Say So

"Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, 

Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary"

Psalm 107:2

For every person that has received the Lord's gift of redemption, who has placed their trust in Him for salvation, these words are their reality. They are the redeemed. Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, 'CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE'— " (Galatians 3:13). The redeemed of the Lord have a great testimony to share. How can we remain silent in view of so great a salvation? If you are redeemed, say so. Praise the Lord and share the good news.

No Better Friend

         "There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

Proverbs 18:24b

It's good to have earthly friends; the world would be a lonely place without them.  The truest friendship is shown in action. Talk costs us nothing, but action always has a price. Even if we show up just to listen to a friend, it costs us the time involved. Jesus counted the cost of being a friend to sinners and paid the ultimate price -- His life. He redeemed us by the shedding of His blood for the forgiveness of our sins.  He sent His Holy Spirit to live within us, to comfort us and guide us. Now Jesus stands before the Father as our intercessor and one day He will return to gather us to Himself. There can be no better friend than Jesus Christ.  The Friend who sticks even closer than a brother.

To Whom Shall We Go?

"Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life." 

John 6:68

John writes that there were followers of the Lord who turned away and left Him. Jesus asks his twelve disciples if they, too, will leave. Peter answers the Lord with great wisdom. Whom would they go to? No one else has shown them the way to eternal life. The Pharisees have only burdened them with the law, it can't save them. Jesus, on the other hand, has promised them eternal life if they will believe on Him. It is not through the law that they will be redeemed, but through Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. The same is true today. Jesus has the "words of eternal life". To whom else shall we go for salvation?

Never Forgotten

"Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;"

 Isaiah 49:16a

Along Old Fall River Road in Rocky Mountain National Park stands a trio of old aspen. Their trunks have been carved with the initials of passersby. No doubt the engravers wished to be remembered. But they will be remembered only as long as the aspens live. If the trees die, the initials and those who forged them will be forgotten. Isaiah prophesied that the Lord would inscribe the names of the redeemed on His palms, always to be remembered. How exciting to know that those of us who have accepted Christ's sacrificial death on the cross as payment for our sins and received Him as Lord, will never be forgotten. Jesus is alive, and one day when we see Him face to face, we will look upon his nail-scarred hands and see our names written there, as well as in the Book of Life.  Even now this should inspire us to fall down before our beloved Savior in worship.