Ticket To Heaven

I listened to a preacher talk about Heaven today.  He asked a question today that I'd never really thought of before.  He asked, "Do you think Heaven is fun"?  Well...what do you think?  Have you ever thought about this before?

I've thought about Heaven alot, but I don't think I've ever thought of it in that sense.  I know Heaven will be amazing!  I know Heaven wil be filled with angels, music, and praises to God.  I know I'll finally get to see my Lord when I get there.  But I don't think I've ever thought about it being fun.

I do know Heaven will be better than anything we've seen or witnessed here on this earth.  In fact, I've even compared it to - what I believe is the most fun thing on this earth - Walt Disney World.  Have you ever been there?  My family and I have been fortunate enough to visit there four times now, and I can honestly say, we've had so much fun each time we go.  The sights, the sounds, the thrills, the magic...it's all great!

But I've thought to myself, can you even imagine?  Cinderella's Castle compared to God's kingdom?  The magic you feel when you're at Disney - I know that can't even begin to compare to the joy we'll feel when we get to Heaven!  There will be singing, music, friends, family.  And how much do we love to eat those yummy snacks when we visit an amusement park?  Hot dogs, burgers, fries, ice cream, and more.  How great will the feasts be in Heaven!  The laughter, the fun, time spent with our loved ones.  How much better will it all be when we're with our Lord!  Can you imagine sitting and laughing with Jesus?  

Sounds great, doesn't it?  My only question for you now is...do you have your ticket to Heaven?  Do you know the Lord Jesus as your personal Savior?  It's not too late to catch that train to the "most magical place in all of eternity"!

"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
John 14:6

Where There Is Hope

"And sometimes against all odds, against all logic...we still hope."

What is hope?  The dictionary defines hope as a feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.  Most people believe hope is wishful thinking, but the Bible tells us that hope is confident expectation.  

Hope is not pretending that trouble doesn't exist; it is the belief or "hope" that it won't last forever.  Hope helps us to believe that things will get better.  Hope lets us see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The Lord wants us to hope in Him because where there is hope, there is faith.

                
"Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord."
Psalm 31:24

Good In Every Day

Every day we watch this world we live in fall more and more before our very eyes.  There's crime, corruption, hate, and lies everywhere.  It's not very encouraging, is it?

But two quotes that I've seen come to mind when I think about this.  The first is, "Look for something positive in each day, even if some days you have to look a little harder". The other is, "Every day may not be good, but there is good in every day".

Both of these are so true, but it's the second one that I experienced just yesterday as I was driving.  We drove past this little farm, and I saw two horses and a dog.  The dog was bouncing all around playfully, and I realized he was playing with one of the horses.  And the horse started to prance around as he began playing with the dog.  I watched him trotting along after the dog, and it was so cute!  I watched the two of them for a few minutes, and I realized I was looking at one of God's little hidden treasures.

He leaves them everywhere for us to see, but how often do we miss them?  Leaves dancing in the wind, a beautiful sunset, a little lizard blending in with the leaves, a butterfly resting on a beautiful flower.  These are all God's "little treasures".  We just need to slow down so we can see them.  We need to look for them every day.  We need to look for God every day.

God is always speaking to us, but we're just not always listening.  God wants us to find hope and encouragement even in this fallen world.  God wants us to find Him.

                 "And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:13

A Better Place

You know we all have people in our lives that are special to us.  Maybe it's your children, friends, family, or the love of your life.  But how much time do we really spend with them?  How often do we really talk to them?  Some of them live with us, but some don't.  Some live close, but some are far away.  How many times have we lost a loved one and say to ourselves, "When's the last time I talked to them?"  "When's the last time I saw them?"  And most importantly, how many times do we ask ourselves, "I wonder if they knew the Lord".

Life is so busy, and I think we're all guilty of getting so wrapped up in our own selves that often we neglect those who mean the most to us.  And then when they leave this world, it's too late to tell them how much they meant to us.  It's too late to tell them about Jesus.  After all, that's our purpose here on this earth is to tell others about our Lord and Savior.  We are here to spread God's word.

So I urge you today, pick up that phone, write that email.  Just take a minute to reach out to those you love.  Check on them, see how they're doing, tell them you love them.  

And to that stranger you pass on the street, that person who serves you food and drink, that friend you've met online...be kind to them.  Wish them a good day.  And by all means, tell them about your friend and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Let's make this world a better place.

                  "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."
Proverbs 18:24

He Came For You

There's so many times that we feel unworthy, unloved...but I want you to know today that the Lord Jesus loves you!  God sent His only Son to die for you because He loves you so much!  He blesses us with His favor - which defined means "an act of kindness beyond what is due".  The Lord has mercy on us - He has compassion for us - He forgives us.  It doesn't matter what we do or have done, He loves us!  Remember...in the Lord Jesus' eyes, we're beautiful!  

He gave up His riches in Heaven to be born a helpless, newborn baby.  He came here to save you from your sins...because He loves you!  He wants you to spend eternity with Him.  If you haven't done so, I urge you today to please accept God's precious gift to you - His Son, Jesus Christ.

He came for you.

                    "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 3:16

Do You Have Room For Jesus?

"Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus."
Neal A. Maxwell

When Mary was in labor, and she needed a place to have her precious baby, she was turned away.  There was no room for her and her baby at the inn.  Our precious King left the splendor of Heaven; He gave up everything for us to be born into this world as a newborn baby.  He came here to save us from our sins.  (Luke 19:10)  He made "room" for us.

We get so busy with our lives that many times we forget to "make room" for Jesus.  I actually think that's part of the problem with our world today.  We're not including Jesus in our lives.  We've taken Him out of so many places - our work place, our schools, and even our home.  

It's time we put Jesus back where he belongs...in our heart.  It's time we "make room" for Jesus.

                    "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."
Revelation 3:20

Blessed Is The Nation

Justice is defined as fairness, honesty, righteousness, and integrity.  Injustice is unfair, wrong...and if you dig a little deeper, it goes further to say it's immoral, corrupt, and wicked.  While I don't want to get into a political debate with anyone, because everyone is entitled to their own view - their own choices, a terrible injustice occurred in our nation this past week.

As I said, we're all entitled to make our own choice - God has given us that right.  However, when that choice is made, it should be fair.  And if it is fair, it's up to us to accept it as God's will.  If the outcome is unfair, we must not fear the enemy because God will fight for us. (Deuteronomy 3:22)

America has suffered many injustices this year alone, but the Lord tells us that if we'll humble ourselves and pray...if we'll seek His face and turn from our wicked ways, He will hear us.  And He will forgive us and heal our land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)  In other words, God has been removed from way too many places - our schools, our jobs, our government, our homes, our hearts.  It's time to put God back where He belongs!

                     "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord."
Psalm 33:12

Today Is Precious

I was sitting here thinking about what to write today.  Nothing was coming to mind, so I sat down and I started writing a letter to the Lord.  I told Him I didn't know what to write today.  I told Him about all of the things that were on my mind...about all the things I needed to do.  I asked the Holy Spirit to help me to organize my day.  I told Him I didn't want to waste my day because it was precious.  Then I realized, that was it.  God wanted me to realize and talk about how precious today is...

Each day that the Lord gives us is precious.  It's a new beginning; a chance to start over.  It's a new day to talk to God, to spend time with God.  It's a new day to spend time with our family.  Time goes by so fast, and we never know when our time will be up.  So spend each day with God.  Spend it with your family and your friends.  Let them know just how much they mean to you.  Yes, you may need to clean the house, you may need to cook, you may have errands to run.  But what's more important is the people in your life.  

Don't waste time.  Don't waste today.  God has given us this day, and He wants us to enjoy it.  He wants us to live for Him.

                      "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalm 118:24

Do Not Be Afraid

Have you ever been so afraid of something that you avoid it because you're afraid of failing before you ever get started?  I have.  I do this all the time.  I'm afraid of everything.  I let my fears define my life.  I let my fears limit me.  I have a problem with perfectionism.

Perfectionism is the fear of being criticized.  It is the refusal to accept anything less than perfect.  Perfect means flawless.  And none of us are flawless.  It is impossible to live without failing at something.  But I have a deep-rooted fear of failing.

Fear has to do with punishment.  If you have been punished unfairly, or you have been severely mistreated, I'm finding that it's natural for you to dread making mistakes.  I didn't understand this before, but I'm in the middle of truly examining my life, both as a child and as an adult.  I suffered several types of abuse as both.  If I didn't do things right, if I didn't do things to please others or make them happy, then I was punished in one way or another.  I'm realizing that this is part of the reason that I'm now a perfectionist.  I'm never happy with anything I do, and I'm fearful of trying new things or being around other people.  I believe this is also a part of the reason for the anxiety that I now suffer from.

What we have to remember is that God is always with us.  He will never abandon us.  Anxiety and fear can cloud your judgement, so it's important to turn to the Lord when we need direction in our lives.  I've learned that we don't have to be perfect for God.  He loves us no matter what.  No matter the mistakes we've made, no matter how severe they are; God will never stop loving us.  And nothing can separate us from Him or His love.  Romans 8:38-39

It's okay to be scared, but you have to keep moving forward.  We'll make mistakes, but we just need to learn from them.  We'll have fears, but we need to turn those fears into hope.  If we mess up, it's okay...just start again.  We cannot let our past define our future.  The greatest mistake we can make in life is to be continually afraid that we'll make one.  We have to stop letting fear dictate our lives.  We have to trust God.

God is with us, and God is for us.  We have to let Him redirect our path.

                      "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.  For fear has to do with punishment..."
                            I John 4:18

God's Little Inspiration

As many of you may or may not know, I suffer from anxiety and depression.  And with all that's been going on in the world around us this past year, my anxiety has gotten out of hand.  I've basically just been staying home, not because I'm afraid of anything, but simply because I can't stand seeing what's going on in our world right now.  

Well my oldest grand-daughter, Bree, will be celebrating her 14th birthday on Tuesday, and we had to run into the grocery store the other day to order her cake.  While this should be no big deal...for me, it was devastating.  I dreaded it for days, knowing I had to go in public.  Needless to say, I worked myself all up.  I prayed and prayed about it.  

That very day my 5-year old grand-daughter, Bella had to go up to the school for a bit, and it was going to be her first time going to the school and meeting her teacher in person.  She was a little scared, but my daughter told me she did really well.  She took her teacher's hand and walked right down the hall with her.  She was so brave!  I was so proud of her!

So I thought to myself, stop being selfish!  If my little Bella could do this, then I could do it, too!  And I did!  I walked right into that store, helped Janna order Bree's cake, got the things we needed, and that was that!  

With God's help and Bella as my "little inspiration", I did what I needed to do.  And you know, that's how it is...we just have to depend on the Lord when we're in a scary or overwhelming situation.  Jesus tells us over and over again not to be afraid.  He is always with us.  He will not leave us nor will He forsake us.  Will I be afraid again?  Yes, I'm only human.  But I have to remember to focus on God and not my fear...not my anxiety...not my problems.  What is God's "little inspiration" for you?

                          "Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9

Hidden Treasure

You know we see the Lord all around us every day.  We see Him in a sunrise, in a sunset, at the beach and even in the rain.  God is everywhere.  And although He is evident in all we see, He tells us in Jeremiah 29:13 to "seek Him".  He wants us to look for Him, and even more...He wants us to find Him.

God wants us to search for Him before anything else.  He wants to be first in our lives. (Matthew 6:33)  He wants to have a relationship with us.  God...the Creator of the heavens and the earth...has invited us to seek Him out, to talk to Him, to spend time with Him.  He cares about every little detail of our life, and He wants us to share every moment of our life with Him.  But seeking God needs to be consistent...not just when we need Him...but all the time.  No matter our circumstances, no matter what's going on in our lives - good or bad - we should always look for God.  

I believe we're all searching for something, and I believe that something is God.  So search for Him as if you're hunting for hidden treasure, and you will find Him.

                               "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."
                                                                                                                                Jeremiah 29:13

There's Just Something About That Name

"Head of Christ"
Warner Sallman

"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; there's just something about that name.

Master, Savior, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain;

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let all Heaven and earth proclaim

Kings and kingdoms will all pass away

But there's something about that name"

This song was written and composed by Bill and Gloria Gaither in 1970.  It's always been one of my favorites.  Just the sound of Jesus' name on my lips brings me comfort.  And you know the Lord tells us that when we're scared, when we feel lost or distant from Him, all we have to do is just whisper His name.

Are you scared today?  Is there something troubling you?  Are you at your wits end with worry?  Or are you trying to find Jesus today?  Just whisper His name...He's always there.

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name 

under Heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12 (NIV)

A Friend Loves At All Times

The dictionary tells us that a friend is a person who you know well, a person you like...a person you trust.  I believe a friend is someone who understands what you're not saying.  A friend listens; a friend cares.  A friend is someone who knows you well, yet they still love you when you're not very lovable.  They love you through the good times and the bad.  They love you at your worst.  A friend is someone we can turn to when we need a lift...someone we treasure.  They make the world a better place.  We lean on them; we confide in them.  We laugh with them, and we cry with them.

Our friends are always there when we need them, and we should be there for them as well.  We should pray for them, care for them, help them with their needs.  We are to love them, we are to support them, even if we don't agree with their situation.  We are to love them no matter what.  We need friends to tell us what we need to hear, not what we want to hear. 

In Proverbs 18:24, we're told, "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother".  Jesus is the very definition of a friend...a true friend.  He proved this when He gave His life for us on the cross.  He made Himself our friend with a love so unimaginable.  “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

We don't meet people by accident.  They are meant to cross our path for a reason.  Maybe it's to teach us a life lesson, to help us figure out who we are, or to be who God meant us to be.  I believe that friends are angels sent by God to help us discover these things.

                                          "A friend loveth at all times..."
Proverbs 17:17

Little Things

"I see trees of green
Red roses too
I see them bloom
For me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world..."
                  Louis Armstrong

You know it's the little things that make life wonderful.  It's the little things that can bring you true happiness.  It's the little things in life that matter the most.

There is something good in every day; sometimes we just have to look for it.  We have to notice the little things like a child's kiss, little arms around your neck, or a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter's day.  Or maybe it's your friends - your family.  Maybe it's when someone smiles at you, when someone holds a door open for you, or maybe it's the laughter you share.  The little things...the little moments...maybe they aren't so little after all.  Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.  These little things can add up to a lifetime of beautiful memories.  Celebrate every moment.

Learn to appreciate everything and everyone you have in your life because these moments will soon pass, and you'll wish you'd treasured them more.  Never let the things you want make you forget the things you have.

So the next time that child reaches for your hand, or you wake up to the smell of coffee in the morning, appreciate the moment.  Be grateful for today and never take anything for granted.  Life is a blessing, and the world is full of beautiful things - including you.

"In everything give thanks..."
I Thessalonians 5:18

Are You Ready?

Have you ever wondered what your purpose was?  Why you're here on this earth?  I know I have.  Even after I found Jesus and accepted Him as my personal Lord and Savior, for a long time I still questioned why I was really here.  It wasn't until I really focused on Jesus, read His word, talked to Him constantly...that's when I finally understood my purpose.  I was put here by God for God.  We all were.  But why?

Because God wants each of His children, every believer, to be a witness for Him for those who don't know Him.  He wants us to share with others what He has done for us.  He wants us to share with others who He is...our Creator, our Protector, our Salvation...He is God.  I believe He wants us to be His light in a dark and fallen world.  And the greatest way we can be His light and show His love is by sharing His gospel (good news) with others.

God loves you.  He sent His only Son, Jesus to die for your sins (John 3:16).  Jesus tells us in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."  Jesus died for you, knowing that you might never love Him back.  His sacrifice was a precious gift to you...all you have to do is receive Him.  The Lord is coming back to gather His children (Matthew 24:44).  Are you ready?

If you died today, do you know where you would spend eternity? If you're not sure, then please give your heart to God today. He loves you, and He wants you to spend eternity with Him.

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." 
Romans 10:13

Take Nothing For Granted

"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory."
Dr. Seuss

What does it mean to "take things for granted"? The dictionary tells us that it implies a lack of appreciation or gratitude.  We fail to appreciate the people or things in our life.  To appreciate is to be grateful for...to be thankful.  That's what gratitude is...thankfulness.

When we take things for granted, eventually they will be taken away.  And that's when we learn to truly appreciate them...when we don't have them anymore...when it's too late.  So often we don't appreciate what we have until we lose it.  And the sad thing is, we knew exactly what we had; we just thought we'd never lose it.

Take this year, for example, how many of us have lost our jobs, our business, our home?  In the blink of an eye, everything changed.  We took for granted the luxury of being able to go to a movie, go to a swimming pool, or even go out to eat.  We took for granted the very things that most deserved our gratitude.  We are not the same people we were when this year began.

But most of all, we've taken God for granted.  God has given us so much, yet we take Him and all of His blessings for granted every day.  We've taken Him out of our schools, our homes, even our country.  Martin Luther wrote, "The greater God's gifts and works, the less they are regarded".  What was once a blessing to us has become routine or boring.

The same applies to the people in our lives - our family, our friends.  Don't take them for granted.  We were temporarily separated from them, and it didn't feel good.  Love the people God has put in your life.  They won't be here forever; He will want them back one day.

I think maybe we should ask ourselves - at least once a week - what am I taking for granted?   Life is short...be grateful and never take anything for granted.  It could all be gone one day.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above."
James 1:17

Where Is God?

In life, as we all know, there are good times and bad times.  And it's been my experience that during the bad times, we often ask, "Where is God?".  I know during 9-11, I heard this question quite often.  And now, with what's going on in the world today...this pandemic, the riots, the protests, the hate...I'm hearing it again.  "Where is God"?

And while I don't know everything, here's what I believe...

I believe when bad things happen, God is with us.  He tells us in Matthew 28:20, "I am with you always...".  And then in Isaiah 43:2, He tells us "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you..."

I don't believe God ever sends us into a situation alone.  He goes before us.  He stands beside us.  He walks behind us.  He said He would never leave us or forsake (abandon) us.  (Hebrews 13:5)  I believe He's right there holding our hand.  (Isaiah 41:13)

When bad things happen, I believe the Holy Spirit is praying for us.  When we can't pray ourselves, I believe He does, as is evident in Romans 8:26, "...the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us."

When bad things happen, I believe He takes us by the hand and leads us through the situation.  "He shows us or directs our path".  (Proverbs 3:6)

When bad things happen...when we don't have the strength to even stand, I believe He holds us up with His own hand.  (Isaiah 41:10)

The truth is that we are going to experience bad things in our life, but God promises that He will be there with us when they do.  We may not understand His reasoning or His wisdom, but He wants us to lean on Him...to trust Him.  He is teaching us to walk by faith.

Life may feel difficult and overwhelming at times, and you may wonder where God is or what He's doing.  But rest assured, He is with you.  He's praying for you.  He's leading you.  And He's holding you up when you can't stand on your own.  So don't ask God why He's allowing something to happen.  Instead, ask Him what He wants you to learn from it.

"Fear not, for I am with you..."
Isaiah 41:10

Let It Begin With Me

"Hate.  It has caused a lot of problems in the world but has not solved one yet."  Maya Angelou

What is hate?  The dictionary tells us that it is an intense or passionate dislike of someone.  It means you despise them, you look down on them, you are repulsed by them.  Is that really what you want to feel?  I know I don't.

Hate is the exact opposite of love.  Love is a deep affection for someone.  It's easy to have good feelings towards someone, but true love is not based on feelings.  In I Corinthians 13:4-8, we're told that love is patient and kind.  Love doesn't behave badly, it is not provoked, it thinks no evil.  Love never fails.  When we can do these things...regardless of our feelings or someone's actions...that is true love.   Jesus tells us to love each other.

We don't get to pick and choose who we love.  Jesus wants us to love everyone - no matter their skin color, no matter their way of life...love them the way they are.  It's not our place to judge them.  Jesus taught us to love one another and to treat others as we want to be treated.  Our world needs this.  “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:8.

Do we like the way others act or treat us?  No, not always.  It's okay not to like their actions, but we should do all we can to show them love.  Get rid of the bitterness, anger, hate, and bad behavior.  We're told in Ephesians 4:31-32 to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another just as God has forgiven us.  We don't have to agree on everything to be kind to each other.  It's time to let the past be the past.  We repeat what we don't repair.

In the end nothing we do or say in this lifetime will matter as much as the way we have loved one another.  And the greatest way to show people Jesus is by loving them.  Be kind because EVERYONE matters.  We are all God's children.

Let kindness begin with me.

"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."
John 15:12

He's Always With You

Did you know that there's a difference between being alone and loneliness?  Being alone or aloneness doesn't feel like you're alienated or being outcast.  Being alone isn't always painful.  Sometimes it's good for you.  Many of us thrive on being alone; we like our solitude.  It gives us time to spend with God, with ourselves, to recharge.

Loneliness; however, is painful - both emotionally and physically.  Even in a group of family or friends, we can feel lonely.  Often times, we feel isolated; we feel like we don't belong.  And this feeling of isolation can often lead to depression or self-pity.  When you're feeling this way, turn to God...talk to Him.  Trust that He's always with you.

Loneliness is an illusion or a false sense for those who belong to God.  But the devil works hard to cloud your awareness of God's presence in your life.  It's important that you recognize this and resist his attacks.  (James 4:7-8)  Fight him with God's word, with God's promises.  And God promises that He is always with you.  (Matthew 28:20)

You are never alone.  God works with you in every situation in your life.  Let God's peace protect your mind and heart. 

"...For the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
                                                                                            Deuteronomy 31:6

Be The Change

"He Lifts Me Up" by Danny Hahlbohm

I think you'll agree with me that lately our world has been turned upside down.  We've experienced fear, loneliness, and isolation in the past few months.  We've been torn from our families, our friends, our jobs, our everyday life.  And now we're watching in horror as our country is at war with each other.  I think it's time for a change.

The Lord tells us in Romans 12:2 - "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."  We need to renew or mend our thoughts and our attitudes.  We need to understand that sometimes God doesn't change our situation because He's trying to change us.  He wants us to be humble - kind, compassionate, sympathetic, caring, thoughtful, and considerate of others.  Being humble doesn't change what we're going through, but it helps us to accept God's will for our life.


"I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change"
                                                   Michael Jackson

Be the change you want to see.

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."
James 4:10