Do You Know?

Without going in to all the details, Scott found our neighbor Jim laying in his driveway yesterday.  We now know Jim suffered a massive stroke and died instantly.  Jim was shoveling snow in the driveway and had waved a friendly hello to Scott just about 10 minutes before he died.  It is unfortunate that I just learned Jim's last name yesterday, after he had died.  Jim wasn't one of the most friendly of neighbors and we suspected there were some very serious marital and mental health issues.  Regardless, Jim lost his life yesterday and we have been dealing with a strange sadness.  The reason it is strange is the fact Scott found him and tried to administer CPR, he was a neighbor, we didn't know him very well because he kept his distance, what we did know about him was mostly negative, and well, he died.  Even though he wasn't friendly, I have been so encouraged by our neighbors as they are rallying behind Pam, Jim's wife.  One neighbor plowed the driveway for her.  One neighbor is organizing donations to assist with expenses as Jim did not have any life insurance.  One neighbor is getting a card ready for the neighborhood.  One neighbor is organizing a meal for after the service.  I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such good hearted people.  If you feel led, please pray for Pam.  She is such a sweet, sweet lady and I think she has suffered a hard life and marriage.  Since all of this, the girls have been asking some really big questions such as, "Did he go to heaven or hell Mommy?"  I did my best to answer this question stating that while only God truly knows, believers in Jesus should live lives that bring glory to the Kingdom.  My girls have such tender and sensative hearts.  Anna prayed tonight, "Dear Jesus, Please live in my heart because I want to go to Heaven." 

I don't know where you are on your spiritual journey but I hope and pray you realize it's not all about you.  It isn't even all about being nice, doing the right thing, loving all kinds of people, "the secret", etc.  It is all about Jesus!  The Bible is clear that "we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23).  Nowadays people don't like that word - sin.  Hate to be so blunt but sin is sin.  The best way to identify sin is through the 10 Commandments.   Have you ever lied?  If so, 9th commandment - broken.  Have you ever stolen something?   If so, 8th commandment - broken.  Have you ever wanted something (purse, outfit, car, person,...) that wasn't yours?  If so, 10th commandment - broken.  Have you ever lusted after another person of the opposite sex?  Adultery in the context of the 7th commandment includes even just "looking" at another man/woman other than your spouse.  If so, 7th commandment - broken.  Regardless if you have only broken one or all 10 of the commandments, you are a sinner.  I am not casting judgement because I am a sinner too.  However, the grace of God has washed my sins away by the blood of Jesus.  I can't do it justice through a posting on a blog, but it is an amazing story.  See, sin - if not dealt with - results in death, eternal death that is.  (Rom 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.).  The reason there aren't "multiple" ways to God is because Jesus was God's one and only son (John 3:16).  He was perfect!  The sacrifice for our sins had to be a perfect sacrifice, free of any blemish.  It was the blood of a perfect lamb that saved the Israelites lives while they were in Egypt, in slavery to Pharroh (the story where they put the blood on the lintel and two doorposts).  When the Lord passed through in the night, the Israelites who followed the directions given were "passed over" (this is where the Jewish term Passover comes from).  Exodus 12:14-27  If it weren't for Jesus, we as Gentile believers would have no hope.  He is not exclusive by any means; however, we must recognize ourselves as sinners, unworthy of God's love and demonstrate a sincere "repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21)."  It is not about just saying a simple prayer to ask Jesus to live in your heart.  It isn't just about having faith.  Repentance means doing a complete U-TURN in how you are living your life.  You know you, your life, your sin so you know what you need to do to have complete repentance.  The Lord won't force you.  It is your choice but the Bible says in Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him and he with me."  You hear Christians say they were saved.  Well, here is the verse "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Rom 10:9)."  My prayer is you would seriously consider this posting, asking yourself about your heart's condition and your eternal future.  If you would want to talk more about it, let me know.  Remember, it is all about Jesus!

I love, love, love this song by Petra!  It has a powerful message so please stop my playlist and listen!