Daddy's Girl

"This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God's child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister" (1 John 3:10).

Each June Americans pause to honor their fathers, some with less enthusiasm then others. It's a sad commentary on our society to see the over emphasis on Mother's Day celebrations versus Father's Day. We're bombarded by a myriad of gift ideas for mom--even the cards are bigger than ones available for dads! We've pushed mom to the forefront while quietly ignoring dad whether he deserves it or not.

Fatherhood is a vanishing vocation as women proclaim such popular mantras as, "We don't need a man--we are self sufficient--our children don't need a father--etc..." I'll admit there are bad parents, neglectful mothers and fathers who've abandoned their responsibilities to their offspring. But even the men who try their best to be loving and supportive husbands and fathers are often shunned by rebellious children. Why? It started in the Garden of Eden.

Since the creation of man we have told God he wasn't enough for us. Adam and Eve listened to the serpent who tempted them with knowledge, power, and the idea they could be like God. Instead of trusting the God who created them and believing His commands were for their protection, the first husband and wife on earth chose to follow a lie. From that day forward Satan took hold of the human heart and we became the devil's own.

It is not popular teaching throughout the world today to fear God, to honor our heavenly Father, and that humans are born with depraved souls. We're taught to believe we are basically good and only a few really terrible people (criminals for one) will suffer God's wrath of judgment one day. Many professing Christians seek to keep the peace by admonishing people to follow whatever spiritual path they choose. They say in the end all will be acceptable to the Lord, but this is unloving and untrue! No one wants to believe they are bound for hell but they are if they die apart from placing their faith in Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross.

While it is true that God created all people we are not automatically part of God's family. Only those who are born again; having a new nature because the Holy Spirit lives in their hearts are children of God. God loves everyone so much that He doesn't want any of us to perish! He made a way for us to be with Him forever if we will believe in Jesus as our Savior, and dedicate our lives to Him. Romans 10:13 tells us "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Whose child are you? If you haven't made the choice to bow your knee and your heart in prayer to Jesus then you are not going to heaven. Heaven is where God's family will live forever in joyous harmony. Hell is isolation, torment and where Satan's offspring lives in darkness. Thanking the Lord this month for my late earthly father as I praise Jesus that I am His Daddy's girl. "This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God's child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister" (1 John 3:10).

Your fellow herald for Christ,

Mary

Your Book of Acts

"Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you" (Ephesians 5:14).

"You'll probably make a million dollars from book sales after you're dead" was my husband's lighthearted response to my meager royalty check. "Authors are often more famous in death than in life so your estate may be more valuable after you're gone", he continued. Although he was joking there is some element of truth to Jon's words. I don't know if my book sales will ever produce much monetary wealth, but that isn't my goal. Heavenly deposits is.

Did you ever stop to think that your book of acts will live on forever? What we believe, how we relate to others, and what we have done has enormousness consequences for blessing or cursing. All the stories in the Bible still affect lives today although they were written thousands of years ago! Generations of people, through the work of the Holy Spirit, have put into practice the commands of God and cherished His word. Just as many people have rejected God's word claiming it's irrelevant, outdated, full of bigotry and open to interpretation. Each choice matters not only to the people around you but to Almighty God.

At the end of all life on earth each person will be judged by Jesus, but the judgments will be different depending on one choice. If we confessed we are a sinner, trusted Christ as our Savior and made Him Lord of our life we are born again spiritually and join God's family. Our names will be written in the His book--the Lamb's book of life, and we'll be welcomed into heaven. Your sins were wiped clean by the precious blood of Jesus and He remembers them no more! "Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life" (Revelation 21:27).

To reject Christ as Lord and Savior and believe you can enter heaven based on your perceived good lifestyle will be the most tragic mistake. Your judgment will be with those who are dead to God; enemies of Christ. All the evil deeds you ever committed, your darkest secrets, will be read aloud for all to hear because your arrogance claimed you were better than Jesus.  "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:11-15).

What legacy are you creating for yourself and your loved ones? How will your actions affect people today and forever? As we begin this New Year let us awake from our spiritual slumber and live each day with eternity in mind. Your book of acts is still being written. Will there be a happy ending?  "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you" (Ephesians 5:14).

Your fellow herald for Jesus,

Mary