It was after the evening church service and we were all standing around, talking and laughing. There was a Florida rainstorm going on, so inevitably the lights went out. It's amazing how quickly the room went silent. All you could see were the EXIT lights, showing the way out of the pitch black room. The lights came back on again, and everyone resumed their laughter and conversation. My sis-in-law and I decided it was time to duck out in the rain and get home.
If the lights had stayed out, we still would've made our way outside because those EXIT lights are battery operated. They stay on when all the electricity goes off. They help you find your way out of an unfamiliar building. (Yeah, you see where I'm going with this don't you?)
Has it gotten dark in your life lately? Did all the lights go out and nobody's talking or laughing anymore? Do you find yourself trapped in unfamiliar territory and don't see a way out?
Jesus said, "I am the way…" (John 14:6) and " I am the door" (John 10:9) When you are fighting depression or life has gotten so hard that you're looking to get out, I will point you to Jesus. His light never goes out and He will always lead you out of the dark. (I know this first hand.)
All you have to do is trust. I know that's one of those little big words, but maybe if you talk to others who have taken that route, you'll see it's a real deal. That EXIT light does not lead to more darkness or a locked door; it takes you to a freedom that is so amazing you will wonder why you fumbled around by yourself this long.
Where do you start? Pick up your Bible and start with the book of John. Ask a Christian friend to pray for you. Don't give up and keep searching my friend. Ask lots of questions! I'll pray for that light to go on for you.
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." John 8:12
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Monday, September 10, 2007
Repentance
Six years ago, September 11 was like any other day. People were just getting in to work, dropping off their kids at daycare or stopping for a coffee. In minutes, their world would change. Evil touched the United States and thousands lost their lives in one stroke. Were they in the wrong place at the wrong time? Were they bad people, did they somehow bring it upon themselves? Harsh questions, I know.
Jesus’ disciples asked the same thing about a tragic massacre. Jesus assured them that the magnitude of the event had nothing to do with how much the people had sinned. He even related another event where a tower had fallen and taken several lives. Towers in those days where considered a sanctuary, so people rationalized that the dead had sinned greatly.
He made it clear that these tragedies were not brought on by their sin. In fact, He said the bigger question was whether or not they repented of their sins. Jesus was more concerned about spiritual death. He told His disciples, “…but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." Luke 13:1-5
It’s a hard statement to swallow, but think about it. It’s going to happen, we will all die one day and face God. We don’t have a choice when and where. BUT, we do have a choice as to whether or not we will live on in heaven after our physical death.
When you reflect on the anniversary of 9-11, pray that people will realize how delicate life really is. You could be gone tomorrow. And the most important questions are not, “Do you have your affairs in order?” or “Have you told your family you love them?” The most important question is, “Do you know Christ?”
Before you go to sleep tonight. Consider repentance, because to Christ that was the most important thing.
If you'd like to know for sure whether you're heaven bound or not, drop in here: Need Him.
…that if you confess with your mouth Jesus {as} Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." Romans 10:9-11
Jesus’ disciples asked the same thing about a tragic massacre. Jesus assured them that the magnitude of the event had nothing to do with how much the people had sinned. He even related another event where a tower had fallen and taken several lives. Towers in those days where considered a sanctuary, so people rationalized that the dead had sinned greatly.
He made it clear that these tragedies were not brought on by their sin. In fact, He said the bigger question was whether or not they repented of their sins. Jesus was more concerned about spiritual death. He told His disciples, “…but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." Luke 13:1-5
It’s a hard statement to swallow, but think about it. It’s going to happen, we will all die one day and face God. We don’t have a choice when and where. BUT, we do have a choice as to whether or not we will live on in heaven after our physical death.
When you reflect on the anniversary of 9-11, pray that people will realize how delicate life really is. You could be gone tomorrow. And the most important questions are not, “Do you have your affairs in order?” or “Have you told your family you love them?” The most important question is, “Do you know Christ?”
Before you go to sleep tonight. Consider repentance, because to Christ that was the most important thing.
If you'd like to know for sure whether you're heaven bound or not, drop in here: Need Him.
…that if you confess with your mouth Jesus {as} Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." Romans 10:9-11
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