SONday Devotions

Ship's Log  02.22.2015



Ahoy Mateys! I have decided to begin a new post here on RedemptionDrawsNear. It is titled SONday Devotions. Each Sunday, I am going to try to post 2 devotions from a devotional that me and MaryLu Tyndall have published. I truly pray that you are blessed by each devotion. 

SONday Devotions

Pearls From The Sea

Set a Course for That Eternal Horizon!

By MaryLu Tyndall

What is eternal life?

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23 NIV)

And this is the promise that He has promised us-eternal life (1 John 2:25 AKJ)

  Sure, we've all read these verses a million times. We believe, we've repented...we're going to heaven. It's all good! But what do you think of when you hear the words eternal life? I always pictured myself in a glorious new body (thin and in shape and gorgeous, of course!) strutting down Heaven's golden streets, hanging out with friends and family, talking with God and doing His work for ever an ever and ever. Amen! Most of us have some picture of our heavenly future in our mind, though I'm sure it will be far better than any of us can imagine.

  But did you realize Jesus Himself defined eternal life to us?

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent(John 17:3 NIV).

  The You here is Father God. So, eternal life is having a relationship with God. Pure and simple. 

  In 1John, the apostle John even calls Jesus by the name Eternal Life.

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life (1 John 5:20 NAS).

  I don't know about you, but this really struck me. Eternal life isn't a thing or a place or a span of time. It isn't achieved by saying a prayer or offering a sacrifice. Eternal life is knowing God. Like the natural sun, God is the source of all life and power, and the more time we spend with Him, the more we fully inhabit eternity.

  In times past, before modern technology, ships at sea had more difficulty navigating at night than in the daytime. If the skies were cloudy and they couldn't see the stars, they had no way to set their course. Even during the day, they needed the sun to be able to use their instruments to determine which way to go. Without the sun, they were dead in the water.

  Aren't we very much like those ships? Without a relationship with the Son, we can't find our way to eternal life. He is eternal life. Talking with Him, hanging out with Him, reading His Word, knowing Him like we know a close friend or family member-this is eternal life! We must plug into the source of life and love and power and follow His brightness to that eternal horizon.

  So what are you waiting for? Climb aboard!

All Ashore Who's Going Ashore!

By Debbie Mitchell

  Just before a ship departs, one of the ship's officers bellows a warning that all who are not sailing on the ship need to get off immediately. If they do not heed the warning, they are stuck on board. And if they do not pay the fare, they are put off at the first port. So, if they truly do not want to be on that voyage, they'd better get off in time.

  Our walk with God can be compared to traveling on a ship. Once we board His ship, we'd better make sure it's where we want to be. Otherwise, we had better get off before it sails. It would be devastating to be put out at the first port. Those who choose not to board His ship and those who are put out at first port have a rude awakening coming to them.

Then the king will say to those on his left, 'Get away from me! God has cursed you! Go into everlasting fire that was prepared for the devil and his angels!' (Matthew 25:41 GOD'S WORD Translation)

  In life, the waters can get choppy. Being on God's ship helps us to weather the storms. His ship has high railings to keep us from falling into the seas of despair. His sails carry us on the right path, and His rudder keeps us from veering in the wrong direction.

In your unfailing love you will lead the people you redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling (Exodus 15:13 NIV).

  So, do you want to sail on God's ship, or do you want to have a rude awakening?

Your choice.

"But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve....as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15 NIV).

Have a blessed SONday, Mateys!!!!