Perilous Times

My heart breaks for those suffering at the hand of terrorism in Boston this week. 

This kind of senseless violence only re-emphasizes to me the fact that we are indeed living in perilous times.   The scriptures speak of wars and rumors of wars, and that we are not to be afraid, for these things must happen.  But “look up” for our redemption draws near. 

If you are a Christian, you know that the culmination of all things is at hand.  We are admonished to “redeem the time”, meaning make the best use of whatever time you have left by living on purpose.  Whatever God has called you to do, do it! Get on with it!  Stop living in fear and trepidation; work out your soul’s salvation with fear and trembling.  In other words, “Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God.” Phil. 2:12 (MSG)

If you are not, you may be feeling fearful, anxious and uncertain about the days ahead.  Perhaps it’s because you’re not sure where you stand with God.  We have no way of knowing when our time is up.  Indeed our very next breath is not promised.  Do you know where you’re going if something were to happen to you today or tomorrow? 

You can be sure of where you will spend eternity by praying this simple prayer:

Lord Jesus, I believe in my heart that You are the Son of the Living God; I confess with my mouth that You came to this world and died on the cross for my sins and was raised on the third day.  I confess that I’m sinner, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  Please come into my heart, forgive me of my sins, be my Savior and Lord, and make me who You want me to be.  Thank you, Lord, for saving me! 

If you prayed that prayer, I want to hear from you. I want to rejoice with you and offer some guidance in your new walk with God.  Congratulations!  Welcome to the family of God!  

The Legacy of A Servant of God

We recently lost a very dear friend, woman of God and member of our Church.  Jane, who by God's grace, survived being crushed by a tree many years ago, finally went home to be with the Lord after an extended illness.  She was a mother of 8 boys and 1 girl, a wife, a grandmother and great grandmother; but mostly, she was a believer and servant of the Most High God.

I met Jane about 8 years ago, a short time after my husband and I moved to Maryland from Philadelphia.  We had just joined a small group and Jane was a member of that group as well.  We were soon to find out that Jane had been a member of several small groups and visited all of them regularly.  I also observed that she was a passionate witness of the Gospel, leading many to faith in Jesus Christ just about wherever she went.  Whenever we had an opportunity to host/court the Presence of God at our Church, Jane was there.  Though she was 80 something years old and walked with a walker, she never missed a beat:  volunteering at Church, coming to prayer or just being in fellowship with other Christians.  That was Jane. 

When I heard the news of her passing, the first thing I said was, "Well you know, Jane served God right up to the end.  She served God faithfully and always shared Jesus Christ.  Her life was well spent for God."  WOW!  What a legacy!  I thought, I want people to say that about me! 

What would people say if something were to happen to you today or tomorrow?  Are these the thoughts that would immediately come to mind when people hear of your passing?  Well, you can't go back and change the past, but you can most certainly affect how your story ends from this point on. 

We have all sinned and fallen short of what pleases God, and the wages (the reward) of our sin is death (spiritual death).  The good news is, you don't have to try to "get right" or "fix" anything.  God shows His love for you in that, while you were still living in sin, He sent His Son to die for you.  All you have to do is REPENT: Stop and turn away from sin and follow Jesus Christ.  If you confess your sins, He is faithful and just to forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 9).  Beloved, God loves you so very much!  He stands at the door of your heart, knocking. Invite Him in!

God so loved you (and the world), that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16  You can have eternal life right now!  Right now, you can secure your today and all your tomorrows in Him.  You don't have to live apart from Him anymore. Like Jane, you can leave a legacy that is well pleasing to God!

Just pray this simple prayer:

"Father, I know I'm a sinner.  I acknowledge that I've lived my life apart from You.  Please forgive me of my sins.  I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is your Son, and I confess with my mouth that You raised Him from the dead.  Come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior; make me the person You want me to be.  Thank you for saving me and making me a new creature; old things are passed away - behold all things are become new! Amen!" 

Congratulations!  Welcome to the family of God! 

The God of All Comfort

Yesterday I went to administer Holy Communion to a woman was very active in service to the Lord under my leadership until just a few short months ago.  That's when her health began to fail.  I'm always so grieved to hear of someone that seems so full of life and vitality, has suddenly become gravely ill, even to the point of death.   I'm saddened and amazed at what God has done in her life in the short time she's been a part of our ministry, "An Evening of Inspiration".  But He has done an amazing work in her life! This is her testimony.

As I come into the room, tears begin to flow down her frail cheeks and she smiles a very tired smile.  I can feel myself well up with emotion, but I hold it together because this is about her and what God wants to do for her at this time.  I hear the Christian radio station as I put my things down and come and sit on the side of her bed.  For awhile, we just look at each other as the tears continue to fall.  I speak first.  "I'm so glad to see you, Joyce."  She can barely speak; her voice only audible just above a whisper.  I tell her that I've come to share the Table of the Lord with her and I begin to prepare the elements and anointing her with oil.  I begin to pray slowly, allowing the Holy Spirit to direct me.  After administering the elements, the Lord prompts me to read some scriptures.  He quickly brings to mind which ones, and I turn them one after the other as He leads:  Psalm 23, John 11, John 14, etc.  As I read, I notice her gaze is fixed on me face...a kind of intent stare like she didn't want to miss anything.  I could tell that the Holy Spirit was ministering to her.  She said wanted God to forgive the mistakes of her past, to which I responded with 1 John 1:9-10.  At that, she smiled with a sigh of relief.  She said she was at peace and she wasn't afraid. There was no one she needed to forgive.  I asked her if she remembered when she received the Lord as her Saviour, and she said it was about 3-4 years ago, and she confirmed that she had accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior.

For a moment we were both quiet as I rubbed her frail hands to comfort her.  Then she said, "I guess I won't need this body anymore."  And I said, "No you won't.  You're going to have a glorified body.  This mortal body is going to put on immortality and death will be swallowed up in victory!  There will be no more pain, no more sorrow, no more tears."  Her eyes got really wide with hope!  My heart was blessed! 

It was time to go.  Just this short visit was enough for her.  I prepared to gather my things.  As I bent down to give her kiss on the cheek, she said, "I'll see you on the other side."  I smiled with watery eyes and said, "I'll see you on the other side."

It's just a matter of time now, before she passes into the presence of her heavenly Father.  As I was leaving the building, I thought, "God, I really want to see her when I get there."  I left with the feeling that this was all God's doing.  He is The God of All Comfort. When we respond in obedience and love to those who are in need, we prepare the Way for the Lord to come in.  We make room for the divine intervention of God in the lives of those whom He entrusts to us.  It's not so hard.  In fact, we find that life is just as it should be and you are in the center of His will.