David said) “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and those whose
sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his
sin.” Romans 4:7-8
The small town barber found himself facing some financial difficulties.
When he was the only barber in town, he had made a reasonable, if not a good
living, at his trade. But now he was no longer the only barber in town. A
franchise had set up shop and, in two-foot tall letters on its front window,
proclaimed, “All haircuts $3. Walk-ins welcome.”
Three dollars? The experienced barber had been charging $5.
He knew he couldn't survive if he tried to beat his competition's price.
Now there are certain advantages to living and working in a small town. One of
those advantages is that many people still believe in supporting local
businesses, even if that support is going to cost them a dollar or two.
Because of that attitude, the barber found many of his clients kept on coming.
And although there was a slow, steady drop in profit, there wasn't any mass
exodus to the new salon. Even so, after two years the barber realized his
business wasn't going to survive. That's when he visited with a wise friend and
asked if he might find a solution.
The friend asked for a day or two to think it over.
On the third day, the friend showed up with a sign that he hung in the barber's
window. Very simply the sign read, “We Fix Bad $3 Haircuts!”
Business turned around immediately and stayed turned around.
Now, if you remember nothing else from this devotion, I would be happy if you
remember that Jesus fixes the bad deals we have made in our lives. Looking back
at your years you can probably identify a good many times when you made a bad
deal. Satan may have encouraged you to do something wrong, and you made a bad
deal. Some fine temptation was laid in your path, and you made a bad deal. Time
and again we have been wooed away from the Lord and made a bad deal.
But Jesus, with His life, suffering, death and resurrection fixes those bad
deals.
Through the Holy Spirit we are called to faith in our Substitute. With faith in
the Christ our sins are forgiven, and we are brought into the family of faith.
The bad deals are forgotten, and we are once again God's children.
Salvation is ours all because Jesus fixes bad deals.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks my sins and bad deals with the world and
the devil are forgiven because of Jesus' sacrifice. May I rejoice in all He has
done to save me and bring me back into Your family. In my Redeemer's Name I ask
it. Amen.
Pastor Ken Klaus
Lutheran Hour Ministries All rights reserved; not to be duplicated without
permission.
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