Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Moment of truth

I have been somewhat hesitant about this subject, but I feel like it needs to be opened. For the last nearly 20 years of my life I have watched friends and those I knew only by names, walk away from church and eventually God. These are people that were raised in our Assembly of God churches, most of them by Christian parents. But somewhere along the line, something was missing, because they continue to step away from a relationship with Christ. It's like a continual epidemic. What happened? I think I have some insight because I have first hand knowledge. I grew up in church with the best parents. I was surrounded by Christianity. But when high school hit and then college came, I began to walk away from what seemed like too much of what was talked about but never lived out. Then there came a day in my adult life that I had drifted so far away from God that I believe he sent out possibly one of his last life preservers. And it was at that moment I believe for the first time that I put God on the throne of my life. You see I said the prayer and ask Jesus into my heart at the age of eight. And the stats keep telling us we have to reach them at a younger and younger age. But I believe in every persons life there comes a moment when the gaunlet is thrown down and you will either embrace a growing life with Christ or pull the plug. There is a reason why the Bible tells us when someone comes to Christ and knows the truth, then walks away, it would be better if they had never known. It is because of the suttle hardening of your heart towards the things of God. God will not allow his grace to be made a mockery of. My heart splits wide open whenever I think of those that I knew so well that have turned their lives over to the world. I know that some of them read this blog. So let me be as plain and to the point as I can. There is no amount of talking, preaching, or sobbing that can convince you to run to God. You can either choose to have your moment of truth now and stop the games or you can have your moment of truth when you kneel at the feet of Jesus to receive judgement. It's your call.

2 comments:

marilyn said...

I was in McDonalds on my lunch hour reading my bible. As I was reading,the words in Hosanna (one of our songs we sing) says, "Break my heart for what breaks Yours". As I was reading how God was leading Israel with miracle after miracle and they still disappointed him time and time again, my mind was drawn to that verse in Hosanna, "Break my heart for what breaks Yours". For the first time I felt sorry for what God must have felt time and time again for his chosen people. Usually when I read how Moses lead the people through the desert, I get so irritated with those people! They saw miracle after miracle and they kept turning their backs on God...for some reason today the words in Hosanna came to mind. Then when I returned from lunch and brought up this blog I realized how people in this day and age do the same thing over and over again. I know it breaks his heart when he sees his children turn their back on him and walk away for no good reason. Let us never be found in this situation. The next time we sing Hosanna, think about the words, "Break my heart for what breaks Yours".

Joe said...

Pastor Kevin,

You are exactly right! Each one of us must choose this day whom we will serve. We cannot ride upon our parents faith. We must have our own.

On a different note, we were all gathered around the kitchen table for dinner when you were on our minds. The subject of your hunting party came up. I said you were going to kill Bambi. Someone else joked you were going to break out the rest of your teeth. I am standing in prayer firmly believing that when I see your smiling face again I will see all of your teeth. That is, all but one of them.

I'm also believing you will bring down Bambi with the first shot and there will be no injuries to any of those brave souls hunting with you.

Joe