How we overlook blessings in our life. Well... maybe we notice them but do we acknowledge the Blesser?
I went to our ladies fellowship last night and left a little later than I wanted. I love spending time with my friends but I knew that if I wanted to get up this morning to go running, I'd have to be in bed soon.
I arrived home and went to bed, after I kissed my DH goodnight; it was 10:00pm by the time I was in bed. I asked the Lord to wake me up at 5:30 because I knew I wouldn't be able on my own. Sure enough... He did. Blessing number 1!
I was outside, starting to run and appreciated not having to run in the slush like yesterday morning... blessing number 2!
As I ran, the sky was dark and I could still clearly see the stars, just then, one fell from the sky... sigh.... blessing number 3!!!
What I loved the most about blessing number 3 was that it helped me feel God that much closer. It was going to be a special day. ... Blessing number 4!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Time flies when you're having fun!
I can't believe it's been 6 days since I wrote last, amazing! It's not that I haven't had anything to write about, it's just the end of the day would arrive and I would notice I forgot to blog. God's been showing me great things, some are "reruns" but somethings take me a while. So, while I'm waiting for the cake for ladies' fellowship to bake, I am going to share two of the many things God has shown me. Actually, He didn't show me, He poked me with this truth.
Today, I had a doctor's appointment and you all know how long that can be, so I brought a book to read. I had started reading "They Called Me Mama" by Margaret Nicholl Laird. I read through chapter after chapter and in one of those, Mrs. Margaret went on to tell the story of when she was in Africa as a missionary. She told how a young water boy, from a cannibalistic tribe, had gone into a village to teach them the gospel and had lead many to Christ only a short time after he himself had been converted. Margaret was astonished that he could find the time after his long day to go witness to people in another village. Here is where that story continues:
"He was one of the busiest people around the place. He came to our house at five o'clock in the morning and carried water until six. Then from six to seven he was free to go to the chapel service.
After that he carried water and chopped wood until five o'clock in the afternoon. He carried water from the spring about four blocks away, and he would go to the woods to chop wood for boiling the water; all the water we used for drinking an cooking had to be boiled twenty minutes.
We needed a lot of week to heat the water. He also carried water for baths for the family. And we took a lot of baths because of all the perspiring a person does in the tropics. The big question that stumped us all was, when in the world did Mananga have time to be witnessing?
The next morning when he came up with a drim of water at 5:30, I asked him. "Mananga, have you been going to the Saras' village?" "Oui, Mama" "But when do you go?" "Every night."
"But, Mananga, you work here until the drum beats at five o'clock. how do you get out to the village five km from here before it is dark?""Oh, I don't go by the road, I go through the woods. I get there just when the sun drops. I teach for a couple of hours, then I visit with them. I come home in the middle of the night." "You come home in the middle of the night?" I could hardly believe it. "Oui." " But Mananga, aren't you afraid? We were in a district with man-eating leopards, lions, hyenas, all kinds of poisonous snakes, wild buffalo, and foxes. WE would no more think of going from house to house on the station at night than fly.
...
"But Mananga, aren't you afraid?" He still looked at me strangely. Then he replied, "Mama, were you born here?" "You know i wasn't." "Didn't anybody ever tell you about our mouths?" "Yes, we knew you ate the other white people who came here." "The what did you come for?" "We have come because we believe there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved that the name of Jesus Christ. We believe He died for you just the same as He did for us. So we came to tell you about Him." "And, Mama, you weren't afraid?" "No. We knew God sent us, so He would take care of us." I said this without realizing how wise Mananga was; I hadn't realized what he was leading up to. But as soon as I finished, he looked straight into my eyes and said, "Mama, your God is my God now."
I was rebuked. To think this happened in only a few short months. I thought of the years in my life I had struggled and doubted and of how long it was before I could honestly say that the Lord was really Lord of my life. But Mananga, with his cannibalistic background, knew Christ so well in a few short months that he was not afraid of man-eating leopards or lions. He was not going once in a while on Sunday afternoons. Every night he went out to teach the things he had learned that day. he already had all those people who believed in Christ, including those fourteen stalwart Saras, founded on the Word of God.
He was established in his salvation, although he was only a boy. it came to me that one just doesn't realize that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes. I had to admit to myself that I had thought I was somebody a little bit special. I was a missionary to Africa. I was a superior person, giving my life like this.
But I could not boast that I had learned fast, compared to the way Mananga was already out serving that way. I was a slow learner compared to Mananga. And if Mananga could only look back at those years that had preceded my coming to the Central African Republic, he might have been a little bit disappointed in my testimony.
On the other hand, maybe he wouldn't have. He was so kind, so willing, so everything that the Bible says a Christian could be. i was delighted to be here in this land of miracles I really knew now that this was the place i wanted to spend the rest of my life serving God."
I will not comment on this but I am sure, the Lord spoke to your heart, maybe differently than He did to mine, but what a testimony Mananga had at just a few months old as a Christian.
The other thing was later in the book. She is explaining how she came to be a missionary to Africa. She was at Moody Bible Institute and the lecturer talked about what a blind man said to Jesus that he could see. "I see men as trees walking." The lecturer continues to say, "So Christ anointed him eyes again. And then the man saw every man clearly.
"I'm sure you students all know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour or you wouldn't be studying in a place like Moody Bible Institute, but I still believe there are many of you like that blind man. You still see men as trees walking about."
That was hard to swallow, yet became my prayer at that very moment in the doctor's office; that all man (humanity) would not be like men walking as trees but that I would see all men (humanity) as a soul, some lost and going to hell.
Today, I had a doctor's appointment and you all know how long that can be, so I brought a book to read. I had started reading "They Called Me Mama" by Margaret Nicholl Laird. I read through chapter after chapter and in one of those, Mrs. Margaret went on to tell the story of when she was in Africa as a missionary. She told how a young water boy, from a cannibalistic tribe, had gone into a village to teach them the gospel and had lead many to Christ only a short time after he himself had been converted. Margaret was astonished that he could find the time after his long day to go witness to people in another village. Here is where that story continues:
"He was one of the busiest people around the place. He came to our house at five o'clock in the morning and carried water until six. Then from six to seven he was free to go to the chapel service.
After that he carried water and chopped wood until five o'clock in the afternoon. He carried water from the spring about four blocks away, and he would go to the woods to chop wood for boiling the water; all the water we used for drinking an cooking had to be boiled twenty minutes.
We needed a lot of week to heat the water. He also carried water for baths for the family. And we took a lot of baths because of all the perspiring a person does in the tropics. The big question that stumped us all was, when in the world did Mananga have time to be witnessing?
The next morning when he came up with a drim of water at 5:30, I asked him. "Mananga, have you been going to the Saras' village?" "Oui, Mama" "But when do you go?" "Every night."
"But, Mananga, you work here until the drum beats at five o'clock. how do you get out to the village five km from here before it is dark?""Oh, I don't go by the road, I go through the woods. I get there just when the sun drops. I teach for a couple of hours, then I visit with them. I come home in the middle of the night." "You come home in the middle of the night?" I could hardly believe it. "Oui." " But Mananga, aren't you afraid? We were in a district with man-eating leopards, lions, hyenas, all kinds of poisonous snakes, wild buffalo, and foxes. WE would no more think of going from house to house on the station at night than fly.
...
"But Mananga, aren't you afraid?" He still looked at me strangely. Then he replied, "Mama, were you born here?" "You know i wasn't." "Didn't anybody ever tell you about our mouths?" "Yes, we knew you ate the other white people who came here." "The what did you come for?" "We have come because we believe there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved that the name of Jesus Christ. We believe He died for you just the same as He did for us. So we came to tell you about Him." "And, Mama, you weren't afraid?" "No. We knew God sent us, so He would take care of us." I said this without realizing how wise Mananga was; I hadn't realized what he was leading up to. But as soon as I finished, he looked straight into my eyes and said, "Mama, your God is my God now."
I was rebuked. To think this happened in only a few short months. I thought of the years in my life I had struggled and doubted and of how long it was before I could honestly say that the Lord was really Lord of my life. But Mananga, with his cannibalistic background, knew Christ so well in a few short months that he was not afraid of man-eating leopards or lions. He was not going once in a while on Sunday afternoons. Every night he went out to teach the things he had learned that day. he already had all those people who believed in Christ, including those fourteen stalwart Saras, founded on the Word of God.
He was established in his salvation, although he was only a boy. it came to me that one just doesn't realize that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes. I had to admit to myself that I had thought I was somebody a little bit special. I was a missionary to Africa. I was a superior person, giving my life like this.
But I could not boast that I had learned fast, compared to the way Mananga was already out serving that way. I was a slow learner compared to Mananga. And if Mananga could only look back at those years that had preceded my coming to the Central African Republic, he might have been a little bit disappointed in my testimony.
On the other hand, maybe he wouldn't have. He was so kind, so willing, so everything that the Bible says a Christian could be. i was delighted to be here in this land of miracles I really knew now that this was the place i wanted to spend the rest of my life serving God."
I will not comment on this but I am sure, the Lord spoke to your heart, maybe differently than He did to mine, but what a testimony Mananga had at just a few months old as a Christian.
The other thing was later in the book. She is explaining how she came to be a missionary to Africa. She was at Moody Bible Institute and the lecturer talked about what a blind man said to Jesus that he could see. "I see men as trees walking." The lecturer continues to say, "So Christ anointed him eyes again. And then the man saw every man clearly.
"I'm sure you students all know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour or you wouldn't be studying in a place like Moody Bible Institute, but I still believe there are many of you like that blind man. You still see men as trees walking about."
That was hard to swallow, yet became my prayer at that very moment in the doctor's office; that all man (humanity) would not be like men walking as trees but that I would see all men (humanity) as a soul, some lost and going to hell.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Learning is fun
I was sitting at the kitchen table after spending time with the children homeducating. I was thinking of how blessed I was to be able to share the milestones of mastering a task, whether it be cleaning, math, reading, writing etc. with my children. It's not always gratifying because the fruit of hard work is not always immediate, but when you get to see the fruit or reward of everyone's hard work, what a blessing it is. Reminds me of a verse in Proverbs 13:12 "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but [when] the desire cometh, [it is] a tree of life.".
As I was sitting there thinking about the accomplishments we had, I ate my lunch and watched an interesting site outside.
There was a transport truck with a flatbed trailer. It was backing up to load up the trail groomer for the snowmobiles. The trails comes from the Irishtown area, crosses McLaughlin Dr then into the "famous" cow field that our past dog Marty so enjoyed, and joins a trail that can bring you to Bathurst or other closer areas. The groomer prepares these trails which pass by our house.
I watched and wondered how they were planning on loading the groomer since they did not place ramps on the back of the trailer and the flatbed trailer was lower in front of the back wheels so if the groomer came from the back of the trailer, how would he go to the specified room for it? I watched impressed with the truck driver's ability to back that thing up into a driveway; I struggle with the van sometimes! They then separated the trailer from the truck and the groomer drove around, put himself back to the trailer and the ramps were placed there so he backed unto the trailer.
I watched as he backed that thing up, tipped forward, eyeballing where the trailer was and I can honestly say, I was stressed out for him. MAN! I couldn't help but sense the groomer tractor tipping forwards then to it's side. I twisted and from my kitchen table, I helped him get on the trailer safe and sound.... hee hee. Ya right. I feel I worked as hard as he did but just from the luxury of my warm house... lolHe made it on alright, as if he had done it before... da ya think? They put the trailer back on the truck and away they went. How impressive! I just sat there content with having gotten instruction on "how they do that" and now I had new knowledge. I can not tell you that I feel I could put the groomer on the trailer but if ever my kids would ask or if those men forget...lol I could tell them what I saw... hmmmm
Actually, that reminds me of when we were in Halifax and I wanted us to take the coastal route to NB. I was convinced it was possible so I went into a Petro Canada in an area just outside
of Halifax. I asked the trucker there if "this" particular route would bring us to the coastal route. He said, "SUUUUUURE! Keep going straight on this road, you'll get to an end and have to go right or left, go right. You'll see the coast. When you get to the bridge, don't get off, you'll cross the highway and on the other side you'll have more great coast!" with a huge smile on my face, content with his affirmation of me being right, I said "THANKS!" and gave the instructions to my dear husband.... He humored me. We drove and drove and drove. Farmland after farmland after farmland. Oh! and after the bridge... there were more farmland... sigh.Obviously, this trucker must of had some type of similar conversation with his wife and recognized an opportunity to put us right wives in our spot. lol. They must of had a great laugh once I left, because what should of taken 2.5 hours for us to get home, took us 10 hours... Needless to say, when my husband says that there is no... whatever it may be, I believe him.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Friendship
There's something special to be said for friendship.
I just got off the telephone with my dear friend from Memphis, TN. She has been such a special friend; a pure blessing in my life. We have such a "hoot" when we are together or just talking on the phone. We started a tradition quite a few years ago of calling one another on Christmas day and we have tried to keep in touch but life gets a little hectic and we sometimes get side tracked.
We met in 1990 when her and her parents were visiting PEI. They would come eat at the restaurant where I worked and one day I took her out for subs at subway then to the Yuk, Yuk comedians. (appropriately named YUK!) I was not saved but felt there was something different about her, she seemed so... Christian like. In 1991, she was married and asked me to be in her wedding. I went to Memphis for 8 days and enjoyed every minute of it. When I was saved in 1994, I called her up in my excitement to tell her I got saved thinking maybe this is why she seemed different, maybe she was saved too but, she wasn't too sure what to make of it because she wasn't. A few years later she called me to tell me she was saved!
Today, as we talked on the phone, we talked about how good God is, His protection on our life, His guidance, the impact He is having on our children's life etc. True friends.
I am so blessed to have her and the kind of friendship we have but I must say, I am truly blessed because she is not the only friendship God has enriched my life with.
On Monday, we went to my step mother in law's funeral. I miss her but I was not close enough to her to be devastated about it yet, when my son noticed my friend coming down the stairs of the church to join us for the meal after the funeral, I went to meet her and I began to cry. My heart was so blessed to see her. She has a busy life and many children to care for but my husband and I (and children) are important enough to her to make the time to come to a French funeral. (She's an Anglophone) We had other friends who came and that meant a lot too.
Another time, was when the "Rochester group" came in 2006 to help us pass door hangers on every house in Moncton. I was born and raised in Moncton. I could consider Moncton "my people" and that's why, to have a group of people who sacrificed their vacation time, pay, time with family even jobs to come witness and reach out to "my people" greatly touched me. I remember spending a week with them in the morning in VBS, then in the afternoon passing door hangers, watching them witness to anyone and everyone. The following Sunday was the last Sunday for most of them as a second group came for the next week. I sat in my seat crying like a baby. My husband had to get me Kleenex because I was crying so much. My heart was truly blessed with the godly love received by them. I remember as Bro. Gary introduced them one by one, I looked at each and one in particular saw me crying and he had a puzzled look on his face. I chuckle when I think of how crazy I must of seem but my heart was so overwhelmed by the love God transferred to me through them I could not hold it in.
There's something to be said about friendship but there is something sweet about close Christian friends. It's a friendship that has no end, no geographical boundaries, no reservations, no hesitance and only has love, acceptance, compassion, truth and sincerity.
I thank God for allowing me to be the recipient of true Christian friendships who bless and enrich my life. I do not deserve them but I greatly cherish them.
I just got off the telephone with my dear friend from Memphis, TN. She has been such a special friend; a pure blessing in my life. We have such a "hoot" when we are together or just talking on the phone. We started a tradition quite a few years ago of calling one another on Christmas day and we have tried to keep in touch but life gets a little hectic and we sometimes get side tracked.
We met in 1990 when her and her parents were visiting PEI. They would come eat at the restaurant where I worked and one day I took her out for subs at subway then to the Yuk, Yuk comedians. (appropriately named YUK!) I was not saved but felt there was something different about her, she seemed so... Christian like. In 1991, she was married and asked me to be in her wedding. I went to Memphis for 8 days and enjoyed every minute of it. When I was saved in 1994, I called her up in my excitement to tell her I got saved thinking maybe this is why she seemed different, maybe she was saved too but, she wasn't too sure what to make of it because she wasn't. A few years later she called me to tell me she was saved!
Today, as we talked on the phone, we talked about how good God is, His protection on our life, His guidance, the impact He is having on our children's life etc. True friends.
I am so blessed to have her and the kind of friendship we have but I must say, I am truly blessed because she is not the only friendship God has enriched my life with.
On Monday, we went to my step mother in law's funeral. I miss her but I was not close enough to her to be devastated about it yet, when my son noticed my friend coming down the stairs of the church to join us for the meal after the funeral, I went to meet her and I began to cry. My heart was so blessed to see her. She has a busy life and many children to care for but my husband and I (and children) are important enough to her to make the time to come to a French funeral. (She's an Anglophone) We had other friends who came and that meant a lot too.
Another time, was when the "Rochester group" came in 2006 to help us pass door hangers on every house in Moncton. I was born and raised in Moncton. I could consider Moncton "my people" and that's why, to have a group of people who sacrificed their vacation time, pay, time with family even jobs to come witness and reach out to "my people" greatly touched me. I remember spending a week with them in the morning in VBS, then in the afternoon passing door hangers, watching them witness to anyone and everyone. The following Sunday was the last Sunday for most of them as a second group came for the next week. I sat in my seat crying like a baby. My husband had to get me Kleenex because I was crying so much. My heart was truly blessed with the godly love received by them. I remember as Bro. Gary introduced them one by one, I looked at each and one in particular saw me crying and he had a puzzled look on his face. I chuckle when I think of how crazy I must of seem but my heart was so overwhelmed by the love God transferred to me through them I could not hold it in.
There's something to be said about friendship but there is something sweet about close Christian friends. It's a friendship that has no end, no geographical boundaries, no reservations, no hesitance and only has love, acceptance, compassion, truth and sincerity.
I thank God for allowing me to be the recipient of true Christian friendships who bless and enrich my life. I do not deserve them but I greatly cherish them.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
This seems like a long week...
Does it ever feel like time goes on and on and on? Praise God that for each of us it is but at the same time it can be draining.
I was talking to someone yesterday who said they went to see yet another person in the hospital, who is not doing very well at all. "Enough already!" was the comment and I could relate. It seems things just spin along then something happens to bring it to a halt. I can't help but picture the Road Runner when he goes fast and stop just as quickly; his feet don't move, stopping like on a dime but his body does the doyoyoyong thing. I sometimes feel like that.
Last night was my doyoyoyoung "experience". I was helping my husband insulate the basement outer walls when I received a call from a good friend. She explained that there was a grade 7 earthquake in Haiti where a missionary couple, who are friends of ours live. They had picked up the daughter of a mutual friend of ours and 2 hours later approx. the earthquakes hit. Our friend had not heard from her daughter nor of the missionary couple and their young daughter and new born. We were all very worried. We prayed and I had decided to fast today until we would get news of our friends.
I went running this morning and yet no news. I prayed as I ran and when I got home, there was an email from our friend who said that everyone was ok and that the walls of the house were still standing! I prayed specifically for a miracle and that it was. I also had prayed that God would send His angels to surround them and protect them and He did. What an awesome God we serve!
My prayer now is that the people of Haiti will have tender hearts toward God. It's sad that God sometime needs to yell to get our attention. Why are we so selfish and hard necked? It doesn't mean that all of Haiti is this way, hard necked that is but unfortunately a nation can pay for the rebellion of few. This should encourage us to pray for our nation and Prime Minister and his family.
In the midst of a long week, God still shows Himself faithful.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Being thankful
I AM THANKFUL: FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE. 
FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.
FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS.
FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED . 
FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.
FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.
FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE 
FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME .
FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH. 
FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING
AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION .
FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.
FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS
I CAN HEAR. 
FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR. 
FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD. 
FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.
AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME. 
Live well, Laugh often, & Love with all of your heart!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Her time is done...
Sadly, my step mother in law passed away yesterday morning around 3. She will be missed!
It's amazing how life is. We're here, then gone. I think back of what my life was before the Saviour became my Lord; before he washed me up and put me on a new course. Life had no purpose, it was all in vain. I believe that there was a God but I did not have a relationship with Him.
When God made me His child, life was brand new; I had a reason for my life. I was (and am) in love with the Master Creator, and life couldn't get any better. Don't get me wrong, there were and are some hard, trying times but, there's something about knowing that someone loves you unconditionaly, always, and forever. He treats you right, know exactly how to comfort you, motivate, inspire and teach you. How wonderful life has been since "Jesus came into my heart". It doesn't get any better than this.
Although I know where I'll be going one day, in heaven, and not because of my own righteousnes, but because of Jesus' it make living here on earth sweeter, more of a challenge yet more rewarding. I'm so glad I'm saved... I child of God.
It's amazing how life is. We're here, then gone. I think back of what my life was before the Saviour became my Lord; before he washed me up and put me on a new course. Life had no purpose, it was all in vain. I believe that there was a God but I did not have a relationship with Him.
When God made me His child, life was brand new; I had a reason for my life. I was (and am) in love with the Master Creator, and life couldn't get any better. Don't get me wrong, there were and are some hard, trying times but, there's something about knowing that someone loves you unconditionaly, always, and forever. He treats you right, know exactly how to comfort you, motivate, inspire and teach you. How wonderful life has been since "Jesus came into my heart". It doesn't get any better than this.
Although I know where I'll be going one day, in heaven, and not because of my own righteousnes, but because of Jesus' it make living here on earth sweeter, more of a challenge yet more rewarding. I'm so glad I'm saved... I child of God.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Time is just passing.
I just can't get over how fast time is going. It seems you start out the day, turn around and it's the evening. Busy... yes, but I can say that I am doing things to benefit my children's education, upbringing, taking care of my home and husband and I'm even able to use some of my time to help a sister in the Lord in discipleship. With all that, my husband's step mother is dying of liver and spine cancer. She is only 60 years old. It seems that there is no age for death these days. My husband just called to say that the rattling in her lungs has increased and that the extra mural nurse said that the family could expect her passing within the next 24-48 hours. It's difficult to comprehend that just this past November she went to the emergency because of back pain and fatigue. "For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." James 4:14 It is humbling to think that there are people who are lost all around us and that are walking around aimlessly, awaiting their day of judgement. We, on the other hand walk around aimlessly not caring for the lost person's soul. Yesterday, I had asked a friend of mine if she was saved, and she was able to give me assurance that her soul was "fireproof". This lead another friend of mine and I to discuss what is salvation.She is saved but is increasing her learning about witnessing and the whole picture of salvation. As we discussed it, she eventually said, "So basically, someone doesn't go to hell because they sin but because they reject Christ." I gave the example of the question I've been asked by some people, "What about the African child who lives in the jungle and never heard about Christ?" We are judge on our understanding, once we are shown that Christ died for us and that we need to recognize our inability to gain heaven on our own because of our sinful state, this fear or respect for God's holiness should motivate us to accept the gift of God's grace, through faith in Jesus' sinless sacrifice and payment on the cross for our sin. If we reject this grace, even if we have the faith that Jesus did this for us, yet still choose to reject Christ, our soul's future is in hell. It's that simple. Why are we so afraid to give people a chance to reject or accept. We have no problem giving people a chance to accept or reject a business plan, or a relationship with one another, a job, having another child, buying or selling a house but giving people the right to accept or reject Christ is off limits... why? My step mother in law might go to hell in the next 24-48 hours. It's not because of who she is because she was a wonderful, generous, caring and loving woman. She was just never given the chance to accept or reject Christ's payment on the cross for her. I've written her a letter with that opportunity. I hope it gets to her on time and that someone will read it to her. Why do we wait till the last minute? I don't want to do that anymore. I want to care about people's soul. I want to give people a chance to accept or reject.
Our time should not be wasted to see another good soul wasted for eternity in hell.
Our time should not be wasted to see another good soul wasted for eternity in hell.
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