Today's Devotional

August 10, 2005

Subject:  He Died To Stop You From Smoking

Acts 20:35 - "I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."

All the chatter on the news since the death of Peter Jennings consists of people who have decided that they are going to now give up smoking.  Most state that it is a tribute to Peter Jennings and his tough fight against the tobacco companies.  Truly his life sent a message to many people who have formed the tobacco habit.  Nevertheless I'm still amazed how people don't see things until there is death.  Initially I said that in a condescending fashion for tobacco users, then I realized that I was talking about myself.

If it had not been for death, we would all have a terminal form of cancer.  We would in fact all be sentenced to die with no cure, but thank God for a death that was more than just symbolic.  It was a death that conquered death in our lives.  To compare it, it would be as if Peter Jennings died from cancer and by his death, cured all cancer forever.  Well, he succumbed to death and so others are motivated to fight death.  For us, Christ succumbed to death and then was raised up again so that we would not have to taste of death and the eternal bonfire.  Our death now is unto eternal life.  What a deal.

Many see the death of Peter Jennings as a prime time to break the cigarette habit.  However, I task all of those people today to consider the impact that Peter had on their lives and then consider the impact that Christ "could" have on their lives, because Peter Jennings died "from" smoking.  Jesus Christ died to prevent your smoking. 

Carlen