The tough question ~ are you ready?

Saturday night turned into one of sadness.  Another gentleman in my life had passed.  He was the drummer at our church.  Even though all of his kids are grown he showed such kindness to all the children.  He shared with them his love of music and encouraged them to give it a try.

I remember very vividly the Sunday he talked to Aurora about playing the drums.  She was smiling ear to ear because he had noticed that she had tapped the rhythm to each of the songs right along with him playing.  He was just as excited as she was and he left that Sunday asking me to make sure that somehow she could get a chance to try out the drums.  He will be missed.

Pastor spoke Sunday with a sadness as well.  Funerals have been quite regular at the church.  Even though it’s a reality that everyday we are closer to our own deaths, letting go of others is hard to do.  He asked us ~ What if the funeral we were preparing for was ours?  Would we know whether or not we were going to heaven?  It was time for a heart check. Are you ready?

Let me ask you a question.  Have you ever been pulled over for speeding?  9 chances out of 10 you got a ticket as a punishment for not obeying the law. But what about lying, cheating, murder, adultery?  No matter what sin I list, it’s a crime, and the punishment is death.

But wait, there is hope, forgiveness, and love that abounds…”For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-17.

Questions, questions, so many questions.  Check this out.  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”   Do you know what that means?  You can’t get to heaven by good works, lots of money, or going to church every Sunday.  When the time comes for each of us to die, there are only 1 of 2 places that we can go from here.  Heaven or Hell.  Either through Jesus Christ to the Father or to Satan. Which one have you chosen?

Jesus Christ lived a life, tempted in every way, with women, booze, Satan, … but he never sinned.  He showed us how to live.  He showed us a better way.  He had no sin, knew no sin.  He carried to the cross the sins of every person who ever walked the face of this earth and those who are yet to come.  He sacrificed himself for us because he loves us.  He took my place.  He took yours.

… if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

And it will only be the beginning of the greatest relationship you’ll ever know.

He was crucified, died, and was buried.

He rose from the dead, performed more miracles among the people, ascended into heaven, and sent His Holy Spirit, …He will come again… luggage won’t be necessary… will YOU be ready?