435. Savior, Yes. How About “Lord”?

“I was reading in Luke’s gospel this morning,” Stan began, “and I read something Jesus said that just about knocked me off of my chair.”

“Wow,” I responded, “what was that all about?”

“Luke records,” Stan replied, “that Jesus asked a question that He continues to ask me through the indwelling Holy Spirit.  It was and it continues to be a jolting question.”

Shifting the conversation a bit, Stan then said, “When I accepted the finished work of Jesus on the cross and was granted the assurance of spending eternity with God when it is time, I clearly accepted Jesus as my Savior and Redeemer.”

“Sounds about right,” I responded.

“Then,” Stan said, “came and comes the harder part of making Jesus the Lord of my life.  The Savior and Redeemer part was easy because God did all of the heavy lifting.  All I had to do was accept as a free gift what God had already accomplished.”

“However,” he continued, “once my eternal destination was settled for when it is time for me to step into eternity, then came the part of choosing Jesus to be Lord of my life on this side of eternity.  Oh, it is easy for me to address Him as ‘Lord’, but the Holy Spirit continually asks me if that is true.  Have I really made Jesus Lord?”

“What do you do if the answer is ‘No’?

“Confess, repent, and do what Jesus said in order to be His disciple.  Deny self, take up what He has for me to take up, regardless of the cost, and follow Him wherever He chooses to lead.”

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And why do you call me, “Lord, Lord,” and do not do what I say?  Luke 6:46.

Prayer:  Thank you, Father, that you sent your only begotten Son to be my Savior and Redeemer.  Thank you for those who brought me to the truth of salvation so that I can look forward to spending eternity with you when it is time.  I confess that too often I do not go beyond accepting Jesus as Savior and Redeemer, that I merely call Him “Lord,” without truly making Him Lord of every aspect of my life.  Please forgive me.  And please help me in following your lead in making Him Lord in fact, not just calling Him “Lord” as a name.  Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in His name.  Amen.

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Things to think (and journal) about:

1. What is your biggest take-away from this devotional?

2.    What does what you read say about God and about us as His people?

3.    What is God saying to you to do personally?

4.    Who can you share this with to make a difference?

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Comments, questions, suggestions, and the like can be addressed to The Storyteller at: waiting4thetrain@gmail.com.