| Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
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| "Survival" October 13, 2017 John 10:10 - (Jesus said) "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
For most of their 45 years of marriage, Joseph and Phyliss Badame were survivalists. She was a teacher, and he was an architect, but both believed in, and prepared for, a global economic catastrophe.
Part of their preparation was trying to convince family and friends that they, too, should prepare.
It was a fruitless quest. The folks Joseph and Phyliss talked to remain unmoved and lived their lives as if nothing negative would ever occur. The laissez-faire attitude of the people closest to them was a bothersome thing. Eventually, the couple decided: "If our friends and family won't get prepared, we will make preparations for them."
Eventually, Joseph and Phyliss had shelter, water, dried food, and supplies stored to take care of 100 people for a prolonged period of time. But then Phyliss was diagnosed with cancer. Taking care of her during a prolonged illness exhausted the couple's money supply. After her death, Joseph realized there just wasn't that many people left who would join him in his shelter, and he lost interest.
This year the bank decided to foreclose on his property. That could have been the end of the story if it had not been for Victoria and Anthony Barber who were hired to provide a concession stand at the foreclosure sale. As they talked, Victoria shared how her family in Puerto Rico had lost everything. At that moment an idea was born.
Joseph thought, "If this food isn't going to help my family, why shouldn't it help someone else?" He gave the food to the Barbers who are doing all they can to get that lifesaving food to that storm- devastated country.
A great many years ago, our Heavenly Father looked at humanity, and He could see a global, spiritual catastrophe which was going to affect every sinner who would ever live. Knowing that we were unable to do anything to prepare for this disaster of damnation, He decided that He would put into force a plan which had the ability to save not just a hundred people or a million. No, God's plan was large enough, complete enough, that it could save everyone who would be brought to faith.
So that we might have life and have it to the full, the Lord made an investment.
That investment was not in time or money, like that made by Joseph and Phyliss. No, the Lord's investment called for the sacrifice of His only Son. So that we might be rescued, the Lord sent His Son into this world to live His life as one of us. For 33 years, Jesus walked among us. During those years He kept the Law, resisted temptation, and carried our sins. His work was finished as He died our death on the cross.
The promise of salvation once made to Abraham and his descendants was broadened to include all of humanity.
It was a promise which said, "God would have all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth." (See 1 Timothy 2:3-4.) It was a promise that says because of the Savior we are forgiven and can have life to the full.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, Jesus is the Way and Truth. May we follow Him and Your Word. Grant us the discernment to realize that it is only in Him that we can have forgiveness, salvation, and a full life. In Jesus' Name we ask it. Amen.
The above devotion was inspired by a number of sources, including one written by Rebecca Everett for NJ.com on September 28, 2017. Those who wish to reference that article may do so at the following link, which was fully functional at the time this devotion was written: click here. Posted September 28, 2017 at 07:47 AM | Updated October 01, 2017 at 09:01 AM
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In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
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