The Last Days

"3... knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us,[a] not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:3-9).

Why talk about the last days at the beginning of a New Year? Shouldn't we focus on our resolutions, our daily goals for self-improvement, and whatever leads to a more prosperous and fulfilling life? Isn't January supposed to be the most optimistic month when we wipe the slate clean and start anew? While taking care of our financial and physical health is a wise use of these gifts from God, the reality of what lies ahead when Jesus returns to our world should make our spiritual health top priority. Hard as we try, we cannot atone for our transgressions. We are not that powerful or pure.

While hard work and dedication may result in accomplishing our resolutions/goals, we cannot excel high enough in our achievements to reach God. The only way to salvation is bowing down in humble submission to the King of kings, Jesus Christ. His death at Calvary and resurrection from the grave ushered in eternal life for ALL who place their faith in Him! This is good news to an over achiever and people pleasure like me. It's God's grace through His Holy Spirit that draws you to Him in repentance for your sins, and His mercy and strength that holds you close as you obey His Word.

What are you counting on to gain your admission to heaven? Still in denial about your need for a Savior because you think you're a pretty good person? By whose standards do you measure your worthiness? Don't compare yourself to the men/women of this life/world for you will fall short of God's holy and perfect standard. Trust in Jesus, the only perfect Man and Son of God, and follow hard after Him.

Be careful whose voice you listen to. Don't believe me--check your Bible and listen to God's voice in His Holy Word! Many who speak in this world are turning you away from the One true God and tricking you into self-elevation. If you're not convicted about your lifestyle and there is no evidence of change in your words/desires/actions then you are not indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The closer we come to Jesus the more we want to run from our old nature. You want to reach the finish line a winner in the last days of your life, don't you? How you begin today in your relationship with the Lord determines how you'll end your journey, and where you'll spend forever.

"17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen" (2 Peter 3:17-18).

Your fellow herald for Jesus,

Mary

  

God's Glory

"The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14)

Glory to God in the highest! Praise and thanksgiving for His inexpressible gift, Jesus Christ. In Jesus we behold God's glory and love.

Wishing you the Savior's joy and peace this Christmas.

Your fellow herald for Jesus,

Mary

Freedom Day

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand Firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened by the yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1).

As we celebrate Independence Day in America let us thank God for the true gift of freedom in a life dedicated to Christ. The moment we declare our dependence on our Savior we are freed from the bondage of Satan's grasp. That is truly our day of freedom and worthy of great celebration!

Your fellow herald for Christ,

 Mary

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

Heaven's Gate

Therefore Jesus said again, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:9-10).

With stores and homes filled with colored eggs, bunny figurines, and candy galore it's hard to tell what people are celebrating this month. There is very little evidence of the true meaning of Easter as commercialism and pagan traditions have hijacked our most sacred feast. Cute little bunnies don't offend most people, but a wooden cross with a message of salvation in a church or residential yard does. Why such contrasting reactions? Because rabbits and candy don't stir our hearts to repentance; they are not the gateway to everlasting life.

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (I Corinthians 1:18). The devil loves to distract us and put diversions in our path. Satan doesn't want people to worship Jesus as their Messiah. He'll thwart all evangelism efforts by deceiving the minds of the unsaved; cleverly convincing the masses they don't need a Savior. Satan casts doubt on the validity of God's sovereignty and His standards of holiness whenever he cunningly whispers, "A just God would never send good people to hell, would he?" Lucifer's lies about the severity of our sins lead many to conclude that Christ's death and resurrection is not enough, or not necessary at all, for entrance into heaven.

Don't believe the devil and his evil schemes! He's a murderer of your soul and robber of abundant life. Believe the Passover Lamb whose blood shed at Calvary covered your sins forever. Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd: I know my sheep and my sheep know me--just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--I lay down my life for the sheep" (John 10:16).

Do you know the voice of your Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ? Do you read His words in the Bible and pray for His Holy Spirit to guide you in truth, obedience and salvation? Have you laid your life down before Him in worship and thanksgiving? If so, then Easter will be a joyful celebration of Christ's triumph over sin and death for all who trust in His sacrifice. Two gates are placed before you, which one will you enter eternity through--the one that leads to hell or heaven? Therefore Jesus said again, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:9-10).

Your fellow herald for Christ,

Mary

Dangerous Liaisons

Jesus is "'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.' Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:11-12).

Interfaith devotional was the subject of the email beckoning all its readers to participate. With warm greetings the writer asked members of all beliefs to share meditations, spiritual thoughts, devotionals, and words that uplifted and guided them when they needed it. Casting the net wide would surely not offend anyone as the writer declared we all have something to learn from each other. Seriously? Count me out of that circle for it's nothing but a dangerous liaison disguised as your new best friend.

While I have friends of all different faiths (include atheists and agnostics) that I share life with, one thing I won't compromise on is the Word of God in the Holy Bible. I love my friends but don't ask non-believers and those not surrendered to Christ to give me any spiritual guidance. Why not you ask? Because they can't! Sadly, their gods are idols and cannot save anyone. Deuteronomy 27:15 warns us, "Cursed is anyone who makes an idol--a thing detestable to the Lord, the work of skilled hands--and sets it up in secret."

Sharing the Gospel and Scriptures is a regular habit of mine along with praying for them, but pretending that interfaith messages are good for all of us is to do my unsaved loved ones a disservice. The Bible clearly teaches us that salvation is by grace alone and in Christ alone. Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). No room for interfaith messages there, the Son of God is the final authority!

Although it may sound nice and tolerant to proclaim that all beliefs are valid, have you ever thought how wrong that is? We should love and welcome all people to hear the truth of the Holy Scriptures, but to embrace their antichrist beliefs as valid is deadly to perishing souls! It's often stated when discussing life after death that there are many paths to the road home. Clearly if you are talking about sending people to hell that is an accurate statement--any road apart from Christ will take you there. As it was in the Old Testament days so it goes with the world today--everyone does as they see fit (Judges 17:5). Very few are testing the latest preaching messages against God's Word in the Bible, and so we are too easily deceived.

Participation in the interfaith devotional email was not an option I chose, but praying for those distributing it is. Christ's outstretched arms on the cross was not a symbol that all roads will take you to heaven. There was nothing interfaith about His horrific death, His burial, and His triumphant resurrection after three days! If someone has shared this Good News with you it is because they love you too much to let you walk away from the one Person who died so you could live in heaven, your Savior Jesus Christ our Lord. Why would you follow a dangerous liaison when you can follow the King of kings? Jesus is "'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.' Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:11-12).

Your fellow herald for Christ,

Mary  

   

The God of Hope

"The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in Him" (Romans 15:12)

Praising God this Christmas season that my hope does not rest in world events or my perceived ability to control anything. It comes from the Holy Spirit who by God's merciful grace resides in my redeemed soul. This amazing gift from the Father not only carries me through life's hardships but enables me to rejoice in trials because God is with me. He is forever working all things together for His glory. Pain on earth will be replaced by joy in heaven for branches attached to the Root of Jesse.

Jesus, the Root of Jesse, is the vine that connects us to the Father. We may be the richest most talented person in the world but if we are not grafted into Christ through His death, burial and resurrection our souls and our accomplishments will perish. Jesus said, "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit: apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned" (John 5:4-6).

As we celebrate our Messiah's birth this December what are you worshiping? Is it Jesus the King of Kings or how much money can buy? Are you caught up in the competition the prevailing culture highlights at Christmas beckoning you to have the most presents under your tree? Would you be able to thank God for His gift of eternal life through faith and submission to His Son if you had no presents to open? Who can out give God?! None of us!

Praying your heart, mind and soul is filled with the abundance of Christ our Redeemer's love. God incarnate who made His temporary home in a stable in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago wants to take up permanent residency in your heart. Have you invited Jesus in and made Him Lord of your life or rejected Him because there's no room if your life for God? "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).

Your fellow herald for Jesus,

Mary

Set for Life

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment" (I Timothy 6:17)

A recent windfall and change of fortune gave way to their proud announcement, "We and our kids are set for life". In one household it was the sale of their family business to a wealthy investor that propelled them into millionaire status. The other was their child's new high paying job in a coveted corporation. Joyous news though it was it rang hollow in my ears because of the falsehood it was built upon. When our security is not in Jesus but in ourselves and what this world offers we are definitely not set for life.

The Bible teaches us to use our heavenly gifts for God's glory versus our own. The Father delights in our work when we do this with enthusiasm (Ephesians 6:7). But if striving for more cash in your bank account is what makes your soul complacent your spiritual depravity will one day impoverish you. Money is not evil, it's our view of what it represents and how we use it that can become corrupted.

The Lord knows we need money in this modern economy. But money can make us feel indestructible to hardship, proud, and if we are not careful we'll find ourselves indifferent to our need for God. We may become judgmental and less compassionate toward those less fortunate. Money does not make us set for eternal life. All the philanthropic works of our flesh will not gain us favor with God. We can never be good enough to earn our way into heaven! Only by grace through faith in Christ's sacrifice for our sins are we saved from hell. We are all born spiritually bankrupt sinners.

Do you want to be set for life? Pray to Jesus for forgiveness of your sins and thank Him for dying on the cross in your place. Invite His Holy Spirit to live in your heart and surrender your desires to Him. Praise God for the free gift of salvation that you now enjoy as His follower, and ask Him to equip you for serving Him with your talents and treasure (Hebrews 13:21). When your faith and hope is in Christ you are truly set for life! "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment" (I Timothy 6:17)

Your fellow herald for Jesus,

Mary

Getting to Paradise

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

It's popular to talk only about God's unconditional love for humanity but not of His hatred of our sins. We can even gaze upon paintings or statues of Jesus nailed to the cross without being repentant. The horror of His crucifixion may stir up emotions of sorrow for all that Christ suffered, but do we put ourselves there among those scoffers on Good Friday demanding His torturous death? Most people are hopeful they will enter heaven because they believe they have lived a pretty good life; never seeing themselves as God's enemy who is separated from Him because of their sinful nature. It's easier to put other people into the category of criminals as we falsely believe we have earned our entrance into paradise.

Not long ago I was one of those people; desperately striving to pay my own way and judging other sinners more harshly than myself. In my eyes my good deeds far outweighed the bad and my sacrifices and rituals erased my shortcomings. Praise God for saving me from myself--what a hypocrite I was! It is only by His grace and His Holy Spirit that I was able to understand what Scripture tells us in John 14:6-7 when Jesus says, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.”  

One of my favorite stories is the conversation Jesus has with the criminal beside Him on the cross in Luke Chapter 23.When Jesus was crucified He hung on His cross between two criminals. In verse 39 one criminal hurled insults at Him saying: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” This thief wasn’t sorry for his sins. He just wanted Jesus to rescue him from the agony of crucifixion. The other thief acknowledged he was a sinner and deserved punishment, but proclaimed Jesus was perfect and did not. This criminal feared God and in verse 42 he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  In verse 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Why do I like that story? Because of the message of hope that Christ has paid the price for our entrance into paradise (heaven) with Him if we place our trust in His finished work on the cross. There was no time left for that repentant dying criminal to do anything (no good works) that would make him worthy of being in paradise (entering into heaven immediately upon his death) with Jesus. The only thing he did was to believe that Jesus died for his sins. This is the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! It’s all grace. 

On this Easter weekend if you died today would Almighty God welcome you into His heavenly kingdom? There's only one way to be sure--acknowledge your sinfulness and that Christ is your Savior. Until you bow before Jesus in adoration and repentance at the foot of the cross you will never walk beside Him in paradise. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

Your fellow herald for Christ,

Mary

From Mad to Glad

“What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul” (Mark 8:36)?

 Not so many years ago my attitude was more mad than glad. Smiling and cheering for others on the outside, I was weeping and coveting on the inside. To be married with children represented completeness to me. Without them I was convinced I could not be happy with my life. So I prayed to have all my dreams come true so I could be satisfied. Yet the harder I pursued my desires the further the Lord removed the manifestation of my dreams until they became impossible to fulfill myself.

 To medicate the pain I looked for comfort in many places—a new job, new clothes, or an exotic vacation. They were short term fixes that eventually left me financially and spiritually in debt. I thought things couldn’t get worse. Then my health began to deteriorate along with my love life, and so did my faith in God’s goodness. I thought He was mad at me and could not understand why the good things I did in life did not outweigh the bad things. Something had to change, but I did not know how to fix myself. Then Jesus broke through.

On a week-long hiking trip as I grumbled to God His divine finger reached from heaven and touched my heart. In an instant He changed me from mad to glad; melting my anger with His love. It wasn’t the time away that changed my attitude, but that I gave my life away to Christ on that vacation. My circumstances hadn’t changed. In fact, they worsened over the next several months. Yet my joy increased.

How can you explain that other than a work of God’s grace?! You may be discouraged by unanswered prayer and hanging your happiness on the fulfillment of your dreams. But what if God wants to give you a different vision for your life? Will you put your trust in Jesus for the salvation and satisfaction of your soul?

Your best days on earth will one day pale in comparison to the treasure that awaits you in heaven. Whether married, single, widowed or divorced, let Jesus walk beside you in this life so you can walk beside Him in eternity. “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul” (Mark 8:36)? Your fellow sojourner and herald for Christ, Mary

Believe and Receive

“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

If ever a story gave evidence that you cannot “work” your way into heaven, the story of the thief to the right of Jesus on the cross does. Time for “doing” good works had run out as two criminals hung on either side of their Savior. Both were given the same opportunity to believe Jesus was the Messiah from whom they could receive forgiveness and eternal life. With his critical words the thief on the left condemned himself while the confession of the thief on the right freed him. How could that happen?

Pride can blind us from humbling ourselves. We think we can earn our way into heaven by acts of service or by saying all the right prayers. If there was anything more the repentant thief could have “done” besides believe Jesus was his Redeemer, than would not Jesus have told him what else was needed? Of course He would have! But He didn’t. Christ’s response when the thief asked to be remembered in the Lord’s kingdom is pure freedom for doers and legalistic people. Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

Our good deeds will not save our souls. They were never meant to. If they could then why would Jesus have to die for our sins? Jesus made full recompense on our behalf. When we believe this truth our future in heaven is secured. Our works then become an outpouring of love and gratitude that bless the Father’s name instead of drawing attention to our own. This Easter season will you thank Jesus for His victory over sin and death? Believe and receive!

Your fellow sojourner and herald for Christ,

Mary

Hark the Herald People Sing

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, as you are in me and I am in you” (John 17:20-21).

The following is an excerpt from a women's event (Holidays Fit For the King) I spoke at in November.

As God’s girl, do you ever think of yourself as His herald to the world? The angels were first to declare His birth, then the shepherds spread the news after they heard the story. As Christ’s disciples now it’s our turn.

Being God’s herald may intimidate you, but did you know Jesus prays for us, our ministries and He is with us? Shortly before His crucifixion John 17:20-21 quotes Jesus, “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, as you are in me and I am in you.”

Christ’s last words before He ascended to heaven in Matthew 28:19-20 were “go and tell—make disciples of all the nations—I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus isn’t the Savior of “some” people. He’s for “all” people. The Nativity scene was very diverse. No one who drew near to Jesus was turned away. The poor shepherds and the rich wise men alike were welcome. The message is still the same.

If you died today would go to heaven? What makes you think you are good enough? If you were standing side-by-side with Jesus before our Holy Heavenly Father which one of you would be acceptable? Romans 3:22-24 says: “This Righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

We can joyfully celebrate Christmas because of Easter. The good news is not that Santa Claus is coming to town but that the Messiah was born in Bethlehem; He died for our sins, rose from the dead, is reigning in heaven and is coming back for His church!

As believers in Christ we are united in Spirit with Him. He has made His home in our hearts. We are His ambassadors, here to reflect His message. I pray we exude so much joy and kindness that people will ask us the reason for our hope in these trying economic times. May we smile and say we are thinking of Jesus; we’re too blessed by His love to be stressed by this life. Hark the herald people sing glory to the new born King! Go and tell sisters. Go and tell. Merry Christmas!

Your fellow sojourner and herald for Jesus,

Mary

The Restored Decade

“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten” (Joel 2:25).


Christmas and New Years are typically a time of reflecting on all the events of the previous year. It’s amazing to see how fast twelve months can pass and all the experiences that have shaped our lives. With all the talk these days of “the lost decade” we are enduring--lost wages, vanished 401Ks, and lack of economic growth, my mind can get clouded with the challenges of daily life. My annual recollections of the past recently took me further back in time—ten years to be exact. I did lose something. It was my old life that died the day I began my new life in Christ.

It was Thanksgiving week of 2000 when God’s pursuing love finally gripped my seeking heart and made its permanent residence in me. Jesus restored my damaged relationship with the Father. Consequently, my life has never been the same. I am continuing to learn how to live for a cause greater than myself; to live the life Jesus planned for me that is better than any vision I can conjure up. This does not mean my journey does not include disappointments, heartache and tough times. It does mean I do not walk alone. Praise God for His Holy Spirit who is forever my Guide and Helper!

If I choose to measure my life solely in terms of how much money I earn, I would be counted among those in the newly coined phrase “the lost decade”. Like so many people my corporate career is under attack, and so is my pay check. My wages have slipped to a level I made twelve years earlier, and my 401K hasn’t made much progress. But the Lord provided me with a husband eight years ago and together we are weathering life’s storms with our Creator. I often wonder where the world is headed not just from an economic standpoint, but from a spiritual one. Evidence of love is so hard to find in mankind.

This December I am settling in with Jesus and asking Him to help me listen more than I speak. I want to hear His voice above all others, and there are so many distractions right now. My hopes for the New Year certainly contain peace, prosperity and joy, but sometimes things have to fall apart before they can be repaired. This is how it was in my life and, perhaps, that is what is happening in our world today. We are sick, we need restoration, but we’re seeking it in our government and our employers instead of in Christ.

Christmas is the beginning of God’s restoration plan for all of us sinners. It began with the birth of His Son in a manger over 2000 years ago and was fulfilled when Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead. Invite Jesus to live in your heart and surrender your life to Him. True healing and contentment begins there. Only when we receive His love can we extend it to others. What a lovely outreach that would be to other hurting citizens.

Wouldn’t it be nice if no one was part of the lost generation anymore but all were forgiven of our sins and restored? Praying you will accept the free gift of salvation that cost Jesus His life because of His great love for you. Merry Christmas and a Restored New Year! “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten” (Joel 2:25).

Your fellow sojourner,

Mary

Great Words; Great Hope

"He is not here; He has risen, just as He said."

These are great words filled with hope for those who believe in the sacrifice on the cross, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Praise God we have a reason to celebrate! Jesus is not dead--He reigns in heaven, seated at His Father's right hand, and one day will return to rapture His followers. Knowing that we will one day be united with Him forever brings great joy to my heart.

I pray the miracle of the Easter message encourages you to rejoice in the knowledge that the victory has been won. Believers in Christ can celebrate resurrection day every day; not just once a year on Easter Sunday. Some of the greatest words man has ever heard ring true for all generations: "He is not here; He has risen, just as He said."

You fellow sojourner,

Mary

The Greatest Sacrifice

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

It was Veteran’s Day this week; a time of reflection on past and present sacrifices our military (and their families) make for our freedom. For me, November 11th has been an emotional day for several years now. It was 14 years ago we buried my youngest brother who although not a soldier still died fighting his own life battle. His only son is a firefighter in the United States Air Force, bound for Iraq in February, 2010 and Para-rescue training camp upon his return to the states. Trusting his fate to God is not always easy; we selfishly want to keep him all to ourselves. But the Father understands our pain, for His was much worse two thousand years ago on Calvary’s hilltop. The cross was the site of the greatest sacrifice ever paid.

While physical wars between nations wage on, I find this can sometimes distract me from the spiritual battle at hand. When so many soldiers and civilians die and peace appears bleak, I can be tempted to forget to pray for a different kind of victory. The real war that needs to be won is the fight for lost souls, the reason Jesus lived and died for. His was not a political war, but a struggle to reconcile all humans with God by His death for our eternal life. His unblemished heart and mind took the place of my sinful and corrupt one, all so that Jesus can call me “friend” as I call Him “Savior”. What a trade off.

Whenever we pause to pray for our military and their families let us also remember to thank God the Father for God the Son’s precious gift to humanity. True freedom begins with a choice to accept the gift of eternal life that is free to us, but cost Jesus everything. Only He can help us pray for our enemy’s eyes and hearts to be opened to the gospel of hope, and that they passionately embrace it.

Peace on earth begins not with swords reeled by one soldier against another, but when God’s Holy Word pierces our hearts and transforms us. As we support our troops in battle, so should our patronage be for our fellow Christians serving in God’s soul-winning army worldwide. Our sacrifice of prayer is so small when compared to the ultimate sacrifice of love. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

Your fellow sojourner,

Mary

God’s Cheerleading Squad

“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes other will himself be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25).

Have you heard the news? God is looking for cheerleaders on His team. Are you interested? Could you use a little encouragement today? Do you know someone who needs to be uplifted? Would you like to be used by Jesus to build up the heart of a tortured soul who needs a touch of amazing grace? If so, consider this your royal invitation to join God in His court and tryout for a team He wants you on. Here are the qualifications you will need.

1. A repentant heart; one that is captivated by the immeasurable sacrifice of Jesus Christ who though perfect paid for your sins by His death, burial and resurrection

2. A life that continuously seeks to surrender to the Father’s will above its own, and longs to leave a legacy of blessing that will glorify the name of God forever

3. A teachable spirit—God will show you the moves and give you the cheers you are requested to perform that will draw spectators off the bench and into the arena of life

4. A thankful heart; one that rejoices in praising the name of Jesus and seeing others join in the chant

Can you imagine how much our world (and our own attitude) would change if we grasped the concept that we are gifted by the Holy Spirit for such a ministry? This is not a superficial cheering squad I am talking about. Christians know what’s at stake—the salvation of the lost. Although we are on the winning team the game is not over. It is still being played out in the drama of life. Recruitment continues; Jesus wants to increase the size of his cheerleaders, as well as His players.

What do cheerleaders do on Christ’s roster? They encourage others with His Holy Scriptures. They share what struggles and transformations are taking place in their own lives. Cheerleaders are open, honest, enthusiastic and raw with their emotions. They cry when it gets tough but they never give up hope in a positive outcome. Unlike earthly teams that experience defeat, they know on God’s team the greatest victory awaits them in heaven. They help others press on to glory regardless of how vicious the opposing team attacks. Their faith is in the right Person who will deliver all who follow Him.

There is a special reward God grants to His cheerleaders. It is a byproduct of their obedience to pour out themselves before others so His Holy Spirit can shine through their words and actions. Because cheerleaders delight in the smiling faces of the players on God’s team, and the spectators who one day leap from the sidelines to join in the game because of divine intervention, they are encouraged by those they have rooted for. This is the cycle of God’s blessing flowing from His Spirit to ours to another person’s and beyond, forming a beautiful circle connected by His love.

If you have been sitting in the stands observing the game and wondering which team to join, please make the only right choice. Confess your need for a Savior and forgiveness of your sins, accept by faith that Jesus paid for your sins by His death at Calvary, and believe that He is praying for you always as He sits on the right side of the Father in heaven. Don’t you want to be on His winning team where you can experience daily refreshment for your soul? Come join us. Somebody needs to hear the voice of your unique cheer the Spirit will teach you to recite! “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes other will himself be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25).


Your fellow sojourner (and cheerleader),

Mary

The Narrow Golden Gate

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

Fresh from our weekend trip to San Francisco, my husband and I are reliving the experience in our daily conversations with friends and strangers alike. We are excited to share our adventure when the opportunity arises; lingering in the memory of the beauty our senses absorbed. It was our first visit to that part of California, and we discovered places that area natives rarely see. One particular jewel was Muir Woods located twenty minutes north of San Francisco. It truly is God’s cathedral adorned with giant redwoods towering gracefully towards the heavens. This was our favorite spot followed by the famed Golden Gate Bridge. It was there that the Father taught me a lesson about faith.

At first glance, we could not see the cables that supported the bridge. Everything was covered in a thick fog that made walking across the bridge seem treacherous. The wind was blowing, the surface below us shook, and visibility was no more than a few feet ahead of us. It was like walking in the middle of a cloud, and I was disappointed. Snapping photos of my husband leaning over the bridge gave the illusion he was high on top of a mountain with no vision of the earth and water below him. We’d looked forward to this trip for weeks; now it appeared we wouldn’t see the magnificent cable structure of the bridge. The fog was just too thick.

Should we keep walking, or should we turn around like so many others before us had? Part of us wanted to relinquish, but our instincts told us not to. This would be our only chance to see the Golden Gate Bridge as we were driving to Monterey the following morning. If we remained patient maybe we’d see the skies clear, even if only for a minute. I clutched our camera close to me, hoping to see the sun burn away the clouds. I didn’t want to risk missing a chance to capture a glimpse of this engineering marvel.

Suddenly, the vision we’d hoped for appeared as the sunlight peaked through the clouds. I looked up and saw the orange bridge tower and cable structure through the haze. “There it is!” I shouted to Jon, who lifted his eyes too. The fog continued to tease us as it covered and revealed the bridge in short intervals. Like a dance we were part of but not controlling, our footsteps moved in rhythm to the wind, and we walked on in great anticipation of another view. Going half-way or turning around was no longer an option. We were in it for the duration of the adventure.

Minutes later the blue sky defeated the fog and the city of San Francisco could be seen from the bridge. Gazing on the ocean hundreds of feet below us, we took pictures of the scenery from every vantage point available. We’d crossed over to the sunny side of the bridge and were reaping the rewards of persistence! As we turned to retrace our steps back towards the car, we entered the fog once more. It was then I felt the Lord teaching me how to walk through the narrow gate of faith He’d constructed. The parallels between the fog on the Golden Gate Bridge and lack of clarity we experience in our daily faith walk became all too clear.

When circumstances blind my vision of the future will I retreat in fear or press on believing God will be my guide? When the winds of change shake the foundation under my feet, will I keep walking confidently trusting Jesus to support me just as I trusted the Golden Gate Bridge cables? Will I choose the narrow path that leads to eternal life believing what the Bible says regardless of how clouded life appears? Or will I back away and give up pursuing a deeper relationship with Christ because it seems too mysterious? Do I need proof God is faithful before I will follow Him without question into the mist? My prayer is for God to strengthen my faith and trust in Him alone, replacing what my easily fooled senses tell me.

All I cannot see is more real than everything my eyes behold daily. Heaven is merely beyond the fog of earth. I do not want to walk through the clear wide gate that offers knowledge without eternal hope. I pray to stay close to my King; letting Him help me walk through the clouds of uncertainty. I do not need to understand why something is temporarily blocked from my view. I only desire to know, with the eyes of my heart, that I’m walking through the narrow golden gate towards heaven’s front door, where Jesus welcomes me in. “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

Your fellow sojourner,

Mary

A Case of Mistaken Identity

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (I John 4:1).

It happened just this week. I was mistaken for someone I wasn’t. What turned out to be something of a compliment for me was utterly embarrassing for a rambunctious teenage boy. Imagine the scene if you will. The sun is setting after a warm summer day while our community pool is brimming with excitement. A large group of teenage boys and girls are playfully teasing each other as their chaperones watch from their lounge chairs. Doing my best to remain inconspicuous, I carefully dodge their flailing arms and make my way to the opposite end of the pool. One-by-one they begin their reluctant exit out of the water as the chaperones inform them it’s time to go home. Feeling safe I let my guard down; stretching my body out to swim my daily laps. That’s when it happened. My stroke was interrupted by a sudden splash and a tidal wave engulfed my head. “Where did that come from?” I wondered.

Rubbing the water from my eyes, I turned my head to find I was face-to-face with a boy of fifteen. Both of us stunned he broke the silence by saying, “I thought you were Carrie!” It was obvious he’d mistaken me for one of the girls in the group; someone he was trying to flirt with. Fumbling over his words of apology, he was immediately summoned out of the pool. His chaperone could not say “I’m sorry” enough. Once I got over the initial shock I laughed in reply, “Well, I guess it’s nice to be mistaken for a teenager every now and then.” I didn’t have the nerve to reveal my true age, but it didn’t need to be said. While my hair and figure might have allowed me to pass for one of those fifteen-year-old girls, my face wouldn’t. That young man made a hasty decision to jump into the water based on an illusion. He didn’t take time to study all the facts, and now regretted his actions.

This innocent case of mistaken identity got me to thinking, “How many times do we all jump into something based on misinformation?” We become involved in relationships, activities, even churches based on feelings or appearances. Our rationale is to tell ourselves that this thing must be right for us because it looks and feels good. While this makes for some uncomfortable or miserable everyday life experiences, it can have deadly consequences when it applies to our spiritual lives. We can mistake the lie of a message laced with humanism for the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. After all, deceptive messages are clothed in spiritual garb, and are very tempting to our sinful nature.

For most people it’s much easier to listen to preaching about the love and blessings of God, than the wrath and separation from Him our sin has caused. We often seek a relationship with God for what He can give us (in the form of material gifts or answered prayers), instead of acknowledging our need for forgiveness and salvation. Many are following the wrong voice—one that tells them there is no hell, and therefore no need for repentance. We are all assumed to be children of God by the nature of our physical births, and sin is not viewed as an offense to our Creator.

If that were true, then why did Jesus have to die? If sin is not offensive to the Father, then why did it only take the sin of Adam and Eve to condemn the whole human race? Make no mistake, sin deeply offends God. God is not present where sin abounds, He can’t be. His holiness will not share the throne where sin reigns. This is why Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden, and the Lord’s presence. When Jesus hung on the cross with all the sins that every person had ever committed, and would ever commit, the Father turned away from Jesus. A beautiful holy God cannot reside in the ugly presence of sin.

This is good news! Because my sin was washed from the Father’s memory by the Son’s blood, I am now mistaken for Jesus. Sometimes it’s hard to take that all in while I’m still struggling with my old sin nature, but praise God He does not give up on me! Like all believers I can rest assured that one day I will join Him in heaven, and be holy as He is holy. Until that day, won’t you join me in heeding the words of Almighty God? Do not be so quick to jump into the pool of deception following what appears to be your Savior. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a discerning heart and mind, so you may obey the true Shepherd’s voice. “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (I John 4:1).
Your fellow sojourner,

Mary