If you've ever visited a government building, it's obvious that to have access to certain areas, you need a badge. This tells security who you are and your access level. Your badge determines where you can go. To get a badge, you either need to work there or be a visitor who has been cleared with security. And even then you may find doors that remain locked.
It is frowned upon at these establishments to "hold the door" for someone who has forgotten or lost their badge. Holding the door leaves the building open to anyone. The one who holds the door better be sure they know who they're letting in, or face the consequences of their boss.
I just realized today as my own badge unlocked a door for me at work...so many try to get to heaven by their own badge. They figure that their accomplishments, their morals or simply being born to Christian parents gives them full access to heaven. But you know what? There is only one who has full access: Jesus. He has full security clearance that gives Him the ultimate access: Heaven's throne. When you realize that's all it takes--you knowing Christ and Christ knowing you--you will have the assurance that one day you'll see Him with His foot in heaven's door and beckoning with an outstretched arm saying, "Come on, I'm holding the door for you!"
Get to know Him today...check out the book of John in the Bible's New Testament.
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
John 14:6
Showing posts with label heaven. Show all posts
Showing posts with label heaven. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
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
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Fish Tale
In August it rains a lot in Florida. You can pretty much count on afternoon rainstorms that last 20 minutes and dump an inch or more. Today was no different. I had errands to run and the rain started. After an hour with no let up, I figured I better get going. I wouldn’t melt.
On the way out of my neighborhood, there were huge puddles. Ponds were so full they were spilling into the street. And then I saw it…no lie: catfish in the street. These ugly mud-colored fish were trying to swim on the asphalt. One curious driver was outside of his vehicle in the rain, touching a catfish with the toe of his boot. I don’t think he thought it was real. I watched another slither off into the grass.
I bet the fish were more surprised than we were.
How is life going for you today? Have you had a little rain in your life? I wonder, has the problems and worries of this life driven you out of your comfort zone? Do you, like the fish, find yourself struggling as you make your way to safer waters?
I want you to know, that feeling that you get when you know you’re not where you need to be is no daydream. We are aliens on this planet.
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t believe we’re from Mars, or our ancestors are little green men. The Bible tells us we are strangers in this world. Just like those catfish didn’t belong on the street, we belong in heaven with God. (2 Corinthians 5:1)
God puts in the heart of every man and woman a longing. Some people call it a God-shaped hole. We feel like a fish on the road, making our way to the next puddle…the next paycheck, the next romance, the next drink, the next buzz. Why waste your time trying to find that thing that makes you feel whole or right again? I know what you’re missing my dear fish. You need water…living water. And I know just Who can supply it.
Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." John 4:13-14
On the way out of my neighborhood, there were huge puddles. Ponds were so full they were spilling into the street. And then I saw it…no lie: catfish in the street. These ugly mud-colored fish were trying to swim on the asphalt. One curious driver was outside of his vehicle in the rain, touching a catfish with the toe of his boot. I don’t think he thought it was real. I watched another slither off into the grass.
I bet the fish were more surprised than we were.
How is life going for you today? Have you had a little rain in your life? I wonder, has the problems and worries of this life driven you out of your comfort zone? Do you, like the fish, find yourself struggling as you make your way to safer waters?
I want you to know, that feeling that you get when you know you’re not where you need to be is no daydream. We are aliens on this planet.
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t believe we’re from Mars, or our ancestors are little green men. The Bible tells us we are strangers in this world. Just like those catfish didn’t belong on the street, we belong in heaven with God. (2 Corinthians 5:1)
God puts in the heart of every man and woman a longing. Some people call it a God-shaped hole. We feel like a fish on the road, making our way to the next puddle…the next paycheck, the next romance, the next drink, the next buzz. Why waste your time trying to find that thing that makes you feel whole or right again? I know what you’re missing my dear fish. You need water…living water. And I know just Who can supply it.
Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." John 4:13-14
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
A Poem
My friend and niece had a baby. The same friend lost her brother this year, tragically. Then our pastors did a sermon series on Heaven...got me to thinking and a poem practically wrote itself! Enjoy.
A Parallel Universe
When we are born
we depart
a small universe
No more floating
a tiny orbit
inside a darkened space
Propelled into light
we leave with no choice
to land in a world
so different from what
we left
We gasp at the air
and open our eyes
to brilliance and sound
and soon wrapped
in arms of love
When we die
we depart
a small universe
No more floating
a tiny orbit
inside a darkened space
Propelled into light
we leave with no choice
to land in a world
so different from what
we left
We gasp at the air
and open our eyes
to brilliance and sound
and soon wrapped
in arms of
Love
Kelly Edens
June 7, 2007
A Parallel Universe
When we are born
we depart
a small universe
No more floating
a tiny orbit
inside a darkened space
Propelled into light
we leave with no choice
to land in a world
so different from what
we left
We gasp at the air
and open our eyes
to brilliance and sound
and soon wrapped
in arms of love
When we die
we depart
a small universe
No more floating
a tiny orbit
inside a darkened space
Propelled into light
we leave with no choice
to land in a world
so different from what
we left
We gasp at the air
and open our eyes
to brilliance and sound
and soon wrapped
in arms of
Love
Kelly Edens
June 7, 2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
