Have you ever heard someone say they thought they should be going to heaven because they were a good person?

Why would Jesus bear the penalty for our sins on the cross if we could get into heaven just by being a good person?  He endured tremendous pain and suffering so that we could go to heaven and be with God, but only through belief in what He did for us on that cross.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father but by me.”  Have you given your heart to Jesus?  If not, why not do it today?

Questions, questions, questions.  That’s how I learned from my dad; I would ask questions.

I loved helping my dad work.  As a young girl, I remember helping my dad build our screened-in back porch.  My older brothers were nowhere to be found, not at all interested in helping Dad, but I was there, intrigued by how and why Dad was doing what he was doing.

Hold this for me right here.  Hand me that hammer please.  Why Dad, why?  What is the purpose of this piece Dad?  Why do you do it that way Dad?

Isn’t it that way with our heavenly Father too?  He gives us His word so we can know Him, but we must seek and ask, read and apply, desire to know more.

Why Father, why?  Why did you let my baby be born a stillborn?  Why, Father, why?  Why did you call my husband home at such a young age, leaving me to raise three children without him?  Why, Father, why?  Why did you wait so long to send me another husband?

God in His goodness knows all things and works them all together for our good if we trust Him, seek Him, follow Him.  Everything is for His glory but also for our good, even when we don’t understand.  We will understand when we are finally with Him, spending eternity in His everlasting arms.  Praise Him!!

Are you ready?  Do you know Him?  Do you trust Him?  Do you seek Him?  Do you follow Him?  You can trust Him TODAY!

Walking in the rain today, my umbrella covering me to keep me dry, I found myself looking around at all the people who did not have an umbrella.  Even though they were getting wet in the rain, they did not seem to be bothered by it at all.  This got me thinking about my covering from the Holy Spirit, the One who protects me and guides me through each and every event in my life, good or bad.  Many people go through life without Him to guide them and yet they are oblivious to how much better life could be if they knew Him.

Walking under the protection of my umbrella is a much better place to be than out in the open, in the rain, exposed and vulnerable, and wet!  Just like walking under the protection of the Holy Spirit is a much better place than being lost in the world of sin, floundering around to find my way on my own, vulnerable to the evil around me, lonely and lost.

How I thank God that Jesus sent His Spirit to dwell in me, guide me and protect me, lead me in the best way to go.  I’ve heard it said that we don’t know what we don’t know, but when we DO know, what a difference it can make.

I thank You God that I can know You, that Jesus is Lord of my life, and that the Holy Spirit takes control and leads me each and every day.  Sometimes I still try to go my own way, but You are so patient with me and You always guide me back when I stray.

Thank you Lord for my umbrella that covers me and keeps me dry in the rain.  Thank you for Your Holy Spirit whose love and protection covers me and keeps me safe in the dangerous world of sin.  I pray the person reading this blog post will know You too and the Holy Spirit will fill them and guide them.

Recently I was riding down Main Street on my way to work and smelled that awful smell of a garbage truck, even though none was in sight.  This got me thinking of the way the smell lingers long after the garbage truck has pulled away.

Life can be like that too.  Harsh words, abrupt answers, indifference, criticism; all these can leave behind a stench that affects others in a very negative way.  Maybe I’ve just had a bad day.  Does that give me the right to take it out on someone else?  Does that give me an open door to making someone else feel inferior?  Does what I say leave behind a smell that lingers long after I’ve left the room?

Jesus wants us to love one another.  The bible says that if I do not have love, even though I may have other good qualities, I am nothing!  Nothing!!  In fact, the bible says I am “only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.”  Now there is some left-behind garbage!!

I Corinthians 13, the love chapter, shows us how to love others, shows us the importance of love above all other things.  “Love is patient, love is kind.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Lord, help us not to leave behind the smell of garbage in our lives, but instead help us to love others and leave behind a sweet smelling aroma!!  We know that this is pleasing to You and edifying to others.  Thank you Lord for loving us, even when we don’t deserve it!

Which do you have? Relationship or Religion?

Do you go to church?  Do you read the bible?  Are you a member of a particular church?  Do you only attend church at a certain denomination because you think that is important in your walk with God?

I’d like to get you thinking about whether you have a relationship or simply religion.

Relationship; what is it?  Religion; what is it?  Do you know the difference?  Is there a difference?  Yes!  There is a BIG difference.

My first husband, before the Lord called him home in 1989, used to say, “All religion is man made.”  I always agreed with him on that.  Sometimes we get so hung up on a certain “religion” (which usually means a denomination of church) that we lose sight of the relationship we need with the Savior.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.  No man comes to the Father but by Me.”  John 14:6 — This is key.  Because we are all by nature sinners, we need a savior to rescue us from our sins.  We can do nothing on our own that will pay the price God requires for our sins.  Only Jesus can do that, and He did on the cross!!

In the Old Testament, the Jews had to continually offer up sacrifices to God in order to be temporarily cleansed from their sins.  But it was just that, temporary.  They had to offer sacrifices again and again and again, that is until Jesus came, died on the cross and became the final sacrifice for all the sins of the world!

Jesus is the perfect man, perfect God, all wrapped up in one.  He came to earth for the purpose of fulfilling the Old Testament law and to provide a way for us to spend eternity with the Father in heaven.

We are eternal beings, you know.  We will spend eternity somewhere.  It is only through Jesus that we can spend eternity in heaven.  But it takes more than just knowing “about” Jesus, more than knowing who He is, more than simply hearing about Him, more than just believing He is the son of God.  It takes all those things, but it also takes a relationship with Him, a personal relationship.

Do you know Jesus personally?  Not just know “of” Him.  Not just know “about” Him.  Not just believe that He came, was crucified, died and rose again.  You must confess Him as Lord of your life.  You must acknowledge that you are a sinner in need of a Savior, and you must recognize and confess that He (Jesus Christ) is YOUR Savior.  Have you done that?  If not, don’t wait any longer.  Jesus could return TODAY!  He is coming back, you know.  He promised that He would, and He always keeps His promises!

You can pray this simple prayer (if you really mean it in your heart) and be saved today:

Thank you Lord Jesus for shedding Your blood on the cross in payment for my sins and for offering me the gift of eternal life with You.  I open my heart and invite You into my life and commit to follow you the rest of my days.  By faith I receive the gift you provided for me, and I acknowledge You as my Lord and Savior.  Amen