DEVOTION OF THE MONTH – FEBRUARY 2010

COME, SMELL THE RAIN

By Mike Chaffin

I stood in the desert. It was bleak and dry from the long cold winter; looked as if nothing was alive or ever would be again. But winter was starting to lift; a feeling of warmth returning in the air. This afternoon dark clouds began building on the horizon. Rain arrived the next morning and stayed for two days, drenching the dry, sandy soil until small rivers raced across the hardpan, washing away rotting vegetation and the decaying carcasses of the winter kill.
Then the sun, in all its strength, peered through the now spent clouds, burning larger and larger holes until only wisps remained to float away. In an instant, cacti budded and bloomed, shrub trees put on leaves and flowered, small clumps of sage turned from brown to green. In less than 24 hours spring had come to the desert and new life had emerged from sleep and death.

Ephesians 5:14 (NKJV) Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”

Like the desert, awakened by rain falling in springtime, the one who gives their soul to Christ receives new life. Asking Jesus for forgiveness washes away the old ways of sin and death. Immediately the light of Christ’s love burns through the darkness that clouds a sinner’s life. Instantly that love erupts in the newborn child of God bringing forth renewal, vitality and eternal life.
After the storm that brings springtime to the desert there is a peace and tranquility that allows it to resume life, once more transforming the desert into a new creation. Likewise, accepting Jesus as Savior will bring about that same type of transformation in the new believer. It is that wonderfully cleansing experience which moves you from the desert to the mountaintop, from death to new life.
If you would like to accept Christ as your Savior and let him light up your life pray this prayer, mean it in your heart and let God do His work in you. Dear Lord, I admit I am a sinner and I need you. I understand you died on the cross for my sins. Please Lord, take my sins away. Cleanse me from all the wrong that I have in my life. Make me a new creation. I give control of my life to you. Take me Lord and make me yours. I can’t do this on my own any longer. I accept you as my Savior and Lord of my life. Amen.

Contact us or a Christian you know and let them know about this decision you have just made so we can rejoice with you and welcome you. Email us at contact us with this great news. Include your phone number if you would like one of us to call. God Bless.