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Let's Celebrate
Devotional for Sunday, September 17, 2000 by Jim Taylor
My wife and I love Mexican food, and one of the local restaurants routinely places discount coupons in the newspaper. Out of habit, I keep one of these coupons in my car, just in case the sudden urge to "eat Mexican" comes upon us.As I was cleaning my car the other day, I noticed that the expiration date on the coupon had already passed, so I started to throw the coupon away, but as I began to fold it up, the news article on the opposite side caught my attention. It was only a partial news item (the coupon was quite a bit smaller than the article), but the first paragraph of the article told the whole story. It went like this:
"The artist formerly known as an unpronounceable symbol is holding a week-long party to celebrate his switch back to the name Prince."
I just couldn't believe it. He was holding a celebration for the mere changing of his name, and a week-long celebration at that. What a publicity stunt! What a poor excuse for throwing a party!
And then I began to wonder: Shouldn't we hold a celebration when someone takes the name "Christian?" When someone accepts Christ as their personal Saviour, shouldn't we throw a party and celebrate? When a sinner repents and turns their life over to Jesus Christ, shouldn't we be prepared for an eternal celebration?
Acts 4:10,12 - It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you completely healed. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. (NIV)
Luke 15:10 - In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. (NIV)
Prayer: Our heavenly Father, thank You for the sacrificial gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. We proudly take His name upon us, and we look forward to the eternal celebration that has been prepared for us. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Jim Taylor <taylor0742@peoplepc.com>
Rocky Mount, North Carolina, USA
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Today's Music:
Are You Washed In The Blood?.