Light for Living Archives.

Light for Living began as a writing ministry of Pastor Gary Click while pastoring the Calvary Baptist Church in Clinton, IN. His articles were published in the local newspaper, The Daily Clintonian. They were also distributed to email subscribers and several were posted on this website. 

Shortly after assuming the pastorate of the Fremont Baptist Temple, Fremont, OH, he was approached by Pastor James Lewis and chief operator, Brian Benedict about providing a two thirty-minute Radio Programs for the weekend. (WHVT 90.5 fm) At this point, Pastor Click's writing ministry transformed into a radio ministry.

Due to time constrains, the weekly devotional gave way to the radio ministry. However, these devotionals are still available online through the Light for Living Archives.

Pastor Click is still active in writing bible studies, dramas and devotional articles for other applications. We hope to make those resources available soon. 

Light for Living Archives

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Jesus: Friend of Sinners

What is your concept of God? When you think of God, do you think of judgment? Do you think of someone who is angry with you? I have heard people jokingly say, "If I were to walk in the doors of the church the roof would cave in." I usually respond, "We’re insured, so come anyway."

Many people have the misconception that God is sitting in the heavens just waiting for them to make a mistake so He can punish them. If that were true, He wouldn't have to wait long for most of us. The very fact that He has withheld His judgment so long testifies to a different nature.

God does not sit in the heavens looking for opportunities to condemn us. He is not eager to meet out punishment for our sins. In fact, just the opposite is true. You will never find someone who has been more of a friend to sinners than Jesus.

Jesus was so friendly to sinners that he developed a bad reputation with the religious leaders of the first century. Matthew, one of his disciples, tells it this way, "But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?" Matthew 5:30.

Jesus, as always, had the right answer. "They that are whole need not a physician; but the that are sick." Jesus came to help those who needed Him most: sinners.

His love for us was so deep that He reached out to us in our sin. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8. Jesus put it this way shortly before going to the cross. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13.

Never think that you are "too big of a sinner" for God. For that to be possible, you would have to be bigger than God. Listen to how Paul described Jesus and His power to work in us. "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." Ephesians 3:20.

Jesus is a friend of sinners. He has made the first move. He has offered His nail-scarred hand in friendship to you. Will you accept? Will you reach out and take His hand? Will you be a friend to God?

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