Do people see Jesus in me? This is a question I often think about. 

Perhaps this is a desire you hold and pray. Lord, let others see Jesus in me! 

Lately, this hope and prayer stays at the forefront of my mind. 

So I completed my own soul-searching, looking in the Scriptures, and asking the Holy Spirit to open my spiritual eyes to how others truly see Jesus in me. 

Because when Jesus lives in us and we allow the triune God to transform us from the inside out, everything about Him radiates in us and our life. 

Then, people see Jesus in us.

Others See Jesus 

(1.) In my salvation. 

It all begins here. Once we have a salvation experience and personal redemption story, we are new creations (1 Corinthians 5:17). Christ is our Savior.

In Galatians 1, the Apostle Paul recounts his life before Christ. He shares an impressive religious resume and all that he attained. Yet, look at how he ends the chapter.

“And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only were hearing it said, ‘He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.’ And they glorified God because of me.” Galatians 1:22-24 (ESV, emphasis added)

Notice how Paul never wrote that others glorified me because of me. No, God received the glory for the saving work of Jesus in Paul’s life. 

We have a story to share, a personal testimony of Jesus saving our soul and giving us eternal life.

Do people see Jesus in me? When everything about Jesus radiates in me and my life, then people see Jesus in me. @FridayKaren #Jesus
Click To Tweet

(2.) When the Word lives in me.

The Word became flesh, Jesus, the living Word (John 1:1 & 14). Even though He lives in us, the Bible reminds us of the importance to meditate on and know the Scriptures. 

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)

And Psalm 119 shows us how knowing God’s Word lights our path (v. 105), helps us not sin (v. 11), gives us hope (v. 43), and makes us walk in freedom (v. 45). 

Jesus is our example of knowing and keeping God’s commands. He lives in us as the living Word.

Jesus is our example of knowing and keeping God’s commands. He lives in us as the living Word. Then others see Jesus in us. #Jesus @FridayKaren
Click To Tweet

Jesus in Me 

(3.) If I dwell in His presence through worship and prayer.

Spending time in the presence of our Lord and Savior changes us. We worship His majesty, glory, splendor and beauty. We submit to His authority. And we praise Him for who He is and thank Him for what He has done. 

Also, often this means silently sitting before Him with open hearts to hear from Him and asking the Holy Spirit to fill us with Himself. Still further, we let the lyrics to worship songs permeate our beings and we find joy in His presence (Psalm 16:11).

(4.) Through my love.

Others see Jesus in us through love. The depth of this love includes giving grace to others, a merciful heart, and a forgiving spirit. 

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35 (ESV)

Love is the difference maker to all those in our family, friendships, work, communities, ministries, and who we come in contact with. 

People See Jesus

(5.) In my words and actions—the crucified life.

Jesus made it clear, to follow Him, we deny ourselves and take up our cross (Matthew 16:24). Taking up our cross is the crucified life. 

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 (ESV)

Carrying our cross, we let Jesus live in and through us, not living for our own interests. So our words, actions, beliefs—everything about us—showcase Jesus Christ for others to see. 

Prayer: Lord, help others see Jesus in me. I pray that after being in Your presence, others recognize I have been with Jesus. And Jesus is seen in me from the inside out. Help me meditate on Your Word, tell my Jesus-story, love others deeply, and live the crucified life each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Featured image from filming for our YouTube Channel, Friday’s Forever.

Also see, Praying for a Friend.

LINKUP PARTY opens on March 8 at 6 am!

Christian Bloggers, come share your Blog with our audience below:

1. Add your Link.

2. Visit the blogger before or after and encourage them with a comment.

3. Share on social media. Click below to share on Twitter that you are joining us! We would love to have you follow the ministry on Twitter and Facebook as well: Soaring with Him FB Page

Do you ever wonder if people see Jesus in you? My friend @FridayKaren shares how when Jesus lives in us, He transforms everything in our lives from the inside out. Share your blog! #blog
Click To Tweet

The post Do People See Jesus in Me? {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

Why, traumatic? The answer lies in the words of a lab tech during one visit. “Your veins are itty bitty, Mrs. Friday.” Gee…yay for me. 

And to add more apprehension, the veins on my arms refuse to come out of hiding. Like a game of hide-and-seek, lab techs armed with needles make several attempts to seek an appropriate candidate—but to no avail. Although I’m already bruised and lightheaded.

Then, the lab employee enlists support from other techs, and sure-fire methods to raise a vein. Such as trying to warm up the vein with heat packs or squeezing a round object with my hand. Any success, now? Nope.

Finally, one brave and innovative gal not only used a butterfly needle—the smallest option—but she also decided to use a visible vein on the top of my hand. She expressed one concern. This particular vein may not yield enough blood.

Drum roll, please. It worked! Hooray!

Ever since that day, I share my tiny-veins-and-hard-to-get-blood story with my lab person. So I kindly ask for a butterfly needle and to stick the vein in my hand. This makes my experience a little more pleasant.

It amazes me what our blood shows about us: type, heart-health, overall health, and often diagnoses a medical condition, disease, or illness. Life is in the blood.

Life in the Blood

Look at what the Lord told Moses:

“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life” (Leviticus 17:11 NIV).

God set up the sacrificial system and Levitical priests. Because only the shedding of blood made atonement for sins. These sacrifices pointed to the coming of Jesus as the ultimate High Priest and final sacrifice for sins as noted in Hebrews.

“He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12 NIV).

“Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 10:11-12 NIV).

As the ultimate High Priest, Jesus became the final sacrifice and atonement for sins with the shedding of His blood. #Blood #JesusSaves @FridayKaren
Click To Tweet

Power in the Blood

Maybe like me, you remember singing about this power. The bloodshed of Jesus:

• canceled our sin debt
• provided salvation
• purchased eternal life
• reconciled us to God
• recovered everything the enemy stole from us

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:19-22 NIV).

The blood of Jesus canceled our sin debt, purchased eternal life, reconciled us to God, and recovered everything the enemy stole from us. #Blood #JesusSaves @FridayKaren
Click To Tweet

Plead the Blood

But let’s not forget our lives right now in the present. Mentors, teachers, and pastors encourage us to plead the blood of Jesus. Or to bring it between us and the enemy. Or as a covering for spiritual warfare in our lives including difficult circumstances and people.

The blood that flowed through Immanuel’s veins spilled out on a cross. It cleanses our sins and gives us new life.

It redeems us, sets us free, and secures our adoption into God’s family.

Oh the saving power of the blood!

@FridayKaren shares how our hearts need triple bypass by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; a transfusion with the blood that never loses its power! Link-up is open. Share your #blog #Blood #RechargeWednesday
Click To Tweet

LINKUP PARTY opens at 6 am!

Christian Bloggers, come share your Blog with our audience below:

1. Add your Link.

2. Visit the blogger before or after and encourage them with a comment.

3. Share on social media. Click below to share on Twitter that you are joining us! We would love to have you follow the ministry on Twitter and Facebook as well: Soaring with Him FB Page

The post The Life and Power in Jesus’ Blood {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

These words, found in the ninth chapter of the Old Testament book by the prophet Isaiah are perhaps one of the most recognized prophesies concerning the Messiah. Since the first century, this prophecy has inspired believers who have acknowledged the coming of Israel’s deliverer in the child born on a manger.

One of the most acclaimed pieces written to celebrate the converging of the prophecies concerning the Christ is, undoubtedly, George Frideric Handel’s oratorio: “Messiah.” This musical score was composed in 1741 with scriptural context starting with prophecies by Isaiah and others, then moving to the annunciation to the shepherds, which is the only “scene” in the oratorio taken from the gospels.

In the second part of the aria, Handel concentrates on the Passion of the Christ, ending it with the notorious “hallelujah” chorus. In Part III, the composer closes his masterpiece with the climactic resurrection of the dead and Christ’s glorification in heaven. Early-music scholar Richard Luckett described Handel’s ‘Messiah’ as a commentary on [Jesus Christ’s] Nativity, Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension.”

Handel’s “Messiah” is indeed a poignant work of art, celebrated through the ages by both believers and music-loving skeptics alike. But to Christians, the divine nature of the story behind the song cannot be missed. Handel composed “Messiah” in a short period of 24 days. Upon completion, he wrote the letters “SDG” — Soli Deo Gloria, “To God Alone the Glory” at the end of the manuscript — an inscription that encouraged belief in the story that the composer wrote the music in a divinely inspired trance. Tradition tells that Handel had visions of heaven and the glory of the resurrected Christ while writing the hallelujah chorus.

It is the truth behind Handel’s glorious vision that fills my heart with joy and wonder each Christmas. Not the manger. Not the cross. But the fact that the divine Baby born on that quiet night in Bethlehem of Judea is indeed the promised Savior of Jews and gentiles alike. A concept which, I know, is not shared without controversy.

The divine baby born on that quiet night in Bethlehem of Judea is indeed the promised Savior of Jews and gentiles alike. #Christmas2019
Click To Tweet

Not coincidently, I have been studying the book of Isaiah for the past several months. One of my favorite books in Scriptures, Isaiah offers a comprehensive view of the history of the Jews before and after the Assyrian and Babylonian captivity years. Likewise, the prophet delivers numerous prophecies concerning that time – some of which were fulfilled 70 to 200 years after the prophet died. Isaiah also foresees the coming of the Messiah and the future of Israel, compiling a vast collection of prophecies known to be fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth.

But Isaiah is only one book containing predictions that Jesus fulfilled through His birth, life, death and resurrection. Bible scholars tell us that Jesus fulfilled nearly 300 references to 61 specific prophecies of the Old Testament concerning the Messiah. In his bestselling book “The Case for Faith,” New York bestselling author Lee Strobel quotes a mathematician’s estimate of those impossible odds to be “one chance in a trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion.”

More than scholarly references from those of us who studied the validity of Jesus’ Messianic claim, these truths are crucial to each believer who has accepted the gift of forgiveness offered by the Baby born 2,000 years ago. Because the truth is — if Jesus is not Messiah, then Christmas loses its only real meaning: that God came down to dwell with men … to set them free. Free from the law. Free from sin. Free from spiritual death.

if Jesus is not Messiah, then Christmas loses its only real meaning: that God came down to dwell with men ... to set them free. Free from the law. Free from sin. Free from spiritual death.
Click To Tweet

I believe that is what inspired Handel to write the divine music that floods sanctuaries and auditoriums around the world each Christmas – a raptured vision of the lowly baby in the manger who became the victorious, resurrected Christ.

Now, to this writer, that is the true reason Christmas is indeed the most wonderful time of the year.

This article was originally published on Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday – December 21, 2019. Click HERE to read on their website.

The post Prophecies Give Meaning to Christmas {The Atlanta Journal-Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

Who is this King of glory?

Christmas is only a few weeks away. While I find it unbelievable, more troubling is the unbelief I see behind the holiday—Holy-day. 

But, the birth of Jesus unveiled the Savior to the world. The One promised to rescue us from sin, other gods, the enemy, and even ourselves.

And as always, the heavenly Father kept His promise. God’s Son came to bring the light of heaven to earth. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, was born to die. Denied earthly glory and fame, Jesus bears a name above every name. He is the King of glory.

Denied earthly glory and fame, Jesus bears a name above every name. He is the King of glory. @FridayKaren #JesusIsKing #Glory
Click To Tweet

Yet the phrase, “The King of glory” is only found once in the Bible, in Psalm 24. It’s one of my favorite passages. So, let’s look at the 10 verses of the Psalm for our list of 4 ways to unveil Jesus this Christmas. And not only unveil Him in a more meaningful way in our own heart, but also to present Jesus more fully to those around us and to the world. 

1.)  Creation unveils the King of glory.

The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

(Verses 1-2)

Scripture reveals how Jesus, part of the triune God, participated in creation. John 1:3 says all things came into being through Him. Also, Colossians 1:16 confirms, “For by Him all things were created….”

Even the star announcing the arrival of the Christ-child was created by Him.

Every time we gaze at a sunset, see a glimmer of light shinning through the window, stand in awe at the twinkling of stars or the ebb and flow of the ocean. It reminds us how all of creation unveils the King of #Glory @FridayKaren
Click To Tweet

2.)  Holiness unveils the King of glory.

Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

(Verses 3-4)

The imagery here makes my soul leap and causes me to pause. David knew what it meant to stand in God’s presence. And he knew how sin separated him from God.

The Lord created our souls to desire the ascent up His hill and to stand in His holy place. But it requires we submit to the Lord’s holiness in our lives and allow Him to cleanse us from sin.

“If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” 1 John 1:7. 

3.)  Seeking God unveils the King of glory.

He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah

(Verses 5-6)

The Bible encourages us to seek the Lord’s kingdom and righteousness in Matthew 6:33. To pray, seek God’s face, and turn from wicked ways for forgiveness of sin and healing of our land here on earth in 2 Chronicles 7:14.

And Hebrews 11:6 tells us God rewards those who earnestly seek Him. 

4.)  Salvation unveils the King of glory.

Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory?The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!

Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory?The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah

(Verses 7-10)

Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Psalm 24:10 #Glory #JesusIsKing @FridayKaren
Click To Tweet

Matthew Henry’s Commentary notes the repetitions of phrases in these verses like those in a song.

“The doors and gates are to be thrown open, thrown wide open, to give him admission, for behold he stands at the door and knocks, ready to come in.” Henry further notes the Lord desires to be “welcomed by us.” 

The King of glory knocks at the door of our hearts. If we open the door, He comes in (Revelation 3:20). The Lord of hosts came that first Christmas night in Bethlehem for all who are willing to welcome His glory into their hearts and lives.

Which of the 4 ways of unveiling Jesus speaks the most to you? Tell us in the comments.

*Scripture ESV.

LINKUP PARTY opens at 6 am!

Christian Bloggers, come share your Blog with our audience below:

1. Add your Link.

2. Visit the blogger before or after and encourage them with a comment.

3. Share on social media. Click below to share on Twitter that you are joining us! We would love to have you follow the ministry on Twitter and Facebook as well: Soaring with Him FB Page

Join @FridayKaren as we look at how the Lord of hosts came that first Christmas night in Bethlehem for all who are willing to welcome His glory into their hearts and lives. Link up is open, share your blog. #Glory #JesusIsKIng
Click To Tweet

The post 4 Ways to Unveil the King of Glory {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

The thought in your head that you are not good enough, no matter how hard you’ve tried. A lie, on repeat, that you can’t ever measure up or be worthy of love. Guilt that won’t subside.

The boss that never respects your time or how much has already been put on your plate on a tight deadline. A person who continues to abuse, even when ties have been cut.

What in your life is ruthless?

Some of these are mine. Some belong to my loved ones. Some are yours. There are others, too.

We all face the ruthless, that which is “without pity or compassion; cruel; merciless,” whose synonyms are “unrelenting, adamant, cruel.”

Isaiah 25:4 describes how it feels:

“the breath of the ruthless
is like a storm driving against a wall
and like the heat of the desert.”

Isn’t that the truth? That which is ruthlessly disrespectful, uncompassionate, and cruel in our lives feels like a tremendous force against us that we can’t flee from. It bears down on us like heat that cannot be escaped, draining us of our energy and our strength.

In Isaiah’s praise to the Lord, He describes how the Lord is our refuge. He goes on to say, in reference to the ruthless:

“You silence the uproar of foreigners;
as heat is reduced by the shadow of a cloud,
so the song of the ruthless is stilled.”

With just a moment of time and a compassionate thought in mind, our Lord makes cloud cover turn down the heat. He silences the storm thrashing us against the wall. He stills the ruthless. @BethanyMcIlrath
Click To Tweet

After describing how the ruthless flourish, only to pass away and be found no more, the Lord reiterates in Psalm 37:39-40:

“The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord;

he is their stronghold in time of trouble.

The Lord helps them and delivers them;

he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,

because they take refuge in him.”

What a refuge we have in Him! We never need to hide or to fight a losing battle alone, feeling like we are doomed to be left as empty heaps of nothingness.

In Christ, we endure.

The Lord is stronger, safer, and more steadfastly unchanging than any ruthless thing we face in this world. @BethanyMcIlrath
Click To Tweet

Such sweet relief we find in the shadow of those unmovable, unshakable wings!

Despite the ruthlessness of sin, Christ wins.

{A version of this post originally appeared on First and Second blog}

LINKUP PARTY opens at 6 am EST!

Christian Bloggers, come share your Blog with our audience below:

1. Add your Link.

2. Visit the blogger before or after and encourage them with a comment.

3. Share on social media. Click below to share on Twitter that you are joining us! We would love to have you follow the ministry on Twitter and Facebook as well: Soaring with Him FB Page

Linkup party is open! Today, my friend @BethanyMcIlrath reminds us that God is Who fights against our ruthless sorrows and enemies. He is our fortress and defense! Joins us?
Click To Tweet

The post What is Ruthless in Your Life? {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

Author’s post publication note: I had to correct one mistake that was published on the paper. I had been researching details on the veil, and most of my information was detailing King Solomon’s temple. When I wrote the column, I ended up calling the temple on Jesus’ day “King Solomon’s Temple”, but that temple was destroyed around 586 BC, when Babylon destroyed Jerusalem.  The Temple of Jesus’s day was known as  Herod’s temple. 

Jerusalem was the center of Jewish religious life at the time of Jesus’ death. An architectural wonder, the temple of King Herod stood mightily as the place where the presence of almighty God dwelled. Jews journeyed from all over the land to celebrate Passover in Jerusalem each year. The temple received the faithful, in a procession of worship and sacrifice. Scriptures tell us that inside the temple, a large veil separated the Holy of Holies – the place where God’s presence remained, unapproached by anyone, except for the High Priest, who would go into the Holy of Holies once a year to sacrifice for the people’s sins. According to Josephus, a first century Jewish historian, Herod’s temple was 40 cubits high. The exact measure of one cubit at that time is uncertain, however, according to scholars, it is safe to say that this veil was somewhere near 60 feet high. Josephus also wrote that the veil was four inches thick and that horses tied to each side could not pull the veil apart. According to the records in the book of Exodus, this impressive veil was made from blue, purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen.

An imposing structure by all measures, impossibly heavy and thick, separated common men from the presence of Holy God. According to the records of the eye witnesses present during Jesus Christ’s death, the skies turned black. An earthquake assailed the earth. When Jesus breathed His last, the massive veil was torn, and the presence of God moved out of that place, never again to dwell in a temple made by human hands. Three days later, the tomb were Jesus’ body laid was empty, and Messiah appeared in His resurrected body to his disciples first, and then to many witnesses. It is said that over 500 people saw the resurrected Christ at one time. He is alive, and that is what Christians celebrate on Easter each year.

To some, just another story. A fairytale even. To me and many others around the world who celebrate Resurrection Day this weekend, His resurrection is our hope, and the very reason of our joy and peace. The veil was torn. The ultimate and perfect sacrifice was paid. The final prophecy of the first coming of Messiah was fulfilled at the cross. And humanity would not need to measure up anymore. His death set us free. If only we believe.
Easter stirs up an indescribable joy in me. You see, religion is a wonderful thing. Faith, hope and prayer are sure antidotes to depression and fear. But there is always that one thing that happens to every human being that’s ever lived: we all die. It doesn’t matter how happy of a life we have or how much money we have in the bank. Everything under the sun is for a season… and everything will die one day. We will all one day with be plagued by this question: Where will I go after I die?

I don’t know about you, but at the end of my journey on earth, if I were to depend on all the good things I did, I would be doomed. We all would! After all, how can anyone measure up to complete holiness? But because the veil was torn 2015 years ago, and because I have given my life to the resurrected Christ, I know I’ll live forever with Him. Why? Because He said so. And since everything He said He would do came to pass, I have no reason to doubt. I’m never alone and heaven-bound. Now, that’s a wonderful Easter song!

The post A Christian’s Easter Celebration – My weekend Column for the AJC appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

Passage: Luke 15:10-24

Key Verses: “But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.” Vs. 22-24

The Atlanta airport is a place of mixed feelings to me. It’s there that I hug my family when they land from Brazil, as my heart pounds uncontrollably with excitement and joy. It’s there that I cry when hugging them good bye, knowing that I won’t see them for a year or two. It’s there that my nerves scream during take offs, every time I have to hop on a plane to go out of town.

Indeed, I know the busiest airport in the world as the back of my hand. This past weekend, however, as I returned from a speaking event out of state, something called my attention for the first time.

Since the terrorist attacks of 2001, before getting to the baggage claim terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson, one must take the one-way escalator up to the area where families greet each other and car service drivers wait for their passengers. As Terri and I got on that last escalator this past Sunday, I noticed the huge sign hanging above everyone’s heads:

“Exit Only – No re-entry.”

I’ve seen the sign many times before. But this time it called my attention in a different way.

The weekend was a wonderful time of sharing God’s Word and making new friends as I spoke at a women’s conference in Central New York. I watched as women’s hearts were touched by the messages God gave me. Many came to the altar and surrendered burdens, strongholds and fears.

I was thinking about the weekend and God’s infinite grace and mercy when I spotted that sign above the escalator.

Yahweh is a God of second, even one thousandth chances. And yet, so many people hold on to their sin and brokenness all the way to the “point of no return”… their deathbeds.

We all take the wrong turn in life at some point in time. Whether deliberately making wrong decisions or taking the wrong turn out of ignorance, we have all “been there and done that”. The beauty of salvation starts with the fact that our loving God is very aware of our limitations as weak and sinful creatures: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). Even as Christians, our frailties will never catch Him by surprise.

But as I think of the hearts that have been changed this past weekend, I can’t help but think of other people I know who deliberately choose to hold on to their sin or brokenness, defying God’s grace as if it would never run out for them.

“Wait a minute,” you may say. “But God’s grace is indeed infinite.”

Yes, it is. His grace is infinite, matchless and eternal.

But our days on this earth are not.

If you are not a believer, you may have heard about salvation through faith in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ one hundred times. You may be sick of these “believers” who claim that He is the Truth, the only Way and the Life. You may cringe at “Jesus freaks” like me who pound the internet and airwaves with the gospel of salvation.

Or you may believe in Jesus but not believe Jesus. I say that because it wasn’t a Jesus follower who said He is the only way. Those words are in red in my Bible. These are His words.

Unfortunately for those who don’t believe, running from the Truth doesn’t change the truth. They will one day find themselves riding that escalator, as they cross the point of “Exit only – No re-entry”.

Our loved ones’ chance of salvation dies with them.

I wish it was different, I do. I have already lost loved ones who died without Christ. I wish I could “pray them into Heaven”.

But I can’t.

They took the one-way escalator to judgment.

And it breaks my heart.

But something else makes me grieve…

It’s those people who know Jesus… who have lived for Him and served Him at some point in life. And then something happened and they chose the wrong turn.

I’ve seen God give them chance after chance to repent. And yet, they stubbornly hold on to their pride… their ways… their sin.

They cling to the temporal, forfeiting the eternal.

I’ll see them in Heaven, I’m sure.

But the treasure of heavenly prize… that commendation from our Lord and Savior as He says “well done, good and faithful servant”… they choose to forfeit.

Their lives are as empty as the lives of those who reject grace altogether…

It’s Not Over… You’re Still  Breathing.

Thankfully, God’s grace is offered at every turn of the road. God can fix any wrong, mend any broken life. Unlike the airport sign, as long as there’s life, there’s a way back to the Father’s house.

But the choice will always be ours. As the Father of the prodigal son, God patiently waits on His rebellious children to return home. And He will rejoice when they do.

And if you think you have missed God’s best, remember the end of the parable: God has a new best for you.

All you need to do is open your feeble, even dirty hands… and let His grace wash them clean.

Lay your burden at His feet… and watch it as He picks it up and replaces it with one more chance. Once more… He offers to lavish you with grace.

While there’s life, there’s hope… don’t wait until you spot the “Exit only – No re-entry” sign.

Today is the day… Choose grace. Choose Truth.

Choose Life.

Verses to Ponder:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

“This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord’s loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-23

The post What If You Don’t Have Tomorrow? appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.