A Hard Truth

This is going to be a very hard truth for some of you but it needs to be heard.

Heaven isn’t meant for everyone. Heaven is only meant for those who believe Jesus and confess Him Lord of their life. (Romans 10:9)

God reigns over Heaven and earth.

Earth is the only place that you will be able to even remotely feel His presence in your life without choosing Him as the One you will follow. He will show up in your life to draw you to Him yet still allow you to have a choice. If you don’t choose Him then this earth will be the closest to Heaven you will ever be.

Heaven is the home of those who chose to believe in the truth of Jesus as their savior. Heaven is not something that is taken away from you because you chose not to believe. Heaven was never ours to begin with. Our sin destins us for hell, but it is Jesus who rescued us from hell and made a place for us in Heaven with the Father. (John 14:3) If you do not believe that then you have no other rescue. He is the only way. (John 14:6)

Another glorious truth of this is not only are we saved from hell but we are saved from ourselves. We are saved from sin ruling our lives. Once we believe in Jesus and confess Him Lord of our lives then we receive the Holy Spirit to be our helper, to testify the truth of Jesus that creates a relationship with Him, and to lead us into good and away from evil. We change! (John 14:26)

If you believe you have accepted Christ as your savior and Lord of your life but still feel comfortable in your sin then I challenge you today to ask yourself, “Am I a fan of Jesus or a follower of Jesus?” It is not too late to lose a fan status and ask Jesus to lead you home to the Father.

This is the truth even if you deny it. Just know, though, God does not desire you to deny it but He desires you to accept it and be with Him for eternity. (2 Peter 3:9)

What do you desire?

I pray you let the Spirit come in and do His work and allow Him to give you a new heart with new desires that reflect your love for God and His love for you. (Ezekiel 36:26)
In Christ’s name I pray, Amen

Be a blessing, not a rescue

Being a blessing or rescuing? I have been torn between those two for as long as I can remember. I have seen the damage rescuing can do. It worries me now to do too much but then worries me that I dont do enough. I know there are parents, friends, and family of a struggling loved one that knows what I am talking about. Or even just everyday life…wives with husbands, husbands with wives, parents and children’s school problems… I read Matthew 14:22-33 and see how Jesus rescued Peter from drowning while he was walking on water. If Jesus was so quick to rescue him then shoudnt I be willing to be like Jesus and be quick to rescue as well? Then today, it suddenly hit me. JESUS rescued Peter. No where is it mentioned that the people in the boat jumped out into the water to rescue him. They knew Jesus was right there. Sure, He allowed Peter to sink, but not a moment too soon or too late…He pulled him straight up. Peter’s sinking taught him a lesson about not letting fear get the best of him. Jesus’ rescue taught them all that even if they make a mistake He is right there to save them. Then the verse says, the people in the boat worshiped and rejoiced. It is not my place to rescue. It is my place to share Jesus so they know He is the rescuer. To share the importance of keeping Jesus close so He can pull them up quick. Jesus rescues. Not just for the sinking but for the people still on the boat. So everyone can see His great work and feel the comfort of knowing He is right there. I cant always be there for you but Jesus can. I never want to deny someone that feeling ever again. I never want to deny someone a chance to see Jesus save them and then be able to carry that comfort for the next battle.
Lord, we pray for wisdom. Please show us the difference between rescue and blessing. Please help us to remember to come to You in prayer and to Your word for guidance in tough to navigate situations. We thank You for Your ever ready rescue that is not on our time but Your perfect time. I trust you with my life and the ones I love. Please help me to stay out of your way. To give when it glorifies You and not my own need to fix things. In Christ name, Amen