Devotionals

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A New Beginning
© 2005
by

Stephen A. Peterson


Vanessa and her mother went by the Tom Flora Photographic Studios in Shawnee, Oklahoma on a rainy April, 2004 day to look at and choose her graduation pictures. “Oh my, these pictures are terrible! Gosh, I look fat! They just don’t look like me at all,” responded Vanessa.

Her mother replied, “They look like my daughter to me. I’ve never known a camera to lie about the pictures it takes of people. In my opinion, you look absolutely beautiful in these pictures.” Vanessa’s mother’s response was not very pleasing or comforting to her.

However discomforting to us our lives are just like a roll of film. Pastor Ed Young refers to these as “Kodak Moments”. Any and everything we do is recorded by God exactly as it occurs. Despite what a person think or do there is no tricking or fooling a camera nor is there no tricking or fooling God. God knows everything we do. God sees every last one of our actions and even know each and every thought that is conjured up in our heads. Even if a person tries to touch up or hide their mistakes or misconducts, there is no covering the wool over God’s eyes. God sees it all and we will have to account for each and every act before a good and just God when we die and go before Him. This is humbling maybe even scary for some. We are exposed for just exactly who we are and not what we want God to see. And if it is to be said, no one measures up to God’s simple and uncomplicated standards.

In spite of this, the Father has a plan to remedy this paradox or problem. His Son, Jesus Christ, who came to earth, became a human to suffer and die for every human being. Jesus’ model life filled with unconditional love, mercy, compassion and a forgiving spirit provides every person with a fresh start if they will accept His free gift of grace. Have you ever tried the picture of Jesus’ model life?

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