It's a Matter of Life and Death! Part Two

God has a purpose and plan for your life. The key here is recognize who's purpose and plan it is. I can think back now to the years of searching for my purpose or a place of belonging where everything was going to work out just like I wanted it too. This is really summed up in these three words "fulfillment in life". If I just made enough money or had a bigger house or nicer car that would surely fulfill me. If I could just get that promotion or higher paying job, that would make me feel better.
I am tireless worker and usually very determined when motivated properly. I succeeded in many different arenas of great disparages. In the end none were fulfilling. They were momentary glimpses of accomplishment. Exactly as God's word says " mans glory is like the flowers, they fade away. In other words here today gone tomorrow. Mind you all I did in these many years I did without knowing God or really anything about him, but he was there opening doors I could never open and giving me abilities and knowledge I never had and he allowed me to prosper in that time to show me and teach me this very lesson. None of it has any meaning or lasting value. Life was merely a chasing after the wind. I finally ran myself out. I hit the wall and nothing mattered. Then the bottom fell out and I crashed to the ground, with nothing left I sought an exit for my life. You see when death is welcome there is nothing, you are void. This is where life can begin. It rises from the ashes and the ruins. I am reminded that an old friend of mine got exactly to this place where death was welcome and unfortunately he didn't know who to call on and he choose to end his life. Now I don't know all the circumstances but I tell you this so you understand that there are no do overs.... no second chances.
I was there. Nothing mattered, I didn't matter. Fortunately for me God was chasing me and I was seeking him but he was chasing me much harder and for a much longer time period than I. One night as I wallow in my puddle on the floor calling out to him he answered. He showed up. I had to lose every little bit of selfish desire. I had to be ready to give up my life not in death but the life I live for myself. I needed to die to my self serving nature and begin to serve him and his will for my life. Jesus came in to the room that night and gave me a new life that he now lives through me. It is not I who live but Christ in me, the hope of glory. Not only did he give me a new start, he promised me I will be with him for eternity. The peace and love that was lavished upon me that night is not describable with words but for a man who welcomed death I was changed to a man who knew he never had to fear anything again. I had perfect peace. I want you to understand my outward circumstances did not change yet. So all my troubles and heartache that pushed me to the brink were all still very present. So how did I have such assurance and peace about myself and my life. One word answer is Jesus!
I know that someone out there who may be reading this is maybe pulling up to that same cliff or thinking about stepping to the ledge. I want to tell you this as clearly as I can. There is hope. There is life like you never knew it could be. There is peace that passes all understanding. There is one who loves you more than anyone else ever did or will and he died for you. His name is Jesus. Call on him. Romans 10:13 says "for everyone who calls on the name of the lord will be saved. v10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. If you have questions, please email them. I would love to help you in anyway I can. God Bless!

It's a Matter of Life and Death! Part One

It's one of those phrases that strikes fear in your heart. Picture this, you get a phone call and your told you need to go the the hospital right away it's a matter of life and death! Instantly our mind is off to the races and panic soon sets in. The fact is even when you get to the hospital there's not much you can do but rely on the medical care provided and pray. There's nothing you can add to help or subtract to make the situation better. Many of us never contemplate the fact that we will grow old and die some day. We most certainly never factor in the chance disease may strike us or tragedy would unfold in our life. It can happen in a split second and it changes everything you thought you had planned for your life. I'm not talking about dreams that you hope for but what you actually think will come to pass or have worked your way towards or planned for. Many people right now are at retirement age or are coming up to it and just watched their retirement disintegrate right before their eyes. They saved and sacrificed for a season in the future in which they thought they could have everything planned and accounted for. Now their accountant tells them they can't retire or they have to lower their expectations for retirement. I'm not saying saving for retirement is a bad thing. What I am saying is if your focus is on that time or season when you think everything will finally be calm, peaceful, and you can choose the pace you live your life this is just not a realistic way of thinking. The truth is we are not owed one more day on this earth. I heard of this new study that came out recently and the results were unbelievable. I mean the results were ground breaking. They said one out of every one person will die. Imagine that! We are all going to die. I will go a step further and say every single one of us doesn't know when it will happen either. We just assume we have time, besides you feel great. Right? Your healthy, you exercise, and there's no history of disease running through your family. Right? These are some of the lies we tell ourselves to push the inevitable out of our conscience. Health is not the only factor for life. A 50 year old man seemingly in great health dies in his sleep, where as a 89 year old man who smokes 3 packs a day for life is puffing away right next to his oxygen tank. A young newlywed couple is on their honeymoon and never returns home or are ever seen again. Seemingly the best part of their lives about to begin, then tragedy. You see the headlines. You don't need me to tell you, life is fleeting. It's quick. We go through our hectic days now wishing for more time just to get the mundane things in our lives done and we never seem to have enough of it. I know I never have enough time but there are many of us that in all our stress filled and time challenged days don't ever live. The bible says in 1 Peter 1:24 all men are like grass. and all their glory is like flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever. I want to get your attention here because as I just mentioned a moment ago one out of one people will die this means all of us, everyone and none of us can say what the next minute will bring or when it will be our time. When our clock stops it's final. No do overs and you can't get a new body like Hollywood would like you to believe.
Have you ever taken an important test. Maybe it was a final exam that held the fate of your whole semester or school year or quite possibly have been the difference between getting your degree or diploma. When finished instead of relief did you second guess yourself or your answers as you run through questions in your mind? Then you remember an answer to a question you know you got wrong but it's to late. You can't go back and change it. Knowing the magnitude of this situation and what it means to you this is common place when there is a lot at stake in any situation. It could change the course of your life. Now ask yourself these questions....
How much do I value my life? What do I live for? Who do I stand for? These questions require honest answers and a desire to get past the superficial things of this life. Remember all men and women are like grass and their glory is like flowers, one good wind and they blow away. You may be surprised to find you can't identify your purpose for being alive. Don't make the mistake of lumping your family into these questions. They are about you. If you need further explanation please email me. Stay tuned for Part two. God Bless!