HUGGING JESUS

2 Corinthians 9:12-15
12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies
your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

All we wanted was to have our bathtub re-glazed. What we got in addition to a shiny tub was a great example of faith.

When I called Harvey to come work on our tub, I didn't know he was a Christian. But once he arrived, it didn't take long to discover that he was a bold believer--one of those rare Christians who can't help but talk about Jesus.

We got to know Harvey and we learned how God had directed him away from a couple of things we normally think of as Christian work--starting churches and doing evangelism. Instead, he resurfaces people's bathtubs to make them look nice. God has enabled him to
reach into a new home every day with his gregarious gospel message. And he clearly never stops speaking about his faith. This hardworking guy not only serves others (2 Corinthians 9:12), but his confession of Jesus and His grace is served up in abundance(v.13).

As I think about Harvey and his strong, got-to-get-the-word-out faith, one thing he said sticks out as a true demonstration of his unswerving devotion to Jesus. When he left our house after beautifying our tub, he said, "If we don't see each other again, I'll see you in heaven. I'll be the one on my knees, hugging Jesus."

What a great image of thankfulness to our Savior for what He did for us on the cross! What a clear depiction of gratefulness for the eternal life Jesus alone can give!

Someday in heaven we'll know how to praise Him flawlessly. But even now we can praise Jesus by the way we interact with others, making sure they too know about Him. Jesus deserves our most heartfelt, most passionate praise. --Dave Branon

DESTINATION POINTS

* When was the last time someone who talked with me understood how grateful I am for my salvation?
* What can I say to people to let them know how important Jesus is to me--without chasing them off by being too intense?

bottom line: A grateful heart for Jesus will overflow to others.

soul journey