Which God?

Had a great conversation with someone today. It was one of those magical moments. No distractions. No interruptions.

It seems she’s surrounded by those who would judge her for her clothes or wonder why she can’t get new stuff.

Well, maybe someone should tell them money doesn’t grow on trees. *grin*

More that that, though, it’s about whom we’re going to serve.

You know if you go after money and the latest this, or that, you’ll never be satisfied?

My God promises to satisfy.

With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation. (Ps 91:16)

Money will never give you lasting contentment.

My God offers Himself.

Let your way of life be without the love of money, and be content with such things as you have, for He has said, "Not at all will I leave you, not at all will I forsake you, never!" (Heb 13:5)

Money cannot minister to your deeper hurts.

My God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound..." (Isaiah 61:1)

Money cannot encourage you.

My God promises to hold my hand.

"For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isa 41:13

Money cannot love you back.

My God is in love with His people.

"The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: 'Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.' " (Jer 31:3)

It all comes down to these two choices: God or what Jesus called mammon.

"No one can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." (Matt. 6:24)

Which one do you choose?

Beach Rocks and Burdens

Rocks make a fine collection. Sea shells, too. Soon, I’ll add some to my collection on my office shelves.

We just returned from vacation on an island—no, not in the tropics. In fact, every morning a marine layer kept the temps in their 50s. But, oh the glorious afternoons of blue skies and warm sunshine.

One day, I took a long walk with Jesus while the kids played with the grandparents. Along the way, I kept spying unusual rocks or shells I could not live without. I had my sweatshirt along, so the pockets became loaded down. See, unlike my oldest daughter, I didn’t keep my rock choices to smaller stones. Nope. If I liked something, no matter that it was the size of an egg, I’d tuck it into my pocket. Well, all these lovelies stuffed into my pockets resulted in a heavier walk the longer I was gone.

Reminds me of life. Only in life, the heavy “stuff” we pick up along the way isn’t lovely. They aren’t keep sakes. Those “things” are oftentimes offenses, negative memories or hurts. But, oh, how they weigh us down as we walk through life.

Once I’d returned to the house after my walk, I shucked my sweatshirt and went to spend a few moments chatting with my husband. When I wanted to show him the collectibles, I reached for my jacket to discover just how heavy it was. Amazingly heavy. And as I’d added rocks to the pockets, I hadn’t realized just how burdensome they were becoming.

Are you willing to keep carrying the weight of the things you’ve collected throughout your life? Sure, keep the great stuff—the good memories. But come to terms with the hurts—forgive or seek forgiveness. Let God give you a clean slate. Let Him empty your pockets.

Why carry anything along that isn’t lovely?

Then, set your good memories, your high points on the shelf and thank God for His goodness in your life.

Fragile

We’re so fragile.

Your life is not really in your hands.

We think we’re in charge of our own destiny, but we aren’t. You can take care of your health and take every precaution and still be blindsided. Then what?

Recently, I received a prayer request for a man just having come through heart surgery. He had a triple bypass. He was in critical condition, post-op.

Made me think how fragile we are.

At the end, we may not be able to make the decisions about our lives we’ve always been capable of making. We’re out of it, unconscious. And, hopefully we make it through the surgeries, the sicknesses, have a peaceful end later. Much later.

But if not, whose hands are you in? Will your Creator take your hand and usher you into heaven?

Right now, while you can think straight, stop and think. If you haven’t made Jesus the Lord of your life, and trusted Him for your salvation, sought His forgiveness for your sins (we’ve all sinned against God), then do so. Don’t wait. There is no guarantee of time to make the decision later. And you will have to give account for your decision. In the end, it’s all about what you did with this question: Did you let Jesus save you? Or not?