A Sacrifice is Required!

Over the last three to four months, I have had some serious and sometimes intense debates with a number of people about the Bible. We have debated things from the simple to the sublime, to the down right ridiculous, and every time I come away with a new found respect for both the simplicity of un-comprehendible complexity of this one single book.

I read a quote one time that went something like this, “The bible is so simplistic that if it were a body of water, the smallest of children could not drown in it, while at the same time, so complex that the most learned theologian could never touch the bottom”
That is a powerful insight that I think many of today’s churchgoers and even some pastors have lost sight of, and that is a shame.

In some of these debates, we have discussed free-will verse pre-destination, Baptism, “is it a work”, and the authority of scripture. This is the one that I really want to concentrate on right now. Sometime ago my wife and I were talking at a football practice with one of her friends, she held the view that the Bible is just a collection of moral stories intended to guide our lives but we really do not have to read it or live it as long as we are generally good people. In our conversation I asked her how she came about to this particular belief, she very honestly and bluntly said that was her churches teaching. “God is all loving and fair and just and died for everyone so as long as we try to live good lives then we are all heaven bound,” she said. We talked about Hell and according to her belief, only Satan and his legion would be going there, if it even existed to begin with.
We continued our dialog about the Bible and our differing believes and when trying to explain some things in scripture, the most remarkable thing became evident, her mind was not open to any truth from scripture. For example I asked what her church taught about the scriptures like Rev 21:8 that say "But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
Frankly, her response was scary to me, Revelation, is just a book written to scare people into being obedient to the church leaders. This was somewhat of a defining moment for me, in my call to the ministry. I had a light shine brightly over this time, shortly after, I began to dig deeper into the scriptures and make even more careful observations about the nature of people and their believes about the most definitive and authoritative book ever written.

The moral character of the church going masses has eroded away along with their collective belief in God’s Holy Word as the final authority for their lives. When someone who is un-churched looks in to the church these days, he sees very little difference between his life and the lives of the average churchgoers. There are sure to be many contributing causes of this from the pure lack of day-to-day personal bible reading, to churches that wont use big words like “propitiation” in effect they are dumbing down, so as not to offend. To the continual onslaught of pastors themselves who have been caught in immoral activities from drugs to illicit sex scandals, you name it and there could be counted a reason for this slow drift from shore into the treacherous waters of disbelief.

From this conversation to some of the more recent, I have found that people are fulfilling scripture in masses and they are not even aware of it. They are living 2 Timothy 4:3-4 "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths."

With the continuing rapid moral decline and increased church attendance, yes you read that right, church attendance is on the rise while moral decay is increasing. I have been left with one single question, why. A friend commented to me the other day about how many seem to be playing church and walking around as if some kind of daze of blindness to the scriptures.
The answer seems to be clear churches are turning toward the doctrines of men, rather than embracing the hard doctrines of God. In the same text of 2 Timothy 4:1-5 we are urged to stand up for truth and for the Word of God.
“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."

If I am to be true to God and to myself, if I am to love, God and love His people then I must, when compelled speak out in favor or defense of God and His unyielding truth. In the past year or so, I have had conversations with many folks about the rising level of worldliness in the church. Churches supporting questionable movies, music and practices while at the same time for example not standing up for the sanctity of life. Refusing for insurance purposes to reach out to people who are infected with the disease of drug addiction, alcoholism or warning their flock about the dangers of pornography. Letting members knowingly live in a state of sin without lovingly confronting them. Having people as staff members or even volunteer’s who are living in sin, working with children, either couples living together without being married, to open and practicing homosexuals preaching from the pulpit. None of these things would be so, if, men endured what God has set out as His plan for our lives. God’s position for our lives is summed up in one passage repeated four times, three times in the Old Testament, and once in the New Testament, "because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” Peter 1:16,



All of these things when approached from the position of the scriptures is at best denial of God’s word, and on the straight up and up, absolute disobedience.

When we look upon the Word and do, what it says we should not, then we are wrong, that is not a man’s opinion that it the fact of God’s Word. In John 14:15 Jesus said, “if you love Me, you will keep my commandments” And just eight verses later He repeats and deepens this thought, John 14:23-24 "Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. “He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me."

Being a follower of Christ is not just going to church and living life the way we want, He has given us clear directive and they are not bending, not changing and they certainly are not debatable. I know that we a humans are not perfect and will never obtain in this life anyway, perfection, but just because we know we cannot achieve it, does not mean we should not strive for it.

Living a Holy life is not something that just going to church and living life as usual will make come about, it is hard work and will require many sacrifices in the way we live life. I used to love hard core heavy metal and alternative music, when I encountered Jesus, I was convicted by His Word that what I was putting into my mind and the minds of my children was wrong. I had to give up something I loved, that is a sacrifice. The truth is as long as I opened my heart to the evil in the music I was listening to, righteousness could not grow in me. I have talked with families and they would make sure nothing bad ever went into the hearts and minds of their children. But they would send the little angels to bed and watch some “R” rated movie that is borderline pornography, movies that would glorify adulterous sex, blasphemous language, glorifying drugs, alcohol, lying stealing, and when you ask them they see nothing wrong with living this way. The hard-core truth is that living that way is hypocritical; I know it is because I used to do it too. If it is not good enough for the mind of God’s precious little gift, then you might want to remember you are God’s precious little gift too, and he does not want you watching that filth either. We have a, could, should, rule in our household, the rule works like this, if we could not watch it with Jesus, then we should not watch it at all.

There will never be any sacrifice that we could make that could every repay the sacrifice Christ made for us, however, there should never be a sacrifice we are not ready and willing to make for Him either. I write what I write not out of some overwhelming desire to show my superiority like some will accuse, I do not write from lofty position without knowing the cost of these kinds of sacrifices personally. Rather I write out of sacrifice and love to urge you as in 2 Timothy 2:3-4 "Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier."

And since 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." I write for those reasons.
So, my hope is to encourage your fight, to spur you on to let go of the things that are vile and evil in the sight of the Lord and sacrifice the filthy rags of what this world has to offer, in exchange for crowns of righteousness. To promote a higher standard of living by the body of Christ, for us to honor God by living life for His pleasure, His honor and His Glory, by living a Holy life pleasing unto the Lord. To encourage you to love one another enough to speak out when one of our brothers or sisters are drifting away form the narrow path, to lovingly help bring them back, just as the Great Shepherd does.

What are you waiting for?

This is going to be just a series of questions; I am not going to provide any answers, just a short explanation, and then just some questions.


Through the years, my wife and I have come across many couples, who will say things like “when we get the money” or “we cannot afford kids right now”. Maybe even “there are so many things going on right now we just cannot do it”. Now not all these things need to be said by couples, they can be said by anyone.


I guess the reason for this post and these questions is to get you to move beyond yourself, to move out where God has called you. Maybe it is just a dream that you want to fulfill, or new career you would like to pursue. There are many detractors in life, I have mine, and I know you have yours, like me, you too may very well be your own detractor at times, my goal is to stir you into action that will fulfill your calling, or your dream.


If you are a believer then hear these words of Jesus before I ask the first question, ponder it thoughtfully and prayerfully before you go any further. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command...If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching...He who does not love me will not obey my teaching (John 14:15, 23-24)


The reason I chose this verse is simple, first we are all called to service, secondly, when we are gifted with certain talents and do not use them, then we are in disobedience. I am called to the ministry, in the beginning I did not want to be apart of this, but that has changed. One thing I know, we have a choice, but even in that choice, we are not exempt from being obedient. If I had not left my home to pursue what God had called me to, that would be disobedience, but that choice was mine. So, as you ponder these things ponder also this, does God continue to bless us when we are disobedient to His will, His word, and His call?


Let us begin the questions!


1) Do you have unresolved issues with God?

2) What is your talent or gift?

3) Do you have a desire to do something other than what you are doing?

4) Are you using your gift or talent where you are to serve God?

4) Are you living up to your potential?

5) Do you really trust God?

6) Has God called you to do something new?

7) Has God sent you a sign?

8) Why do you doubt Him?

9) Why are you still when called into action?


Okay, that is the deal, I think for each of those questions if you are very honest with God and yourself you should be able to raise at least one or more questions of your own off each of the questions above. I understand how it is when people tell you that you cannot do it, that you just do not have the skill or talent. I understand more than you know to look at your bank account and see single digit figures, trust me I know. More importantly I know this, Philippians 4:19 says “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

If we skip back a few verses, we also find out in Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

So, that brings me to my last question.

What are you waiting for?

Practice makes perfect, Perfect is Christ

Today in Sunday school we discussed being deliberate about living (practicing) the fruits of the spirit. To set out with the purpose to Love, be Patience, be Joyful, it is or at least it should be our cause as “followers of the way” that is Christians, to live our life in such a way as to “imitate” Christ. How we do that is not totally at our own discretion, we must do that which Christ did. In reading “The Imitation of Christ” by THOMAS À KEMPIS, in book 1 in the 25th chapter some insightful words, ones that should lead us to the realities of our daunting task.


“BE WATCHFUL and diligent in God’s service and often think of why you left the world and came here. Was it not that you might live for God and become a spiritual man? Strive earnestly for perfection, then, because in a short time, you will receive the reward of your labor, and neither fear nor sorrow shall come upon you at the hour of death.
There is one thing that keeps many from zealously improving their lives, that is, dread of the difficulty, the toil of battle. Certainly they who try bravely to overcome the most difficult and unpleasant obstacles far outstrip others in the pursuit of virtue. A man makes the most progress and merits the most grace precisely in those matters wherein he gains the greatest victories over self and most mortifies his will. True, each one has his own difficulties to meet and conquer, but a diligent and sincere man will make greater progress even though he have more passions than one who is more even-tempered but less concerned about virtue.
A fervent and diligent man is ready for all things. It is greater work to resist vices and passions than to sweat in physical toil. He who does not overcome small faults, shall fall little by little into greater ones.
If you have spent the day profitably, you will always be happy at eventide. Watch over yourself, arouse yourself, warn yourself, and regardless of what becomes of others, do not neglect yourself. The more violence you do to yourself, the more progress you will make.”


It is much for us to be forceful with our own selves, but it is something we must do, we must crucify our selves, we must put to death the sinful carnal self that if left to its own self would destroy us and lead us even unto death, a death from which there is no recovery.



This is a job that one cannot do our self, or should even attempt to do without Christ. He is our strength. Isaiah 40:28-31 says, “Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary".


Christ is our victory, it is in Him, we find the strength we need to overcome temptation, and it is only in Him. Likewise, it is He, who is our place for rest and renewal.
The old adage says, “Practice makes perfect” as Christians, we need to practice being not perfect but practice being Christ, and that takes humble intention.

Time for Repentance?

Repentance, as we now know it is a intentional turning away from our sin. Leaving old ways and habits far behind, most of the times it will even involve “new friends” along with our new character. Repentance is absolutely a requirement of God; true salvation cannot be completed any other way. Yes you must believe, Yes you must confess your sins, Yes you must be baptized, however without repentance you are doomed…Doomed to perish, for doing all of the above without repentance would be like planting flowers, you have the flowers and the pot and the soil and some fertilizer, but no water. Without water your flowers are doomed to dry up, wither away and die. Likewise, it is for us when we do not have repentance.

Jesus, tells us in, Luke 13:3-5 (NASB95) 3 “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 “Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? 5 “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
No better time than the present, right? Why put off to tomorrow what you can do today? These are just two sayings of the dozens, I am sure, but the wisdom they provide are immeasurable, what they mean in the area of repentance is that we must do it now and do it often. Even as believers we will fall into sin, sometimes we may not even realize that, an attitude is sinful or dwelling on certain feelings can lead to sin. However when we realize or are convicted by the Holy Spirit, we must confess and repent, scripture teaches us in, Revelation 2:5 (NASB95) 5 ‘Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.
This is a serious warning, some might want to take it as a threat but God does not threaten, He will warn us and let us know the consequences of our chosen actions, but it will be our choice to turn or not to turn. Make no mistake God’s desire for this would be to turn but it will be your choice. In Genesis, we are given the account of the Noah and the flood. God told the people to repent and to turn from the wicked ways, to abandon their lives of immorality, He was overly patient with them in fact, and He gave them over “One Hundred years” during this time Noah built the ark and preached to the people of his day, letting them know of Gods heartbreak over their condition. The people choose to remain in their sin, they clung to their idolatry and to their sexual immorality, you see they refused to turn to their creator and turn from their evil ways,
One of the things that I have found most interesting of the account of the days leading up to the flood is that even though Gods heart was grieved and His intention was to destroy everything. His intention was to destroy every man, woman and child, every animal, be it in the water the air including to the tiniest insect, every plant, tree, literally every living thing. God was going to destroy it all, but Noah found favor in Gods eyes and he alone with his family was spared the doom. There is a great lesson here for us today, while in those days your own righteousness was accounted to you and maybe even your family, however God knew that when left to our own righteousness there would not be many who would be able to achieve. It is here Gods love for us is shown through Jesus, again one mans righteousness was to be salvation for others. God is truly amazing and awesome in love and mercy.
John the Baptist began his ministry preaching in the wilderness of Judea with some very hard words Matthew 3:2 (NASB95) 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” These are the very words that Jesus started His ministry with as well, in Matthew 4:17 (NASB95) 17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
The word repent from the Greek is the word “Metanoeo” to change one's mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins.
Now in looking at the last part of this identical statement we see that the “Kingdom of God is at hand” looking at the last word “Hand” this is the Greek word, “Eggizo” the phonetic spelling is “eng-id'-zo” this word literally means to draw or come near to, to approach
So both John the Baptist and Jesus explained or need to change our mind toward our sin (repent) for Gods Kingdom has drawn near or is to approach. With that in mind, it is very easy to see that now is the time for repentance.
We should find ourselves sorrowful over our sinful condition; our heart should be broken to the fact that we have done such evil in the face of a Holy God. In this state of sorrow we can go before God and confess our sins, and repent of them and in our sorrow, we can be made joyful. God’s formula is clear and concise, a contrite heart sorrowful over our sinful condition, given to repentance, leads to salvation through Christ.
2 Corinthians 7:9-11 (NASB95)9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. 10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.
Gods heart made joyous… You and I make our Lord’s heart sing when we come to repentance, in Luke chapter 15 Jesus tells two parables the first of the lost sheep and the second of a lost coin, and the joy that is derived when the lost is found. Now, in our natural sinful state we are lost, not that God cannot find us but that we cannot find Him. For most they do not even look for him, but Jesus tell us that God is drawing us to Himself by other people that He sends into our lives by His word, by the Holy Spirit, all who call us to this repentance, by showing us our condition. In the Gospel of Luke Jesus tell us of the joy of the angels of God over one sinner who comes to repentance. Luke 15:10 (NASB95) 10 “In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
How awesome to know that God and His angels are so joyful over one sinful person who come to repentance. Also in the gospel of Luke Jesus tells us that he came for this purpose to call sinners to repentance not the righteous. Luke 5:32 (NASB95) 32 “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
I want to wind down with a trip over to the gospel of Matthew, where we will see where God stands on our self-perception of being a good person, how easy it is to be self-righteous, and some places where we set up idols or where we make other things the object of our worship. God cannot come second to anything or anyone nor should He have to.


God loved us so much that he let the true righteousness of one man Noah, keep the bloodline alive. God has loved us so much that He came and took our place of punishment, so we could know Him. While for most the cost is to high, they just could never give up the pleasures of this world for the pleasure that is to come. I dare say that is as much a lack of faith as it is a lustful desire for their own selfish pleasure, pleasure not delayed but the gratification of doing it all now. Oh how selfish man is, how depraved, how undeserving of the expensive love that God has given so freely.

If you have a child think about this…Would you let your child die out of your selfless love of another? What I am asking is consider God for just one moment. Could you send your child to be brutally beaten, spit on, nailed to a cross, just so you can have a relationship with the people who your child died for, could you do that? Lets look at the verses in Matthew, 19:16-26 (NASB95)16 And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” 17 And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 Then he said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; 19 Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property. 23 And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 “Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” 26 And looking at them, Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”


Jesus was clear and the message is that with God “ALL” things are possible; it is only God through the blood of Christ that can get you and me through this life and be able to enter into he Kingdom of Heaven.
Who can be saved? Only the one who has been washed in the blood of Jesus!
The only way that one gets washed in His Holy blood is to accept the gift of salvation, believe that Jesus is, confess your sins to God, Die to this world, and eternity can be yours. God is the only one who knows your heart, but I can say this much, the condition of your heart will be reflected outwardly to the rest of this fallen world. After we repent we die to this world we must choose to take the narrow road, as Jesus said it is the only path to life, but he also said that few will find it. Matthew 7:13-14 (NASB95)13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Therefore, Time for Repentance is today lay down your sinful selfish life, deny yourself pick up your cross and follow Jesus. My friend if you are not a “follower” then now is your time. Follow in the Greek is the word “Akoloutheo” and the definition is 1 to follow one who precedes, join him as his attendant, accompany him. 2 to join one as a disciple, become or be his disciple.
I wanted you to clearly understand what it means to follow but you must also know one other word and it is Deny, in the Greek it is “Aparneomai” to forget one's self, lose sight of one's self and one's own interests.
We cannot do this on our own, nor does God ask it of us, but we must come to that place in ourselves that say no matter the cost “I Will Follow Jesus” no matter the cost. In Matthew 16:24 (NASB95) 24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.

Today the hour of Repentance has come, what will you do?

Clinging to the feet of Jesus

What a week of tragedies, many times these tragedies can be means that crack the stone heart, other times people use tragedies to reinforce the wall and add another layer of height or the depth of the wall.
Though we look at life choices as many, but the truth of the matter there are generally two choices to any situation. One we can rebel, turn and haw at God claiming that He is not a God of love or justice. When we do this we set ourselves up in judgment of God, imagine, the created judging the Creator. I suspect that some who will read this will not agree and will go on their merry way, for those very people I ask one favor, please read on.
There are a few facts that we need to get clear, when Adam sinned, death and tragedy were introduced into this world.
God had given man a wonderful place to live and dwell and meaningful work to do, more importantly, He gave man a relationship with Him, He loved him enough that He walked in the garden where he dwelled. He loved man so much that He knew it was not good for him to be alone so He made him (Adam) a suitable partner/helper (Eve). Being that God is Holy and Loving and Just, He had given them one rule do not eat form the tree in the center of the garden. The day that Eve ate form the fruit and gave to her husband who was there, began a downslide that continues to this day. Tragedy and death entered this day into the world this very day. In talking about death, it was not physical but rather spiritual.
The eviction from the garden came with some harsh realities, the earth would no longer just produce, it would be by intense labor and on that note, and the woman would feel increased pain, in giving birth.
Over the history of man, we seem to come repeatedly finding ourselves staring at our own rebellion to the God who gave us life and loved us enough to give us a perfect place to live and a relationship with Him. Through all this, man continued to rebel and God continued to love. Being a Holy and Just God there were times when God had to hold us accountable, which is proper. If we are honest, we have to agree that God has always been just in His dealing with us. Actually He has been far more just than we would have been if we were able to sit on His throne.
Through it all God was willing and determined to provide for us something we were not able to and in some instances no longer interested in, a relationship with Him.
That brings us to the very means by which God would ultimately give to us as a means of relationship with Him, His very Son Jesus. It is through Jesus, through our belief in Him and by confessing Him, and following all that He commanded. Jesus taught many wonderful and inspiring truths, but one of the best for our condition and the pain that comes into our lives as a result of the nature of a fallen world is found in Matthew 11:29. It is here that Jesus instructs us “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Clinging to the feet of Jesus? When tragedy comes into our lives we will choose one of two Reponses, and as discussed earlier, we will either turn our hearts from the one who truly loves us or we will turn and cling. I do not mean to minimize anyone’s lose or the magnitude of any tragedy on ones life. My prayer is that if you are not the one who clings to the feet of Jesus, that you will.
Many people wrongly blame God for every wrong that happens in their lives, parents who lose a child, a child who loses a parent. As a parent, I cannot imagine the pain that must accompany losing of a child; I can however understand the pain of losing a parent, I lost my father at age 14. Life has taught me many things, very few were all that great, for in the eyes of the world we must rely on our own selves to get our comfort in our times of tragedy. Drugs and alcohol were then and are still the worlds antidote to suffering. This led me down a horrible and even more tragic existence, than that of a fourteen year old boy who would have just grown up without a father.
I am forty-one now, and came to truth late in life, but it is so very important, for me to convey the power of these truths. Where I came to find the most comfort and relief for my pain, the pain of a child, who turned to drugs and alcohol and who had to lived the hardest part of a child’s life without a dad, I came to this relief at the feet of Jesus.
My friends we cannot change the days passed by, we can only live today and change tomorrow. If you are at a place in life where you are dealing with the tragedy of a loss, please know that the one true God of the universe feels your pain and He shares your hurt and sense of loss. See, if you do not know the story, God knows the story of loss and of tragedy. He created this place, created two people, asked only two things, that we get to know Him, and asked us to obey only one rule. The result of that as we seen from above, the two failed and this broke His heart, several thousand years later, God sent Jesus, so He would die for us, so we could once again be able to dwell with Him. God loves you and I so much, that He sent His only Son to die for us, that is love in the highest degree. I know many do not understand or cannot equate this to love, but think about this would you send your only son to be brutalized and to die for people who do not even care? The fortunate part for us is that He did and we have a chance while we are still here to learn and apply that knowledge to our life.
If you have lost someone, especially a little one, a parent, or maybe a sibling, know this truth, you can know that God loves that child, and He is taking such wonderful care of that child. The child will experience no pain, no scrapes or boo-boo’s, never a tear to be shed. However, one does still grieve and shed tears, that one is God, He loves us so much and He does not want us to miss an opportunity to be with Him, and experience a hope in this life and in the life to come, a hope that is liberating from the may pains of this world.
We all live in this world, the same world that Jesus left Heaven to come to, so we could have the ability to come to Him in faith and inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. Without Jesus, there is no hope, for us or for those little ones.
Therefore, if you know Jesus, do not let the devil get a foothold in your times of tragedy, Cling to the feet of Jesus. If you do not know Jesus, I urge you, know this, we are not guaranteed one day on this planet, do not let another breath proceeded from your lungs, please turn today and ask God to forgive you of your sins, ask Him to save your soul, go and be baptized. Get into a bible believing and preaching church and get to know Jesus, and you can know the peace, He so wants you to have in Him, and you can be confident that He is not alone in wanting to see you in Heaven. Turn my friend and cling to the feet of Jesus.