How Does Someone Get To Heaven?

The question was once asked by a CNN reporter who was interviewing people after the death of the Pope John Paul on how does someone get to heaven? The answer was be just like the Pope. It is sad to think that is the correct and truthful answer. It takes me back to the Bible for clarification to a man who was much greater than the Pope. and his name was Nicodemus, a great religious leader of his time, who asked Jesus the same question and Jesus answered, "You must be born again to see the kingdom of heaven." Does that mean that the Pope won't be in heaven? I don't know, but if he is not born again according to Jesus the answer is No.

You must be born again, spiritually. Not by riding your bike and logging in miles to work yourself into the kingdom of God, but by placing all your faith and trust in Jesus Christ and what He did. This is not a membership club or an option. This is required to get to heaven and is the only assurance we have. It is those that are in heaven as we study Revelation 19, that are praising and worshiping God that we find here.

We left off in our study yesterday about how those people got to heaven. We know that these in heaven are the church age believers. These were those who put their trust in Jesus from the day of Pentecost until the rapture of the church that happened in Revelation 4 that we studied yesterday. This is the pre-Tribulation Rapture view and the only one that makes sense without having to bend scriptures to fit the other Rapture viewpoints of Mid-Tribulation or Post Tribulation. These are not Tribulation believers that we see here, those will be waiting under the altar for their time. Each age has had their own set of believers. We have the Old Testament Saints from Creation to the Pentecost, The Church Age Saints, from Pentecost to the Rapture, and then you have the Tribulation Saints, those that die during the Tribulation Period for their faith in Christ.

How do we know? It's what Jesus Himself spoke of.

John 14:1-3 ~ "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also."

It's what the prophet Isaiah spoke of.

Isaiah 26:19-21 ~ "Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead. Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the fury has passed by. For behold, the LORD is coming out from his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, and the earth will disclose the blood shed on it, and will no more cover its slain."

Its what the apostle Paul spoke of.

1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 ~ "For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words."

There is a grand connection between Revelation 4:1 and Revelation 19:1. The 24 elders which we know are representatives of the saints are in their office. What are they doing? They are worshiping. Where are they at? In heaven!

These church age believers have not been heard from during the entire Tribulation since the letters to the seven churches. The churches of Jesus Christ, they left at Revelation 4:1 and we never hear about the church again until Revelation 19. We have been in heaven during this entire time and the only believers on earth are the Tribulation Saints. We have been in heaven waiting to come back with Jesus Christ, during the Second Coming. We can't confuse the Second Coming with Rapture of the Church. They are two very distinct events.

The number one reason they worshiped the Lord was His salvation. Heaven has been given to us as a gift by the price Christ paid at the cross. Salvation warrants absolute devotion. Are you devoted to the Lord? We believe in the grace of God, not in works to get to heaven and some religious groups do not agree with that approach, but it is the approach Jesus gave. You can't save yourself and get to heaven by anything you do, its only in what Jesus did.

The number two reason they worshiped the Lord was His faithfulness to His glory. We have to understand the word "doxa" in the Greek means to praise, the worship, the adoration, the respect, the focus. This faithfulness of His requires our human response. They follow Him with devotion. "Worship Him" says the Bible because He only is our glory!

The number three reason they worshiped the Lord for His faithfulness by His honor. Time = the value of, the price paid, the ransomed. We need to thank Jesus for paying our bills, our sins, Jesus paid for it all. As believers you can try and backslide with a willful intent to do so, but it will lead to misery and unhappiness. You can't even sin right anymore. That is the sign of a true believer in Christ, the Holy Spirit convicts you while you try and sin. You've been exposed to Jesus.

The number four reason they worshiped the Lord for His faithfulness to His power. This is God's power to perform. God is the Creator. It ties together Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21. He is the One in control. He is the Alpha and Omega; The First and the Last. We belong to the Lord our God!

Romans 8:14-17 ~ "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, Abba! Father! The Spirit himself bear witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."

We are suffering in this world. Nature is groaning. The question is, are you a child of God? Will you be with us in heaven?

If you have ever seen a police light in a helicopter illuminate an area of darkness and even stood beneath it, you feel completely exposed. Even if you did nothing wrong, you feel guilty as if you did something wrong. God's glory is like that. It exposes the sin that you have hiding in your life. Nothing is hidden from God. He knows it all.

One day, as believers in Christ, a grand entrance will be provided for us. We have that assurance when we get to heaven, our sins will be paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ. Only those who put their faith and trust in Jesus now, will have that assurance than when this life is through our eternal life in heaven begins.

I would ask you that if you are not a believer in Jesus, make that decision today. No one is guaranteed a tomorrow and nothing you can do will get you there. It is only through what Jesus did that will but you have to believe it and ask Him into your life today. 

Greater Sins?

I remember growing up, I heard my parents use the words "little, white lie." They used them when they tried to justify their actions that they believed were necessary in order to avoid some sort of conflict, like not telling someone the answer to "So what did you get me for my birthday or where were you today?" and they would reply with a vague answer that was a lie of sorts.

A lie is still a lie.

A better way to have handled those situations would have been to disclose, I can't tell you because it would ruin your birthday, you'll have to wait. Or I can't tell you where I was because you will ruin the surprise I have for you and if I tell you where I was, then you will know what it might be.

However the Bible does speak of greater sins. But before we get to that, let me clarify that sin is sin.  The Bible is very clear that breaking any of the 10 commandments is sin and even goes a bit further to explain them. Also it does say if we break one, we have in a sense broken them all. When we sin, we are sinners.

We can confess that sin to God in sincerity and repent from it. As believers in Jesus Christ, who by faith believe in Him for salvation once we do that, and agree to attempt to not do it again, we are forgiven as though it never happened no matter how great that sin is. Even murder can be forgiven. Not necessarily forgotten but forgiven by a repentant heart who knows Jesus.

But in regards to greater sins, for believers and those of us that know what we are doing is just plain wrong, and do it anyway. We are held accountable for a greater sin.

2 Corinthians 7:1 makes it quite clear. It is the sins of the Spirit that we need to be concerned with. "Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates the body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." NIV

Jesus also answered this in John 19:11, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."

This was Jesus' response when He was questioned by Pilate over Jesus' claims of being the Son of God and Pilate telling him that he had the power to set him free.

So even Jesus was acknowledging greater sin whether he was referring to Caiaphas or Judas since both men were responsible for handing Jesus over to be arrested and yet they both knew that what they were doing went against what was true and right. To knowingly go against what is true, defines greater sin.

Anytime we sin, knowing we shouldn't do it, but do it anyway, especially as believers in Christ, we are all guilty of a greater sin. Knowledge brings responsibility.

Don't think because you have suffered from the consequences of your sin, that God is lenient or condoning your behavior. God's justice is delayed not denied. Just because God hasn't acted yet is not His approval of what you are doing. God will respond by He is simply giving us the time, by cutting us some slack to repent, stop sinning and return to the fold.

The Bible's response? "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." ~ 2 Peter 3:9 NIV

So just remember that when you are trying to justify your actions and wonder what God thinks. I know for me, I am convicted much more to act accordingly because I don't want to be accused of a greater sin in God's eyes. As Christians, we simply know better. We are held to much higher standards than the world. so be careful of the example you are letting others see in your life.

Life Sucks!

Sometimes I think that being a Christian can be a whole lot more difficult than it is to simply be part of the world. When tragic things happen, people expect us to act and behave a certain way. They often look to us to see how we will weather the storms of life that truly seek not only to drown us but to overtake and kill us.

Just this week, while browsing my growing Facebook feed, trust me it takes awhile, I notice two very significant prayer requests. One was from a blogging friend I met a few years ago who is still struggling with the loss of her husband just a few months ago, and the other from a woman facing a cancer scare.

Both are Christians.

Both are dealing with something most of us pray never crosses our path.

Both are struggling and finding it beyond difficult some days to even catch a breath.

It feels like someone has let all the air out of their balloon or worse has popped it. 

And life sucks for them. It sucks because no other words seems to justify how they can feel during this time.

They don't always feel that way. It's just the way it is today!

But why as Christians, believers in Jesus Christ, who know that one day, none of these things will matter. Death will no longer be an issue. We will never have to attend a funeral or cry over anything in life again. Cancer will be defeated once and for all and we will be forever healthy.

Perfectly!

Forever!

Because we are still living in a sin-filled world, dealing with the effects of sin, grief, emotions, loneliness, pain, fear, insecurity, depression, while still believing in God.

Being a Christian doesn't mean we won't have to deal with these or even walk through them multiple times.

The things that bother me, is people often times want to band aid things. They tell us stuff like it will be okay, in time, things will get easier; that what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger; that God must have a purpose in all of this; God wanted to take this person home; or my favorite, they are another angel in heaven now.

Scripturally that last one doesn't even wash. Angels are beings created by God and when we die, we don't get wings and join the flock.

We, as believers in Jesus, will join all the other believers who have died and will step into God's presence in Heaven. No wings for us.

Yet, as believers, we know all the other statements, but at those low points, we don't want to hear them. We want people to understand we have need to grieve, to fear, to worry, and at times when no words will do, cry til there is literally nothing left inside of us. We may have those days quite a bit, and there might be days where everything is fine and then we relapse again.

We need to be able to vent what we are feeling and to be able to say, this sucks! It's not fair! Why me?!!!

We aren't looking for explanations, it's just a part of dealing with these things. We will get better at handling them at some point in the future, however long that may be. It will never be the same for everyone.

What I believe we need to understand is that we can pray for them. We can pray for comfort, for people to give up their time, and if they can let them know they are not alone. To run errands, send cards, help out around the house, bring things like their favorite dessert or coffee, just to let them know they are NOT alone in this life, even if they feel like the walls are closing in. Like they are out of strength to try to hold on any longer.

Prayer is the thing that we need to employ more than ever in this life. It is definitely more powerful than you think and the last thing the enemy wants us to do. So will you do me a favor today and add these two very admirable and strong women who are dealing with the worst life has to offer? Pray for encouragement, courage to get through this day, to find joy in the small things and for God to reveal to them in mighty ways, that they are NOT alone in this struggle. We all need friends and neighbors who can come alongside us and help us get through these dark days.

Let us help them find ways to put air back into their balloon or better yet buy them a bunch!

Proverbs 11:25, "He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."

The Truth About Dying

What might this be? What truth?

Suddenly I wasn't sure if I wanted to hear this or not either. I looked at the woman on the bed, and I saw my mother. I don't mean that she looked like her. The woman in front of me was much older than my mom, who had been only forty-two when she died. But the smell of the room and the helpless anger inside it were exactly the same. Many nights I had lain awake on the floor of my mother's bedroom. Hour after hour I would listen to her cough, but it was not her coughing that frightened me. No, I dreaded the silence I knew was coming. I dreaded the moment when the coughing would stop.

"Darrel," Jones began, "you think that your sweet wife is at the end, but that is only a lie you have believed. Because your fear has grown, you believe her fear has become greater...which is another lie. You believe she is experiencing something bad that gets worse until there is nothing at all That, too, is a lie."

"Here is the truth, Darrel. She is not at the end. She is at the beginning. Her fear has not become greater; it has become less and less until now, her fear is gone altogether. And she is not experiencing something bad that gets worse until there is nothing at all...she is experiencing something incredible that gets better, until there is everything."

Jones looked down at the woman and lightly touched her head. "Before this woman was ever born, when she was warm and snug inside her mama's belly, she kicked and twisted, moving this way and that. For months she struggled. She became uncomfortable. She longed for more freedom and began to sense that the worlds she inhabited was not where she ultimately belonged. She did not know what was on the other side of her struggle, but she was getting ready to experience something new and wonderful that in her wildest imaginings could not be described. Darrel...she was getting ready to breathe.

"And when she finally drew that first breath, it was clean and fresh and like nothing she had ever felt. She took another breath and another - and all around her, loved ones and friends cheered in a joyous celebration of her arrival."

Jones looked closely at the woman's face."Look at her now, Darrel," he said. "For many years this dear child was happy and content in this body. But for some time now, she has struggled. She has become uncomfortable. She has begun to long for freedom from the pain of this body and has sensed that the world she inhabits is not where she ultimately belongs. Even now she does not fully appreciate the reality that is waiting on the other side of her struggle, but she is preparing to experience something new and wonderful that in her wildest imaginings could not be described. Right now...right this minute...she is getting ready to breathe.

"And when she draws that first breath, it will be clean and clear and fresh, like nothing she has ever experienced. She will take another breath and another and another; and all around, her loved ones, her family and friends, will cheer in a joyous celebration of her arrival.

"Do not be afraid for yourself, Darrel. You can make the same journey one day - you can join her if you choose to do so. And don't be afraid for her. She is fine. Remember...she is getting ready to breathe."

After a time of quiet Jones slipped out of the room, and I followed, leaving Darrel alone with the woman. He was still on his knees with his upper body on the bed. He held her hand and was peacefully asleep.

It was a serenity he had not felt in a long time. Somehow Darrel's mind drifted easily through the years as he dreamed of the past he remembered and a future he had never allowed himself to imagine." (Excerpt from The Noticer Returns by Andy Andrews.)

When I read this yesterday I was so comforted by the notion of seeing death in a different perspective as Jones so eloquently tells this man watching the woman he has loved his entire life slowly slip away from him. I decided to share this with so many of you that are facing this same situation or have recently watched this happen to a family member or friend. Hope this provides you with a different perspective on transitioning from this life to our eternal one in the life of a believer. You too can have that future you have yet to imagine if you are a follower of Jesus Christ. If not, it's not too late to change. Comment below and let us pray for you or private message me if you'd like. I'd love to help you find your forever home in Heaven! It truly is a life changing decision.

For those of you that love this excerpt from The Noticer Returns, trust me when I tell you, you will absolutely LOVE this book. You can pick it up today at your favorite retailer.

You can also find Andy Andrews on Facebook to learn more about Jones!

Stick To It!!

Oh now that we find ourselves quite literally on the cusp of what could be the next World War, there is so much going on in the debate issue. Some people are claiming Armageddon is coming, others are claiming it needs to be addressed and still others refuse to acknowledge anything at all, preferring to take the same stand they always have, that this has nothing to do with religion and just how is telling us the truth anyway.

Which got me to thinking about all the recent Facebook arguments when it comes to what people believe. You know that's always going to be up for debate, but lately it seems more so than ever before that even when you talk about your beliefs in Jesus, you are almost threatened with those that don't want anything to do with what you have to say or even for that matter that you'll pray for them. It can often get downright hostile.

Yet it all boils down to one thing. Who's right? Who is telling the truth?

Jesus was debated by Pilate on who Jesus claimed to be during his inquistion with this very question in the book of John 18, beginning with verse 37:

"You are a king, then!" said Pilate. 

Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."

Did you catch that?

"Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."

That means people who believe in Jesus Christ and who believe He is whom He says He is. In other words believers in Jesus Christ.

One thing to remember is that "truth" is fluid in the world by most people's standards. It is not absolute but is relative to those who believe it is. It is their perspective that is their fact or their opinion.

We, as Christians, are people who rely on absolute supreme truth, not in feelings or opinions.

When we look at Psalm 119: 1-6 we read,

Look upon my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law. 
Defend me cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise. 
Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out your degrees. 
Your compassion is great, O Lord; preserve my life according to your laws. 
Many are the foes who persecute me, but I have not turned from your statutes. 
I look on the faithless with loathing, for they do not obey your word. 
See how I love your precepts; preserve my life O Lord, according to your love. 
All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal." (NIV)

So why is absolute truth necessary?

There has to be a measuring stick that defines truth from opinion. We need stabilization that is something outside of ourselves that we can rely on to tell us what the absolute truth is.

John 14: 6, " Jesus answered, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 

Romans 7:12 " So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good."

What does this mean?

That God's Word is from the Creator of Heaven and Earth and He alone answered that very question.

What do we gain from absolute truth as believers?

1. Redemption or deliverance from our burdens in this life, the storms we encounter.

Psalm 116:8 ~ "For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling." (God has delivered my soul from dying from eternal death to eternal life.)

John 1:1 ~ "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (The truth has been around from the creation of the world).

Exodus 15:13, "In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.( God brought you to Him).

2 Timothy 4:18, "The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom."(He will redeem you from evil).

Afflictions in this life can wear on us and make you question your faith, your belief in God's Word and in His promises. That is why we need to draw on God's Word to strengthen us in those difficult times.

2. Revival - we need vitality and faith in our lives to help us deal with tough times and from calamity.

Psalm 51:12, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." (God will restore your joy and lift you up from your difficulties. We don't have to stay where we are.)

Isaiah 57:15, " but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite." (You can revive your heart and spirit, by spending time in God's Word).

Psalm 143:11, "For your names sake, O Lord, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble ." 

Only God's truth can revive us! We need to get back to God because it's right. It's NOT about YOU, it NEVER is! In your life, what we do, what we say, it's all for God, NOT YOU!

The world wants truth that centers on their opinion, they are their own god.

Isaiah 59: 1-8 defines how the wicked believe. See if this doesn't sound like the way most of the world nowadays sounds.

" Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters wicked things. 

No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments and speak lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil. They hatch the eggs of vipers and spin a spider's web. Whoever eats their eggs will die, and when one is broken, ad adder is hatched. Their cobwebs are useless for clothing; they cannot cover themselves with what they make. Their deeds are evil deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands.

Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are evil thoughts; ruin and destruction mark their ways. The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks in them will know peace."

3. Reassuarance and restoration are given to those who believe in the absolute truth.

Proverbs 13:12, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."(The right way according to the world leads to death).

No matter what the opinion, the only thing that makes a difference is to hold on to God's Word.

1 Samuel 12:20-21, "Do not be afraid, Samuel replied, You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you because they are useless."(Turn from God and you will go after empty things that will never satisfy).

It will not bring you admiration but division, destruction, and hatred by sticking with God's absolute truth. Even within our own homes whenever people are confronted with the absolute truth, don't give up!

The darkness does not like the light.

No matter what the cost, it must be done. Stick to God's truth. Doesn't matter how things look like or what others are saying, if God says it, He'll make it happen.

Psalm 118:6 says it the best, "The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

God is my reassurance and confidence, not what the world deems is right.

God works the impossible.

God sees the unseen.

Without God's assurance, we have no peace.

Truth that is not absolute is speculation, theory, opinions, feelings.

It's like saying a tofu burger is a burger, no matter how you dress it up, it's still tofu!

So endure and keep on sticking to God's Word. We'll be able to face whatever comes our way holding on to what God says and what His promises are. He is never changing and never fails. 

Are You a Secret Agent Christian?

Most of us understand the passage of scripture that bears the message that we would know a person by the type of fruit they produce. Being a huge garden lover, when it comes to spring time and planting of seeds, I have to make sure that I place signs in the area to help me identify the plants that will begin to sprout for and grow. Just like the other week, my husband and I both came across some extra seed packages we had left over from our previous move.

Having a few extra pots laying around with nothing growing in them, we each set about planting seeds in various pots. I took the time to carefully label mine so I would know if I was growing an herb or merely a flowering plant. My hubby however, just diligently got to the task at hand. Pushing seeds into the soil, covering them up, and watering them thoroughly. When we finished, I had three pots in which I had planted marigolds, carnations and sunflowers and each was labeled so I knew which was which.

Hubby's pots on the other hand we void of all identification. When I walked over to one of the pots and asked what was in this one, he looked at me and said, I think cilantro.

"Cilantro? Are you sure?"

"I think so. Wait! Maybe I planted peppers in that one and cilantro in this one."

You can see where this story is headed right?

Needless to say, it will remain a mystery until the plants are large enough to either show us what they are based on what they look like or the type of produce each one will bear. At that time, we won't have need of labels.

But it does bring to mind, if you're a Christian, are you encountering any time of persecution in your life right now?

Hmm, might be difficult if the answer is No, because perhaps it's the company you're keeping. Are you hanging out with only Christians like yourself. Could be the reason you are persecution or problem free right now.

Other reason is that you're a Secret Agent Christian!

Well we all know there isn't such a thing right?

Wrong! The Bible says we would know one another by the types of fruit we bear. In the end, we will all be judged. Let's look at that context in Matthew 25: 31-46 (NIV)

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Perhaps if you are not going through any difficulty or trials right now, you might want to re-examine your life. The Bible speaks clearly in Matthew 7:15-17

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit."

Perhaps you might believe that simply being a good person and doing good things will be enough in this life. But trust me, when your life is over, you will be cast among the goats unless you have accepted Christ as your personal Savior. 

It is not through works that gain us a place in heaven but through believing that Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to get there. If you don't like that message, I guess you'll have to take it up with Jesus because He is the one, that claims that in John 14: 6 "Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." 

That is our ONLY guaranteed. Anything else is simply fooling ourselves that when we get to the end of this life, we will get to go to Heaven. 

So I would encourage you as a believer in Christ, we will ALL go through trials and tribulations, persecution, because of who we believe in. The only difference between our struggles and those of unbelievers is we have HOPE in ours. We know no matter how difficult things get we still have Jesus on our side. He will get us through it. If not on this side, then when we make it to our heavenly home. 

It might be a good time to ensure you aren't fulfilling your role as a Secret Agent Christian. Perhaps you don't want to "rock the boat" but trust me, time is running short. We need to stand firm, rooted in the truth of what God tells us, and if we are willing to do that, trust me, the world will let you know. 

Let's make sure we are bearing much fruit in our lives for God's glory. 

It is His goal that NONE shall perish and that ALL will come to know Him. Isn't time to make that choice today if you haven't and have come upon this message today. 

You didn't wind up here by chance. 

God had a purpose for you finding your way here. 

Don't leave today, without the eternal hope of knowing where you'll be spending your eternity. 

Trust me, there are two places where you will wind up. 

Either Heaven, my preference for everyone. 

Or Hell, and trust me, it's not going to be a party place for you and all your crazy friends. It will be a place of torment and punishment. There is no way out once you find yourself there. 

Ready to make a change? 

It's simple. 

God will hear you when you speak. It's simply a gift He's willing to extend to you. No matter what you've done in your life, God can erase it all and give you freedom from your sin. 

Ask Him into your life. Tell Him to make Himself known to You. 

Tell Him you're a sinner and need His forgiveness. 

Tell Him you believe His promises that He is the ONLY way to redemption and to show you the way. 

Tell Him you believe He is the Son of God who was sent here to die for your sins, to die on the cross for you as payment and was raised on the third day and now lives in Heaven at the right hand of God. 

Tell Him to keep you in His care and to show you a new life you can have to day. 

If you have done that and meant it with your heart, you are a NEW creation in Jesus Christ. 

I would encourage you to find a church and a friend who is a believer and let them know so they can help you on your way to learning more about where you'll be spending an eternity now. Welcome to the family!!

Feel free to share this message with anyone who needs it. 

What's the Point Anyway?

"What's the point?"

"Do anyone really notice?"

"What would happen if I never existed?"

If you're honest with yourself at some point in your life, you've probably said those things outloud or to yourself. I know I have, all of them actually.

I used to define myself by what I did.

What kind of job I held, the elusive job title, sometimes how much I made and how that impacted my ability to financially help support my family, even where I lived, dressed or what car I drove.

Silly now that I look back on all of that in my whopping 49 years of life here on this earth. God had such a bigger way for me to view things. All that matters to God is my life.

Me. 

Just the way I am right now, flaws and imperfections.

I will never be perfect this side of heaven but I am perfect for God today, just the way I am right now.

When I look back at my life, I can see God's hand in so many areas. All of them if I look long and hard enough. Through the trials I thought would consume and drown me, He was there all the way.

Sometimes it was me, trying to work through life my own way, but God never left my side. Often times the only one who left was me.

I try and take time each morning and remember to invite God into my day. Apart from Him, I can honestly do nothing. And at this stage in my life, I don't want to go it alone without Him.

I also spend time reflecting before beginning my day at one of those times in my life when I doubted I would get through something and see how God enabled me to get through it. Sometimes it was days to weather through that storm, other times years and even decades. Some I am still weathering through.

It's important not to forget God during those times. Those are our faith builders. They are what fuels our spiritual life to keep on enduring. To keep pushing forward when the enemy simply wants us to call it quits. Give in. Succumb to his will instead of God's.

I share this with you today because too many people are wondering about their place in life right now. Out of work. Loss of a loved one. Financial crisis that seeks to overthrow everything we've worked so hard for. Perhaps wondering if your life is worth anything. Perhaps your even questioning God to give you a sign.

Stop and realize that right where you are at this moment, is no accident.

God is caught off guard while He was busy handling someone elses crisis and failed to notice yours.

Sometimes all those prayers seem to go unanswered but are they really? Are you seeking your own answer to them instead of Gods? Perhaps that answer isn't the one you wanted. Perhaps the answer is No or simply the worst one we hate, wait.

What wait means is just that. Wait.

Not grow impatient because we think God isn't working on our situation. It may take 20 years to reach that break through moment, but it will come. If we don't step in and handle it ourselves.

If we ask God to handle it, keep on pressing forward doing God's will in your life. Not sure what that is, pray about that instead of your impatience waiting on God's answer. I remember a quote once that God's working on things when He appears to be the most quiet in your life.

Don't worry, be happy.

There's a whole lot of truth to that statement. If we remain negative, complaining all the time, who wants to be around us? We'll breed that negativity into someone else life. Refuse to be that way. It's the one thing we can change is our attitude. Go do something for someone else instead of complaining what isn't working in your own life. See how that will change your perspective!

This all brings me to my own blogging and sharing pieces of my life with others. Often times after looking back at going on almost 4 years you wonder if it's worth it. Does anyone even care you're doing this anymore? Does anyone even read what I wrote?

The answer is yes! Yes! YES! It matters to God.

I may not see the results of my efforts until years later, but often times God sends me an encouraging message. One that tells me to keep on, keeping on. Like the one I got in an email today. Only know besides encouraging me, it has rekindled that fire of the Holy Spirit.

I started my blog to encourage not only believers but mostly unbelievers in their day to day life. I lost sight of that along the way when life got a bit busy. Thanks to you my wonderful friend for giving this parched soul a big old drink today! You will never know how much your email meant to me this morning and thank you God for sending it to me when I needed it the most. You are always doing things like that and I thank you, Lord.

Thank you for the gift of being able to share what you bring to my heart each day. May everything I write and share bring glory to YOUR name and spread the message of Hope to a dark world in need of light.

Moment of Truth - Giveaway

As a Christian, I know I will have eternal life, a life without end, without tears, aging, illness or any more death. Yet it doesn't stop me from time to time, wondering and sometimes afraid of when it actually happens. Will it hurt? Will I be carried by angels to my heavenly home? What will it be like in heaven? What will I look like?

I guess it's pretty natural considering not many people have made it there and back and lived to tell their tales. Most Christian believers that have had a near death experience really didn't make it into heaven but got glimpses of what it might be like, they were sent back instead of proceeding forward. It simply wasn't there time. I for one, hope it happens quick. I have a huge fear of pain, and I would hate for it to be long and drawn out, like with a terminal illness. I think it would grieve me to watch my family members and friends have to deal with saying goodbye.

I have found comfort in what God's Word, the Bible, has to say regarding some of my greatest fears, from 1 Corinthians 15:55 "“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” Sounds like for us, it won't hurt, or perhaps like childbirth, its simply a pain that is forgettable. We remember it hurts, but it doesn't last.

We know how this will all end, in one of two paths, the road to heaven for believers and the road to hell for those that don't. We've read the book so we know how it all ends. If you don't perhaps you should read Revelations. I can tell you it's quite eye-opening. I, for one, know it won't be like what I heard in high school, that hell is a place for partying with all your friends, doing everything you're not supposed to be doing here. It will be a place for eternal suffering, and torment. Think of the worst pain imaginable and think of that, never ending but only way worse.

Yet heaven awaits for believers of Jesus Christ. The Bible is quite clear on that point, especially if you believe in the word of God, the Bible, is true!

John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." That means to my understand, not through Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius, or any other Higher Power but Jesus. Without a belief in Him, what He did for all of mankind and what He represents, we can not enter heaven. We shouldn't think we have time to wait either. How many times do you hear of someone who died so suddenly, no one even had the opportunity to say goodbye. Yet I have so many friends who believe they will make it to their death bed and make their confession there. That, my friends, isn't a risk I would ever want to take. The odds aren't in their favor, but it could happen.

So I am curious and thus the reason for this post, what do you really believe happens when we die?
Do we fall asleep or are we instantly transported to heaven? What is heaven going to be like? What will we be like? Will we have any memories of this life in heaven? Will their be pets in heaven?

I am curious and would LOVE to hear your thoughts. If you leave your thoughts below in the comment box, I will be having a giveaway for the book by Joe Beam and Lee Wilson, called The True Heaven. Simply share with me what you think and if you can, your email address so I have a way of contacting you if you're the lucky winner. This giveaway will be going on until August 10th, so please share your thoughts. I'd love to know what you think heaven will be like.