WATCHWORD:
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Romans 10:9-10
Meditation:
I’m Saved! Hallelujah!
Read, again, the passage above. Then repeat after me — God said it. I believe it. I declare it. Therefore, I am Saved… I am a Child of God… I am an Heir to the Prince of Peace… I have a home in Eternity… I shall never die… I have the Joy of God in my heart… I am Brother/Sister to my Lord… I am His.
How did that make you feel? For me, each time I declare that Jesus is Lord, I feel freed, like a load has just disappeared from my life. Oh, I know, I have all the obligations that were there before, but none of the fear and worry. I told you, I’m Saved!
BibleRef.com tells us that Romans 10:9-10 are two of the great salvation-related verses in the entire Bible. Paul has just concluded quoting from Deuteronomy 30:11-14 where God says to Israel that His command, His Word for them is not hidden or far away, it is already on their lips and in their hearts. Here in the Old Testament, written 600 years before the birth of the flesh and blood Jesus, is one of the places where Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah, is revealed.
Paul writes that instead of seeking to become righteous by following the law, they confess with their mouths that Jesus is Lord. The Word of Faith is Christ. Read this passage from Deuteronomy, and note verse 14. It is here that Jesus the Christ is proclaimed. He is The Word.
11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 14 No, The Word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. (Deuteronomy 30:1-14)
What is The Word? I declare that Jesus is Lord of my life. As we proclaim it, He is there. Trust that. Believe that. Rest assured in that, for it is True. Amen.
Bulletin Board:
Book alert #3: “…we think that Middle of Nowhere is a real place. It is an interesting and magical place…this is a model, so that, when we get to Middle of Nowhere, we will know we are there!” (Excerpt from Middle of Nowhere, a novel by Stan Escott, coming soon. Watch this space.)
Prayer to Ask Jesus into Your Heart:
“Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sins. Please forgive me. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and my life to you. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. I surrender my whole life to you and I will follow you only for the rest of my life. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”