Cool Devotions

The New Hottness

published Jun 20, 2006 12:00

http://www.633main.com/dev249.htm A friend of mine gave a testimony in church that blew me away. For me, his testimony was the sermon, and they could have given the benediction immediately following. I asked if I could share it, so enjoy: Years ago he battled with an addiction, but has since given his life back to Jesus. He went back to school, graduated (on the dean's list) with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, and got a job at the University of Cincinnati. However, his mind was set on another job at the university that would further his career aspirations. But then the phone calls began.... Someone left a voicemail for his advisor saying, "Let me tell you something about the person you intend to write a recommendation for." After being startled and completely shocked, his advisor called him into his office and played the message in front of him. After playing the message his advisor said, "I don't care what you did in the past, this will have no bearing on my recommendation for that job!" Next his favorite professor received a phone call explaining the person they had been honoring was nothing of the sort. They told him of his past in great detail, and the professor wanted to see my friend immediately. But, not to cut off friendship, only to let him know someone was trying to ruin him, and their relationship would not be affected. Finally, his boss could not be left out. He too received a phone call explaining just how bad my friend was. But like the others, his boss explained that call will have no bearing on whether or not my friend would get the job. And a couple of weeks later, he got it! Where I'm from when people drive wrecked cars we describe them as "old and busted-up." But the latest and brand new cars are called "The New Hottness." When my friend repented of his sins, and gave his life to Christ, he traded in his "old, busted-up" life of addiction for "The New Hottness" in Jesus Christ. "He [became] a new creature: old things [were] passed away; behold, [he] became new." Satan's strategy is to remind us of our past and make us think that we are so dirty God couldn't possibly take us back. But I must remind you, this is what the cross is all about. The shedding of Jesus' righteous blood for the sin of all humanity cleanses us of all our sins and reinstates us as children of God, heirs to His throne! When we confess our sins and live for Christ, we are blameless, and considered sinless. Today, if you have not given your life to Christ, lets send up a prayer together and live a new life in Christ. If you have given your life to Christ, rededicate your life to God. Like my friend, lets trade in our "old, busted-up" lives for "The New Hottness" in Jesus Christ. -Eric Lusain, Cincinnati, OH