What story have you heard lately that you can’t get out of your mind? Perhaps it’s the latest news in our political world? Or perhaps, it's the story of a loved one that had a miracle happen in their lives? Or maybe, it’s a story that has touched the very fibers of your being. Whatever story comes to your mind, there is one story that when it’s told over and over again...never loses its power.
The very first time I heard this story, I was just a small child. We were at Sunday school in a small church in Cape Coral, FL. I was sent to the Pastor’s class in order to be taught about God. It was there in that class that I heard a story that changed my life. It was about...well...it was about a God that loved me so much that He sent His Son to die for me.
Since that moment of realization, I have told and retold that story everywhere I have been privileged to preach. It is the everlasting Gospel message. That keeps and will continue to keep transforming men's, women's, boys’ and girls’ lives. When was the last time you meditated on the life of Jesus? When was the last time you spent a good hour thinking on what He sacrificed for you?
We are encouraged in a book entitled, Desire of Ages, that, "It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. As we thus dwell upon His great sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit. If we would be saved at last, we must learn the lesson of penitence and humiliation at the foot of the cross.” - DA 83.4
This week, may God help us have our confidence more constant, our love quickened, and His Spirit more deeply imbued in our lives! How? By listening, telling, re-telling the greatest story ever told...God so loved the world...He sacrificed everything for YOU!
So, until the next time. This is Pastor Tello reminding you that, thoughts do change lives!
Pastor Howard Tello