See You Next Year!

I just wanted to wish you the best during this season and want to remind everyone that in the midst of the gift giving, visiting and traveling...please remember that the celebration is that God's word was fulfilled and a son was born and they called Him Jesus. This is the LIVE manifestation of the progression to the cross that Christ walked to redeem our lost souls with the shedding of His blood...HE had to be born in order to die. So we celebrate His birth because... God so loved the world that HE gave His only begotten Son, that whoever would believe on Him would not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16)

Please share Christ with others during this holiday time and tell your kids the truth that there is no Santa Claus. God has provided your monies for you to bless your children and to give the credit to a man in a red suit ain't cute or godly:) Just thought I would throw that in there. Give God the credit and the glory for ALL HE has done for you!!!!

I am on vacation and will be back to writing in the beginning of the new year, please stop by then to visit....Thank you and many blessing!

Michelle

I Once Was Lost

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost but now am found twas blind but now I see.

Have you ever set out on a trip or looked up directions on mapquest and got lost? Maybe a friend gave you really bad directions? Maybe you are just someone who thinks you know everything and how to get everywhere without direction and find yourself lost often....I know, I know, you eventually find your way:) Have you ever been in a car with someone who wouldn't admit they were lost? But everyone else in the car knew it because they were dizzy from going in circles? LOL.

What does life feel like when you are lost? A bit helpless? A bit embarrassed? Maybe scary if you are lost in a bad neighborhood? Fear of running out of gas before you are safely at your destination? Unsure of whether it is safe to roll down your window to ask for directions (depending on where you are lost). Has it ever been dark and you couldn't see the street signs clearly?

Have you ever asked for directions and not used them and got lost? I know I am asking a lot of questions but hang in there with me, I am going somewhere...and I have the directions...LOL.

Matthew 7:14 says, But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.(NLT)

The challenge today is not for those who are lost but to those who have been found. We who are believer's who made it through the narrow gate are not very tolerant of those who still find themselves lost. When you were lost did you really know or have a sense or feel that you were lost at all? NO. Then why is it that when we cross paths with others who have no clue they are even lost we get upset with, we fuss at them, we says negative things about them (behind their back), like they just don't have a clue, why are they so bent on doing wrong, why can't they just see how bad that decision is, don't they know they are drinking themselves into the ground, why are they so hard headed, and didn't they learn from my life? Whew! That's a lot:)

To answer all those questions really quickly...NO, they don't have a clue and cannot see clearly. They have been blinded by Satan who seeks to kill, steal and destroy and once so were we blinded. That is the part we forget...that once we were the same way and people were talking to us till they were blue in the face, invited us to church and we turned that down over and over again.

I am pretty good at following directions to get to my destination but what happens with me is, I like to look at pretty houses, so I could turn down a street and just keep going and going until I have turned so many times I have no clue how to get out from where I am and don't let it be dark.....LOL. This is similar to those who have tried to find their way to happiness, peace and joy by trying all manner of religion, sex, drugs, alcohol, etc. They remain lost and go deeper into the darkness the harder they look. Have you ever had someone try to lead you somewhere by the hand when you have blindfolds on and they don't? They can see clearly and walk confidently to lead you but you pull and resist a bit thinking they just might lead you into a tree or off a curb, right? I know that is how I felt, so it is no wonder why they resist when we try to show them the way while they are stuck in darkness. Only God can remove the blindfold from their minds eyes so they can see that HE is the way, the truth and the life. So we must pray for our friends, family, co-workers and bosses. This does not mean that if God gives you an opportunity to witness that you say, no I will just pray...noooooo, you speak up and share, even if all you know to do is share your testimony and then you let God do the rest...and don't get mad!

When someone is that lost, it is God who has to come and take the blinders off their eyes so that they can see clearly. It is God who has to draw them to Him. Think about where you were when HE found you, maybe in a club, in a jail cell, deep in depression, lonely, broke, homeless, etc. So you ask well what can I do if it is all up to God? You know I like when you ask me questions:)

Why not be a light along the way, hold a hand, lend a shoulder, share your testimony and sometimes God gives you the privilege of pointing the way once HE has opened their eyes and you get to experience a miracle in the life of a friend, co-worker, boss or family member.

You don't want to fuss at the lost...talk to them.
You don't want to judge the lost...pray for their eyes to be opened.
You don't want to throw your hands up in the air in frustration...wrap your arms around them and display God's love for them.

We always think that the lost have to be at the end of their rope or hit rock bottom, lose a leg, almost lose their life (and some do) to come to Christ, BUT what if God decided to love them to Him instead...through you? Would HE be able to count on His love in your life to win a soul for Him???

If it weren't for God's grace we would still be lost! Praise God for being found!

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