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"Splashes of Fall Colors"
(C) Allen Pearson |
Last Sunday when a man went to a Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas and began shooting killing 26 people, I found myself disturbed that such a crime could happen within the walls of God’s House, a church, the Sanctuary. Why did this happen? Why did this man go to the church and begin shooting and continue inside the building? Questions I may never really have answers for but ones which are not as important as one which came glaring in my mind.
Another disturbing point in the Texas Church shooting was the lack of respect for God’s House, the Church, the Sanctuary. When I was growing up, we were taught to respect the God’s House, the Church, the Sanctuary. This wasn’t the place to run, play, have parties, drink sodas and eat snacks, it was where you worshipped God. Maybe a little legalistic, but the idea was it was a place of worship, sanctity, and respect. It’s not like other buildings or businesses in the area. So, the idea that the shooter went into the church or shot into the church got my attention. Not sure why I felt this way, maybe it was Satan trying to discourage me from attending church or to stay away from Christian activities.
Once again, my mind began to contemplate, as it often does, “If this happened to you, would you be ready to meet Jesus?” If I was at an event somewhere in the universe and someone opened fire and I died, in that split second when I would have no way to do anything including saying a prayer to Jesus to confess all my sins or to proclaim my belief in Him or to become a Christian in those last fleeting seconds of my life- am I ready to meet Jesus? Repeatedly, I debated that thought. Without a doubt, I know that I am. What about others?
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"Sunshining Through"
(C) Allen Pearson |
Chances are, I would not have the time to pray those prayers or have those thoughts as the shooting would be too fast or too quick. I’m sure the adrenaline of the situation would be distracting too. It would be over in a matter of seconds. I would be on my way to my eternal home. Simple as that.
I need to be ready. I began my Christian life within a few days of being born. At least that’s what I’ve always said since my parents attended church all of their lives and there used to be a week between leaving the hospital and going out in the world, so it had to be a few days or a week before I went to church. Once I started, I was not allowed to miss because my parents went every time the church doors were open. But, that isn’t what makes a Christian. Going because your parents make you or because you HAVE to isn’t it.
I knew that, I became a Christian at a very early age and recommitted my life in my college years. I remember a college professor saying, “You can’t get to heaven on your parent’s shirt tails!” The comment made me think so I had a conversation with God to be sure that I was ready to go in a moments notice.
My post is all over the place this week, kind of unusual for my writing, but I’ve had concerns for me, for you, as the country is still reeling over the events of last Sunday in Texas and the increasing violence.
The real question is, “are you ready?” Should something happen to you in this crazy world, would you be ready to go to your eternal home?
If you would like to follow Jesus and become a Christian, please read and pray through these steps:
Admit
Admit that you are a sinner, just like everyone else born into this world, until we confess to Jesus Christ and ask His forgiveness:
"(23) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
(24) and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,"
-Romans 3:23-24, ESV
"(23) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God
is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
-Romans 6:23, ESV
Believe
Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ:
(16) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son,
that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
-John 3:16, ESV
Confess
Confess your sins in a prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ:
(9) "because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. "
- Romans 10:9, ESV
(13) For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” -Romans 10:13, ESV
Pray
"Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and do not deserve eternal life.
I believe You died and rose from the grave to make me a new creation
and to prepare me to dwell in your presence forever.
Jesus, come into my life and take control,
forgive my sins and save me. I place my trust in You alone
for my salvation and I accept your free gift of eternal life."
Amen
Now, you're a Christian - Welcome to the family. So, what's next-
- Find a 100% Bible-believing, teaching, preaching church. Here are a few resources:
- Find believers (Christians) to fellowship with.
- Daily: Pray and read the Bible.
- If you find yourself asking "Why am I not perfect" or "Why am I still doing wrong things?" Be sure to talk with your Pastor, a Christian friend or a mentor.