.]]> Horticulture Lessons http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=3771 Recently, I was showing Monica, a friend of mine, how to deadhead flowers. As we stood on the patio off my city apartment, she found it interesting to discover that by pinching off the spent blooms of my hanging baskets, that the plant... The Bible Says Mon, 09 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EDT info@e-gracenotes.org (Betty Kossick) http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=3771
Photo: Studiomill
Recently, I was showing Monica, a friend of mine, how to deadhead flowers. As we stood on the patio off my city apartment, she found it interesting to discover that by pinching off the spent blooms of my hanging baskets, that the plant would produce larger and more abundant flowers. “I never knew that. No wonder your plants are so beautiful,” she exclaimed, “and it’s so easy and simple.”

“Yes, it is,” I answered. However, I told her that pruning can sometimes seem a painful thing to do because frequently the plant needs more than a cursory pruning of the spent blooms but a more compete pruning. Often, a plant grows too full and it needs to be cut away to allow more sunlight to get to its middle, otherwise its health may suffer. Other times, pruning is necessary to shape a plant for a more attractive appearance. The fanciest shaping being topiary, where a plant resembles an animal or object. That pruning is not for the plant’s health but for a special kind of beauty. Topiary is an art unto itself.

Timing is also important. Pruning performed at the wrong time can stifle a plants growth, making it spindly or may even kill it. As gardeners, we must show mercy and love to our plants, only pruning for the right reasons.

Pruning

I am so glad that Jesus loves me enough to prune me when I need it. When unpleasant occurrences happen, I wonder, sometimes through tears, “Why did God allow that?” I usually learn quickly that it was to prune me, so that I can blossom better. He wants me to be a beautiful bloom in His garden. I am aware that God loves me and wants only my best, so even though it’s painful I appreciate His pruning. Thus, even when I face adversity, I realize that it is a form of pruning for me, and I always come out of it a better plant to bloom in my little corner of the world.

However, in the end all flowers die. Only in heaven and the earth-made-new will there be eternal-blooming flowers. As it reads in Isaiah 40:8, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stand forever." Withering grasses and falling petals are the way of a sinful world. Yet even if I never saw a flower again, the fact that God’s word stands forever is good enough for me.

Heaven promises us foreverness of all that is beautiful. Another friend, Barbie, tells me that she is looking forward to that. She earned a degree in horticulture and she knows her stuff, so flowers that never fade will be a very special treat for her. I look forward to those eternal blooms. How about you?

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By Betty Kossick. Copyright © 2010 by GraceNotes. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines. Scripture taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®.]]> Any Leftovers? http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=453 So Jesus flunks a catering test. Actually this isn’t a bad score; after feeding something like ten thousand people on that Judean hillside, a few leftover baskets of food isn’t a substantial overage. The Bible Says Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EDT info@e-gracenotes.org (David Smith) http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=453
Photo: Tracy Scott-Murray
"...(The people) all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish"(Mark 6:42,43).

So Jesus flunks a catering test. Actually this isn’t a bad score; after feeding something like ten thousand people on that Judean hillside, a few leftover baskets of food isn’t a substantial overage. But why would an all-knowing Jesus miss the mark at all?

In the first book of the Bible, Genesis, Jesus as Creator is a master of precision. Science’s “anthropic principle” suggests that our planet has the perfect size and mass, the exact necessary distance from the sun and other worlds. But when it comes to personal gifts to his human race, he goes over budget every time.

Rational Miracles

Jesus and his disciple pals showed up at a wedding feast in Cana—one of those events which likely lasted several days. Right at the end, they ran out of wine. Just a few more bottles of Martinelli’s probably would have gotten the festivities to the finish line. What does Jesus do? He miraculously fills six large stone jars; Bible experts think He may have conjured up to ninety gallons of the best wine anyone ever tasted. People were probably drinking the leftovers and remembering Jesus’ generous providence for two months after that.

Why these over-the-top, budget-breaking displays of caring? It’s a wonderful truth that our redeemer and friend Jesus simply will not UNDERspend—and lose us.

Stephen Ambrose, in his towering WWII bestseller, D-Day, observes: “War is waste. Men and equipment – and generals – are expendable so long as their destruction or death contributes to the ultimate goal of victory. Hundreds of young men and boys, trained at enormous expense, were killed [on June 6, 1944], many – perhaps most – of them before they could fire one shot. Equipment losses were staggering. Hundreds of tanks, trucks, self-propelled artillery, jeeps, and landing craft of all types went to the bottom or were destroyed on the beach by German artillery. Thousands of radios, rifles, machine guns, ammunition boxes, K and D rations, BARs [Browning automatic rifles], bazookas, flamethrowers, gas masks, hand grenades, and other materiél were destroyed, abandoned, or sunk.”

The Allied forces flooded Omaha Beach with a vast “overage” of firepower; they overcame the tragic waste factor with raw guts and a sheer extravagance of weaponry. Why? The world itself hung in the balance; the dark shadow of Nazism simply had to be defeated—and right then. There could be no tomorrow.

Radical Spending

World War II statistics may seem a bit vintage and black-and-white in their ability to still inspire us. But when I consider a heavenly Father’s lavish overspending on the returning prodigal son—the hugs, the ring, the new shoes, the rich family robe, the fatted calf—well, that’s me in the story. That’s me with the 90 gallons of Martinelli’s.

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By David Smith. Copyright © 2010 by GraceNotes. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines. Scripture taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®.]]> Jonah's Surprise http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=147 When Carolyn Kelly heard a car splash into a pond at the Glen Retirement Village in Shreveport, LA, she didn’t stop to think. The Bible Says Mon, 02 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EDT info@e-gracenotes.org (Lauren Schwarz) http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=147
Photo: Hemera
When Carolyn Kelly heard a car splash into a pond at the Glen Retirement Village in Shreveport, La., she didn’t stop to think. Stripping off her clothes and jumping into the pond, Kelly swam to the rescue of 83-year-old Nina Hutchinson while Hutchinson’s husband, Harlem, 90, dog-paddled to shore.

The Carnegie Hero Fund, a program recognizing human courage under extreme conditions, honored Kelly for her rescue efforts.

Kelly, 82, is the oldest woman to have been honored in the program’s 99-year history.

While Shreveport officials called Kelly’s actions “absolutely incredible,” Kelley maintains that she simply did what needed to be done. “When you are there and that is happening, you either have to do it or live with your conscience forever,” Kelly said. “We were the only people there, and it had to be so.”

Unlike Kelly’s selfless and saving attitude, Jonah overflowed with anger and bitterness when it was time for him to jump in and bail out souls drowning in sin. After reluctantly diving into Nineveh to warn the residents of God’s wrath, Jonah was upset over God’s choice to save the repentant townspeople. God tried to teach Jonah a lesson, but Jonah couldn’t see the irony in his own actions—he was filled with pity over the death of a plant while commanding God to destroy the people Jonah had threatened and God had created and forgiven. Jonah was bitter that God would renege on the promise to give the Ninevites what they deserved rather than rejoicing over the lives that had been saved.

Jonah's surprise

What Jonah failed to understand is that God is in the business of giving people what they don’t deserve—forgiveness, salvation, joy and life.

God continuously and unabashedly grants unworthy humans grace, love and mercy. In John 3:16, one of the best-known Bible verses, we see God’s willingness to send His own Son to jump in after a drowning world as proof of our Creator’s everlasting mercy and goodness.

God enjoys lavishing forgiveness on sinners. In fact, 1 John 1:4 reminds us that, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to clean us up from all unrighteousness.”

As Christians, saved by grace and entrusted with the responsibility of sharing the love of Christ, we are uniquely able to focus on God’s gift of forgiveness and enduring compassion as we seek to fully understand our Maker’s ultimate plan for our lives.

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By Lauren Schwarz. Copyright © 2010 by GraceNotes. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines. Scripture taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®.]]>