Not Without Hope

As I write this, I am less than 24 hours in from finding out my grandfather has gone home to be with the Lord.

My heart is heavy. A grandparent holds a special place in your heart and life - losing their presence here on earth naturally produces sadness. But amidst my hurting heart, God has proven himself faithful. When I got off the phone with my mom in the middle of the night last night, God brought this verse to my mind.

1 Thes. 4:13 - 'But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.'

These tears that have ran down my cheeks are really tears of hope. The confidence that I will see my grandfather again. The assurance that he is no longer hurting. The assurance that he is reunited with my grandmother. The assurance that he is now in the presence of his Creator. What an amazing comfort!

The reason I have this comfort is because of my grandfather's testimony. I'm grateful for an opportunity God gave me just this past Thanksgiving. Our entire family was able to be together for the holiday and God allowed me to be able to talk with my grandfather about the Lord. He told me there was a time in his life he asked Jesus to save him.

Even earlier this morning I received a text from my mom saying my grandfather's Realtor had personally talked with my grandfather about his relationship with the Lord and confirmed my grandfather told him the same thing.

If there's something I've learned and want to share with you, friend, it's this: life is precious and we are not promised tomorrow. Do you know where you'll spend eternity? Do you know where your friends and family will?

I'm grateful God has given me this assurance for my grandfather, but I want you, reader, to also know the same thing. Eternity is too long to play with.

God says in His word that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23). The price to pay for this sin is death (Romans 6:23). But, in His love for us, God provided His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the death penalty that you and I rightfully deserve (John 3:16). And the amazing thing is, all we have to do is freely receive this gift of eternal life.

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

Realizing you are a sinner, believing Christ died and rose again for your sins, and asking Him to forgive you and come into your heart and save you from your sin - that's all you have to do.

It's not about being a good person. It's not about going to church or being a specific denomination. It's simply about having a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Friend, I love you. I care about your soul. But even more than I do, Jesus does. If you haven't already made a decision to ask Christ into your heart, why not do it now? Why gamble with eternity?

I know there's noting that would make me happier than knowing you've asked the Lord to save you. And I'm confident if my grandfather could speak to you now, amongst the presence of a holy, loving and righteous Creator, his plea to you would be the same.

So, as I say 'see you later' to my grandfather, I say it in confidence. I say it knowing this is not the end. One day we'll be reunited and, together, we'll be in the perfect presence of the One who gave Himself for the world. And that is something that gives me hope!

2014: A Year For His Glory

 

2014. Really, already? 

I will probably be dating myself but doesn’t it seem like just yesterday that talks of Y2K were circulating? (On a side note, I remember this store not far from my house that opened specifically for the purpose of selling items to prepare for the panic that was sure to set in once the computers crashed at midnight on December 31, 1999.)

It’s funny looking back on that now.

But whether it’s the start of 2000 or the start of 2014, one thing that’s common is talks of resolutions, or goals.

I’ve actually never been one to create goals for the new year. I’m not sure why. The Bible says, ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish:’ (Prov. 29:18). 

This year, the Lord has been working on me about not only writing down goals, but developing a purpose statement for my life. And it’s centered around this one verse: 

Revelation 4:11 ‘Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou has created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.’ 

That’s it. That’s why I was created. My life, my goals, my purpose - they should all be about bringing my Lord and Savior glory. 

I want this year to be the best year yet. What about you friends? 

And whatever you do, please don’t let the fear of failure stop you from making this year great. Don’t let last year’s failed resolutions scare you into thinking you won’t be able to keep this year’s! 

I was recently reading in Genesis how Abraham - an amazing man of faith - slipped into sin. God had just given him this incredible promise of future blessing and yet, right after this promise, Abraham lied. But the thing that stuck out to me the most was what Abraham did after he messed up. He returned ‘unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first:’ (Genesis 13:4). 

He could have dwelt on his sin and decided there was no point in moving forward. He could have had a pity party for himself.

Instead, he chose to return to the original place he first met with God, seek forgiveness, and move forward in His walk with the Lord. 

Pilgrims, let that be your attitude this year! Whatever your goals or resolutions are, may you seek to bring Him the glory that He deserves. And  if  when you mess up, return to the place of your original commitment. 2014 is here. Let’s make the most of it - for His glory!