Chicken Soup - Finding My Faith

My honorarium books arrived! Earlier this year Chicken Soup announced a writing opportunity for their Finding My Faith book. What perfect timing! In today's tough times, people around the world have endured great loss, and many are looking for faith answers.

I remembered when I experienced tough times of my own, times when I faced loss, despair and failure, times I wanted to give up. Instead, I cried out to God and He answered in a way that changed my life. My story is one of 101 heart-moving, life changing stories in Chicken Soup's Finding My Faith book, which will be released October 16, 2012, in paperback or Kindle format.

Lord Jesus, I pray that this book will touch hearts and lives for You. May Your Holy Spirit use the inspirational stories about life, belief and spiritual renewal to demonstrate your amazing love. Amen.

The River of Life

Our hope is built on Jesus' love and faithfulness. He keeps His promises. We can be sure of the New Jerusalem and certain of the River of Life. Check out these words from Revelation 22:

• The River of Life will flow from the throne of God. Its waters will be as clear as crystal.
• Rising on each side of the river is the tree of life bearing twelve kinds of fruit, one for each month of the year.
• There will be no night--no need of light from the sun or a lamp--for the Lord God will be light.
• No curse.
• The throne of God and the Lamb will be in the city and we will serve Him, even as we do today.

God is preparing a wonderful place for those who love Him. Verse 7 says, "Behold, I am coming soon!" Will you be ready?

Lord Jesus, I pray for those reading your word. Inspire them and move in their hearts to love you and live for you. Amen.

Are You Living With Eternity in Mind

          “Sue, you won’t believe this place!” I dreamed of hearing these words from my friend, Betty, who lost her fight for life after a brief illness. She’s now joyfully home with our Lord and her cheerful voice made me long to be in heaven. Images of Betty walking with God in the cool of the day replaced memories from a few days before when I held her hand in the hospital during times of excruciating pain. No longer would she experience the unbearable suffering—not because of death, but because of life, eternal life with Christ. He rose from death, victorious, and I’m convinced Betty did and so will all who believe in Jesus as their Savior.

While it’s fun for me to imagine my friend feasting under the Tree of Life or splashing her feet in the River that flows from God’s throne, you and I are left here on earth to finish the work He called us to do.  

Life Goes on in Heaven

Whatever we do for God, whether in ministry or daily tasks we perform as for the Lord, will last forever. Randy Alcorn says in his book, Heaven, that man’s creativity and technological advancement will not be lost in heaven. Could it be this is how God created us in His image? He says in His Word that His gifts and callings are irrevocable. Certainly, these skills will be necessary in the New Jerusalem, a city as high and wide as it is long (from San Francisco to Chicago—cubed). A city of this size will require workers—people with intelligence, skills and abilities.  

Set Your Mind on Things Above

Today God is not as interested in our work, as He is in how we live and show His love to a dying world. Jesus set an example for us. He wasn’t rich as we think of rich, but He fed the hungry, healed the sick and helped the poor. We may think the need around us is too great, but Jesus fed a huge crowd from a boy’s lunch. The boy gave what he had and Jesus multiplied it. I’m amazed how this principle works in my life—that whatever time, talent or resources I offer, God multiplies for His purposes. When I visit or pray for the sick, teach a class, give monetarily or by a word of encouragement, God keeps giving to me so I can keep giving to others.

A few years ago, my friend, Shirley, modeled Christ’s love to me when I fell at work. I didn’t know the fall broke my hip—just that I couldn’t get up. Tears of fear welled up in my eyes. Shirley surprised me when she lay down by my side. Patting her outstretched arm, she said, “Rest your head here and don’t worry about a thing!” She stayed with me until the ambulance came. Shirley’s demonstration of Christ-like love motivates me to find ways to show God’s love by being vulnerable and sensitive to other people’s needs. At our Lord’s glorious appearing, I hope He finds me busy so He will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” 

          Thank you, Lord Jesus, for making a way for us to be with you forever. Thank you for the hope of never having to say goodbye. Amen.

Are You a Good Person?

Are you a good person? Good enough to get into Heaven? By whose standards? Yours? Gods? God's standards are the Ten Commandments. Have you kept them all? Disobeyed one? Jesus said if you look at anyone besides your spouse with lust, you have committed adultery in your heart. He also said if you have been angry (the source of malice), you have committed murder in your heart.

We have all come face to face with God's law at one time or another. This cover picture of the May-June copy of The Upper Room shows how far we have come. Although the religious leaders brought this woman caught in the act of adultery to Jesus, our Lord didn't condemn her. He said, "You who are without sin, you cast the first stone," because the consequences of her sin was death by stoning. One by one, the men dropped their stones, starting with the older men first. Finally, Jesus looked up.

"Has no one condemned you?" He asked.

"No one, sir."

"Then, neither do I. Go and leave your life of sin," He said.

I am reminded how much it cost God for Him to say that. He sent His only Son into the world to pay the price for our sins on the cross so we wouldn't have to. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have eternal life." Jesus died on the cross, but death could not hold Him. He rose from the grave to give us life,  abundant life--forever. Think of the reality of living through eternity with Jesus, cashing in on all His promises. This is what Easter is all about.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for resurrection power in our lives today. Let us walk in Your spirit today and always. Amen.

God Has a Wonderful Plan for Your Life-The Myth--A Review

Are you in ministry for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? Did you raise your children in the church and see them reject it in their adulthood? We hear of worldwide revival but only a small percentage of people who go forward to invite Jesus into their lives grow into productive, fruitful Christians. Why?

God Has a Wonderful Plan for Your Life--The Myth of the Modern Message by Ray Comfort points to the answer. As Christians we want our family and friends to experience God's amazing love as we have. We live our lives before them, loving them and praying for them day after day and year after year. Could it be our message? The message about God's wonderful plan for their lives, that God loves them and wants to be their Friend? This isn't how Jesus ministered. It is not how Paul or the apostles ministered either. They preached the law. They confronted people with their sin. True repentance comes when we are faced with the reality of our sin and God's amazing grace.

God can deal with a broken and contrite heart. That is how He dealt with King David, a man after His own heart. David committed crimes against every one of the Ten Commandments when He saw Bathsheba. He lusted, stole, murdered, coveted, committed adultery, and dishonored his parents. Above all, David set himself up as his own god, so God was not his only God anymore. He didn't love Him with all his heart, mind, soul and strength. Thankfully, God sent Nathan to rebuke David and he fell on his knees and cried out to God, "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight . . ." (Psalm 51:4)

This is how God dealt with me too. Without the law, I would not have known how much I offended God. Yet, when I cried out to Him, in His mercy He was there with me. It was as if He wrapped His loving arms around me, kissed me and said, "I love you. I am with you." I don't know how He could touch me and let all my mess get on Him, but He did. He knew two thousand years before I was born that I would need His grace. He took my mess to the cross that day on Calvary. He died and rose again so I could live with Him forever.

This is the salvation message that our world is desperate to hear and experience.  I encourage you to read God Has a Wonderful Plan for Your Life-The Myth. We can be real salt and light in our dark world. Find out how.

Lord Jesus, I pray for all the people I've taught about your love. In spite of me, Lord, may they find your amazing grace and love. Forgive me for the times I missed the mark and help me to serve you better by helping people find true repentance. And I pray for all your servants who read this post, that they will know and teach the truth of the gospel and on that day--we will all hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant." We love you. Amen.