Tag: Jesus is Coming Soon

Posted in Christian, Eternity, Faith, Family, Forgiveness, Grace, Life Inspiration

What to Remember When Life is Harsh

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Praise God! I’ve never professed to be perfect, else there would be so many disappointed people in my life. Mainly family, who know me all too well, but friends for sure, and general acquaintances would find me sad too. I feel I say “I’m struggling” too often, but there is no other word that would describe my week. Physically, emotionally and spiritually I’ve had the worst week ever. I topped it off by ignoring God. That really made it better, right? This is a part of the imperfections that is within me. If life hands me a bad day, or in this case a bad week, I have a tendency to give my mind leniency to wander down thoughtless pathways such as internet stories and videos that take me into someone else’s world and out of my own. It’s a coping mechanism that fails miserably and yet I try it every time. Every time. It’s as if ignoring God will allow more misery to come, which I deserve, right? That’s what Satan says. And we know he has our best interest at heart. Yes, I’m that dumb, and it’s why Eve has nothing on me in the garden. I would have taken that fruit without so much as a question. 

So today, the final day of the work week, I decide that I need to put on my lipstick and pull myself together and look for a way of dealing with nasty, hurtful, people. Merry Christmas to me. 

So here’s my text:

1 Corinthians 16:19-24 KJV

[19] The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. [20] All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss. [21] The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. [22] If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. [23] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. [24] My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

The closing of the book of 1 Corinthians from our friend, the Apostle Paul. A man of God who more than understood being hurt. He always brings my own petty issues into perspective. although this weeks struggles weren’t all petty. Some were pretty intense. But not “Paul” intense. No one was threatening to kill me. I didn’t have to flee for my life. But I felt hatred, and that my friend is an awful, awful feeling. Especially when it comes from a person who calls them self a child of God. I mention that only so you’ll know a partial context of my week. Partial because there was more. I hate being vague, and perhaps the story can be told some day, but for now it’s too fresh, and involves other people. But take my word, it’s been a no good, very bad, week. 

So the question for myself this morning is, “How do we deal with hateful, hurtful people?”

Remember the Gift of True Friendship

At the end of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians he salutes the readers. A gesture of gratitude and respect to the churches of Asia. I have wonderful friends in Asia. That was my launching point for getting away from these feelings of hurt that I feel today. The very fact that God has given me friends all over the world. Literally! I have been to churches in Asia. I could have said to them as Apostle Paul did, to the churches of Asia, I salute you. Not only do I have friends in Asia, I friends in America and other countries too! Not fake friends, but genuine friends that if I call upon them they would do all they could do to help me out. Btu I’m not apt to call on them, because I figure everyone has issues. They don’t need mine. And so I spend a week like this one, where I feel alone, angry and hurt, without God by my side, although He is, but I pretended He wasn’t so I could wallow in self pity. But this morning I am reminded once again of the faithfulness of God and His people. 

Remember the Gift of Holy Kisses

My daughter Whitney is “elfing” houses this week with her cheerleading squad. For a fee they’re hiding elves in the yards of people with children for them to locate with clues and they not only receive the elf dolls, they receive a bag of elf kisses too. It’s such a cute concept, but it’s nothing compared to the holy kiss of a saint. I know it’s hard to believe, but they’re sweeter than chocolate!

A holy kiss is much more than, just a peck on the cheek. John Gil described it as this:

A holy kiss is a Christian salutation wishing all temporal, spiritual, and eternal happiness, to one another; and which, as it should be mutual, should be also hearty and sincere, and this is meant by the “holy kiss”; the allusion is to a common custom in most nations, used by friends at meeting or parting, to kiss each other, in token of their hearty love, and sincere affection and friendship for each other; and is called “holy”, to distinguish it from an unchaste and lascivious one; and from an hypocritical and deceitful one, such an one as Joab gave to Amasa, when, inquiring of his health, he took him by the beard to kiss him, and stabbed him under the fifth rib, 2 Samuel 20:9; and as Judas, who cried, hail master, to Christ, and kissed him, and betrayed him into the hands of his enemies, Matthew 26:49.

Covid has pretty much scared people away from “holy kisses” but there are still a few who trust in a providential God to take care of the matter. I pretty much go with the flow of the person I’m greeting. If they want a holy fist bump, I’m okay with that too. But I primarily want and appreciate the sincerity of the friends who I know to be true. That is sweeter than chocolate! It’s sweet because I am painfully aware of the fact that it is far more rare than reality that there are true and faithful friends even at the church house. So this morning I am focusing on the gratitude I have for the wonderful gift of real “holy kissable” people.

Remember Jesus is Coming Soon!

There’s a phrase in this scripture that I always forget what it means and I have to look it up. In verse 22 it says:

[22] If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.

Anathema meaning “accursed”

Maranatha meaning “O Lord come.”

So it basically says “if there’s anyone who doesn’t love the Lord Jesus Christ let him be accursed when the Lord comes. 

There’s a final judgment that I don’t wish on my worst enemy. To be accursed is to be eternally separated from God. When I hear people curse and tell people to go to hell, I wonder how many dare to realize that that is a real place. I look at my husband, children and grandchildren, and I realize that the love I have for them is the same love  an unsaved person has for their family. The only difference being, I have the hope of eternity with my family and they do not. I can’t imagine, nor do I want imagine my family being in Hell. But that’s what happens to those who don’t love Christ. The thought is gut wrenching. 

At the end of a bad week, I’m focusing today on what will be the beginning of eternity when Jesus comes. When there will be no heart ache or sadness or wickedness like we face today. If you know and love Jesus, give Him glory! If you don’t, please message me on social media or through the contact information on this blog. I need to tell you why I have the power within me to go on after a week like this. Because even when people are bad, God is sooooooooo good. 

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Church attendance, Eternity, Life Inspiration, Not Another Manic Monday, Peace, Word of God

The Great Escape

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on The Great Escape

Every time I reach the point of exhaustion, brought on by too much list and not enough time, I have one of those wishful Calgon take me away moments. If you remember the commercial, it’s where the mom soaks down into a tub full of Calgon bubbles and somehow her world goes away.

While that’s awesome. The problem is you have to get out of the tub eventually! Monday comes. That’s where the manic Monday concept comes from. The dishes need done, the work needs done, people need stuff, the phone’s ringing, the bills need paid and it all gets to be too much.

It’s then that I need my life to make sense. I need order in my chaos. And because I am personally my own chaos, I can’t do it. So I go to the word. And I look for my escape from the manic I call Monday.

I knew it was coming. So when the Pastor preached from Philippians four last night and I heard the word escape, my mind began to drift from Sunday night to Monday and I felt that overwhelmed feeling and thought, “that’s my word for the week.” I need to escape!

But just like the Calgon bath, I knew I would eventually have to face it. Just as we all do. So I might as well face it with the Lord and His word.

When looking for an Escape, Don’t Ignore the People

Hebrews 11:32-35

And what shall I more say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae, of David also and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out o the weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in the fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

Glory to God what a line up of people for us to gather encouragement this Monday morning!

Most of them did escape. They eventually got their Calgon moment. But some went by the way of great escapes because they escaped to the best Calgon Moment of all, the one that never ends called eternity.

And while none of us are likely wanting to shorten our time here. We can still have those Calgon moments if we stay in the word.

Those people, as well as others in our life are there for an example.

Hebrews 12:1 says

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

God knew there would be “Calgon take me away” days. He wanted us to be prepared for them, so He put examples of the others who faced worse, and many in our own lives today. You know who they are. The people that you just don’t know how they do it.

I think of Louis Milam. A man in our church who had crippling arthritis and the deformities that came with it, and yet he seldom ever missed church. He’s my go to guy even though he’s already gone on to Heaven. Every time I want to throw in the towel, I think of him. I don’t figure Louis had one Calgon day in the last 20 years of his life. And yet he didn’t quit.

Don’t ignore the people that God put in your life to encourage you.

My second point:

When Looking for an Escape, Don’t Ignore the Preacher

Hebrews 12:25

See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from Heaven:

If that’s not a warning, I’ve never heard one!

October is Pastor appreciation month. It may be one of the most unappreciated professions of all times in this day and age. The world doesn’t want to hear preaching. I crave it. I listen to it more than music, because to me it is music.

It restores my hope! Last night the preacher said something that really made me take note. He said “Nothing should make us go to one extreme or the other, because nothing changes the fact that the Lord is going to return!”

Wowzer!

Nothing that happens today is going to change the fact that Jesus is coming back! Woohoo and Glory to God! that should put a shout on you. Because you can say that to Satan and it will for sure get his goat, because he knows it’s true.

Someone once said “If Satan reminds you of your past, remind him of his future.”

That’s why we go to church and take every opportunity we can to listen to good solid preaching because we need that reminder that we will have our day.

Which brings me to my third and final point:

When Looking for an Escape, Don’t Ignore the Promises

2 Peter 1:4

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

We have within ourselves the divine nature of God in the Holy Spirit. We have a Calgon moment in the making anytime we want it, but we have to have the promises of God in our lives to escape the corruption of this world which is also still in us. Those promise are found in the word of God.

I don’t think any of us realize how precious the book is. But we can see how precious Satan knows it is because he keeps doing everything within his power to destroy it. It’s why we have to fight for it.

Not nearly enough came to the fight with Madeline Murray O’Hair in 1963 when she single handedly managed to get prayer and the word of God out of public schools. I wonder what our lives would be like today if she had lost her battle. I read the story of her distorted life and horrific death this morning and praise God for her only living son, William, who is saved and serving God in D.C. as an author, Baptist minister and chairman of the Religious Freedom Coalition.

So I’ll say this in closing, the only way to escape the wickedness of this world, is to understand that Jesus is the way, truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except through Him. He is the only way to a true Calgon moment. Do you know Him today. I needed this message today. Take heart child of God, Jesus is coming soon!

Please share this post and I pray your week is awesome!!!

Posted in Uncategorized

I Can’t Make You Listen

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on I Can’t Make You Listen

The hardest part of being a child of God, parent, grandparent, niece, cousin, aunt, and friend is when your heart breaks as you share the gospel and they won’t listen. They’re not rude. They’re not unkind. They’re just indifferent.

I debated for a few seconds on whether or not to write this blog today. My heart is tender and I’m weepy. But that’s okay. I need to share while the pain is fresh.

I’m not a super saint. I’m a messed up child of God that was saved by grace alone, that’s my greatest fear on why people won’t listen to me. They look at me and think “Why does she think she has it (life) figured out?” And I don’t, but I have eternal life figured out and that’s my message.

Ezekiel was not only a spokesman, he was a watchman. He watched as the world around him spiraled into destruction because of a nation that rejected God. I see the same thing, only now God is not viewing us as a nation, He’s viewing us individually, and every single one of us is going to stand accountable for what we’ve done in this life. Alone, before God.

I envision my family and friends standing before God and having Him say, “Depart from Me, I never knew you.” I feel Ezekiel’s frustration. But I feel God’s pain of rejection and I feel my broken heart that those people will miss out on Heaven and suffer Hell. Yes. There’s a Hell. Why won’t they hear?

I can’t make them listen. I can only blow the horn again and again and say Jesus is Coming Soon whether or not you believe. He will step out on that cloud and call His people home because the Bible says He will and not one word of that book has failed yet.

Christmas can be a sad time because loved ones aren’t with us, but at least if we know Jesus Christ as Savior we know that we will spend eternity rejoicing with our loved ones. But what about the ones that aren’t there? I don’t believe we’ll remember them. But you can believe (because the word says it’s true), that they’ll remember us.

After the heart attack and surgery, I’ve struggled with playing games with faith. I wasn’t guaranteed another Christmas, and I almost missed it. I don’t want to miss the opportunity to tell everyone I can about the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

I can’t make them listen. But I can keep blowing my horn and telling the world Jesus is coming soon! Be ready!!!!

Do you know you’re ready? If not, follow the link for the plan of salvation at the top of the page! And then tell me and everyone else in the world you can about Jesus!

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Evangelism, Leadership, Political

The Deceiver

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I cannot count the times I’ve heard people say, “I no longer watch the news.” There are varying reasons, but they all boil down to a lack of trust, myself included. The news industry is more of an entertainment industry; even Fox News, which I trust a smidgen more than others, have a tendency to spin their own opinions at times on things that I don’t agree with. So I choose to wait until someone comments on social media about an event or a person that’s in the news and then I go in search of information believing I’m likely only getting half the story.

But praise God! There is a place where the news is fresh every day and even the Old Testament can read like a newspaper headline. Difference being, the Word of God is pure truth.

Ezekiel 12:22-25

Rejected Vision

22 Son of man, what is that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth?

Those words sound all too familiar. Even the times that they’re not spoken, I feel that the majority of earth have fallen lacks to the idea that time ends for everyone, and so will the earth.

2 Peter 3:9 says it plainly that The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Yet because of God’s longsuffering and wiliness to allow us to get our hearts right with Him, man has been deceived by Satan into thinking that there will not be a judgment day.

The beautiful faces of the media, who often are snakes in bunny clothing, spew lies as fact and the world buys in.  Ethics are at best situational if there are any ethics at all. It’s considered the norm and acceptable and the next generation will be worse because of it.

And before any Christian cast stones, the church as a whole isn’t much better. If we truly believed God’s word as fact, (and it is) that He can come back before the period is put on this sentence, why then are we not more diligent about soul winning? I don’t have any stones in my pocket. 

Reality Verified

23 Tell them therefore, Thus saith the Lord God; I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say unto them, The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision.

God warned Israel, His very own, that judgement day was on the horizon, and it was. The false prophets and idolaters were condemned and Israel was judged as a harlot for betraying our Lord. (Ezekiel 16:35) Will He do any different for those of us who have been offered grace through the blood of His precious Son? No.

In the days of Ezekiel, judgement was by the law, which I personally wouldn’t have lasted a day under. But by His grace I am saved and protected from the judgement of the earth, but still very much accountable for my actions as a child of God. As well as all other Christians.

Our churches and their leadership are going to stand before God and answer as to why we did not heed His warnings and share the truth outside the walls of the church. Why did we not take a greater stand on matters and rebuke the media rather than accepting it as the norm? And why did we accept the wickedness in and around us as “probably not right,” but  “okay?”

Rebellions Verdict

24 For there shall be no more any vain vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel.

25 For I am the Lord: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord God.

I don’t have a clue when the end of time will come, but I do believe it’s very much in the not too distant future. Every time I see the clouds rolling in the sky, I wonder… is this the day?

Judgement came for Israel and it will come for us as well.

God’s words citing Israel’s vain visions and flattering divinations very much reminded me of the media today. And the world is every bit as gullible to believe in it.

God’s going to speak to His Son one day and say, “Go get Your children.” And I’ll be ready. But how many won’t? It scares me, but does it scare me into doing something about it besides writing these words? Only time will tell.

The great deceiver may be hiding behind an anchor desk, but that’s not his only locale. He’s in every school, business, church and home, wreaking as much havoc as he possibly can. It’s our job to step up and take back the ground he’s conquered.

Posted in Bible Journaling, Faith, Fear, Forgiveness, Grace, Heaven, Life Inspiration, salvation

Longsuffering Has an Expiration Date

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion 2 Comments on Longsuffering Has an Expiration Date

When I heard the title of this writing in a recent sermon of my Pastor, it was one of those times that the words rolled over and over again in my mind like the never ending credits to a movie. Only the words attested to the fact that there is an ending. Date unknown. Time unknown. Maybe before you get to the end of this sentence. But as certain as the air we breathe there is an expiration date on God’s longsuffering. The following are my Christian View On Suffering in the World.

Peter 3:9-14

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

I’m a fanatic over expiration dates on food products, unlike my Mother. We’re pretty sure she’s going to poison us eventually. (I’m kidding, kind of)  She was raised in an era of “scarcity” when it came to the necessities of life, while I have been raised in an era of abundance. This is no doubt the foundation of our mindsets when it comes to expiration dates. I fear our reasoning on the expiration date of the Lord’s longsuffering is much the same. Most of us have not experienced a time of suffering that was long. We’ve gone through bouts of it, but nothing in any great length. But imagine the length of time the Lord has suffered with humanity and their unwillingness to concede to His Omnipotence.

Knowing that most people aren’t longsuffering enough to read more than 500 words, I’ll keep this as short as possible. The last verse (14) in my selected scripture gives me three points to ponder on the longsuffering of God and the short-attention span of His creation. Us.

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Pre-salvation, I knew that I was sinner. A conscience was placed within me that let me know. The three things I longed for and could not attain are listed in this verse. And I believe that this is the case for most unsaved people, if not all.

I Longed for Peace

John 14:27 speaks the words of Christ Himself “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

My heart was troubled, and it was afraid because I knew that this world nor my life would be forever. That all changed the day I surrendered my life to Christ through the simplicity of a prayer. “Lord! Save me!”

There was no peace found outside of Him.

I Longed to Feel Worthy

The world puts a great deal of value on worth. Friends are chosen on the basis of “being worth our time.” What do they bring into the relationship? Careers are based on the value of our skills; what do we bring to the table? Family, though not chosen, are often rewarded and positioned on the basis of merit. Who is the most successful? This is not the case in every friend, career or family, but it is usually the case in our lives at some point, leaving us with the feeling of never being enough. Spotted, so to speak.

Isn’t it wonderful to know that the Lord doesn’t want you to bring anything to the table? He just wants you! Just as you are, no matter how broken and messed up that is, or even how perfect you may think you are. Once your life is given to Him, you are viewed through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. He died for you, therefore you are worthy. You are amazing in the eyes of God! You are without spot.

I Longed to Feel it was Not my Fault

Every mistake I ever made in life also rolled as movie credits in my mind, letting me know what a failure I was. Even though I’m saved, it still happens today (the accuser does his job well).

Revelation 12:10 ~ And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44). He loves nothing more than to convince us that we are “Ne’er-do-wells” without hope. But God is the God of Hope! And in Him we are at peace, without spot and without blame. That is truth. And we love that we can believe it!

But another truth is God is coming back for His church. And His church is not comprised with membership roles of a specific denomination. It’s comprised of those who have confessed that they believe the virgin born Jesus died on the cross of Calvary to pay their sin debt; that He arose on the third day and took the keys to death, Hell and the grave that Satan had been yielding about in arrogance. Christ returned to Heaven, where He now is, making intercession with the Lord for every fault we have so that God does not see our failures, He sees His Son.

When He returns, will you be ready and waiting? If yes, that’s awesome!!!! I’ll see you there. But I ask myself and you this question… Who won’t be there because they don’t know this truth? Share this message with them. And let them know you want them ready.

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This blog is in it’s 8th year. Hosted on godaddy.com for the past five. Expenses incurred for the operation of this site are without complaint and with gratitude for the opportunity. If the Lord would impress you to give to help cover some recent technology issues, I’d be grateful. I’ve not been in the world’s workforce for 3 years and for that I glorify God. It’s given me the opportunity to not only write and work on music, but minister to nursing home patients, volunteer in the Christian School teaching art and help other ministries with marketing. All of which require technology, communication, time and gasoline. Again it’s without complainT… but just in case you have a desire to help, or have “extra money” 🙂 Know that I would be eternally grateful.

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Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Church attendance, Evangelism, Life Inspiration, salvation

The Rules for Playing Church

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on The Rules for Playing Church

It’s hard to imagine that in the twinkling of an eye; that split millisecond of time we will be gone from this earth and in the presence of the Lord Jesus Himself. It is for certain a “whoa” thought. There is a part of me that says, “Yes Lord, yes! Let it be today.” And then there is the realization that although I am ready and excited for that moment, I have friends and family who are clueless to what those words mean.

Evangelism is all but a lost art form in most churches. Everyone’s preaching love one another, but few are loving others enough to keep them out of Hell and tell them that that trump is going to sound and when it does the opportunity is over for those who have had an opportunity to be saved and rejected it. There will be no more “playing church.”

So how does one know if they’re playing church? Ask yourself and answer honestly these questions:

Rule Number 1 of playing church: Say you know Jesus.

Was there a time in your life when you realized that you were a sinner? Everyone has, but do you recognize that as a sinner, you need saving? And you can’t do it yourself.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3: 23)

The realization of being a sinner also brings with it the realization of how Holy God is. As a child, who did not know Jesus Christ as Lord, I knew there was a God. And I knew in my heart when I examined it honestly, that I knew of Jesus, but I didn’t know Jesus.  There’s a difference. When I realized that to know Jesus and to be able to come into His presence was to be sin free, I didn’t “know” Jesus.

Rule Number 2 of Playing Church: Say nobody’s perfect.

True story in regards to people, but not God! Jesus Christ was perfect in every way. Sinless and blameless and yet willing to take on our imperfections so that we could have an opportunity to be with a Holy God. Perhaps that’s too “churchy” of a conversation for you to understand. The bible says this:

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

We understand as children that doing wrong means punishment. It’s engrained in our hearts at birth that we know right from wrong. Now, human nature takes over and wants what’s wrong much of the time, but we know it’s wrong. How do we know? Did an explosion at the onset of time put that notion in your heart… that theory is crazy. A intelligent Creator built you with that ability to draw you in to a relationship with Him.

The bible says we deserve to die for our sins and go to Hell. But a loving God didn’t want that to happen so He made a way to escape Hell, which was created for Satan and his demons. You have no doubt felt the presence of evil in the world too. God was willing to be born as a man, and die the painful death of a man, as a gift for you to have eternal life. One final sacrifice.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  (Romans 5:8)

Rule Number 3 of Playing Church: Make a profession without a personal relationship

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  (Romans 10:13)

Being saved is that easy. Ask Jesus to save you and He will. There’s no trickery. But often times people say that prayer, or that statement without truly acknowledging that the end result is giving yourself to Him. If you’re saved you won’t say that prayer and walk away without being changed because a Holy God is now living in you, and He wants no part of un-holiness. I know. Because I test Him continually. Getting saved doesn’t make you perfect, it places a perfect God within you that guides you and instructs you and when you sin God makes His presence known. So if you can sin, and not feel Him within you, I would have to think you’re playing church.

So are you? Please don’t. Any second that trumpet could sound and God will call His church home. People who are saved will disappear in a millisecond from this earth and if you’re not saved, you will not see them again and Hell is about to be unleashed on earth. So how do you remedy that end?

Ask Jesus to save you and mean it. Find a bible believing church and stick with it. Don’t buy the lie of the world that you can make it on your own. You won’t last a day.

A prayer to be saved might sound like this:

“Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner.  I know that I need you.  I believe that you died on the cross for me. Forgive me of my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life to you.  I receive you as my Saviour, come into my life and save me.  Thank you for what you did for me.  Amen.”

Or you may want to open that conversation with God on your own. If you ask Him to save you, He will, and then.. let the conversation begin!

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Evangelism, Fear, Leadership, Life Inspiration

What to do in these perilous times

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on What to do in these perilous times

perilous times

I’m not one to tout dooms day, life is depressing enough without someone over and over again telling you the end is near. But it is. And that’s all I say on the matter. What my heart is fixed on this morning is how to make it through these perilous times we’re in. Please don’t get me wrong, I won’t give up on America until Jesus returns. I feel that that there is enough red, white and blue thread sown into the tapestry of our nation, that should enough people get a right heart with God, God would hear from Heaven and heal our land. That’s what 2 Chronicle 7:14 says. But we’re not there yet, we’re living in 2 Timothy 3.

2 Timothy 3:1-3

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

Is that off today’s headlines or what?! Tell me Paul wasn’t writing to us for these troubling days. It’s all about self, social media is proof positive of that. Coveting. We live in a generation of keeping up with the Jones to the point of bankruptcy. Boasters. Arrogance and pride runs ramped as people shake their fist at the Heavens and declare God is not there and take credit for His glory. Parents living in fear of discipline, children that expect and demand without consequence, gay rights and Christian liars and those that despise what is good. Look what’s happened to the defenders of our land. Police, military, fire and rescue are targets and yet expected to be their twenty minutes before someone needs them. Perilous times indeed! The good is despised and the wicked embraced.

Teach the Truth

2 Timothy 3:10 says “But thou hast fully known my doctrine.”  Perhaps you’re saying, but I’m not a teacher. Then you’re wrong, because someone is watching you, and if you’ve got the Word of God in your hand and you’re saved, you’ve been instructed to instruct. Read the word of God. Tell someone about Jesus. Demonstrate His love. That’s our orders from Jesus after He suffered death for us and before He returned to Heaven.

Know the Truth

How?

2 Timothy 3:14 instructs us to continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.

Assurance is key to survival. Wishy washy Christianity never convinces a lost soul of Jesus’ ability to save. You must be confident in Christ and what He has done in your life to convince others and remind yourself in those troubling times that God’s got this!

Live the Truth

2 Timohty 3:16-17 ~  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

The perfection Paul speaks of is not a perfect man… none of us can live up to that, but rather perfect means “complete.” God’s work is finished. But you have much to do until Jesus returns. This is not a time to panic. This is a time to roll up our shirt sleeves and serve Christ like He’s coming for lunch. Because He might.

My Bible journaling sketch today of the little police boy is a reminder to keep our people in authority in prayer during these troubled times. They’re part of the good that is despised. Keep servin’ the Savior!

Posted in Christian Service, Eternity, Evangelism, Heaven, Life Inspiration

Truth is on our side, Time is Not

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Truth is on our side, Time is Not

God's Not Slack

I know people, and you likely do too that love nothing more than to stir with a big stick. Perhaps that’s a West Virginia colloquialism, but I doubt it. Simply put it refers to those people in our lives who stir strife, knowingly or not, they do. But that same concept applied to the Christian walk of faith isn’t a bad thing at all; and although to the unsaved it may appear for a little while that we’re stirring strife too, we know that the peace of Jesus is anti-strife. So today I’m following Peter’s example of encouragement and suggesting that you might want to do a little stirring yourself today.

Surely you Remember!

2 Peter 3:1

This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

Do you remember the first time you felt the urgency of the Lord’s return. I may not remember the first, but I remember the feeling. That sense that I needed to tell everyone I loved (and even those I didn’t) that they needed to get their act together before it was too late. The idea of anyone going to Hell was not something I wanted to be a part of and I knew that even though it was their choice to make a decision for salvation, it was my choice to tell them or not. Satan has to stick  his  two cents in and tell us that we’re “stirring with a big stick” and that we’ll certainly offend  our friends and family and in so doing drive them further away. But the reality of that is Abraham said to the rich man in Hell in Luke 16:26 ~  And beside all this, between us and you there is a  great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

That’s too far. Tell them.

Surely they’ll Rebel

2 Peter 3:2-4

 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

For 2,000 plus hears we’ve been saying, Jesus is going to return. That’s plenty of time for Satan to insert doubt into the mind of this generation of people. It’s been too long… tell them anyway, because Hell’s too far.

Surely they’ll Reason

2 Peter 3:5-7

For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

Science has given them reasons to doubt by using the reason of man to explain the unexplainable. What they couldn’t explain they made up and called it fact. The fact is the earth was first destroyed by water, the second will be by fire. Even though they reason in their minds in err we are without a reason to tell them the truth.

Surely it is our Responsibility

2 Peter 3:8-12

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Peter asks “what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness?”

Regardless of the time, the truth still stands. Jesus is coming back. Truth is on our side, time is not.  Stir somebody for Jesus today!

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Posted in Church attendance, Eternity, Heaven, Life Inspiration, salvation

Breaking up is hard to do

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Breaking up is hard to do

chick ready

How quickly people fall away from the Lord and call it a “new direction” or perhaps they just don’t call it anything. They just ignore the fact that they are out of fellowship with God and pretend that they’re decisions will have no ramification in eternity. If I began to make a list of the friends and family who have fallen out on God I would soon run out of lines on a sheet of paper or perhaps I could write a book about each one and what a difference they made in my life at a crucial time in my spiritual growth, it would be easy to write because it would be truth and my days with them seem like yesterday and yet also another lifetime away. How exactly does one go from standing and testifying about what the Lord has done to walking out on God? And how does it not scare the pants off of them because at one point they knew what God had saved them from. They had a burden for the lost in their family, they cried out at the altar of grace for God to save their children and their family and then one day that just didn’t matter. It makes me nauseous and ever conscience that I could be there tomorrow.

Matthew 24:42-43

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

There is a bluegrass song about Matthew 24 that I used to sing with friends and it was always a reminder of the need to be ready; a favorite sung at revivals and funerals. Revivals and Funerals – the opposite ends of the spectrum. One speaks of new life and the other of death, and yet if the death is that of a saint of God their eternal life just began. Both of those services draw us into the realization that changes could possibly need to be made. Nobody likes the separation that comes with death, but it serves to remind us that it comes to all lest Jesus returns before it and we need to make preparation; not only for us but for those we influence.  It’s funny how Jesus is welcome at Weddings but not in the marriage, He’s given the glory for the blessing of a child but then those same children are not raised to know Him. His Name is spoken often in the message of a funeral but how often was His name spoken by the one who died? Someone’s family member is sick or injured and prayer requests abound but few or hollow praises are heard when the heartache is done and all is well.

Yes I’m going there this morning.

I’m frustrated and this is my only place to vent without going toe to toe with someone I love, or perhaps I should. Maybe it would knock some sense into them. Being the Jesus Chick doesn’t always get you a fan club, sometimes people would like to club you. They tolerate my saying grace over dinner just so it doesn’t lead into dinner conversations that lead into guilt. Oh, glory to God, now I’ve begun to meddle. I just need to get this off my chest and throw it out there in hopes that somebody will read it and determine to get themselves ready.

What spurred this thought this morning and broke my heart was the closing words in verse 43 “and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.”

So let me ask you… if Jesus comes back today will your house be broken? If the decision to claim Christ as Savior, Lord of your life has not been made by you or members of your family then your house will be broken. That’s where the rubber meets the road. Children don’t  just magically get  saved one day, seeds need to have been sown, life doesn’t always get better, sometimes it’s the worse that leaves you longing for the better of Heaven. This morning was not just a reality check for you, but for me. I need to do more, say more. Nobody will care if I talk about Jesus  when we’re all in Heaven, but they’ll certainly care in Hell if I didn’t.

Continue on weary soldier…