“Accept Christ's Caring,
Everlasting Pardon Today, Allowing Now Change Everyday! (A.C.C.E.P.T.A.N.C.E)"
By Ramesh
C.Reddy Pittsburgh Standard
February 19,
2008
Editors Note: The devotional has a background song which can be heard if you use Internet
Explorer.
"Once again Jesus went out
beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them.
As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax
collector's booth. 'Follow me,' Jesus told him, and Levi got up and
followed him." (Mark 2:13-15, NIV)
Observations/Interpretations:
After healing the paralytic, Jesus once again
went out beside the lake. It is possible this is the same lake where He
met Simon, Andrew, James & John. A large crowd comes to him and He began
to teach them. It is so cool that Jesus uses every opportunity
He has to teach them and call people to Him!
I asked myself why is it
significant that Jesus called a tax collector to follow Him!
It is significant to me because tax-collectors
in that day were really despised. I do not believe they were hated just
because they were collecting taxes but also because they were cheating
them while working for the Romans. We are not told much about Levi
except that he was in the middle of his occupation, 'collecting taxes'.
Now here comes Jesus and asks him to follow Him after teaching to the
crowds. Jesus went from calling professional fisherman to follow Him to
asking a despised tax-collector to follow Him.
If Levi was collecting taxes, it is more than
likely that he was becoming rich day by day. He was not just there to
volunteer! As much as the Jewish people were waiting for a Deliverer to
deliver them from the oppression of Rome, there were some Jews who
decided to work for the Romans to benefit their own pockets. Levi was
one of them. We can infer that he was Jewish based on his name and
because it is mentioned that he is the son of Alphaeus. Usually Jewish
people attributed a lot to the family name. He now works for the
oppressors.
It is more than likely that people avoided
tax-collectors as much as possible. Let's be honest, I do not know how
many people have a good opinion of tax-collectors these days too (the
IRS). The IRS has been under investigation many times because of some of
its members. Jesus does not despise Levi but calls to him.
Observations/Interpretations:
I asked myself what I
could learn about Jesus!
Jesus seems to be counter-cultural. Regardless
of what people think about Levi and how much he maybe despised, Jesus
values him as a person and tells him to follow him regardless of his
background. That must have meant a world to Levi to be asked to go along
with Jesus, who was a celebrity of that day.
If this were to happen today, the media would
have a field day.
The headlines could read, "Despised
tax-collector given autograph by the celebrity, Jesus."
Anyone Jesus asks to follow Him is being given
His autograph in a figurative sense.
Observations/Interpretations:
I asked myself what I
could learn about Levi!
Levi got up and followed Jesus. He
left what he was doing and went along with Jesus. This is significant
because after having an encounter with Jesus, he was willing to give up
his job that was causing pain to a lot of people. Jesus drew him in. In
a way, Jesus ran to Levi to accept him and Levi came to Jesus!
Implications:
I saw important
implications for my own life. No matter where I have been or what I have
done, when Jesus calls that is a time to celebrate. I need to put my
guilt and past behind and follow Jesus, being accepted by Jesus, for
Jesus gives us acceptance.
I ask you now dear friend,
where are you looking for acceptance?
Dear friend, human beings were made to be in a
relationship with God and each other. Sin marred that bond and corrupted
it. Yet, deep inside of every human being there is a desire for
acceptance and they look for it in different places. I guess Levi looked
to his job for acceptance even though it hurt a lot of people.
Friend, I don’t know where you go for acceptance. Many times it seems
easier to run for acceptance to
different areas that can be detrimental to our lives. Yet these areas
cannot really give us acceptance but Jesus will and can. He has given
you free will and you can run to Him! Jesus runs to you and wants to give
you new life. Yes, He does! Oh yes, He does!
I want you to know no matter whom we have been,
where we have been, what we have done, why we have done it; the Lord
does not forsake us. Jesus calls to us just as He did Levi. He wants us
to follow Him! This does not always mean dropping what we are doing and
following Jesus if it is not wrong what we are doing unless we know
that's what the Lord wants us for. Wherever we are it does mean
serving Jesus in the area we are in.
Do not ever let guilt or your past keep you from
following Jesus. If you think you are not good enough for Jesus to
accept you, you are on the right track. It is only when we realize that
we are not good enough and humble ourselves before the Lord, He is ready
to take us in. All have sinned and fallen short of
the glory of God as Scripture states. This is why Christ came.
No matter what the scars and stains of the past
are, the Lord wants you. You know how posters say: "Wanted Dead or
Alive: Reward for capture of criminal"? This is done so the prisoner can
be caught and lose his freedom.
Jesus wants you so that He can set you free and
take you on a new path of life.
"As far as the
east is from the west, He has removed our transgressions from us."
(Psalm 103:12, TLB)
Yes, He has friend! You can run to Jesus as you are and receive His
blessings and abundant life. He wants you because He loves you. No
matter what others tell you because of your actions, know that Jesus
loves you so much and He is willing to accept you! Allow Him to change
you rather than waiting until you can make all the changes before coming
to Jesus. If that were the case, it would never happen because you would
always feel down upon yourself and feel that you are not worthy for the
Lord.
The Lord has reached out to tax-collectors,
prostitutes, etc. His love has no bounds and He reaches out to you. May
you come to the point to accept Christ’s caring everlasting pardon
today, allowing now change everyday!
Will of the Human
by Ramesh C. Reddy
Human, Human, what have you done with
your free will?
What will be your life's final bill?
Will your will take you, up or down
hill?
Your mind and heart, how have you
decided to fill?
Is it by taking a high drug pill?
In the end, it will only give you a
kill!
Whether you are Jack or Jill!
Cause drugs will give your brain a bad
chill!
Is it by watching filth?
In the end, your mind will be
corruptly built!
As your conscience won't understand
innocence from guilt!
Is it by engaging in forbidden acts?
In the end, they will make you realize
the dangerous facts!
Is it by joining a street gang?
In the end, there is usually a bang!
As you are hit by a bullet's poisonous
fang!
Is it by living your life away from
God
Who wants to guide you by His staff
and rod?
In the end, with joy you cannot nod!
Cause life's bill won't still be paid
And these activities you think are fun
will give you a raid!
As your mind and heart start to fade!
Because that's not the reason, you
were made!
But there is still a way out!
If you decide to go on that route!
Jesus loves you so much, I have no
doubt!
Your problems and pain, you can give
to Him!
Even when the solutions to your
problems look slim!
And your life's future looks dim!
For Jesus paid the ultimate cost!
Upon a rugged Cross for the lost!
That in Him we may have abundant life
and not frost!
His shed Blood was for you and me!
His love and healing power is
available for you to see!
Through life's trials and
tribulations, strong you can be!
For the Holy Spirit will come to thee!
And be your life's answer Key!
When you give your life to the Savior!
In whom, you can find favor!
For He loves you so much!
There is no love as such!
He will lead you by His gentle Hand!
In this troublesome world we call
land!
In prayer, as you accept the Lord in
your heart!
And let the Lord do the final part!
Amen!
“Accept Christ's Caring,
Everlasting Pardon Today, Allowing Now Change Everyday!” (A.C.C.E.P.T.A.N.C.E)/"Where
do you look for A.C.C.E.P.T.A.N.C.E?"
Prayer:
Dear Lord, I want to thank you so much for accepting us even though we
have done so much that has dishonored you. I thank you Lord that you
love us so much and you never see us as being beyond your reach. You
reach out to us now no matter how stain filled our past has been and
want to fill us with your love and forgiveness; healing us of all our
sin and accepting us. Thank you so much Lord for running to us, putting
your arms around us, wiping the tears from our eyes, and forgiving us.
We give our lives to thee and are sorry for all our sins. Thank you that
you wipe them away and we can have a fresh start! Thank you so much
Jesus for the start you give us. We have a new beginning with you Lord
and we can live with you and follow you. I thank you for calling Levi to
follow you. Thank you for the free will you give us and we can serve
you! We acknowledge you as our Lord and Personal Savior! Please Jesus
come into our heart and make our heart your home. Thank you for living
in us and we will live for you and serve you! I thank you for hearing
us and answering us. In Your Name We Pray Jesus! Amen!
Don’t you want to accept Jesus in your life and not be a
paralytic to sin?
You can right now as you make this your prayer.
Dear Jesus, thank you for healing the paralytic
after forgiving his sins. You set him free to go home. I want to be
free. I don’t know everything about you. I still have a lot of
questions. What I do know is that you died on the cross for my sins.
When it comes to sin, I am a paralytic Oh Lord. I am infected with this
deadly disease known as sin. I am not perfect but a sinner who needs
your cleansing blood to clean me of my sin everyday. I confess to you my
sin and repent of my sin. I know you have forgiven me when you died on
the cross. I want to accept that forgiveness. Thank you for shedding
your cleansing precious blood for me. You were nailed to the cross
because of me. It is like I actually held the hammer and pounded the
nails so I could be free. Thank you for willingly dying for me Jesus.
Thank you for taking the shame and pain for me. Thank you for doing that
to set me free. I come to the cross and ask you for your healing in my
life. Thank you for the power of your Blood to redeem humanity. Thank
you for coming back to life to save us and give us Eternal Life as we
yield to you. Your blood can heal us where we are. I love you Jesus.
Even with my questions, I come to you now and
accept you into my heart. Please Jesus come into my heart and make my
heart your home. Give me a transfusion of change. Live in me Jesus and I
will live for you and serve you the rest of the days of my life. I thank
you Jesus for coming into my heart and making my heart your home. Thank
you for living in me Jesus. I acknowledge you now as my Lord and
Personal Savior. Please be the Lord and Savior of my life. Thank you for
being my Lord and Personal Savior Jesus and because of what you have
done for me when God looks at me, He now sees me covered in your blood
and His judgment passes over me. Thank you that you have heard my prayer
and answered me. Thank you for being with me Lord. Please fill me with
your Holy Spirit. Thank you Jesus I now belong to you and never need to
be alone! You will always be with me and have given me Salvation. In
Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!
Friend, if you have prayed this
prayer and meant it in your heart, you are a new creation in Christ and
all old things are passed away and everything has become new! You may
feel something or may not but don’t base it on feelings but base your
new life in Christ on the promises of our Savior who will never leave
you nor forsake you! Amen!
No matter what you feel in your heart,
know that Jesus has come in and resides with you! You are not alone! To
make your walk strong with the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him
as you would to a friend. You don’t need special words to talk to the
Lord. Spend time in His Word reading Psalms and turning them into
prayer. Next allow God to heal you and speak to you through the Gospel
of John or Gospel of
Mark before moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord
show you to which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important to be part of a body of believers to
help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible believing church that preaches
the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our
crucified and risen Lord who brings us hope, healing, and help! But
beware of churches who do believe in the Word of God completely but
there is no freedom in Christ but legalism involved.
As a
student, it is not too late to join a fellowship on campus too this
blessed New Year of 2008! May the Lord's presence and peace fill you with His
love now and forever! Amen!
Feel free to email me at
reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible,
pray with, talk about spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My
number is 412-720-4579.
"This is my
work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work
within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)
|
.Click
picture to read my dad's memoriam:
' I AM ' Series
Archives:
What kind of L.I.G.H.T do you follow? (Dec 13,
07, 10:09 a.m.)
"What kind of B.R.E.A.D do you eat?" (Dec 08,
07, 10:10 a.m.)
"Who is your S.H.E.P.H.E.R.D?"
(June 30,
06)
Gospel of Mark Archives:
Mark 1:1:
"What does the G.O.S.P.E.L mean to you?" (Jan
15, 08, 1:15 p.m.)
Mark 1:1-4: "How
seriously do you T.E.S.T.I.F.Y about prophesy?" (Jan
12, 08, 11:18 p.m.)
Mark 1:5-8:
"Who do you P.O.I.N.T to?" (Jan 16, 08,
8:48 a.m.)
Mark 1:9:
How will you take a S.T.A.N.D? (Jan 17, 08,
11:21 a.m.)
Mark 1:9-11:
"How is your loving P.R.A.I.S.E?" (Jan 18, 08,
8:53 a.m.)
Mark 1:12-13: "How
do you handle T.E.M.P.T.A.T.I.O.N?" (Jan 19,
08, 12:27 p.m.)
Mark 1:14-15:
How do you handle T.I.M.E given to you? (Jan
21, 08, 1:31 p.m.)
Mark 1:16-18:
"What kind of P.R.O.F.E.S.S.I.O.N are you in?" (Jan
26, 08, 10:22 a.m.)
Mark
1:19-20:
"Without having to P.R.O.C.R.A.S.T.I.N.A.T.E, what should you do?"
(Jan 29, 08,
10:44 a.m.)
Mark
1:20-22:
"How do you rate in the B.U.S.I.N.E.S.S of Jesus?" (Jan
30, 08, 11:29 a.m.)
Mark
1:20-22:
"Whose T.E.A.C.H.I.N.G.S do you follow?" (Jan
31, 08, 11:52 a.m.)
Mark
1:23-28:
"What C.A.P.T.I.V.I.T.Y are you facing today?" (Feb
01, 08, 10:35 a.m.)
Mark 4:3-20:
"What if Jesus talked F.O.O.T.B.A.L.L?" (Feb
02, 08, 10:35 a.m.)
Mark 1:29-31:
"Where do you need H.E.A.L.I.N.G?" (Feb 05,
08, 11:44 a.m.)
Mark 1:32-34:
"Where do you need an A.N.S.W.E.R?" (Feb 06,
08, 11:16 a.m.)
Mark 1:35-39:
"Where do you give your S.O.L.I.T.A.R.Y time to the Lord?" (Feb
07, 08, 11:41 a.m.)
Mark 1:40-42:
"Where do you need to be C.L.E.A.N?" (Feb 09,
08, 11:00 a.m.)
Mark 1:43-45:
"What do your actions C.A.U.S.E?" (Feb 11, 08,
9:23 a.m.)
MARK CHAPTER 2:
Mark 2:1-2:
"What do you do with your P.O.P.U.L.A.R.I.T.Y?" (Feb
12, 08, 9:52 a.m.)
Mark 2:2-5:
"What kind of F.R.I.E.N.D are you?" (Feb
13, 08, 11:49 a.m.)
Mark 2:5-12:
"Where does P.A.R.A.L.Y.S.I.S take hold of you?" (Feb
15, 08, 7:42 a.m.)
Mark 2:5-12:
"What are you thinking in your M.I.N.D?" (Feb
16, 08, 11:08 a.m.)
Mark 2:5-12:
"What do you represent by your A.C.T.I.O.N.S?" (Feb
18, 08, 8:23 a.m.)
|