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March 24, 2008
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=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================
Eggstravaganza, by Phil Ware
Our church parking lot and the nearby park were full of happy children.
They came for the air castles, games, train rides, egg hunts, and lots
of good ol' family fun -- it is called Eggstravaganza. In a large,
roped-off area, eggs are basically spread all over the ground and
children, in age-appropriate groups, are given the opportunity to pick
up as many as they can. Some of the eggs are specially labeled. These
prize eggs entitle the finder to a neat prize.
The children come and claim these special prize egg gifts with great
delight. The gifts are cool! However, they never would have found the
special prize eggs if they had not searched among all the eggs. It is
only when they picked up all their eggs, and then looked at them
closely, that they could see they had found one of the special prize
eggs.
Over the last several days, I've been doing my daily Bible reading in 2
Timothy. Now I don't know about you, but I haven't had anyone, ever,
volunteer that 2 Timothy was his or her favorite book of the Bible. In
some "scholarly" circles, 2 Timothy is part of what is called "The
Pastoral Epistles" -- an often overlooked and sometimes belittled part
of the New Testament. Even among the most devoted believers, 2 Timothy
doesn't compare in popularity to Philippians or the Gospel of John.
The Scriptures are full of surprises
Using a different translation than I normally use, several passages
jumped off the page at me. Not only were they powerful messages for me,
they were also especially appropriate for this weekend. As I read them,
I remembered the excitement and joy of the children who realized they
had found the special prize eggs. I hope that you will claim your gift
found inside them and find great delight in God's good news!
He [Christ Jesus] destroyed death and showed us the way to have
life. Yes, through the good News Jesus showed us the way to have
life that cannot be destroyed (2 Timothy 1:10 b ERV). Remember
Jesus Christ. He is from the family of David. After Jesus died, he
was raised from death. This is the Good news that I tell people (2
Timothy 2:8). My life is being given as an offering for God. The
time has come for me to leave this life here. I have fought the
good fight. I have finished the race. I have served the Lord
faithfully. Now, a prize is waiting for me -- the crown that will
show I am right with God. The Lord, the judge who judges rightly,
will give it to me on that Day. Yes, he will give it to me and to
everyone else who is eagerly looking forward to his coming (2
Timothy 4:6-8).
The Scriptures are full of surprises if we are willing to look. Some of
these surprises are small. Some of them are perfectly timed for us.
Some of them are prizes of grace, just waiting to be claimed by those
who are willing to spend a little time looking!
So why not pick up the Scriptures, ask God to speak to you, and do a
little looking and listening. You might be surprised at prizes that you
can find!
---------
(c) 2008 Phil Ware <phil@heartlight.org>. All rights reserved.
RELATED LINKS:
* Heartlight Bible Reading Plans
http://www.heartlight.org/devotionals/reading_plans/
* The Hanging of Randal Batey
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200703/20070331_hanging.html
* Mountain on Your Right
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200601/20060128_mountain.html
* Southern Hills Church of Christ
http://www.southernhillschurch.org
This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200803/20080324_eggstravaganza.html
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
LOOK GREAT, FEEL GREAT: 12 KEYS TO ENJOYING A HEALTHY LIFE NOW, by Joyce Meyer
Joyce guides us to a healthier way of living, reminding us that turning
every issue over to God gives us the strength to make lasting changes.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?250
Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
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