Star-fish

     A woman I know was struggling with what happens to people who do not choose Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord before they die. I told her their souls would spend eternity with Satan in the Lake of Fire. She thought God should just turn them into dust, when Jesus Christ judges Satan after His 1000 year reign, so they wouldn't have to suffer forever, only for a short time. So I asked, "Then what difference would it make to choose Christ?" She said, "Well, you'd live."      The question is "How do you want to live out your life?" Do you want to end up in heaven with the smell of smoke still on you from barely escaping the devil's grasp or do you want to live in Jesus Christ and at peace with God? I lived a lot of years before I came to salvation in Christ and those years now seem worthless. They did not offer me any hope, peace, or sense of accomplishment. I was lost and am thankful daily that I found the God of grace and mercy.      ...

     Today in the aftermath of a horrendous mass shooting, I am reminded that evil is a choice. This shooter took days in his hotel room, waiting for a large country western concert to take place in Las Vegas, preparing to take the lives of as many innocent people as he could manage. Some on the news were quick to blame guns, but this man with great calculation toted those weapons and the needed ammunition to his room with a plan of devastation in mind. He was bent on destruction of souls, if not guns, he likely would have made a bomb.      We cannot begin to stop those who have made a deal with the devil to do his handy work. This same man could have chosen to save lives through aiding neighbors, volunteering with homeless organizations, and even giving blood. But instead, he chose to take blood. The weapons of evil people will be found, even if just their bare hands, and used as they choose to do their master, the devil's, bidding.      I...

     On our way to church this morning, we passed a truck that had the following license plate: HOPING2. I said to my husband, "Hoping2 what?" It reminded me of my thoughts lately about hoping to lose weight, exercise, and write. Hoping2 make things happen in my life was not working. I needed to make things happen by CHOOSING2 do them.      Hope is great, but without action, it often becomes wishing2, wanting2, or planning2 without results. Psalm 119:114 reminds me to put my hope not in myself, but in God, "You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word."      So rather than HOPING2 have a life worthy of glorifying God, I should instead be PRAYING2 put my life into God's loving hands and rest that He will give me "a hope and a future," but I still must CHOOSE2 step out in faith, believing God for His promises. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and ...