A Devotional by Pastor Cesar Castellanos

Today’s Bible Verse

Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.

Isaiah 45:22

The Look that Brings Salvation

We know that it is difficult for man to look at God. This is because some people’s spiritual sight has not been developed. Those whose sight is undeveloped only see attractive and fascinating things that feed their ego.

Over the course of history man has struggled to find arguments to truly discredit the Name of God. They sometimes worship logic and human knowledge; but this only leads to concepts that result in atheism. Some skeptics have embraced them as if they were the greatest truths. However, the power behind their ideas has been inspired by fallen angels. Their goal is to push man into rebellion against God, in order to separate him from God and lead him to an eternal condemnation. The effect of this type of thinking has been devastating. It has done more damage than all that has been done by World Wars. It has contaminated the generations, and removed religious and political structures. We know that behind Bin Laden, who was given the title of the Prince of Evil, there was a university professor who converted him with radical ideas. These ideas changed him into a menace to the world. Although the death of this man brought some relief to mankind, evil cannot be eradicated with violence because evil is a spirit that looks for the mind of people in order to mold them into its messengers.

There has only been One who confronted the evil prince of this world. He did not conquer him with conventional weapons. He used the same destructive weapon that Satan used – death. Regarding this, the Apostle Paul said, “Death has been swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54). The Lord Jesus said, “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him” (John 3:14-15).

When the Israelites complained in the desert they were destroyed, fiery, poisonous serpents came upon them and wreaked havoc amongst the people. Then God revealed to Moses how they could be set free from this suffering. They had to raise a serpent that was made of brass so that anyone who looked at it would be healed. This was a symbol of what Jesus was later going to do for us. A curse had touched all of mankind and Jesus became a curse when He died on the Cross. In that moment He was lifted up and anyone who looks at Him with the eyes of faith will be saved. Jesus went straight to the root of the problem, eradicating the bad spirit from our lives. This liberation can only happen for each individual independently. The Apostle Paul said, “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Colossians 2:15). By dying on the Cross, Jesus not only destroyed the evil prince of this world, but also the reign of the “terrorist” over our lives.

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul mentions what Jesus did for us. “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath” (Ephesians 2:1-3).

Something to Think About

A manuscript found in the desk of a Pastor from the last century contains a story of the conversion of Lord Jeddart. He was famous for his previous life of sin and the subsequent admiration of Christians of the day at his conversion. Some time after his conversion he went forward to take part in the Lord’s Supper. He was standing next to a lady who had her face covered with her hands and did not see him until he passed the cup to her. When she saw that Lord Jeddart was partaking of the communion with her, she was surprised and began to tremble in admiration. When Lord Jeddart noticed that, he whispered in her ear, “Madam, don’t be surprised. God’s grace is for free.” This calmed the lady. When we consider what kind of person Lord Jeddart had been, we understand the surprise she had had.

When I get to heaven, I know that I am going to have at least three surprises waiting for me there. First, I’ll see many people who I did not expect to see there. Second, lots of people who I expected to see there will be missing. The third and greatest of them all will be to find myself there. (John Newton).

Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You for the way that You redeemed me on the Cross of Calvary. Today, I can say that Your work for me was not in vain. I acknowledge that You gave Your all for me and that the entire generational curse that controlled my forefathers has been completely destroyed on the Cross. When I fix my faith and my eyes on your redemptive work, the miracle of the new birth became a reality and now I am a new person who enjoys Your peace, Your love, and Your presence. I praise You, Lord, Amen.

Declaration

Jesus, I turned my eyes to You and the miracle happened. You forgave me, saved me, freed me, and filled me with your love.

Today’s Bible Reading

• Old Testament: Zechariah 6-9; Job 41:1-11
• New Testament: John 20:24-32; Revelation 20