This past Friday I received a phone call that one of my friends from high school had died in a plane crash. It was and still is hard to swallow, but one thing I can honestly say is that Mason was 'ready'. No, I am sure he was not ready to leave his beautiful wife, who was also his high school sweetheart, or leave his 3 beautiful children or his amazing parents; what I mean is that he was ready to meet his Father in heaven. You ask how it is that I know this, let me tell you... no, I was not there when this 33-year old man asked Jesus into his heart many years ago or I was not with him when he prayed for forgiveness for his last sin. However, I saw how this man 'walked the walk' and not just 'talked the talk'. Mason did not have to tell people that he was a Christian and when he died he would be going to heaven, you just knew it by his Godly character and loving disposition. The last time I saw him was at my mother-in-law's funeral last December and even though he did not have the right words to say to comfort my hurting heart, he offered a hug that spoke volumes about his love for not only my mother-in-law and our family, it spoke the love of Christ. Therefore, in saying all of this, I am comforted in knowing that Mason is hanging out with Jesus right now!
Back to my question... ARE YOU READY?
James 4:14 says it like this "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." We are hear today and can be gone tomorrow! Are we living today like it is our last? Are we using our instruction manual known as the Bible on a daily basis? Are we doers of what it says?
It's not a hard task to be 'ready', but the ultimate destroyer wants us to believe that it is. He wants us to blame all of our sin on our 'sinful nature'-- yes, brothers and sisters, we have a sinful nature, but you have FREE WILL! God always gives you a 'way out', so you can't use that 'sinful nature' bit as an excuse.
I ask you today to do a self-evaluation and determine today whether you are ready or NOT... allow the Holy Spirit to convict you for the sin in your life. The only way you can be delivered and forgiven of your sins is by confessing them and turning away from them. It's not hard when you have God on your side.
If you have never actually asked Jesus into your heart, today would be your day to do so... here is a simple prayer that's all it takes as long as you are pure at heart: "Jesus, I ask you to come into my heart, to be my Savior and Lord, forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. Amen." If you have just asked Jesus into your heart, please let me know or someone else so that you can be discipled.
One last word... as you know, I am a big music fan and so I want to quote the some lines from Casting Crown's 'I Know You're There', these words are very powerful and I hope that they make a lasting impression on your heart as they have mine.
If all I had was one last breath
I'd spend it just to sing You praise
Just to say Your name
If all I had was one last prayer
I'd pray it 'cause I know You're always listening
I want to take every breath as it may be my last and every prayer as it may be my last...
Blessings,
Suzie
