Take time today to thank God for making the ultimate sacrifice.
GREAT DEALS!!!...um...for a few
Today's Story
Black Friday 2009 Doorbuster Deals: The Dirty Secrets
Black Friday 2009 will be tougher than ever on both retailers and shoppers. The retailers need to make certain that they get the shoppers in their stores. Those great deals that we talk about are called doorbuster deals, and are not what they seem.
CNN Money has been looking into this and thought they would offer us an insight. We have to make certain that we read the small print on these doorbuster deals; this will normally be at the bottom of the circular. These products are usually limited to just two per store, so the odds of you getting that so called bargain are not in your favor.
CNN Money has been looking at a recent Black Friday circular, and some of their HDTVs were limited to just five per store. It is deals like this that causes chaos, as shoppers feel like they have been cheated. Some retailer experts agree with the shoppers and say that they have every right to feel cheated.
Customer Growth Partners retail expert, Craig Johnson has said, “It’s a sleazy practice.” He feels that an advertiser should not advertise something if they know they cannot fulfill the needs of the customers. He said it is stupid to hype a product on what is one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
We know that this upsets shoppers and this is the sole cause of many arguments in stores on Black Friday, as they fight to be able to get that elusive deal before anyone else.
(To read this story by Peter Chubb, go to www.product-reviews.net/2009/11/20)
God's Story
Hebrews 10:8-13
When Jesus said, "You don't want sacrifices and offerings," He was referring to practices according to the old plan. When He added, "I'm here to do it your (God's) way," he set aside the first in order to enact the new plan — God's way — by which we are made fit for God by the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus.
Every priest goes to work at the altar each day, offers the same old sacrifices year in, year out, and never makes a dent in the sin problem. As a priest, Christ made a single sacrifice for sins, and that was it! Then he sat down right beside God and waited for his enemies to cave in. It was a perfect sacrifice by a perfect person to perfect some very imperfect people. By that single offering, he did everything that needed to be done for everyone who takes part in the purifying process.
What does God's Story teach us about the best "deal" of all times?
There I was...4:30am the day after Thanksgiving last year...freezing in the cold while standing in line...why? Because I could get a portable basketball hoop for nearly a third of its normal price!
Normally I would have been sound asleep. I had always laughed about people who were crazy enough to actually go shopping at such an insane time of day. But this deal made it worth it to venture out for my first time ever braving the early morning crowds.
When the doors opened there was a mad rush. People knew exactly what they were looking for and dashed straight for their respective treasures. I, on the other hand, casually walked to where the basketball hoops were and began inspecting each box to make sure I had the right model. As I did this, I noticed people placing a hand on certain boxes as they staked their claim to the one they were touching. In a split second I realized that I, in my hesitation, could possibly miss out on what I came for...I could have gotten up super early, stood in a long line and frozen half to death...all for nothing!
Quickly I searched for and found one of the 7 basketball hoops they had available as advertised. I placed my hand on it and, with great relief, claimed it for my own. Those who came after me were simply out of luck. The deal was limited. Only a few got to benefit. Just a small number of us received the gift that we really wanted.
Today's scripture teaches us that this is not the case with the best "deal" ever offered to man. Complete forgiveness for all of our sins...completely free...sounds like a deal that is just too good to be true. The truth is, however, that it is true...and not only that, it is an offer that never runs out! It is good to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins.
My Story
Connecting today's story and God's Story with my story
- What is the best deal you have ever gotten? Maybe it was a sale item or perhaps it was a used car that you picked up for way below what it was worth. Sometimes we are just fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time and land a great deal. Still...no matter how good a deal may be...nothing compares to what Jesus offered us when He laid down His life for our sins. Talk to Him about how you feel about what He did for you.
- Scripture teaches us that, unlike Black Friday deals, there is no fine print on Jesus' offer. It is free. It is once-for-all. It is offered to everyone who will believe in Him. Not only that...Jesus won't "run out" of forgiveness. We all mess up and it is important to know that His offer is still good...4am, 4pm, any part of the day, every day.
Their Story
Connecting today's story, God's story and my story with my friend's story
- Ask a friend about the best deal they have ever gotten. Perhaps it will start a discussion that will lead you to have the opportunity to share about the best offer you have ever received...a relationship with Christ!
- If you venture out early this Friday, you may have the chance to spend a long time next to a perfect stranger while waiting in line. Ask them what they are "looking for" and see where the Holy Spirit takes that conversation!
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