“Now this is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” — John 17:3
A Marvelous Message
Social media and email are the ways most people receive their “mail” these days. But in the heyday of Elvis Presley, people received most of their communication through handwritten letters. In 1962, he was riding high when Otis Blackwell and Winfield Scott wrote the song “Return to Sender,” which Elvis made famous. It is about a young man writing a letter to a young lady, and she sends it back because she is not interested.
Even though less mail is in our mailboxes today, we still like to receive cards from friends and family, as well as special packages. The most important message we could ever receive, though, is in the Bible. When it was written, it became a long love letter for people everywhere. The Bible is a true story from the most reliable source. “Your Word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89).
Though the Scriptures were written long ago, they are designed to apply to every generation. Other things fade over time, but the Bible is eternal truth. “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God endures forever” (Isaiah 40:8).
The Bible is mainly written to communicate the plan of salvation for our souls. Jesus died on our behalf in order to provide a path for forgiveness. “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). And the Lord delights in showing grace when we humbly receive Christ as Lord and Savior.
Our Christian journey begins when we hear and understand this marvelous message from God to us, and it becomes personal. This message should not be deleted or discarded, because it is good news and gives us hope, strength to overcome challenges, and everlasting life.
Have you received the message?
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Ga.
If you would like to submit a reader devotional, please email all submissions to
devotionals@sportsspectrum.com.
