God’s Sovereignty

Have you ever questioned God’s sovereignty? With all the tragedies happening in the world today some folks may question whether God is truly in control. Every time we turn on the television, radio or read the newspaper we are subjected to all of the violence and assaults on humanity. Our churches are beginning to water down the FAITH and manipulate God’s Word by interpreting Holy Scripture to fit man made doctrines and traditions.

Non-believers and believers alike are becoming confused when they hear the Gospel because of all the fighting and bickering regarding the interpretation of God’s Word. Is it any wonder that there are so many people in this world that turn to false religions and cults instead of turning their life over to Jesus Christ.

God's Love for You is Everlasting

But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:4-7)

In becoming a Christian, the believer acknowledges Christ as Lord and recognizes Christ's saving work. We gain eternal life with all its treasures. We have renewal by the Holy Spirit, and He continually renews our hearts. None of this occurs because we earned or deserved it, it is all God's gift. Renewing of the Holy Spirit is the continual process of Christian living and is enabled by the Holy Spirit, resulting in growth in character and good works.

Blessed Assurance -- Jesus Is Mine!

I just returned home from a visit with one of my hospice clients by the name of John. When I arrived, I noticed John was in his bed with his oxygen hooked up to him. It had been a week since I saw John, and I could tell that he was getting weaker and that it would not be to many more days until he died.

I asked John, "What do you want to do today?" John told me that he really couldn't do much. I suggested that we could set and talk. John started asking me questions about death and heaven. John had told me in recent visits that he was a member of a small Christian church so I knew that at least he knew about Jesus.

I asked John if he knew for sure that he would go to heaven when he died. John told me that he hoped he would. Then John said, "Do you think He (God) will take me?" I asked John if he had ever accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. John replied, "Yes." I then explained to John that at the time he repented of his sins and accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit entered him, and that was his assurance that he would have a place in heaven when he died.

For the remainder of our visit John and I talked about heaven and the joy we will have being reunited with loved ones that had gone before us. Before taking off, John asked me if I would pray with him. We prayed and thanked God for His promise of salvation and for Jesus dying on the cross for our sins.

I told John that if I wasn't able to see him next week, that I would see him again in heaven.

UPDATE: On Thursday, April 22nd, 2010, John went Home to be with the Lord.

Follow Me!

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. (John 10:27-28)

Yesterday, while visiting with one of my Hospice patients, I began to think about how much our Lord loves us and that He promises us that He will never allow anyone or anything to take us away from Him. This biblical truth is also confirmed by the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:38-39.

Even tho this dear soul was dying from heart failure, he explained to me his love for the Lord and that when the time was right, the Lord would take him home. We discussed the joy and happiness that all Believers have in knowing the blessed assurance that, in God's timing, we will all be in the loving arms of our Savior.

How sad it is that some people will never hear the Shepherds voice when He knocks on the door of their hearts and says "Follow Me". Even tho it is God's desire to have everyone accept His son Jesus as their Lord and Savior, few will follow. What will your answer be when the Lord knocks on your heart's door?