Rely On The Right One

​TITLE: Rely On The Right One
DATE:  August 2, 2019
TEXT – 1 Timothy 1: 12-15- ESV -:  I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
If you’re going to succeed, you need to look to the right person for help.
Case #1 – Joe Posnanski is a first rate sports writer. When he shared his intention to write a biography of a sports legend, the publishers went crazy providing offers for the anticipated literary blockbuster. Eventually Joe ended up with a $750,000 advance for his upcoming work.
The first printing, scheduled to come out on Father’s Day, was to have a run of 75,000 copies.
Oh, the title of the book. It was: The Grand Experiment: The Life and Meaning of Joe Paterno.
Unfortunately, just when the author signed his contract for the book, the Harrisburg Patriot did an expose on Jerry Sandusky, one of Paterno’s coaching team. It seems Sandusky had been molesting boys, Paterno knew  and had actually tried to cover things up.
End result: Paterno was fired, disgraced, and his biography died a slow death.
No, if you’re going to succeed, you need to look to the right person for help:
CASE #2 - .25-year old Floridian, Jaelyn Alexander was an entrepreneur.
By that I mean he made at least part of his wages going up to a car which had been started by its owner. Then he would forcefully remove the driver. His business would conclude with Jaelyn taking the car to a chop shop where it would be broken down and sold for parts.
Last month Jaelyn had a bad time of it. Oh, the day began good enough. He spotted the car he wanted and was sure the driver wouldn’t put up a fuss. According to plan he opened the door, slid in, and reached down to shift the automatic transmission. It wasn’t there. That’s  because this car had a manual transmission... and Jaelyn didn’t know how to drive a manual.
Realizing he had looked to the wrong person for help, Jaelyn bailed out and found another vehicle. Unfortunately for him, by that time the  police had arrived and he went to jail.

No, if you’re going to succeed, you need to look to the right person for help.

Which leads me to ask, “If you wanted to get to heaven, Who would be the person Who could provide the most help? There are a great many candidates. Over the centuries the nations of the world have filled pantheons with a plethora of gods. Or you could look within yourself. Is it possible you’ve done enough good things to balance out the bad?

My personal recommendation is to look to the Christ. True Man and true God, Jesus came to earth and dedicated His life doing for us that which we could not do for ourselves.  The Commandments He kept for you; the world’s temptations He turned down for you; your sins, He carries, and He died the death which should have been yours. His 3rd day resurrection from the dead is proof that He is One we need to look to for help getting to heaven. 

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, grant that I may always rely upon the world’s only Savior, Jesus Christ. May others who are still searching be brought to our Redeemer and Lord. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

The devotion for today was inspired by various recent news articles. For further reading you may wish to go to this address: https://rare.us/rare-animals/florida-man-fights-alligator-dog/ and the article written by . Rob Fox, July 19, 2019 4:50 pm
See also: https://themillions.com/2012/10/timing-is-everything-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly.html
The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html