Ready...Set...Die

 

In the book of Luke chapter twelve, Jesus is talking to a massive crowd. So large, in fact, that they were “stepping on each other” (v.1). During this critical moment, Jesus could have taught on all sorts of topics, but one of those He chose was about our lifespan. He said to these thousands of people that they always worry about today and they work for this life rather than eternity and such pursuits are meaningless. Specifically, Jesus said, “…‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” (vv. 20-21)

Life

Everyone knows we are not promised another second; and yet, nearly all of us act, talk, and live as if we have decades. Some even live as if the cure for death is around the corner.  News, emails, and phone calls, constantly remind us no one gets out of here alive. It happens to the very young, the very old, and all ages in-between. Because of this and our desire to ignore truth, we are exceptional at looking the other way. Sure, we cringe for a second or so, but then turn our minds to “happy, happy, joy, joy”. We hear, see, and sometimes smell death as it surrounds us and choose to ignore its warning. The warning is littered throughout scripture that it is appointed once for a man to die, then the judgment (Heb. 9:27). If it happens to me today, the question should not be, “Why him?” the question should be, “Why not him?” We all know our days are numbered. So why are we so surprised when that fateful day arrives?

Warning Signs

Because we are experts at ignoring reality and prefer to become numb to the truth of God’s counsel, God and life caution us repeatedly. I don’t know about you, but I want to read those tough news stories, listen carefully to those in pain dealing with a loved one’s death, and then focus on my personal judgment, answering the biblical question, “Have I worked out my salvation with fear and trepidation?” (Phil. 2:12)

The Race

We all like to believe we are at the starting line and the judge is getting ready to yell, “Ready…Set…Go!” But the truth of the matter is, he may be saying, “Ready…Set…Die, and tonight you shall face your Judge.” That is not a dark or morbid thought as much as it is reality. As an apologist, my job is to remind others of truth; I, therefore, must live the same way.

If the Apostle Paul were alive today, I believe he would use our vernacular and say something such as this, “Are you paying attention to what I am telling you? Are you listening to all my warnings? Yes, you are saved by grace, but you were created to live as Christ did…holy, righteous, God honoring. How can you not see you are allowed to live so that your life honors Him, and still you live as the world does, relying on the abundance of God’s grace? C-mon, man, wake up!” (Rom. 6:1 & Eph. 2:10, And others) And James, the brother of Christ spoke in a manner that left no wiggle room (we love gray areas so we can wiggle and jiggle inside of it, playing with sin as a dog does a chew toy), “What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith, but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?” (James 2:14).

Country Truth

Tim McGraw sings a song, Live Like You Were Dying. I love it, but unfortunately, he misses the mark. Yes, live life to its fullest, but a life that does not glorify Christ is a life wasted on narcissistic and empty pursuits. There’s beauty in a full life, but a flickering flame is quickly forgotten.

“Someday I hope you get the chance, to live like you were dying”…that day is today…we are all in various stages of death. Now, how will you answer McGraw’s questions,

“What did you do with it?”

“What could you do with it?”

 “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.”

(Luke 12:31, Selah…seriously, I am begging you to stop and consider this verse)

Morbidly Obese

Occasionally, a news article describes a crime in which people stood by and did nothing to stop what was occurring. A woman is violated, a man is beaten, a child is verbally assaulted, and the list is as endless as the depraved human mind is evil. As we read about these senseless events, there is something inside of us that incites righteous anger. “Why didn’t anyone do anything?”, “How could they just stand there?”, “If I was there I would have…!”

Now imagine those same scenarios, but the bystanders were police officers or armed military. Or what if they were high-powered executives who had knowledge of an ongoing criminal act where innocence was robbed. We rightly become more indignant because we all know that with great power and/or knowledge comes tremendous responsibility. Unlike the typical bystander, the officer and militia are highly trained experts on how to handle nightmarish situations. And CEOs receive training on what to do if “X” occurs, and the answer is never, ‘Sit back and allow the crime to continue.’ The court of public opinion would rightly be one of outrage.

What about the Christian who remains silent?

 

The viral YouTube video of atheist, Penn, of Penn and Teller accurately describes the Christian who says nothing to a person who they believe is going to hell. He says, “Some Christians don’t proselytize because they’re afraid of it being socially awkward…How much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize?”

The Body of Christ is filled with wide and expanding souls who refuse to share the gospel.

It appears the Body of Christ has become morbidly obese. That is, they continue to gorge themselves at the table of God’s knowledge week after week, absorbing the truth of Christ, fat with lifesaving information, full of life, bursting at the seams with eternal knowledge that sets the captives free. Yet most, according to research, remain silent.

I fear the day when we stand in heaven and my perfect ears hear the righteous indignation and chorus from those departing to eternal separation from God rightly crying out… “WHY!?” “HOW COULD YOU!?” “IF I HAD KNOWN, I WOULD HAVE…!?”

Spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ is not a calling or a gift; it is a command!

 

Imagine what could happen if the New Year’s resolution of the Christian was, “To go out and make disciples of Jesus Christ.” In other words, I will no longer sit week after week watching my friends, family, and co-workers walk the path of eternal destruction. I will obey the command of God. I will stand up for the righteous cause and not be a bystander anymore. I will get my soul in shape by working it out on the lost.

“How much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize?” How long will we ignore the command of God?

Our calling is not to get to Heaven by the skin of our teeth. We are trained, equipped, and commanded, at minimal, to attempt to...

bring others with us.

 

Never Underestimate the Enemy

 

Many years ago, I entered a karate competition. As I awaited my turn in the ring, I sized up my opponents. One man stood out from the rest. He was in his thirties with a scraggly beard and very rough looking. My thought was anyone but him. The luck of the draw pitted me against that man. Fear raced through my mind as he and I squared off to do battle. They declared me the victor in less than a minute. I was shocked that I was able to beat such a leathery looking opponent. But that was only round one.

Again, I stood on the sideline, looking who remained that I had to fight, as one by one, competitors took the walk of shame and the circle of winners shrunk. I then won my next round and there were only two of us left. I had not paid this young man any attention as he was skinny and quite weak looking. I leaned over, extended my hand to wish him luck, but inside I knew I had this competition wrapped up. He smiled at me and wished me luck as well. We entered the ring, bowed to the Sensei, faced each other and bowed, and then just before the judge yelled, “FIGHT”, this meek young boy’s face turned from kind to violent, startling me. The fight was on and very quickly he took my strategy (walk to the table and pick up my trophy) apart and won 3 to 2. I was stunned at the loss. How could I let someone who looked so innocent beat me?

I learned a critical mindset that day, never underestimate my enemy. My mind gave me permission to stand-down, to relax a little, and glance at the large trophy on the table near us. The trophy I would never have because I underestimated my opponent.

In life, I wonder how many of us will never see the "trophy" God has waiting for us because we underestimated the enemy and overestimated our resolve. How many times has that ego-boosting glance from an attractive person lured an otherwise powerful warrior to fall? How many times has an advertisement promising happiness with their shiny new product sent a person to financial ruin and the landslide of heartaches that follow? How many times have we read the verses that Satan masquerades as an angel of light, that he is brilliant, beautiful, acts like God, appears good to the human intellect, yet is a roaring lion seeking to devour those who miscalculate and become complacent? How many times will I continue to underestimate my enemy and trust in my abilities?

I wish I would see the immediate spiritual results of such failures as I did, physically, that day in the ring. Sadly, it is usually a process, a slow process, where we allow the drip to become a raging torrent and succumb to his fierce powerful grip. By ignoring our weakness we are ultimately unable to fulfill our purpose—glorifying God with our lives.

According to God, our enemy is a seasoned and unyielding enemy, and we do not need to size him up. Instead, RUN from temptation and PURSUE righteousness, is our answer. Look away, walk away, run away, just get out of the way of our enemies reach (Gen 39:12; 1 Tim. 6:11). Do not glance at the winner’s table; we have work to do and the enemy is trying to stop us with egotistical pursuits, busyness, and burdens.

“So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” 2 Tim. 2:22

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." 1 Cor. 9:24

 

"I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." Phil. 3:14

 

 

Evil…Where?

 

I grew up in a rural sleepy town and worked on a dairy farm. My exposure to the outside world was limited, at best. Shortly after graduation I moved to central Florida and became a cop. I quickly realized that I was not in “Kansas” anymore. It was not the state; it was the job. What was once hidden from view became my life.

Indescribable evil is what first responders deal with on a daily basis. They are not called to celebrate a birthday party unless someone drank too much, pulled their pocket knife, and proceeded to take their aggression out on a family member they “love”. People do not call 911 to wish the Thin Blue Line a Merry Christmas. They call those three numbers because they have reached their capacity to control a horrible situation. They call good men and women into the Devil’s lair where his presence is palpable.  

It did not take me long to stop asking the question “why?” In the end, there is no answer that will satisfy one’s intellect for the heinous crimes violent criminals commit. All I could do was handle the situation, clean up the bodies, and move on to the next call. Nothing will allow me to listen to that answer and think, “Oh, now that makes sense” except evil. That is not a simple answer; it is the most complex answer we have, for in it are all the troubles of this world.  

When someone lashes out, they have simply followed through with the evil that is already in their heart. It makes us feel better to put a title, a drug, a horrible parent, poverty, wealth (as is the case in CT.), etc. so that we can rebuild the false walls of security in our naïve minds. That way when someone else decides to do something as hideous as shoot kids or use a hammer to beat their neighbor to death (Jared Brooks, Seffner, FL 12-15-12), we can search for a title and go to sleep thinking, “See, that’s why he did it, his mom was dismissive of his needs.” Really?

Where’s God?

God has clearly given us free will. From the beginning of time, we have run from the very God who loves us. The Bible—history—records one generation after another who chose death over life, hate over love, and self over others. Our possessiveness, anger, and wrath are the headlines of antiquity. Where is God we ask? God is where He’s always been, here (Rom. 5:8). He awaits our choice to turn towards Him or remain distant from Him. His arms are not crossed while tapping his foot and scowling. He is waiting with anxious anticipation of our return to His ways (Pro. 8:17). He runs to greet those who return to Him (Luke 15:20). He desires love yet we continue to desire hate. From those feelings of jealousy of a fellow worker to planning their ruin, we turn our back on the only source of hope; Jesus Christ.

Christmas is a time to remember that He came to save us from His wrath and it is our choice (1 Jhn.4:9-12). The answer to “Why?” is simple: evil exists in the heart of each of us and only God can cleanse us of our own self-destruction (Mth.12:35).

Freewill; the greatest gift, our greatest failure.

“So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.” 1 John 3:10

 

Jesus is a Myth

 

For several years, billboards loudly proclaiming that Jesus is a myth have sprung up around Christmas time. Various atheists’ groups are proud to claim responsibility. One such sign, recently erected in Times Square, depicts a rendition of Jesus with the words “Jesus is a Myth”. As a Christian, I could not be happier…once again, Jesus gets free advertisement. I almost feel bad for Buddha (originally, Siddhattha Gotama), Shiva, Vishnu, Muhammad, Joseph Smith, L. Ron Hubbard, and thousands of others who apparently do not rise to the level of concern for atheists. Only Jesus of Nazareth rises to such distinction. So strong are their feelings towards Him that they will give their greatest resource—money—just to tell others about Him. Praise the Lord!

In business, there is a saying, “There is no such thing as bad publicity.” Church buildings are boring. Christians are often very boring. But posting something that goes against all logic, historical evidence, and long-standing acceptance is exciting. It grabs one’s attention and makes them question the truthfulness or falsehood of the statement.

I love this technique, and I’ve personally challenged hundreds of students throughout the years to spend a week or two of their life, using all of their intellect and research abilities, to try to disprove the resurrection of Jesus. I believe the fastest way to saving faith or unbearable realization that Jesus indeed lived, died, and rose again is to aggressively study the evidence for the resurrection. My prayer is that people will read that sign in New York, question their beliefs, and set out to understand why they believe what they believe (1 Peter 3:15; 2 Tim. 2:15; et al.). That is, if they claim Christianity, why do they believe? And if they are atheists, why do they see the facts of history differently than over 90% of the world? The simple truth is one side is right, while the other is wrong, and there is no middle ground.

One thing is certain; atheists have already proven a man named Jesus lived, died, his body disappeared within three days of His burial and is still missing, and He was so impactful on society that the known world changed due to Him and Him alone. How do we know this? Atheists, agnostics, and many brilliant lovers of knowledge have spent 2,000 years trying to prove where His body went after His burial. Implicit in their study is the foregone conclusion that a man named Jesus lived, died, was buried, His body is gone, and He changed some of the world’s most ardent religious followers as well as pagans, thus why they spend their time, money, and talent on one point: where did His body go? Intriguing to me is that without even opening the bible, only listening to the naysayers, I can already firmly know that Jesus lived, died, and His body is missing. So again, the only remaining question is, “Where did He go?”

Please, my atheistic friends, I sincerely beg you to continue to put billboards up, go on news channels and argue your point, and enter the halls of learning. God wants His people to get ready for the coming years of trouble with an unshakable faith, and the only way to remain strong is to know that you know that you know. Christians need a good dare to motivate their lazy minds, and apparently, the best way to strengthen the gospel is via a good challenge/persecution.

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.” Genesis 50:20

 

Doubt the Resurrection? Good!

Download my Booklet FREE

Available to read on your eReader, Smartphone, iPad or Tablet

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Barnes & Noble

iTunes

Smashwords

FALLING! I Should be Dead

 

Back in the day, I was a proficient 5.10 rock climber and an occasional 5.11. One day, my good friend and I, went to my favorite climbing spot, Crowders Mountain outside Charlotte, NC. Desiring a “cool” picture for my desk, I decided to climb without the aid of a safety rope. After all, the pitch was something a child could climb, a 5.4, and I only had a few feet of 5.11 at the top to create an awesome print. I informed my friend to take the picture when I was hanging by one hand and my other hand was in my chalk bag. Everything was going as planned until I reached my left hand into the bag. That’s when the unexpected happened—the rock broke.

In the picture, you can see the rock in my right hand and my body instinctively moving into a defensive stance, preparing for impact. I recall thinking, “Well, this is it” as I faced a 150’ fall to my death. As my body picked up speed, my right knee and left forearm struck a small knife-edge rock formation. That edge strike shoved my body up the mountain instead of backwards as I would have expected. I then fell another ten feet into a tiny crevice, onto my hip and head. As I regained consciousness, my friend rushed to my side and off to the emergency room we went for some exhilaratingly fun pressure burst wound scrubbing and many stitches.

I knew the risks of ignoring the safety line. I had fallen dozens of times and felt that beautiful feeling as the rope tightens and the harness cinches around my legs and hips. “Alright, lower me down” I would yell to the bilayer, only to attempt the route again. But this time was different. This time I’d tried something for the first time; I went without a firm anchor point, I went on my own strength, and I miscalculated the strength of the rock.

I wonder how many of my friends and family who rightly mocked my poor decision to go without a safety line, miss the fact that they are doing something far more foolish. That is, while what I did had immediate physical ramifications, theirs has eternal consequences. They have chosen to put their trust in the fragile world that is clearly broken. The rocks they grab continually crumble and turn to dust before their eyes, yet they repeat the process believing that the next rock will hold their weight. Or the one they are forever grasping after will be the firm anchor point they need.

The truth is there is only one unmovable Rock. There is only one unbreakable Anchor who has not budged despite the incessant pounding of atheists, agnostics, and haters of righteousness. We are all climbing the rock face of life; some are on 5.4 while others are at 5.14+ pitches. Eventually, everyone will fall. The only difference is some will have that Safety Line, while others will have chosen to trust the brittle rock.

“The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.” Psalm 18:2

 

 

Dad Returns

 

Every few months or so, I get the urge to watch one of those videos where the dad returns home from war and surprises his kids at school or at some event. For me, they never grow old, and I cry every time. There is just something that touches a human heart in such a moment that it transcends accurate description and one can only respond with tears of joy.

This morning I spent a few minutes watching one of those videos titled “Dad” on YouTube. While each scene has its amazing moment, there is one where a little girl is lightly clapping with her classmates while a soldier walks into the room. Her tiny smile stops, the hands no longer move, her body freezes, and she begins to realize a dream is coming true. This is not just any soldier; this is my dad. Her hands instinctively cover her face as if to make certain she is not dreaming. She then gathers her strength, stands, and runs towards him for the long awaited embrace. In that moment, all of the sleepless nights, unending worries, and terrifying possibilities stop and only pure joy fills the heart.

I don’t always sleep well. I sometimes get out of bed the next morning with trepidation, fearing what the day will bring. There are days I simply struggle to live life and feel like a failure when the sun goes down. Also, I don’t associate well with those who can’t relate to such thoughts, fears, and concerns, and instead, always seem to have life wrapped around their finger.

When I watch those videos, the Holy Spirit reminds me that such a day is coming for those who are eagerly awaiting the Savior’s return (Heb. 9:28). I am that child who keeps looking for his Heavenly Father, I continually search for signs of His return, and I read His love letter to His children; in particular, where He makes a few things vividly clear… “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.” (1 Thes. 4:16-18). Notice the emphasis on Jesus coming and not an ambassador, but Jesus Christ Himself is coming. This tells me that as much as I want to see Him, He wants to be with me even more. I long for His embrace where He wipes those fears, worries, and “what-ifs” away.

Verse eighteen says to encourage the Body of Christ with this truth. So for those who can relate to a weak and weary soul, rest in His unbreakable promise…HE WILL RETURN and wipe your tears never to return to sorrow. Even so, come Lord Jesus (Rev. 22:20)

 

105 Minutes with an Atheist

 

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine introduced me to a man who happened to be an atheist. After an hour-long conversation about life, he blurts out, “You keep talking about science. You’re a pastor. Do you believe in science?” He went on to say how he doesn’t believe in God because there is too much “stuff” out there such as “millions of galaxies containing trillions of stars…it’s just too vast to come from a God.” I could not wipe the smile off my face as I said, “Exactly! Too much stuff! Where did all that stuff come from?”

The Law of Cause and Effect is one of the scientific laws that allows the field of science to even exist; without its guiding principle, theories become impossible. That is, scientists observe effects such as life, planets, spinning spiral galaxies, and etc. They spend their life attempting to determine the cause of such effects. There are two options (three if you count aliens, but then where did the aliens come from…back to two options) to the cause of existence, everything from nothing or everything from something. The first option is naturalism (no God) and the second is theism (a God). Again, a third option (minus panspermia/aliens) does not exist. If you are not a theist you are a naturalist (atheist) and vice versa. Either God created or nothing created.

“I think I believe in science more than the naturalist” is what I told him. He narrowed his eyes, threw his head back, and asked, “How so?” I believe the scientific laws that exist today have always existed, and when God decided to create everything, He simply used the laws that are within Him. As a theist, I do not suspend the laws of science; I embrace them. In particular, the law of cause and effect. In order to believe everything came from nothing, I must suspend reality, logic, and rational thought, basically, all laws of science. Everything cannot pop into existence from nothing because there is nothing to make something, and a cause to the first something leading to everything cannot exist in nothing. Simplified, it takes at least one thing to make the next thing. If there was Something (what we call God), then all things are possible because that Thing caused all things to begin. A first cause must exist in order to make the first effect; therefore, there is no choice but to accept the required existence of a first Cause, and that Cause we call God. We are not required to exist; conversely, He is required, and we know this simply because we are here. The universe overflows with unnecessary stuff, therefore, there must be a “stuff” Maker, or there would be no stuff. God is not a maybe, He’s a must.   

So my answer to him was a resounding and excited, “Yes, I believe in—and embrace—science and the very laws by which the field is substantiated! Further, I find it intriguing that atheists mock my strong belief in all scientific laws and consider my unbending commitment to same as ridiculous if not naïve when it comes to the start of it all.” My thought: everyone innately knows that everything requires a something to make anything and that what one gets from nothing is nothing. So my question is, “Who is remaining logical, rational, and intellectually honest? The one who suspends all knowledge of the laws that surround and uphold us, or the one who accepts the fact that those same laws require a law Giver?”

 

Christmas Eve Service: Uplifting?

Recently I was in the hospital with a close family member. We were there for five days as four doctors worked the case attempting to figure out what was wrong. The first three doctors signed off on the one I love and signed the release paperwork. Finally, one more doctor entered the room and clearly stated, “You are not going home; there is something wrong, and we will find it”.

We did not rush to the ER to get an uplifting message from a kind doctor; we went because something was wrong and we needed the truth regardless of the way it made us feel. Jesus said, "Healthy people don't need a doctor--sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners." (Mark 2:17). According to the eyewitnesses of Jesus, He is not interested in raising the ego of individuals nor is He concerned with giving an uplifting message so we feel good. No…Jesus is the kind doctor who tells you the truth regardless of the initial sting so that He can help you fix the problem. The world signs your release paperwork; Christ asks you to stay.  

"No one is righteous--not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one." (Rom. 3: 10-12)

While the ultimate end to Jesus’ message is uplifting to those who accept it; simultaneously, it brings about a sense of seriousness and sorrow as well. That is, the Bible is the PET scan exposing the bleakness inside, and we know what it means for many we love who ignore the truth. A few years ago, a family member ignored a lump in her belly for months without telling anyone. That small bump took her life within a few weeks of discovery. She needed a doctor, she needed honesty, and she needed to get well, but feared the news of the doctor and the result was sealed.

The gospel is good news, but it is not exactly uplifting when one considers the totality of its ramifications on all of humankind. “But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (Mth. 7:14).

My prayer is that people come to church this Christmas season not to be uplifted, but to hear and receive the difficult and stinging truth of the good Physician, Jesus Christ. We are not well, and the prognosis is not good unless we accept the gift of eternal life via the shed blood of Jesus Christ, which paid the literal sickness that each of us contain. No one wants to hear they have terminal cancer, but what if you got a second opinion and that doctor said, “No problem, I can remove it and you will live.”  Would you say “No”? Would you allow his perceived arrogance to get in the way of life? Would you walk away simply because it is impossible to grasp the technique?

“For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There's no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.” (2 Cor. 7:10)

 

The Lottery

 

I read a great story the other day about a grandma who was having difficulty paying her electric, cable, and phone bill. I would have to imagine that her financial situation was in complete disarray with no hope of tomorrow making it better. Several months earlier, she’d purchased a lottery ticket and put it in her glove box. As you may know, winners only have so long to claim their prize. As time neared the end, grandma cleaned out her glove box and found her ticket; it was worth $28 million.

Stories like this are heartwarming and a little enticing to go buy a lottery ticket. The fact is grandma’s destructive financial problems need not have been. Her answer rested beside her day after day, for months. Her reprieve from agony as she went to sleep in fear of what tomorrow would bring was only a memory away. Her rescue from financial ruin was often inches from her grasp; all she had to do was recognize its existence, take ahold of it, and accept the gift that awaited her.

While I could expound on the futility of wealth and how this does not solve her eternal issues, that is not the point. Christ has given us a gift. We didn’t even have to spend a dollar; it’s free because He has accomplished the task. Many live their entire life a breath, a thought, or a doubt away from receiving the greatest gift humankind has ever received. They slip in to the other side never opening their proverbial glove box and miss out on what could have been.

When I hear the incredible voice of Adele sing, “We Could Have Had It All”, I can’t help but imagine Jesus saying the chorus of that song to those who never accepted their gift of eternal life. We could have had it all, running in the deep, you had My heart inside your hand and you played it to the beat. Throw your soul through every open door. Count your blessings to find what you look for. Turn My sorrow into treasured gold. You pay Me back in kind and reap just what you sow.

The gift of grace, mercy, and salvation are waiting for you to open your heart, see Jesus for what and Who He is, and accept His completed work. He did it for you. He did it for me. Sadly, many will never cash in their untold wealth; instead, they settle for the dirt we stand on, the dust we breathe in, and the mud from which He made us. You could have it all.