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Compassion For The Lost!

“Oh, to realize that souls, precious, never dying souls, are perishing all around us, going out into the blackness of darkness and despair, eternally lost, and yet to feel no anguish, shed no tears, know no travail! How little we know of the compassion of Jesus!” – Oswald J. Smith, Evangelical Preacher, Missionary & Hymn Composer, Born in Toronto in 1890

Sadly, there are those who do not realize just how truly sad Jesus is when even one soul is lost, for Jesus Loves each one of us with a love that is truly beyond our understanding. When even one soul is lost, Jesus mourns that loss deeply.. His anguish at their suffering is more than we could ever bear. And His compassion for not only the lost, but those who love the lost, is incredible.

Praying that the Love for the Lost will fill our hearts the way it fills the Heart of Jesus is a really worthy prayer. To have a deep compassion for each one of the lost and those who love them, is something we should all seek to obtain. For it makes us more like Jesus Himself 🙂

Pray for the lost and those who love them. Be kind to all of them. And maybe, just maybe they will find their way 🙂

Be The Light 🙂

Prepare, Pray & Be Ready!

Jesus Will Meet Us Wherever We Are :)

There are many who think that they need to wait to ask Jesus to be their Savior until “they have cleaned up their lives”. Perhaps there are some activities that they enjoy and that they fear they may not be able to enjoy anymore (if they ask Jesus to be their Savior). Perhaps there are some that lead(and often enjoy) a really sinful life, and they feel they are not quite ready to give that up yet. Whatever the reason, sadly, without Jesus, we can not enter Heaven.

But the truth is, Jesus will meet us wherever we are! He loves us that much :). There is no life style, no amount of sin, other than blaspheming the Holy Spirit, that can keep us from Jesus and that Jesus can not help us defeat. For Jesus has already won that battle and God forgives us through our relationship with Jesus :).

All we need is to ask Jesus to be our Savior, and ask Him to help us Follow Him, and He will 🙂

Prepare, Pray & Be Ready 🙂

We Will Be Divided: Believer and Non-Believer !

“If you are reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you, for the spirit of glory and of God rests on you” -1 Peter 14

Sadly, division is happening right now and will happen even more in the future. For if we truly Follow Jesus, if we truly put Jesus first in all things, those choices will naturally divide us from those who refuse to.

And make no mistake, it is a choice we make. We either choose to Follow Jesus, or not. We either choose to go to Heaven or we choose Hell for all eternity. The choice is completely our own, given us by God Himself!

“Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.” – Luke 12: 51-53

Sadly, sometimes this choice will even involve family. We can always love and spend time with them, but we have to be careful it does not weaken our own faith. Those who do not believe, often do not want anyone around them to believe. And unless God tells us differently, we can also Keep Praying for them! It’s a long life, this may just be a bad season for them.

Keep Praying 🙂 And keep Loving 🙂

Prepare, Pray & Be Ready!

Participating In The Sufferings Of Christ.

“But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” – 1 Peter 13

In suffering, we can become even closer to Jesus. Our suffering can become a gift that we can give Jesus if we suffer without complaint and in love, and offer it to Jesus in such a way.

When we suffer for our faith in Jesus; our suffering becomes an even greater gift. This type of suffering is a special gift from God 🙂

When the Apostles and Disciples suffered for Christ, they worshipped God. They were grateful that they were given the gift of suffering for they knew it brought them ever closer to Jesus. And they were grateful.

They also knew that they would be well rewarded when Jesus came at the Second Coming. They knew that whatever price they paid that day would be more than worth it when Jesus came again!

But there is also another aspect to be considered when we suffer here on earth. Whatever we lose in this world, God gives us back, although it may indeed be in another way. Think about this, when a person loses their sight, they often hear better! And whether God brings us closer to Him or whether God gives us a Gift that we can share with each other, God is always Fair!

Prepare, Pray & Be Ready!

Fiery Trials!

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;” – 1 Peter:12

This is a really important verse. So often, as Christians, we think that because we are believers, God will Save us from our trials. But this is NOT so!

Remember what Jesus said:

“A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” – John 15:20

And remember this verse:

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” – John 15: 18-19

We are in Good company. Great company! 🙂

Prepare, Pray & Be Ready!

Peter: “And above all things have Fervent Charity”

In Peter 4:8, Peter the Apostle, writes a letter to other Christians to tell them how to live in times when Christians are persecuted. Sadly, a time is coming when Christians will be greatly persecuted.

“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” -1 Peter 4:8

Have you ever lived among those you love in a tight-knit circle in a small house? No matter how much we love one another; we can get on each other’s last nerve, lol. And because we love one another so, we often share our inner most thoughts, including our sins. Or sometimes, we just-get caught.

And that is why Peter’s verse is so very important. The definition of charity is: “kindness and tolerance in judging others.”. Or historically, “loving” others.

The first has often been confused. Refraining from judging others does NOT mean refraining sharing with them God’s Truth. It does NOT mean failing to share with them if their behavior if sinful. It DOES mean loving them anyway! It DOES mean forgiving them as Jesus forgives us :).

No matter how great the challenges we face,

“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” -1 Peter 4:8

Prepare, Pray & Be Ready!

Always Welcome One Another :)

“Use hospitality one to another without grudging.”- 1 Peter 4:9

In times of great persecution, some Christians may lose much! Some may even lose their home! Many of these items will be practical items such as food, clothing, shoes, blankets, bandages…Some Christians may even lose people they love such as parents, sisters and brothers, friends…

Peter tells us that we should not hesitate to welcome them to our home! And our “welcome” should truly be warm and without hesitation. For those are our brothers and sisters in Christ. There may be less food, clothing…but there will be more love. And God will be well pleased 🙂

Prepare, Pray & Be Ready!

People Will Know That We Follow Jesus If We Love One Another!

” By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” – John 13:35

Jesus said this to His apostles: “if ye have love one to another”, others will know that you Follow Me 🙂

And do they? There are so many acts of kindness we can do. Listening, smiling, carry grocery bags, sharing our food and water, allowing others in the parking lot to pull out in front of us, sharing our blankets and clothes… The list is endless!

We can hug each other, help each other, walk with each other, share God’s Truth with one another… Just as Jesus does with us 🙂

Prepare, Pray & Be Ready 🙂

“Peter’s Letter to Christians In 1 Peter 4 Is About How To Live In The World While Suffering For Faith In Christ. “

Notice, this does not say we should be reluctant to share the Good News of Jesus Christ in case we suffer for it. As more and more people suffer for their faith in Jesus, as more Christians are persecuted, it will become even more important to share the Good News.

Why? In part, because there will not be any Good News to be had. But most importantly, because every person that we reach with the Good News of Jesus Christ will have the ability to go to Heaven if they choose to accept Jesus as their Savior.

Can you imagine is such a time of darkness, how it will help another to be able to look forward to Heaven :). How it will help another to be loved and give love 🙂

Prepare, Pray & Be Ready!

Suffering Matters

A good friend sent this 🙂

“God’s Word shares with you “That having been justified by faith, you have Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also you have access by faith into His Grace in which you stand, and rejoice in Hope of the Glory of God. Not only that, but you also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, Hope. Now Hope does not disappoint, because the Love of God has been poured out into your heart by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”(Romans 5:1-5). So what does that all mean? IS it possible that suffering matters? Does suffering have a purpose? YES! Whether it’s suffering in relationships, in health, in your profession, or in your spiritual walk, it ALL has a purpose! It’s shaping who you are and who you become!

Your Heavenly Father continually offers His Courage and Strength to you, not just some of the time, ALL the time! Also, He shares with you to give Him your pain and doubt, that He knows what it is like to have these burdens. Do you remember that His Only Son, Jesus Christ suffered, died and was Resurrected, just for you personally? If you thought some of these moments on earth involve suffering, imagine the eternal suffering He saved you from by your choice to accept Him. BELIEVE that this suffering forever has NO comparison! What an Awesome God you have, that paid for your sins in Full, offering to you His Salvation from this eternal pain! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!

No doubt these “shaping” moments hurt, but you may also know His Joy, Peace, Rest and Healing Touch offered by your Heavenly Father’s Love for you!! May you hold your head high and look around when you’re feeling weighed down, because what comes next IS SO worth it! God has carefully chosen you personally for His Will and Purpose. Accept His Task for you, do not hesitate! Truly, His Extended Hands through you, shall impact many for His Good, Forever and Ever! In Jesus’ Name. Thy Will be done. Amen. Peace.”

Prepare, Pray & Be Ready!