Mark Ekstrum, 58, was a 28-year veteran of the Tucson Fire Department but he is no longer employed there. An emergency call came in from near the Safeway superstore on January 8th, 2011. A meet and greet political session was being held outdoors in the parking lot.  Nineteen people had been shot, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz. Six died.

Ekstrum’s team was highly specialized to respond to major medical emergencies and mass casualties. But Mr. Ekstrum apparently refused to respond to the call. His supervisor called him into his office for an urgent explanation.  The supervisor said Ekstrum “started to say something about how he had a much different political viewpoint than the rest of the crew and he was concerned.” (1)

The team was dispatched without Ekstrum and they had to make a stop at another station to pick up a replacement emergency responder. The team may have been delayed in responding to the emergency – but Mark Ekstrum himself never showed up at all. He allegedly refused the urgent call for help because of differing political perspectives.

He no longer is employed with the Tucson Fire Department. In fairness to Mr. Ekstrum, you might want to do your own research as to what he is ‘now’ saying about why he refused to help.

How unlike the One who rescued me when I sent out my urgent plea during a spiritual crisis. I am so glad the Lord Jesus Christ is the Saviour for ALL – regardless of their political perspectives, their lifestyles, their background or any past hostilities the person may have held again Jesus; when the urgent call comes in from a distressed sinner, He responds. And His response always has a good ending.

“Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13

God does not save a select few nor is His offer of full forgiveness and eternal life to a certain kind of human being such as those who try to be good or those who attend church or to those who say their prayers. He responds to desperate cries from atheists, blasphemers, God-haters and every other kind of person who turns to Him for spiritual salvation.

 “God is not wishing any to perish but for ALL to come to repentance.” 2Peter 3:9

Anyone who wants to be rescued from the bondage of their sins and from eternal death and eternal suffering – God responds swiftly in grace with incredible love and He saves the lost sinner.

Thousands will be in Heaven because they appreciated what this one verse meant to them personally:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that WHOEVER believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Does that verse mean anything to you? If it does, send me an email by clicking here.

When Jesus died for sins on the Cross – He died for all and for all sin. The Bible is clear about that.

“Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for ALL.” 1Timothy 2:6

A firefighter might refuse an urgent call for help for his own reasons but God will not refuse your cry to be rescued regardless of who you are or what you have done in your past.

Read these verses and personally place your trust in Christ as your Saviour. That’s what it means to be rescued and saved.

For while we were still helpless, at the right time

Christ died for the ungodly.

For one will hardly die for a righteous man;

though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.

BUT

God demonstrates His own love toward us,

in that while we were still sinners,

Christ died for us.

Romans 5:6-8

 (1)
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-02-18-firefighter-giffords-dispatch_n.htm?csp=obinsite

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