When God Comes Back

   Hurriedly I scurried around the house.  Focused on the many things that were waiting on me I was getting ready quickly when a little voice broke into my consciousness. “Mom, what’s it gonna be like when God comes back?”

   “When God comes back?” I echoed. “You mean when Jesus comes again?”

   “Yeah,” he responded.

   “Oh,”  I said excitedly, “the trumpet is going to sound, and . . .”

   “What about the big book?” He interrupted me. “The big book?” I asked, as I continued in my rush . . . “Oh, you mean the Book of Life.”

    “Well,” I started . . .

    “Where is it?”  He continued.

    “It’s in Heaven,” I began my explanation. “Your name has to be written in the Book of Life for you to go to . . .”

      “Mom,” he said in an exasperated tone, “I’m trying to tell you something here.”

 That stopped me in my tracks.

    “You know that flower I said I made?”  I had to think a moment . . . then, I remembered. He had gotten some clay like sticks for Christmas and had brought me the prettiest flower.

    “Yes,” I answered.

    “I really didn’t make that, Elena did.”

 I went over and sat on the bed. His little heart was convicted! He had told a lie! And while it wasn’t earth shattering to anyone else, He knew He couldn’t get into Heaven with black in his heart. This had to be dealt with – it mattered big time in the building of his character as well as his eternal life! Thanking the Holy Spirit for his tender heart I left what I was doing and went over to where he was.

     I sat on the bed and we talked about it. I explained that I loved him because he was my son, not for what he could do. We talked about the “Book of Life” and how the Bible tells us a choice to lie doesn’t make Heaven our home – but Hell instead!

   He prayed and asked Jesus to forgive him, and asked those involved for forgiveness, too. Peace pervaded His heart as he knew his name was in the book of life.

   My rush to begin the day was interrupted – but somehow, I felt the most important thing of my whole day had just happened . . .

   “Mom, what’s it gonna be like when God comes back . . .”

    Jesus, keep me ready!

 

Take it with You

“He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone,  which is the second death.” Revelation 21:7 &8

Other scriptures:  Revelation 21:22-27

I Thessalonians: 4:16-18

Living Matters

   Did you know that Shimea had sixteen sons and six daughters, and they kept good family records? Did you know that Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah the son of Amaziah . . . . as well as others in this family were leaders and they prospered and increased in numbers until they had to go looking for pasture . . . and they found it – “lush pasture, lots of elbow room, peaceful and quiet?” (I Chronicles 4)

   Did you know that God helped the families of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh when they fought against the Hagrites, Jeture, Naphish, and Nodab? Did you know that He helped them because they cried out to him during the battle – he answered their prayers because they trusted in Him? (I Chronicles 5)

   Did you know that David put people in charge to lead music in the house of the Lord after the ark came to rest there? (I Chronicles 6) Did you know that Zelophedhad had only daughters, and that Asher’s sons were all responsible, brave in battle, and excellent in character? (I Chronicles 7)

   By now you may be wondering – why does this matter? When I started reading I Chronicles I sort of thought the same thing. What in the world could I get out of this book of the Bible? Then, the Holy Spirit began to speak to my heart. ALL of these people have a place in carrying out HIS will for the world!

   Not just Adam, Abraham, Ruth, and Esther. Not only David, and Solomon, and Elijah, and Jonah . . . but the less familiar names as well. The fact is LIVING MATTERS! Life is a gift from God and what we do with the gift He has given us is important.

   His redemptive plan for the entire world is in motion – and all of us have a place within HIS plan. We are part of something so much bigger than the here and now. Everything matters.

   Do you think the sons and daughters of Shimea had any idea that it would be recorded in God’s Word that they kept good family records – or that Asher’s sons knew we would be reading in 2012 that they were responsible, brave in battle, and excellent in character?

   Nope. They just lived, every day, and their living is recorded.

   Today – live it to the fullest! Be EVERYTHING God wants you to be! Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing – give it your BEST! Living matters – now, and eternally!                                        

Take it with You

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Recognition

   It was a routine, travel-time, “pit stop.” The gas station was busy with people fueling up their vehicles, grabbing a drink or a snack, all the normal things people scurry around doing.  It wasn’t an exceptionally clean place, it was crowded and overstocked and carried the smell of stale cigarette smoke.

   As I stood in line, a little child ran toward me – holding out her arms. She wanted me to pick her up and hold her! I looked around for who was with her – and a young couple wasn’t far behind. They seemed fine with it, so I readily answered the request of her little arms and picked her up.

   For some reason, she felt secure in my arms. She didn’t want me to put her down. I gave her back to her mom for a while – then she wanted me to hold her again.  When my husband came around, she was drawn to him, too.

   It was time to go, but she wanted to go with our family! Even as she was in her own car, she kept looking at us and waving. We didn’t know her circumstance, but we prayed for that child. Perhaps it was the light of God’s love that really drew her to us. His Holy Spirit living and reigning within – that is our constant prayer! That He be seen in the middle of ordinary – and that our lives be used of Him to show forth Jesus – and bring Him glory.

   The Scriptures bring us many inspiring accounts, but is anyone more intriguing that Joseph? His faithful life in the middle of sibling jealousy and hatred, slavery, temptation, false accusation, and imprisonment is certainly a testimony worth studying!

   Recently, my husband and I had been encouraged by a message on the radio where Joseph was the central figure. A couple of days later we were listening to scripture when Genesis 41:38 jumped out at me! “So Pharaoh asked them, ‘Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”

    A pagan king recognized the difference in Joseph – the Spirit of God within him!  He had just come from PRISON – things definitely had not made sense for most of Joseph’s life! Yet, when the King was in need, Joseph possessed the One with his answer.  

   The God Joseph trusted through all the hardships – the Spirit of God that kept him was with him now. The fullness of time had come. As God helped Joseph reveal dreams – God also gave him favor and it minutes he was taken from prison to the second highest in the land!

   O, God – live in me so strongly that those I am around see YOU!

Holy Spirit – rule and reign in me today

Let all who pass by me see You I pray

Saturate my life with light and love of You

Let me be forever, fully, Yours.

Take It With You

“So Pharaoh asked them, ‘Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” Genesis 41:38