You see, in the dream I grabbed my mama's hand and said, "let's go see daddy..." And while that is an excitement that I do have about Eternity (seeing my earthly father), the reason my heart is pounding is because of my concern for friends, neighbors, etc. who don't know my Heavenly Father. My prayer as I awoke was for those people... For our world. Because y'all- He's coming back, and based on the condition of this world, I believe it's soon. When I opened my Bible tonight, Mark 13 was where I landed... and I don't believe in coincidence.
(I have to be honest y'all, My thoughts are so jumbled, but I'm trying to lay them out as The Lord as laid them on my heart.)
I prayed that Jesus would show me the people who don't know Him so I can tell them... Which though I'm a fairly extroverted and talkative person, has not been a strong point in my life. I've always gone by the "walk the walk" more than the "talk the talk" philosophy... Which is sad. How many opportunities to share the Gospel have come my way and I've ignored it?? That thought scares and ashames me really...
I realize that I've always taken the "walk the walk" approach because it's passive, and I'm a non confrontational kind of person. But it's time I start asking myself what's important- my comfort or your Eternity... and that answer is easy- your Eternity.
I know that a lot of people in the world are turned off by Christians... And I'm sorry for that, I truly am. I once heard (at the beginning of a Christian song no less) that the number 1 cause for atheism in the world is Christians ... And sadly that is probably true. If I've ever done anything to turn you away from God I ask you to give me another chance and read on, and for God's forgiveness...
I'm no preacher and I'm no theologian, but I know this: God is real... and He is coming again. Heaven and Hell are also real... And they last for an Eternity. If you are reading this, whether I personally know you or not, I don't want you to experience the latter, and I implore you to continue reading.
I told you what I know- so here's what I want you to know:
GOD LOVES YOU- and that's all that really matters!!
He created you. How can He not love His own creation?! Despite what the folks at Westboro say, God doesn't Hate... God is love.
Before Jesus died He prayed for us (John 17:20-26)... for those who believe in Him, and those who would come to believe in Him "through their message" (that would be YOU whoever is reading this if you are not a Christian)! God doesn't care what you have done in your life... Because He can forgive and forget (unlike most humans). All you have to do is ask Him (that would be the step of Repentance, please read on for more info) and have faith, and it will be done.
"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:8
Before Jesus died He prayed for us (John 17:20-26)... for those who believe in Him, and those who would come to believe in Him "through their message" (that would be YOU whoever is reading this if you are not a Christian)! God doesn't care what you have done in your life... Because He can forgive and forget (unlike most humans). All you have to do is ask Him (that would be the step of Repentance, please read on for more info) and have faith, and it will be done.
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you[a] known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”(John 17:20-26)
I understand that for some people who read this, it may seem unrealistic, may seem crazy... May seem like something you don't need to worry yourself with... But I ask you to consider the alternative. If I'm wrong, none of this will affect us and we will continue to live on this Earth with the craziness of wars and politics and selfishness and pride. But if I'm right.... If The Lord does return and only those who have accepted Him as their Lord and Savior will spend Eternity in Heaven, where there is no grief (John 16:22) and only joy, then if you say no to this opportunity, you spend an eternity in Hell. And y'all... Hell is... I don't even want to imagine what it is like. The Bible states that it is a "lake of burning sulfur"... that will burn day and night for ever and ever." (Revelation 20:10) ... I shudder at the thought of it really.... But that's the alternative if The Lord returns and you have not accepted Salvation.
So - this begs the question: if God loves you, then why would He send you to Hell? Well- truth is, you send yourself to Hell by not following Him. God gives everyone the option of Heaven, but if you don't choose it, if you don't choose Him- Hell will be your Eternity. It's as simple as that.
Back to the good part, the positive part... How do you get to spend Eternity in Heaven rather than Hell? I'm happy to report that there is nothing you have to do, but ask and believe. Simple as that... There are no works, no donations, no sacrifices, because the sacrifice has already been made for you and me, and that sacrifice is Jesus Christ.
You see, Jesus is God's son, born of a virgin (one of the many miracles of the bible), who lived and died in this Earth. When he was in his thirties, God asked him to be a sacrifice for us (Mark 14:32-36), and He said yes. He said yes to death on a cross... For me. For you.
Jesus said Yes for us, so we should say Yes to Him!
1. Recognize that you have sinned... We all have, we all do. But thru faith we are forgiven of those sins. (Romans 3:22-26)
22 This righteousness is given through faith in[a] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[b] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
2. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you! He provided the option for Eternity in Heaven when he died on the cross and then rose to live again! (Romans 5:8-11)
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
3. Confess and ask God for forgiveness of those wrongdoings, wrong attitudes, those sins we commit by not loving our neighbors and not following His commandments. (Romans 10:9-10)
4. Ask The Lord to lead you throughout the rest of your life on earth thru His Spirit. To guide your choices, change your perspective, and to help you keep His commandments. Maintain your relationship with God as you do your friends. Talk to Him, trust Him, take His advice (read His Word - the Bible)... (Romans 10:13)
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
If you choose to accept Him as your Savior (He saves you from Hell), your life may not become sunshine and roses immediately, that's not guaranteed nor likely... But your Eternity will be WITH Him in Heaven (streets of gold/no tears), rather than away from Him in Hell (constant burning lake of fire).
I pray for whoever is reading this... All these words and scriptures above were laid on my heart by God to share with you... So urgently that I'm typing this on my phone at 3:18am.
If you have read this far then I ask you this:
If you have read this far then I ask you this:
- if you are a Christian, share this... God laid his on my heart for a reason... someone somewhere needs to read it. Please share it in faith and prayer that they will.
- if you are not a Christian, consider what I have written, more so what He has written in the Bible! I understand that you may be skeptical, that faith may have never played a part in your life and so you wonder why it should start now... But I ask- Why not? Once again, please consider the alternative.
- if what you have read has led you to talk to God... To pursue Him and an Eternity in Heaven, I praise Him for that decision. Please let me know how I can pray for you and/or help you connect with local Christians to support you.
To anyone reading this - if you don't have a Bible and want one to read the Word of God, comment below with your email address and I'll contact you and send one your way.
I pray for whoever is reading this... for whoever needs to read this. I also pray that God will use me to be more of a Talker than just a Walker. It seems more and more that Revelation is coming quicker... and with the release of the new Left Behind moving coming out next month, I believe more people will begin to read and pursue Scripture on the end of times, and maybe a movie like this is the Lord's way of getting the message out to more people... that He is coming back, and He is coming soon.
I pray for whoever is reading this... for whoever needs to read this. I also pray that God will use me to be more of a Talker than just a Walker. It seems more and more that Revelation is coming quicker... and with the release of the new Left Behind moving coming out next month, I believe more people will begin to read and pursue Scripture on the end of times, and maybe a movie like this is the Lord's way of getting the message out to more people... that He is coming back, and He is coming soon.
Love y'all,
Kacey
