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Scripture for the day: 2 Corinthians 1:19-20 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, Silvanus, and Timothy—was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
Thought for the day: One of my all-time favorite scenes in any movie takes place at the very end of the film, “Papillion,” starring Steve MeQueen and Dustin Hoffman. McQueen plays a man nicknamed Papillion, because of a tattoo of a butterfly on his chest. Sentenced to life imprisonment on Devil’s Island, off the coast of what was then French Guyana, Papillion spends his years trying to escape. Each time he is captured, he is sentenced to years in solitary confinement and forced to work the dirtiest and most dangerous jobs assigned to the prisoners. Finally, when time and trouble have taken their toll on his body, he makes one last attempt. Papillion ties a number of cocoanuts together to make a crude raft and throws them from a cliff. Embracing his long-time friend, Louis Dega (Dustin Hoffman), he jumps into the shark-infested waters, climbs onto his raft and smiles as the out-going tide takes him away from the island. Looking back up at the prison, our hero shakes his fist and yells, “I’m still here!”  
 How often have we (how often have I), felt as if we’ve been caught in a prison of sin or defeat from which there is no escape? How long have we been trying to escape, only to be dragged back to finish our life sentence? Probably far more often than we’d like to admit. Well, if that’s you today, I’ve got good news.
 When God works in us, the answer is always a giant YES! Listen, He can’t break His promises; it’s not in His nature. If He did, He would no longer be God. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and He’s proven Himself faithful over and over. As an example, look back to the Lord’s encounter with Moses. The Lord God said, “I have seen the affliction My people are experiencing and I’ve come to deliver them.”
 Moses said, “I can’t do it.”
 God said, “You’re right, but I can.”
 Moses said, “I blew it years go; you should send someone else.”
 God said, “You’re right again, but I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt. 
 Moses said, “I’m not a good speaker.” 
 God said, “I will be your mouth. Now, stop doubting and accept the YES I’ve already provided for you.”
 Listen, the same God who promised to be with Moses and then did as He promised, is the God who sent Jesus to walk among us and provide for our own emancipation from the prison of sin. The Same God who sent Jesus is the God who has said yes to us. He is unchangeable; if He kept His promise to deliver the children of Israel; if He kept His promise of a Savior, He will keep His promise to deliver you and me as well. 
 But, how long must we wait? How long will the struggle last? How many times will He allow us to trip and fall before the yes He has given is fulfilled? I wish I could answer that question; I can’t, but I know this, He’s promised the grace we need to continue the struggle until victory is finally ours. God’s “Yes” is our “Amen,” “so be it.” We agree with God, with what He wants to do, and shake our fist in the face of the one who would keep us in bondage and say, “I’m still here!”
 But wait, there’s more! I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
Now go take on your world.  -  Bill