(my prayer today)

God, I want to love you for who you are. Not for who I WANT you to be.

You are perfect in all your ways and don’t need my opinion or morals to make you better. Be with those I love and help them see you for who you are in all your glory.

(An analogy/story I thought of today)

Simon was a wealthy man who lived in a nicer suburb of LA. He was a smart man with lots of resources and endless wealth. He had only one son named Josh. One day Simon decided to give back to his community, so he sent his son Josh to deliver messages to all the neighborhood people that he was hosting a banquet and he wanted everyone in the whole community to come. Josh walked high and low through every street in his neighborhood delivering the messages so that people would come to his fathers banquet. There were very clear directions printed on the postcards he handed out. Some people were very rude to Josh. Some neighborhood kids threw rocks at him, and a couple even beat him up. That did not stop Josh though. He continued his mission to invite everyone to His father’s house for the banquet. He knew why his father was having the banquet. Since it was just Josh and Simon left in their family and they had more money than they knew what to do with, they had decided to give a very generous check to everyone who attended his banquet. Simon did this simply because he could and because he was a man with a kind heart.

The night of the banquet many people looked at the map with directions printed on their cards and made it to the feast. However, some people did not follow the directions. Some people looked at the map and said, I am going to find my own way to Simon’s house. This map says to go north but I think I will go south instead and see what happens. I’m pretty sure all roads will eventually lead to Simon’s house. These directions say turn left but I think if I turn right I will still end up at the same location as everyone else who followed the map. Of course, sadly those people never made it to Simon’s house.

Months after the party was over and money had been given out a few of the wayward people drove up and found the house. Because it was no longer open to the public they had to break a chain on a fence and climb a wall to get to the front door. When Simon answered the door the wayward guests said, “Where’s our money?”” Excuse me?” asked Simon “What do you mean”. The guest’s continued “Well, we heard you were giving away money so we have come to collect. And by the way, we are moving in to your house.” Simon motioned for his guards and said, “I’m terribly sorry but I do not know who you are. I had an open house party and banquet months ago. I got to know many people who are now my friends. Some of them are living here with me and I did give many of them money but I do not know who you are. You have missed the party by months. I am sorry.” The strangers were escorted off the property.

So it will be on that day when the Lord judges the world. People say “how can a loving God throw people into Hell.” The answer is ….HE DOESN’T. They willingly refuse His FREE gift. They don’t want to get to know Him; they don’t want to know His family. They make fun of His son, and then when they die, they expect that God will bring them into His house with arms wide open when they spent their whole life rejecting Him. This is foolishness. It wouldn’t work here on earth and it doesn’t work that way in Heaven.

Some people say, “What about those people who have never heard the name of Jesus.” This question assumes that there will be people dying without a chance to know Him. That puts WAY too much emphasis on us and not enough on God. He can reveal Himself with or without us. He doesn’t need people to share his word. He showed up in person to Saul of Tarsus and there are reports today all over of Muslims, Hindus, Jews, and many others having dreams and visions and finding the Lord without the help of any person besides Christ Himself. It is our HONOR and Glory to be able to serve Him on the mission field, but He does not NEED us. Remember that. So asking about people who didn’t have a chance to know Him is an invalid question. The Bible says “if we seek Him with all our hearts, we will find Him" (Jeremiah 29:13). He is not eager for anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9). “For there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:12-13). We do not know how God is dealing with people in lands yet unreached by the gospel, but from Scripture we can see that He will never condemn anyone unjustly, but will be faithful to reveal Himself to anyone who looks for His salvation.

I am not saying that sincere Muslims or Hindus, trusting in their religion, will make it to heaven. There is only one Savior. There is only one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. (1 Tim. 2:5) “There is NO other name given to men by which we must be saved” (acts 4:12) I am saying, whoever seeks to know the Lord with all of His heart, He will reveal himself to that person.

I urge you all in the name of Christ ……….

Isaiah 55:6 “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.”

My Worship Song For Today

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