More On The Fairness of The Unforgivable Sin…

We all like to focus on God’s Great Mercy and there is nothing wrong with that. It’s so comforting to think about God’s Great Love for all of us.  And to know, that when we fail.  He will be there to catch us, and to forgive us. And to Love us!

But God is also Just.  And His Justice is not necessarily something every one likes to focus on.  And yet, if God were not Just, would we follow Him?  What’s the point of striving to do all that the Bible teaches us, if it doesn’t matter?  Thank God, it does matter.  And that is one of the reasons for the Unforgivable Sin.  We have our whole lives to accept Christ, but at some point, there has to be a reckoning.  This is it.

God is indeed Merciful, but He is also Just.  And we thank Him for both ?

Is It Fair To Have An Unforgivable Sin?

Some will say that it is unfair that our death can place us in a state of Unforgivable Sin.  But God is fair.  We each have our entire life in which to accept Jesus.  And that is the same for every human being that exists.  It doesn’t matter what country one comes from; what race one is; if one is rich or poor.  Every human being receives the same ability to choose.

Choose wisely?

The Color of Jesus’ Skin- Does It Matter?

In the news recently, there has been quite a discussion as to the color of Jesus’ skin. How sad that so much energy is wasted on something that does not matter.

In the Bible, it talks of clay pots. And how although the clay pots may age and deteriorate (Us). It’s what is In the pot that is truly the Treasure (The Holy Spirit). It is the same with the color of Jesus’ skin. It simply does not matter what color of skin Jesus had.

We love and follow Him because of who He was on the inside. We love and follow Him because He loved us so! And His greatest command is that we love God with our whole heart and soul, and love our neighbor as ourselves.

Notice Jesus did not say, love those with whom we agree, lol. He said love every one.

Jesus does not recognize any of the ways we divide ourselves. Whether it be economic, political or race, because Jesus loves us all-each and every one!

Fear is a Liar

“Fear is a Liar” is a popular song right now.  And if we are honest, how many times do we hesitate to step forward to serve the Lord because we don’t feel worthy?  Because we are afraid we might fail?

But the truth is – it is God that is good.  And we can count on His goodness.  All of these people served God, and not one of them was perfect.  We don’t have to wait to serve God until we are perfect, they didn’t.  Just pray and keep walking.  And remember, Prayer Changes Things ?

 

(The photo is on the door of a friend of mine 🙂

Trust God

Everyone says it.  Everyone means it.  But how exactly do you do it?

For me, it’s sometimes as basic as repeating over and over in my mind, “Trust God”.  That way, there is no room for any scary thoughts! Recently, I had an experience that I had to do that.  My tire had been torn, and I had to drive it quite a long way, and over a bridge with a metal grate in it.  To say I was scared is an understatement!  What if that tire blew?  What if I lost control of the car?  But it needed to be fixed before all the air leaked out, and that was the only way.

So I got in the car and drove the long drive, over the bridge, and the metal grate…saying to myself over and over “Trust God”.  Sometimes it’s just that simple..   And you know what, I arrived just fine ?.

Coincidence?  Miracle?

Prayer changes things ?

 

 

 

 

Picture By Mbmariogc3s – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25157408

No One Makes Beauty From A Storm Like our Lord

Both literally and figuratively ?

Ever see a sky after a storm when the sun comes out?  It is so beautiful.  And so new.  I could stare up at it for hours.  God makes the sky after a storm so incredibly beautiful; it’s truly a gift.

And the same can be said of our lives.  We all go through storms.  Life has plenty of them, and sometimes they can be overwhelming.  But once through the storm, our lives become a beautiful thing once again.

But it’s funny, while we remember to pray during the storm, we sometimes forget to pray when the storm is over.  And yet that is sometimes the most important time to pray of all!  Because it is when times are peaceful and easy, that we can forget exactly where that “peace” comes from.

Racism

There has been a lot of talk about the growth of racism in the media lately.  But I can’t help but think that the media has actually caused most of it.  And I can’t help but wonder if what is really growing is not racism, but fear.

And the most important question is not “Why”, but “How”.  How do we change it?

Personally, I think we change it one heart at a time.  We need to meet under the Cross.  For Christ knows no colors and neither does Heaven.  For  regardless of color, political beliefs or any of the many other ways by which we divide ourselves, Jesus Loves Us All, Each and Everyone!   God always has and God always will!

And if we can’t actually meet, than let us pray for one another.  For as my Pastor says, “Prayer Changes Things” 🙂

Respect God’s Power, Accepts His Son and Remember His Love

Looking around, I am reminded that God created this world.  The clouds, the sun,  winds. seas  and mountains are but a few of His creations.  And yet so often, we forget just how powerful our God is!  And how much He loves us, and what that means.

You have a very, very powerful “friend” who loves you very, very much!  Do not fear 🙂

 

 

 

Jesus Does Not Judge A Person By One Season-And Neither Should We :)

From Worthy Devotions:

1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

“We came across this powerful story and wanted to share it with you.Dead Snowy Tree

There was a man who had four sons. He wanted them to learn to not judge things too quickly, so he sent them each on a quest to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. He sent his first son in the winter, his second in the spring, his third in summer and his youngest in the fall. When they had all gone and come back , he called them together to describe what they had seen.

Green parkThe first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said no – it was covered with green buds and full of promise. The third son disagreed, he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.

After hearing all his son’s responses, the wise father replied, “Sons, you are all right — because you have each seen only one season in the tree’s life. But you cannot judge a tree, or a person, or anything else by only one season. Most things can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons have come to pass”.

When I read this devotion, I can’t help but think how true it is-and how comforting.  I know that I myself have a tendency to worry about those I love.  Our husbands, our children, our family and friends.  With so many people that we love, there’s always some that are doing great-and there always a few that are struggling.

And when it comes to our children especially, there are simply no words that can really explain just how muchiStock_000002462782XSmall we love them.  And as they grow up, there are times we can’t help but worry about them.  Are they on the right track?  Do they have the right friends?  Are they truly learning to love the Lord?  Have they found the kind of faith that will light their way both here and through eternity?  The kind of faith that can never be taken away or torn down?  And as they grow, there will be days when we look at them amazed that someone so wonderful could be our child!    And there will be times that their love and thoughtfulness will bring tears to our eyes.  But there will also be days when we worry and wonder if they will find their way. And there will be days when we are frustrated and angry with them.

heavenAnd it’s on those days, the hard days, that we need to hold onto this reading, because just as it says above, no man is judged by just one season.  And we need to remember that when we are worried about someone we love, whether it’s our child, our husband or someone we love, Jesus loves them even more than we do.  And just as we will never give up on them and just as we will always love them-so will He.  So if there is someone in your life right now that you are worried about, remember, “With God All Things Are Possible”, and this life is a journey with many seasons.  But for those who follow our Lord, regardless of the seasons, our journey will end in one place-in Heaven.