Times Up

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

I like to read obituary's. Some say this trait occurs when you get old but I find it fascinating to see the various ages of those who have passed away. I wonder how many died without knowing Jesus. My heart goes out to those who lost babies and children. I wonder how many died without Jesus.

No one can predict their life span. The average age according to scripture is 70 years(Psalm 90:10) but many live much longer and some much less. Death is nothing to fear yet many do. You could be sitting reading this and God calls you home. You just don't ever know. The key is to be sure you know beyond a shadow of a doubt where you are going. 

You are either for Christ or against Him. Have you asked Him into your heart to be your Lord and Savior and confessed your sins to Him? Now is the time for salvation as you are not promised tomorrow. 

PRAYER: I pray for those who do not know you as Lord and even those who mock your very existence. Give believers grace when witnessing to those who are not saved. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Are You Ready?

But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,but only the Father.  Matthew 24:36

A friend of mine used to have a bumper sticker on her car that said 'R U E' and the E was the color red so meaning 'ready'. A great conversation starter for someone when they ask what it means and a fantastic time to be able to witness about life after death. So many naysayers think this Earth is all it is. There were those who mocked the recent 'blood moon' as being from 'end timers' or quacks. 

There are many signs of His coming today. But like today's verse states no one but God knows the day nor hour. We do have to be ready and to goof around and think it is never going to happen may cause you to be 'left behind' when the Lord does come back. Everyone has a choice to live for Jesus or to reject Him. Now this living for Jesus does not mean joining a church or being a certain denomination. It means being truly 'sold out' to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Here in the United States we used to acknowledge God and follow His ways in the government but years ago when we took prayer from the public schools, took down the Ten Commandments, made abortion legal and now allow same sex couples to marry we went against what God's word says. Also when our President cuddles up to terrorist nations but ridicules the nation of Israel look out. That is not a good thing. 

Stop and take a look at your life. Are you sure if today was the day when Jesus came back you would be with Him? Your heart has to be right with the Lord and you have to ask Him into your heart. Don't delay because you may not have another chance. Also be sure to repent of your sins and ask God to renew your mind. He loves you my friend and He wants you to be in Heaven too. 

PRAYER: Father there are so many lies Satan is spreading not only in the United States but throughout the world. We know you are on the throne and are not going anywhere. We need not fear when terror comes because you have the final word. I pray for those who have not asked you into their hearts to do so and to also repent. I ask you keep my own heart from being led astray and those in my family as well. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Moving Beyond Broken Beginnings

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18

Your past may have messed you up some way but it does not have to determine your future. You can move beyond hurt, pain, rejection, loss and still have an excellent life. Dysfunctional is a term we hear tossed about but to some extent we all a bit dysfunctional. No one is perfect except Jesus and God.

Each day is a new day with new hopes and new dreams. Letting go of the past and moving forward is what is critical. Continuing to camp out with your pain will not help advance you to freedom. Your thoughts have to get focused on 'things above'. God is a healing God and He can heal your mind, body, and soul. He knows your pain and He hears your heart. 

My friend run to Jesus. Talk to Him each day in prayer. Choose to look forward and not behind. 

PRAYER: I thank you for healing that comes through you. When my heart has been hurt you are the great healer and deliverer. I praise your name for moving me beyond my past. Help me to focus on today and your love for me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Coming Attractions

You must also be ready for the Son of Man will come at an hour that you do not expect Him. Luke 12:40

Two things are certain and that is we are born and we will die. No one can escape that. In the 1980's movie 'Forever Young' Mel Gibson plays a military pilot who voluntarily subjects himself to being frozen since his fiancée had been in an accident and was in a coma.  This is not something we normally do although it is talked about today. I say why? Why are people afraid to die and why do we think it will be so wonderful to go on and on and on?

Of course death brings immense sadness but it also brings the promise of eternal life for those who have asked Jesus to be Lord of their life. Being a nice 'church member' and making sure you go to church are admirable but Jesus needs to be part of our life and our desire the rest of the time. Is He your consuming fire? Heaven is going to be wonderful. Not even the best Hollywood script writer is able to recreate it or even imagine it(See 1Corinthians 1:9).

Don't be left behind when Jesus returns. Make sure you are living for Him and He is truly Lord of your life. Don't take a chance with being left out of heaven.

PRAYER: I need you every hour of the day. There have been times I have ignored you and done my own thing. Forgive me Lord. I want you in my life and I want to be with you when you come back for those who have accepted you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link to listen to a wonderful song of praise to get your day started:

http://youtu.be/_rR_Rdb1CTE

Wow! Wow! Wow!

However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” the things God has prepared for those who love him— 1 Corinthians 2:9

Who doesn't ooh and ah at a beautiful humongous mansion? Perhaps those who live in them? As I drove through Brentwood, TN on the outskirts of Nashville recently I passed by gorgeous homes where I could not stop saying to myself "Wow, wow, wow"! It is not that I am ungrateful for my own home ,because indeed I am blessed, but these stunning 10,000 square foot plus homes looked  almost like miniature hotels.

Each of us living in the United States is blessed to live pretty adequately compared to most of the world. Even those in homeless camps have tents that are pretty nice. To covet someone's else's property is not what God desires. As I gazed at these beautiful homes my thoughts drifted to our heavenly kingdom that awaits us once we breathe our last breath on Earth. The time we spend on Earth is so very short in the big scheme of things. In James 4:14 we are told "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." We are to live well and seek God while we are on Earth. Not everyone will enter this heavenly kingdom. Those who reject Him need to accept Christ so they do not miss out. You never know when your last day will be so be ready.

Are you imagining what your mansion in heaven will be like? God has glorious things in store for those who know and love Him. 

PRAYER: Thank you dear Lord for the blessings I enjoy here on Earth. Thank you for my home and the other possessions you have blessed me with. Help me never put possessions before you. In Jesus name.Amen. 

Click link to worship God in song. 

http://youtu.be/K_OB7d-B1Vw

KINDNESS BRINGS UNITY AND REPENTANCE

There is a verse in Romans 2:4 which says '...kindness leads to repentance.' That is oh so very true! Being kind to others whether you agree with them, their lifestyle choices, or a host of other things, not only brings unity and peace, but it leads to repentance by sinners. Guess what? All of us are sinners! In Romans 3:23(NIV) says 'we all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.' All means all.

Human nature tends to label and classify "bad sins" versus "not as bad sins". All sin is sin whether it is murder, lying,rape,fornication, gluttony, homosexuality, abortion, stealing, or cheating. No matter what, Jesus forgives and forgets. It says in Psalm 103:12(NIV) 'As far as the East is from the West, so far He has removed our transgressions from us.' It is "religious" people that are the finger pointers and think they are right. That is very prideful. All people need kindness and the love of others in an unconditional way if they ever expect to be drawn to a relationship with Christ. Eating too much at a church potluck could perhaps get you in the gluttony category.

Don't be finger pointing at others and treating them like they are not worth anything because everyone has a chance to come to Jesus. By harping on someone and trying to change them yourself is the wrong way to have positive change. The Holy Spirit is responsible for convicting and turning from sin.

First take care of your own sins before you condemn others. John 8:11(NLT) says to the woman about to be stoned by committing adultery "...Go and sin no more." Read all of John chapter 8 when you get a moment.

Kindness is the way to reach out to others that we don't like particularly or don't understand or those who have hurt or are hurting us. Some examples would be those with body piercing, tattoos, vulgar language, mentally ill, those people collecting money fraudulently at exit ramps, the drunk, the drug addict, prostitutes, those in the middle east who do not like Christians and want to "kill the infidel", those who push for homosexual marriage, those who want to kill babies in the womb, tyrants in public office, and I am sure you can add to this list.

So today your job is to put Jesus on the throne and leave Him there. Confess to Him any sins that keep you from fully having a life in Christ. Lift up those in prayer that are on the list above that you might be able to love others with Jesus' love.

PRAYER: It is so easy to judge others and when I do this I know you are not pleased with me. Teach me how to pray for others some of which may not even like me. Help me also to remember I am far from perfect. In Jesus' name.Amen.

Click on link for an awesome song of praise and worship.

http://youtu.be/ipwEtvWL_3c