God Wants Our Hearts

Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who calls out to Me, 'Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of My Father in heaven will enter."

As I read this verse I think different thoughts. First I feel sad for those that won't enter the gates of heaven. It makes me want to quickly run out in the street and yell out "people... please surrender your hearts to your Creator and Redeemer!" I want to say "God is good and loves you. He is waiting for you to willingly turn towards Him." I also want to say "God has a plan for you and is in control of everything, pick the winning team!" I am frustrated because of my love for others. I want them to live for eternity.

God's original intent was that we would live without the curse of sin in this world. Unfortunately we chose sin over obedience to God. Since Adam and Eve, all of mankind has lived with natural disasters, birth defects, guilt, discord and many other unpleasant things. Yet out of His great love & grace, God chose Jesus to pay the way for us to enter heaven. Some may think that when we die, we automatically all go to heaven, but this verse says different. There are really only 2 roads... Ours or the Way of our Father. We were bought at a price and that price was the life of Jesus. When we say to God that we believe He exists, we get to choose- accept or reject Him. There is no middle ground. God made His choice when He chose us first.

Some may say it is works that get us into heaven. While others may say that it is not what we do that gets us to heaven, it is faith. It is true that it is impossible to please God without faith and that it is by grace we have been saved through faith, not by works so no one can boast. But I believe it is a matter of our hearts. God is seeking those who have turned their hearts and wills over to Him and devoted their life to Him.

2 Corinthians 5:15 "He died for everyone so that those who receive His new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them."

Romans 11:6-7 "And since it is through God's kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God's grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved. So this is the situation: Most of the people ... have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened."

God can see the intent of our heart when we use words to uplift or to tear down. He can see if we are seeking Him and His plans or if we have selfish ambition. He knows if what we do is to glorify our self and to build our kingdom or to glorify Him and His kingdom. A heart that is hardened won't listen to God's prompting or have a desire to do that which pleases him. It is not a heart of devotion to Jesus as the Lord and Master of their life.

Matthew 7:14-21 "But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. "Not everyone who calls out to Me, 'Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of My Father in heaven will enter."

Jesus came with a heart to do the will of the Father and with the motive of love to help save the lost. 2 Peter 3:9b “He does not want anyone to perish, but wants everyone to come to repentance.”

*If you have been lost, seek God and read His love letter & road map to guide you- the Bible.
*If you know someone that is on their own path and headed for destruction- Pray and Love them.
*If you have been rejected for your faith and turned away by others- Seek the comfort of Your heavenly Father who will never leave you or give up on you.

I pray right now for those that may not have surrendered their hearts to you God. Those who have not made Jesus Master of their life. I pray for a miracle and for hearts to be softened. Lord give us a heart for the ones you have chosen. Help them to listen to your voice.

God wants our hearts. Lets not give up or loose hope on those He loves. Afterall, He didn't give up on us... God is mighty to save.

Christ is Come

Isaiah 9:6-7 "For a Child is born to us, a Son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of His ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven's Armies will make this happen!"

Jesus left paradise and became flesh in one of the most vulnerable forms, a baby. He knew what He was doing when he didn't set up His kingdom here on earth, allowing him self to be the sacrifice for our sin. His motive was to love us and to please His Father in heaven. He has done so many things for us and continues to. What an awesome Lord and Savior we have in Jesus. This is why we celebrate Christmas and why we can continue to be joyful despite persecution for walking with Jesus. He is so worthy of our praise!! :)

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

It's Christmas time! A time for joyful songs and gift giving.

Unfortunately, some people are not in the singing mood. Maybe they have lost someone special in their life. Maybe they want to buy gifts for their kids, but can't unless they go in debt. Some married couples want to buy gifts for each other, but can't. So many people are without jobs or haven't had a raise in a long time. Then there are those that have medical costs they can't pay. And there are those that live on the streets.

There are also people that are struggling to get along with family, arguing with loved ones or going through a divorce. Where is the joy in that?

My heart goes out to all people that are suffering in anyway at Christmas. I don't believe our Savior enjoys watching us go through sorrow. He wants us to have peace in Him. (John 16:33)

No one can tell us how to feel. But I think we all would enjoy the holidays more if we can take our eyes off of circumstances and put them on the Savior. One thing I have done in the past, is to set a place setting for Jesus at our kitchen table as a visual reminder of His presence during Christmas. It reminds me that He is the guest of honor, He is with us, and that all of the other stuff does not compare.

The world has made us feel like if we don't give gifts and get gifts, there is a problem at Christmas. I am not saying we shouldn't give gifts, but I think its easy to let our happiness depend on them.

Jesus said "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask Me, and I would give you living water." (John 4:10) Jesus gives us an abundant life (John 10:10), and it's not wrapped in a box nor does it have a bow. He gives Himself (John 10:11).... full of grace and love. Praise God!!!

So, when our head gets turned by the distractions or disappointments of this world, we just need to turn our head back around and focus on how much we are loved by Christ. Then all of the rest of these things will fade away. To know we are forgiven, loved and special to our heavenly Father ... is indeed the best gift of all.

May we all receive the gift of Love from Christ and give it as a gift this Christmas. :)