What must I do ?
A man…on the verge of committing suicide, heard the voice of a man that cared. So he asked, “ What must I do to be saved ?” The man replied,” Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household.” Then the word of the Lord was spoken to him and his household. That very night, his whole demeanor changed. He cared for and had compassion on those he’d previously wanted to kill. He was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God — he and his whole family. ( Acts 16:28-34 ) A miracle takes place and something happens when a person comes to a “belief” in Jesus Christ. They take on a whole new mindset and their heart becomes softened. Their inclination is towards seeing that “others” are ministered to … that their needs come before their own. Joy replaces bitterness, hatred, envy, jealousy and discord. This “change” takes on a whole nother lifestyle. Old likes are replaced with new likes. Those old habits that refused to die, did. This husband came home…”different”. His wife got the man that she’d always dreamed of … his kids got the daddy they needed. His boss wasn’t too happy with him…but hey…two outta three ain’t bad. This husband…this daddy…could come home now, to a home filled with love and adoration … one with laughter and a feeling of contentment … which once, wasn’t there. This husband…this daddy…could now, tell someone else about the “change” that came over him once he believed in Jesus. His testimony couldn’t be discounted, because his coworkers could see the difference in him. A man and his whole household came to believe in Jesus as Lord…all because one man cared. A wife, a son, a daughter…saved from a lifetime of hopelessness and separation from God ! All because someone cared. I wanted, wished for and prayed for a daddy that would love the Lord with all his heart, soul, mind and strength…all throughout my childhood and early adulthood. I imagined what it would be like to hear him pray at meals. I pictured him standing in the choir loft, smiling while singing praises to his Lord. I longed to see him sitting next to my mama, holding an open bible in his hands…with a tear sliding down his jaw…because of this newfound belief he’d been blessed with. How i wanted so badly to hear him telling someone about the love of Jesus and how it changed him from the man he’d been. I knew our household could be different if he’d just accept and believe in Jesus ! I was long out of the house before he did, though. I heard his confession…and even though he was never baptized, i did see tears and the regret that he’d waited so long. His health dwindled quickly and my mama was his primary caregiver for the last of his life. He died, a baby Christian…unable to live the abundant life God had purposed him to live, here on earth. I’m sure my mama had some good times with him…had a few good memories… but i always hoped she could’ve had a husband that loved the Lord as much as she did. How different our home could’ve been. It makes me sad to see so many daddies…so many husbands…neglecting their God-given roles of spiritual leadership…taking that responsibility seriously, so their families can be of one Spirit and one mind…filled with joy because the love of their Lord Jesus Christ is welcomed in that home. I pray someone will care enough to share this word from our Lord with someone they love … someone that needs someone to care. Who knows but that “you” are the one that leads them to Jesus and brings them salvation !