Love Potion 3:16

Posted on by Gary Fultz

What if you were the only one separated from God? The bible never says, “relax, you are not the only one.” The bible does say, “everyone has sinned and falls short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)

We are, you know, alone. All of us, alone. It’s an us and God problem and not God’s fault. Sin. Inherited. We sin because we were born sinners. We are considered dead before a Holy God with an eternal gulf separating us from God. We are so dead that we cannot fix our problem.

No mortal can stand beside us to help or take our place. No one.

There is nothing we can do to wash sin away. We embody sin on our side of the canyon.

No friend, parent, teacher or priest can bridge that gap for us.

No accomplishment, no brilliant strategy, no personal goodness or charisma can remove sins eternal devastation.

Then came Jesus. Fully God born into his own mortal creation. To die for our eternal death sentence. Alone.

God’s only acceptable solution. He stained our planet with His blood. The only perfect sacrifice.

He beat the death meant for us. He offers his immortal life, to you, to me, individually, to everyone… one at a time.

We bring nothing for this transaction. Alone, with nothing, we meet and acknowledge Jesus. Savior. Lord.

We begin to realize how much his love permeated all time and space. We belong to God.

If the force of love could be measured, it would have shattered the Richter scale at the cross.

Jesus Christ

Have you met Jesus? Have you dropped all your life’s crutches and baggage at the foot of the cross and asked his forgiveness from sin? The cross bridges the gap between us and God. Someday we will stand alone before a Holy God. We will either hear “I don’t know you, get out of my sight!” or “I know you, welcome to my place forever!”

Only One different eml
So, what if you were the only one? Would Christ Jesus have died for you? This love is too great to think otherwise!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation (new species…my words) has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

 Oh that we are becoming more like Christ daily. We were meant to share this off the charts love and introduce others to Jesus. Oh yes, Love potion 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son. Whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16)

Ah, but that’s only the beginning. God then wants a friendship. We can walk and talk through life and forever with him. Jesus made that clear. “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15). Gods plan all along from original sin to eternity was a restored relationship where the created can know creator. Absolutely amazing grace.

Even if I were the only one, Gods love would reach out to me. I never have to be alone. Ever since Jesus chose me and I chose him. Even when I someday stand before the most powerful Holy God. Alone. Probably trembling with realizations never understood, but not alone…My friend who knows me way more than I know HIm, and invites me home forever anyway.

Gary

A Word Worth a Thousand Pictures

Posted on by Gary Fultz
Tim on Jesus Rock email
This picture is worth a thousand-word story

Words are often cheap, thrown around casually as if in endless supply. Words often power and leverage others with only thought of a desired result. Words change another’s world. Words leave tracks. The ripples of words change the world in so many lives in their wake. Words flowing from a pure spring are clean and refreshing. Words with even a trace of dirt taint the taste for more.

I have been thinking of a word worth a thousand pictures to turn about the common phrase. I have often thought of this one word and a thousand pictures that go with major times of growth and change in my life.

Yes   

The word is yes. A word that begets yes after yes. Yes is commitment direction, direction of duty, character development direction and a thousand times thousand pictures splayed through a life of continuous yes. Yes is unusually contrary to the most common two year old response. No is a reaction word. Yes is intentional.

Think about a life of “YES” to God, a continuous “YES” to your Spouse, “YES” to your neighbor and yes the pictures are rolling in. We have stories to tell. Great stories that will be told in eternity.

Think about “Yes” to our self only. You see much different pictures. I always picture our friends George and his wife. She put his suitcase on the front porch when he came home from work and said “Choose between me and cocaine. If you choose me we flush all your drugs and you carry your suitcase inside and stay. If you choose Cocaine, take the suitcase and go.” George took the suitcase and ran. This “YES” to cocaine has been the saddest thousand pictures for me personally.

Please say a continuous “YES” to Jesus; He said “YES” for us. The pictures and stories in eternity will be better than any epic movie made by man.

GARY