Paid in Full - Karen Huffaker

He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:14 NLT

I love seeing “Paid in full” on my accounts.

As I sat at the kitchen table, trying to enjoy a quiet breakfast with my morning coffee, notifications rang that familiar sound. Statements of accounts came in on my cell phone. Whether by electronic means or old-fashioned snail mail, monthly statements will come as surely as the sun rises.

These statements give the status of my account with that business, company, or entity. Some indicate how much I owe and the date I must pay or act. Others confirm I’m up to date, along with any remaining obligations. Still others state my account has been paid in full and satisfied. Hopefully, I’m in good standing with them all. Woe to me if I’m not.

I’m glad God doesn’t send me a statement each month about my account details that lists all my failures, shortcomings, and sins. To have my sins tracked and documented and then sent to me would be unpleasant, to say the least—even horrible.

Thankfully, Jesus has paid my account in full. He has paid for all my sins–past, present, and future. Jesus covered me and my account with His blood on the cross. Once I believed and accepted Him as my Savior, my sin debt was covered and wiped away. He forgave all my sins.

I don’t owe anything more on my account. Having been saved by grace through faith in Jesus, my gift of salvation is assured. I am grateful for God’s great gift to me.

What is the greatest gift you’ve ever received?

Tweetable: What is your greatest gift? 

Karen Huffaker is a freelance Christian writer. She has taught children’s Sunday school and single mom’s Bible studies and written poetry. She is from the Deep South and loves reading Christian books, devotionals, genealogy adventures, fishing, and all things family. She is also passionate about her grandchildren’s sporting events. 

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A Heart Full of Crosses - Karen Huffaker

This is what real love is: It is not our love for God; it is God’s love for us. He sent his Son to die in our place to take away our sins. 1 John 4:10 NCV

How precious it was when a little boy named Luke walked up and gave me a Valentine he had made—one with a heart full of crosses.

I don’t usually get Valentine’s cards from my grandchildren these days—the sweet cards and crafts they made in kindergarten. They are all growing up so quickly.

But Luke gave me one. He and some of the children at church made cards and gave them to folks in my Sunday school class. My heart-shaped card was cut from clear plastic and had dozens of red, blue, and yellow painted crosses. The card was bordered in red and had a string of yarn tied at the top so I could hang it.

The heart design conveyed love, but all the other crosses painted within the heart showed the love of Jesus. And the red border reminded me of the blood Jesus shed as He hung on the cross.

I don’t have to wonder whether I’m good enough or if God loves me. His Word reminds us that He loves all people, as shown by His sacrificial love.

This special card still hangs from the light over my kitchen table, even though Valentine’s Day has long passed. I smile every time I look at it because it reminds me of God’s love, the cross of Christ, and a surprise gift from a little boy.

In what ways have you experienced God’s love?

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Karen Huffaker is a freelance Christian writer. She has taught children’s Sunday school and single mom’s Bible studies and written poetry. She is from the Deep South and loves reading Christian books, devotionals, genealogy adventures, fishing, and all things family. She is also passionate about her grandchildren’s sporting events. 

Thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. Help us spread God's encouragement through His Love Lines.

Wrong Place at the Right Time - Martin Wiles

A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. Mark 15:21 NLT

Thousands of people are at the wrong place at the wrong time every day.

As I listen to the latest news’ headlines while eating breakfast, I hear about people who were at the wrong place at the wrong time. Some are seriously injured while others are killed. A police officer is shot. A motorist is involved in a life-altering accident. Some board a plane only to have it crash or be blown up by terrorists. Others are the victims of robberies or murders. 

Apparently, Simon of Cyrene was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Minding his own business as he hobbles in from the countryside, he is accosted by Roman soldiers leading Jesus to Calvary to crucify Him. By this time, Jesus is struggling because of the persecution He has endured. Rather than fool with His inability to move faster, the soldiers enlist someone to carry the cross for Him.

But perhaps Simon wasn’t at the wrong place at the wrong time. Just maybe he was at the wrong place at the right time. Cyrene is located in modern day Libya, so it’s possible Simon was an African man coming to worship during the Passover celebration. 

Though Simon worshiped the God of the Jews, this experience likely led him to faith in Jesus Christ. By carrying the cross, he would have touched the blood of Jesus and probably Jesus Himself. Though his experience wasn’t pleasant, Simon was where he needed to be—though it may not have looked so.

God has the habit of placing me in what appears to be wrong places at the most inconvenient times.

Later, I discover these times and places are just where I need to be to learn important lessons that propel me forward in my spiritual growth. From God’s perspective, there is never a wrong place or a wrong time. He guides my steps and forms my image after His, just as the potter does the clay vessel. As with Simon, if I’m perceptive, He’ll put me exactly where I need to be. 

Don’t fear the events of the day. 

Instead, trust God to put you exactly where He needs you to experience all He has in store for you.

Prayer: Father, give us faith that You will place us exactly where we need to be during the course of our lifetimes. 

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