Motion

While flying through some turbulence I started to feel something pretty common for me: motion sickness. I have gotten air sick so many times, just the smell of aviation fuel can churn my stomach.

This is the feeling God has when we claim to be His, but simply muddle along doing some good things.

If you look at Rev 3:15-16, it says “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

The Greek word for spit there can better be explained as gag on and then upchuck.

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;
we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” (Isaiah 64:6)

Our GOOD deeds are like dirty menstrual pads. No really. That's the translation for “filthy rags”.

I'm not saying that Grace isn't sufficient and Amazing. We will all continue in the way of the world, sometimes...but for salvation through Grace, we are required to sellout for Jesus. Don't be fooled, just because you pray or call yourself a Christian, doesn't mean your name is written in The Book.

“A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” …You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’” “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.” (Luke 18:18, 20-29)

That is probably the Best trick the Devil has played on us. To make us think that we can be "Christian enough" and then we have our Golden Ticket to heaven. We all want to know, how little can we do and still make it to heaven? What’s the minimum? Sunday church attendance? Prayer? Not saying bad words? …

Reflection Question: How have you been just a Lukewarm Christian this week?

Will Today Be The Day?

I woke up to news about an earthquake in Japan and a Tsunami in the Pacific. This week, I was talking to some friends about the mysterious bird and fish deaths… and then, is there something about the Mayan Calendar and 2012? What is going on in the Middle East?

I admittedly do not know much about the “end of days”, but I do know that it took a significant event in my life to cause a significant change in my life. I do know that the days will end, at least my days will. I also know that it could be today or tomorrow.  I am so arrogant if I think that I will have a tomorrow.

“Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4:13-14)

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” (Pro 27:1)

If today were the day that the world ended, and you stood before your maker, what would you say? If he asks if you lived your life selfishly, or if you lived for Him, what would your answer be? Will Jesus step in, will Jesus proclaim to the Father that you are His, or will he say ‘I never knew you.’

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matt 7:21-23)

Why do they call the Gospel “Good News”? …The Good News is you can make a decision TODAY, to be His, to live for Christ, to know your Salvation and to live a life filled abundantly with His unending Joy!  You can actually know the God who created the earth, the sun, the stars, the beach, the mountains, and every tiny delicate flower.

If you make a decision to dedicate your life to Him, please don’t do it alone! Send me an email to let me know about your decision. That is So exciting and I would love to personally share with you, what that will mean in your precious life!

Reflection Question: Will Jesus be there to testify for you, or will he say “I never knew you”?