Power, Faith or Pixie Dust?

I am fairly sure that most of us have heard of the differences between the path to heaven and the one to hell.

..."You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way. But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it." (Mat 7:13-14) nlt

I think it may be easier to visualize this as struggling up the side of a steep mountain. Going down is a LOT easier than going up, we have to put a great deal more effort into the ascent than the descent. You are aware that many will spiritually give up and leap to their doom. Why don't we all? Because we've chosen to be with God in the next life.

Thanks to Jesus, we have that option. He gave up His life for us, and took the blame for all the foul, evil things that everyone has ever done, just so we could have the chance for salvation. Of course we still have to do our part. We have to recognize our misdeeds AND accept His sacrifice.

Tough, isn't it?

Sometimes, the hardest part (for us) is being able to put our trust in someone other than ourselves. That is exactly what faith is all about.

Growing up, we've all heard the expressions;

-"Give it your best shot!"

-"Put your back in it!"

-"A 110% effort is required!" &

-"We're all counting on you!"

Athletes and sportsmen hear these comments so regularly that they have nearly religious significance.

So, what's wrong with that?

They teach us to put our faith and trust into ourselves, alone. No matter how good any of us thinks he or she is, no matter how successful we may have been, and no matter if you or I have shown forth as something of a "superstar" in ANY field of endeavor... we just are not good enough! Remember, "for all alike have sinned, and all consciously come short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23) wnt

What are we supposed to do, instead?

Imagine this... you are standing in front of the judge in a court of law. All the evidence is clearly against you, and you know you'd committed the crime. Then, out of the blue, the judge's kid tells you he will take the blame, go to jail in your place, pay your fines, and completely clear your name. All you have to do is agree.

Would you do it?

It’s a trick question, right? Who wouldn't, you ask. Sadly, most of us will blow this opportunity. Get back to the steep mountainside, and your efforts to reach heaven up that narrow, difficult path. What would make the task easier?

If you've ever done any cliff or mountain climbing, you look for handholds and footholds. Whenever the going really gets rough, you need something you can bet your life on. Good, solid, rock... that is what you really wants to keep you from falling to your death.

Perhaps you remember this song...

..."On Christ, the solid Rock I stand,
......All other ground is sinking sand.
.........All other ground is sinking sand!"

It will never be an easy climb, up that narrow, rocky pathway! Faith in Jesus will help us find those solid rocks we need to make it. Here are two biblical examples of faith that I think should be an inspiration to us all.

-First-

..."Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am?
...Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God.
...And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven.
...And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Mat 16:15-18) drv

-next-

..."A woman from Canaan who was living there came to him, pleading, 'Have mercy on me, O Lord, King David's Son! For my daughter has a demon within her, and it torments her constantly.'
...But Jesus gave her no reply - not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. 'Tell her to get going.' they said, 'for she is bothering us with all her begging.'
...Then he said to the woman, 'I was sent to help the Jews - the lost sheep of Israel - not the Gentiles.'
...But she came and worshiped him and pled again, 'Sir, help me!'
...'It doesn't seem right to take bread from the children and throw it to the dogs,' he said.
...'Yes it is!' she replied. 'For even the puppies beneath the table are permitted to eat the crumbs that fall.'
...'Woman,' Jesus told her, your faith is large, and your request is granted.' And her daughter was healed right then."
(Mat 15:22-28) tlb

Two examples of faith... both show us that we need to have an absolute trust in God. Money, land, possessions, luck & political power are not mentioned, nor even pixie dust!

Just faith...

The handholds and footholds we all need are already there! God wants us to be with Him! He knows how hard the journey will be. He sent His Son to show us the way, pay the price and be our inspiration!

Have a little faith!

Stretch out your hands and start climbing.

See you soon, in paradise!

Insights...

A good friend lent me her copy of Todd Burpo's book, "Heaven is for Real." I was initially very reluctant to read it. You see, I'd always thought I'd read in the Bible that there was no return to life for those who've died, except for God's direct intervention. Good examples of this are Mary and Martha's brother, Lazarus, and the restoration of the dead for the final judgment. Speaking of Lazarus, here is the scriptural excerpt I thought I remembered as refuting the return of those who'd passed on...

"And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and seeing Abraham far off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they who would pass from here to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from there. Then he said, I pray you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house: For I have five brothers; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham said unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." (Luke 16:22-31) kjv 2000

Note, please, that it actually only says there can be no travel between heaven and hell. It is interesting to see that this passage merely says that the living will not be persuaded by such a return, it does NOT say that such a return is impossible.

However, the Bible DOES say the following...

"It will happen afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; And your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions. And also on the servants and on the handmaids in those days, I will pour out my Spirit." (Joel 2:28-29) bev

I profoundly believe that the reference to "men" here means "humans," not males per se. Why do I feel this way? The original man (or human) was Adam. Remember that God said, "It is not good for man to be alone: let us make him a help like unto himself."
(Gen 2:18) drv

Next, we read, "And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man."
(Gen 2:21-23) kjv

So you see, both Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, were both made from the very first human. It is, therefore, quite logical and entirely probable that God does mean "humans" every time the Bible says "men."

This would likely have no bearing whatsoever on my message, except that Todd Burpo's book mentions a young artist named "Akiane Kramarik." She suffered a near-death experience at a very early age, similar in some ways to Mr. Burpo's son, Colton. It caused her to become profoundly interested in art. Today, she is one of the most exceptional artists on the planet. Her work, entitled "Prince of Peace" represents Jesus, and was recognized by young Colton as looking like the Son of God that he (Colton) saw during his own brush with death.

I will not post an image of her work here, as I'm sure it is copyrighted. I do, however, recommend you look it up on your own. Akiane has published a remarkable book, entitled; "akiane her life, her art, her poetry." And, yes, the title is all lower case.

Both of these books are very moving. I feel they both represent young people with dreams and visions. I also feel that the time remaining prior to the Tribulation is very short, and these two books will help those who are undecided AND will strengthen the faith of those who believe. Please read them both, and use them to help you feel closer to Our Lord. But, whatever you do, do NOT allow the painting of Jesus become an object of your prayer. It is not to be a "graven image." Akiane has created an aid to help us feel closer to Our Lord, to feel we can identify with Him.

These young people have had some wonderful visions.

Thank Him who is responsible.

Turn on Your GPS!

We all know what a GPS is, that small electronic device that tells you exactly where you are and how to get where you want to go. With it, you can never get lost. Isn't technology wonderful?

Do you ever wish you had a GPS that could help you plan and direct your future? Something that could help you arrive at your ultimate destination, while avoiding the worst of today's spiritual pitfalls? Guess what? You do!

Jesus is our GPS!

By listening to, and following Him, we will arrive at His side in heaven, there to stay eternally. By ignoring Him or turning away from Him, we will arrive at some other destination (and there is, after all, only one other destination).

To use your GPS, you must;

1) turn it on

2) pay attention, &

3) follow its directions.

To get to heaven, you must;

1) recognize that you are a sinner, & will NEVER
.....get to heaven on your own (admit)

2) know that God paid this awesome price for
.....you. Incredible? yes! (believe)

3) tell others, they need to know it works, too!
.....(confess)

God wants us in heaven!

Jesus tells us how to get there!

Do you want to go to heaven?

Turn on your GPS!

See you all in Paradise!