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Be in earnest, then, and turn from your sins.
Listen!
I stand at the door and knock; if any hear my voice and open the door,
I
will come into their house and eat with them, and they will eat with
me.
To
those who win the victory I will give the right to sit beside me on my
throne,
just as I have been victorious and now sit by my Father on his
throne.
"If you have ears, then, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches!”
Revelation 3:19-22
It is the weekend, Girlfriends! I hope you are enjoying your day, whether beneath the sun, the snow, or the artificial bulbs of a tanning bed--a place I frequently find myself during winter months while living in northern climates! I know, I know: Bad, bad, bad for me. But like everyone who does not want to take responsibility for their choices, I blame my mom. She always says, "Tan fat is better than white fat!" I guess I could go exercise rather than fake bake, but I am not sure white skinny looks better than tan skinny. And besides, a fifteen minute nap on a hot, hard surface sounds better than an hour sweating and exerting myself in a stinky gym. Call me crazy.
So, what does this rambling have to do with my message today? Absolutely nothing other than the fact that we have the power to make choices. A choice to enjoy the day or spend it grumbling and complaining. A choice to enhance or endanger your health. A choice to be productive or lazy. A choice to live or to die.
The Choices
Wait a minute, did I say you can choose to live or die? Do we not all die whether we choose it or not? Yes, Girlfriends, that is what I said, and yes, at some point you will no longer have the choice to continue living on this earth. However, you do have the choice right now whether your soul will live eternally in the presence of God or be forever separated from His love, power, and grace. And unfortunately, you cannot rely upon your momma, nor anyone else for that matter, to make that choice for you. Nor can you escape responsibility for your choice in the future by blaming your parents or anyone else influencing you. The choice is yours, and yours alone.
Wait a minute, did I say you can choose to live or die? Do we not all die whether we choose it or not? Yes, Girlfriends, that is what I said, and yes, at some point you will no longer have the choice to continue living on this earth. However, you do have the choice right now whether your soul will live eternally in the presence of God or be forever separated from His love, power, and grace. And unfortunately, you cannot rely upon your momma, nor anyone else for that matter, to make that choice for you. Nor can you escape responsibility for your choice in the future by blaming your parents or anyone else influencing you. The choice is yours, and yours alone.
While no one can make your choice for you, many people can assist you in the decision-making process. This blog exists for that very purpose: reaching out to women, all of whom I consider my girlfriends, albeit some closer than others. My goal is to offer insight, information, and intelligence regarding what I consider the most important choice you will ever make: accepting or rejecting Jesus Christ. If you reject Him, you are saying 'no thanks' to God's free offer of salvation. If you accept Him, your life will be irreversibly altered for the better. You will receive peace, freedom from guilt, acceptance and awareness of unconditional love, and eternal life in Heaven.
Why This Choice?
Make no mistake, ladies, you cannot achieve this redemption in any other manner. You cannot work for it and earn it, "for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). No matter how hard you try, sin is a part of our nature and can only be erased from it through the blood of Jesus Christ. His atoning sacrifice on the cross and resurrection from the grave were for you. He did what you cannot do on your own: paid your penalty for your sin, as we would expect from a just and righteous God, so that you can walk away free and clear of all wrong-doing. Only in this way can you live forever in the presence of God, for He is holy and pure and so must you be.
Make no mistake, ladies, you cannot achieve this redemption in any other manner. You cannot work for it and earn it, "for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). No matter how hard you try, sin is a part of our nature and can only be erased from it through the blood of Jesus Christ. His atoning sacrifice on the cross and resurrection from the grave were for you. He did what you cannot do on your own: paid your penalty for your sin, as we would expect from a just and righteous God, so that you can walk away free and clear of all wrong-doing. Only in this way can you live forever in the presence of God, for He is holy and pure and so must you be.
How do you become holy and pure, worthy and presentable to a perfect and loving God? Not by your own power, but by your complete submission and surrender to Jesus Christ. His work becomes your achievement. His death is the destruction of your sin. His reward is now your crowning glory. You have been given a priceless gift. Accept it. Access it. Own it. Jesus Christ is the gift; God is your only path to unending existence.
Why Choose Now?
Girlfriends, read the key verse from Revelations at the top of this blog again.
Girlfriends, read the key verse from Revelations at the top of this blog again.
The Lord is speaking to you now. His Word is alive and active.
"Listen!
I stand at the door and knock."
Make a choice.
"...if any hear my voice and open the door."
Do not simply open the door. Take it off its hinges and throw it in the fire!
Let Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit inside you to refresh and renew your life.
"If you have ears, then, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches!”
Listen to what God is speaking to you today.
He loves you. He desires you. He wants you with Him.
He loves you. He desires you. He wants you with Him.
"To
those who win the victory I will give the right to sit beside me on my
throne,
just as I have been victorious and now sit by my Father on his
throne."
Victory in Christ belongs to you if only you will make a choice.
What will you choose? And when?
Time is of the essence.
“At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens....“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come."
Luke 13:26-27, 32
Choose Life
Today, Girlfriends, I pray you will hear and respond to the knock at the door of your heart, of your soul. I long for you to experience the peace and love only a personal relationship with Jesus can provide.
As much as I love you, He IS Love.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16b
As much as I desire eternal life for you, He IS eternal life.
And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3
As much as I want to take you to Heaven, the choice IS yours.
Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach... No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it...This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. Deuteronomy 30:11,14, 19-20a
As much as I love you, He IS Love.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16b
As much as I desire eternal life for you, He IS eternal life.
And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3
As much as I want to take you to Heaven, the choice IS yours.
Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach... No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it...This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. Deuteronomy 30:11,14, 19-20a
Ladies, I am praying right now for you. And if you decide to choose Jesus, but cannot find the words to express it, know that in my heart I am concurring with you as you offer up your life and possibly use this prayer:
"O Heavenly Father, I know that I am a sinner and cannot ever completely remove sin from my life by my own actions. I am sorry for hurting You and others. I repent and turn from my sins. I believe Jesus Christ died for my sins, rose from the grave, and is alive at Your right hand forever. I open the door of my heart and soul, receiving Jesus Christ as my Savior. I know I will stumble along the way, but I want You in my life and will seek to know you more. Thank You for saving me. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Good choice!
Girlfriends, tan fat or white fat, tan skinny or white skinny, may our God Bless you this day.
Love to All!
