Monday, August 1, 2005
Marty McFly met a strange scientist with a machine that promised interesting results - the ability to go back in time. And he did. He went, as the title of the movie about it says, "Back to the Future." He had a most amazing experience getting to know his mother and his father when they were teenagers - an experience some of us might find very interesting. His dad, George McFly, was a milquetoast, bossed-around kind of guy, afraid to stand up to anybody. Marty has always known him to be that kind of a man, until he is transported back to the night that will determine the course of the rest of his Dad's life - and his Mom's. One decision - whether or not George McFly will stand up to the bully who is attacking his girlfriend - who is to become Marty's mother - is the turning point of George's life. And Marty is there to help his Dad make the right and courageous choice. It totally changes the course of George McFly's life. He steps up, defends his girl, and neutralizes the bully who wanted her. So instead of the life Marty has known with a pretty unsuccessful, wimpy dad, he returns to his life with a strong and successful dad because of that choice. A very different life because of one decision that changed the future.
I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "The Choice that Changes Many Futures."
Some of us might wish we could somehow go back to the crossroads moments in our lives for a do-over. But that's only in the movies. What is possible is to make a choice now that will change not only your future, but the futures of many others - even people who haven't been born yet. It's a decision future generations will be very grateful you made.
The choice that changes many futures revolves around the man who made this simple but profound promise: "I am making everything new!" ( Revelation 21:5). Those are the words of Jesus Christ, the man who has changed so many lives, so many families over the years. I know I got a new dad because one day he acknowledged he had the spiritual cancer that the Bible calls sin; that he needed Jesus Christ in his life to forgive him and change him. And Jesus did change him - dramatically. I know. I lived that change. That transformed man planted seeds in me that have come up in my children, and now in my grandchildren. It all would have been so different had it not been for that day when my dad placed his life in Jesus' hands.
Psalm 102:18, our word for today from the Word of God, comments on this potential we all have to profoundly leave our mark on the future. It says: "Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord." One man or woman who gets right with God can inject a life-changing, life-stabilizing faith into many who will come after them.
For you, for those you love, and for those who come from your life, so much depends on what you do with Jesus. The miracle begins when you recognize your need for the forgiving, life-changing work of Jesus Christ - the miracle made possible by His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. If there's never been a time when you've opened your life to this amazing Savior, if you've lived enough days without His love, His forgiving, His power in your life, why don't you tell Him that you want this to be the day you begin your personal relationship with Him. Tell Him, "Jesus, I believe that only the Man who died for my sin can forgive my sin and remove my sin. So here I am, Lord, I'm Yours."
I've tried my best to briefly describe this getting started with Jesus in a little booklet called Yours For Life. It's something I'd like you to have if you want it. You can let me know you want it just by going to our website at yoursforlife.net or you can call toll-free at 1-877-741-1200.
Every life leaves a legacy. Every life marks the lives of many others - including people you'll never meet. There is no greater legacy you can leave than a life that radiates the goodness, the love, the power of Jesus Christ. It begins with you the day you begin with Him.