Easter

Today, as we celebrate the fact that Jesus triumphed over death, I cannot help but think about three of my friends who have died in the past 2 weeks. I don’t know every detail surrounding their final days, but I do know this: NONE of them thought they were about to die. None of them.

So, if you are reading this, know this: I love you. I may not know you well. Perhaps we have rarely (or even ever) spoken in person, but I love you. Why? Because of this:

Our love for others is our grateful response to the love God first demonstrated to us. Anyone can say, “I love God,” yet have hatred toward another believer. This makes him a phony, because if you don’t love a brother or sister, whom you can see, how can you truly love God, whom you can’t see? For he has given us this command: whoever loves God must also demonstrate love to others. John 4:19-21

I’ll take this one step further: whether or not you are a believer, I love you. And, because I love you, I want you to experience the abundant life that ONLY comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

I don’t mean an “I go to church now and then” relationship.

I don’t mean an “I learned all about Jesus as a child” relationship.

I mean an intimate, personal, one-on-one relationship with Jesus. This is probably going to be the point where many of you stop reading. And, while that makes me sad, it won’t stop me from going on…

Tomorrow is not promised to us. But, eternity is a certainty. And I want you to spend eternity with me. More importantly, I want you to spend eternity with God.

I don’t know everyone’s story. I may not know what you have gone through…or what you are going through right now. But I know this: God loves you. And (as my pastor loves to remind us) there is NOTHING you can do about it!

GOD LOVES YOU!

“But…you don’t know what I’ve done…” GOD LOVES YOU!

“But…I’ve been hurt by Christians/the Church…” GOD LOVES YOU!

“But…none of my friends even believe in God…” GOD LOVES YOU!

Life is short. I mean, really short. Whether you die today, or live to be 100 years old, life is just a moment compared to eternity. If you aren’t in relationship with God (and you’re still reading), know this: I am praying for YOU.

I am praying that the voice of God…the Holy Spirit…will be louder than any other voices you may be hearing right now. I am praying that you will not be able to tune out His voice. I am praying that God will bug you until you let him bless you. Why would I do this to you?? Because, I love you…a lot. But, not nearly as much as God loves you.

If you are still breathing, it is not too late to renew, restore, or begin a relationship with the Lord.

But, do it now.

Tomorrow might be too late.