Do you Pray?

I said my very first prayer at 12 years old. I had recently come to know Christ and was deathly afraid my dad would go to hell when he died. A bit intense for such a young person, but it’s true. It was all I could think about.  I didn’t know how to pray, so I just talked to God: I asked, by some miracle, that my dad would visit my church and have his own relationship with God. I can’t quite say how long I prayed for, but I’ll never forget the joy I felt seeing my dad walk up for altar prayer.

Many years would go by before I’d pray to God again. To be honest I don’t recall a single prayer during my teens. I attended church sure, sang in the youth choir, told all my friends what God said to do and not to do. But prayer wasn’t really my thing. It just seemed like such a privilege that one needed a secret code to get access to God. Plus, why would I pray? I had everything I needed.  

In 2014, at 29 years old, I lived right outside Chicago, worked downtown and was barely making it financially. The good thing was, by then I had truly renewed my love of Christ. As a single woman, nothing brought me more pleasure than coming home just to come before the feet of Jesus.

One day I came home, flipped on the light switch, and nothing happened. My electricity had been cut off! I knew it was coming, I hadn’t paid the bill in 3 months; I owed about $750, which was equivalent to my rent. It was my own fault. Not that I’m a big spender, I actually hate shopping, I’d simply taken on more than I could handle, while only bringing in $13/hr. Every month I had to decide which bill was most important. Not considering the late fees that would be added on. Adulthood, ugh!

Because I was almost 30 I had made up my mind that I wouldn’t call my dad or anyone else to bail me out. I even kept it from everyone as long as I could. At home I ate peanut butter and jelly most nights. I got used to the cold showers after a while, thankfully it was summertime. But I talked to God repeatedly. What else could I do? I didn’t know how or when, but I knew God would take care of me.

After what seemed the longest 3 months of my life, I was finally able to pay the entire electric bill! YAY! To this day, I have no clue where the money came from. I simply remember it being the exact amount I needed to pay the electric company, in addition to other bills. I knew once I got home and flipped the light switch, it would come on. I stared at the light and just smiled. All the countless prayers, the nights I cried myself to sleep begging the Lord to help me, the shame I felt going to a friends for dinner to avoid another sandwich, the cold showers, the doubt if God would even come through; all were beyond worth it in the end. My surroundings showed no evidence of my breakthrough, but I KNEW it was coming because I FELT it. The God of the bible became so REAL, I couldn’t keep the praise inside if I wanted to! I got on my knees right away as the tears fell, thanking and praising my Creator.

I can recall a conversation I had with one of my best friends. I’d updated her on that time period when my electricity was off. She was in utter shock as she had no idea. She recalled a few times we talked during that period and there was no indication I was going through anything. She even said that if she had endured what I had, she might have killed herself. I assured her while there were days when the weight of life seemed too heavy and the thought had crossed my mind, I chose to believe that God would work things out for me. I’d spent my whole life claiming to be Christian, yet slow to seek the Lord when in trouble (my dad was always my first call). I simply prayed for a miracle and God provided.

It’s that breakthrough which started the fire for my prayer life. Some things I’ve prayed for and God answered right away. Other things have taken time to get answered. I can in no way explain why He does things the way He does, but I can tell you that prayer will change your life. Prayer in fact works!

I’ve had the privilege of being asked to pray for several friends of mine. This is when I began to see the power of God really move. The supernatural intertwines with the physical world and reveals how amazing God is! Here are a few of those prayers and the outcomes:

I had run into this guy, Ray*, a few times. We had mutual friends so we’d have casual conversations here and there. We even exchanged numbers, but still keeping the conversation casual and friendly. One afternoon Ray texted and asked if I would accompany him to the movies. I immediately responded sure. I then asked for the movie info so I could meet him. Here was an attractive, Christian, man asking me out. My heart jumped with excitement as I thought of what could become of us. Then I felt God trying to get my attention. I got to my knees and prayed. I was honest with God and told him I liked Ray, but I wanted His will for my life. If Ray was not the man He has for me as my husband, there’s no point in even going to the movies with him. I asked God specifically to somehow block Ray from ever texting me the movie info, if he wasn’t my husband. Guess what? I never received a response. I couldn’t help but wonder though, what was his excuse for never responding. I saw him some time later and asked him what happened. He said he just decided to go alone. No big deal right? The real question is, would he have decided that had I not prayed? Doesn’t matter. God answered, he’s not my husband. See how God works when you pray? I’ve learned it’s important to be specific too!

Kathy, a female colleague, had an issue with me. I thought I was imagining it until another colleague brought it up. I then began to pray and ask God to soften her heart. That whatever bitterness she held on to would slowly dissipate from her. Pretty soon when I’d say ‘good morning’ or address her directly, she’d smile and respond, instead of avoiding eye contact and acting as if I didn’t exist. Now, she smiles automatically when we pass one another. Sometimes she’ll even speak first!

For years I’ve been praying for Michelle’s salvation. That she would no longer seek fulfilment from the people and things of this world, but truly accept Christ in her heart. While that has yet to happen, I can say that she no longer practices Buddhism and has even asked me to pray with her. I’ve added to that prayer that she would come to my church. That hasn’t happened either, however just recently she texted me and said her daughter asked her why they don’t go to church, completely out the blue. My continuous prayer has allowed God to plant seeds over the years in her heart. He know what He’s doing. We just have to trust Him.

Mike has been a family friend for some time. It’d been years since he’s come around. However, one day I was before the Lord in prayer, when his name suddenly appeared in my head. The more I continued to pray, the harder it was to ignore his name. Last I heard of him, he’d gotten married some years prior. I began to pray for him, his wife, his parents, and siblings. I even prayed for his children, not knowing if he had any at the time or not. I had no clue what had happened, but since the Lord placed him on my heart I knew it was bad. About a month later while at a cousin’s house, I was informed of something very unfortunate he was currently going through. My family and I continued to pray for Mike, all checking in when we could. As the months went by, my prayers began to change. God delivered him from the situation. However, healing and recovery were necessary. One Friday he crossed my mind, so I reached out. He told me he was good, but I knew he was lying. I felt it. I began to pray for the Lord to heal and remove all brokenness and that his desire for the Lord would increase, that he’d be surrounded by real men of God that could pour into him, and one day that he’d cry out to God for help in surrender. The following Sunday, just 2 days later, he reaches out to me. He first admits he wasn’t forthcoming before by telling me he was good. He also told me that he went to church that morning and cried out to God for help at the altar. I jumped up when I read that message. I had asked God for something, again being specific and He answered. God is nothing short of good!

My friend Nicky asked me to pray for her dad. He was in an accident and at the hospital. He could not breathe on his own and was barely aware of his surroundings. He was expected to pass away within hours. I prayed almost daily that the Lord wouldn’t allow his body to give up until the Lord had done whatever He needed to do with him in that current state. I also prayed for Nicky’s peace. She was able to get 4 more months with her dad. By the time he did pass away, she told me she had made peace with his death and in a way had mourned her loss.

Paula and Aaron Davis asked me to pray for a house they were trying to move into. The renter was asking for $1,600, but that amount was too high. They were also competing with other buyers. I asked God for a miracle. That He would show out in such a way no one would doubt He provided them with this house. I asked that they would be granted the house, even if another couple offered the asking price. I also asked that the renter would lower the price to $1,500, then changed it to $1,450. God can do anything! The morning after my prayer I get a call from Aaron. When I answered he practically yelled at me, “Did you pray for us?!?!” He explained the renter left a voicemail on Paula’s phone; they were offered the house, even though there was a couple willing to pay the asking price. The rent would be lowered to $1,500. Paula then called back with the intent to negotiate the price slightly down. Before she could say anything, the renter repeated her message; they got the house, but instead of $1,500, they’d pay $1,450! Without Paula uttering a word. Now, on the phone with Aaron, I screamed! I told him that was the EXACT amount I asked during my prayer!

You might read these occurrences and chalk them up to coincidences or pure happenstance, but the same God that split the Red Sea, is the same God I prayed to. The same God that shut the lion’s mouth to not harm Daniel is the same God that allows you to read these words. The same God that raised Lazarus from the dead is the same God that longs to hear you talk to Him.

I’ve always wondered to myself why God performed such miracles during Biblical days and not now, but He does.  God performs miracles through us. Because of Christ, we have the power of the Holy Spirit within us. When we pray with sincerity and truly pour our hearts to the Father He hears us. When enough of us pray the same prayer, the Holy Spirit is that more powerful to work. We have the privilege of being able to go before the Holy Throne anytime, anyplace, for anything. I urge you to take advantage. This isn’t a means to get anything you ask, like sitting on Santa’s lap for Christmas presents. I mean just talk to Him. Let the words of your heart speak.   

*Names have been changed to protect those mentioned.

Love Like Christ

“Every transgression that I have made, you have answered with a hypocritical judgement. No one can live up to your self-righteous standards. Do you have any idea how it feels to wake up every morning, knowing that you’re going to fail in the eyes of the only person you’ve ever loved?”

I love good quotes. That one comes from Smallville. It was a TV series that aired for 10 seasons, depicting the early life of Superman. I’ve recently become a fan. I find myself notating a quote from nearly every episode. While most of the writing on the show seems to have a biblical reference, at least in my opinion, that quote stuck out to me. I thought about it for days, long after watching the episode.

LOVE. Something everyone wants to obtain, but all may not truly understand. The character in the show, Lana, was making it apparent that the person she spoke those words to, Clark, did not love her. They’d been keeping secrets from one another. And if a mistake was made, the other person forgave with their words, but not with their actions. How many of us do the same? With our friends? Spouses? Children? We are so quick to recite 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (Love is patient, love is kind…) to describe love, but it seems those verses have become more of a cliché than actually reality.

What struck me, is that I’ve been guilty of the exact thing Lana accused Clark of! There’ve been instances in my life when someone would hurt me, even if in a miniscule way, and I’d be quick to cut them off from my life completely. I’d used their transgression to turn my heart into a block of ice where it becomes nearly impossible to penetrate. I pushed almost everyone around me away, only to be left alone. The hurt, pain, and shame that I felt, began to turn into fear. The truth was that I feared love, but still desired it.

I was desperate to love and for someone to love me, but still couldn’t grasp its true meaning. Love is constant forgiveness. Love is vulnerability. Love is waking up every morning with the intent to push one’s own desires and wants to the side, for someone else. The bible calls it ‘dying to self’. The moment I heard those words uttered on Smallville, I had to fight tears from falling down my face. It reminded me of what love IS, by stating what love is NOT.

Sure, love is certainly attainable with another person. I won’t deny that. I can’t deny that. I see it all around me. I’m surrounded by marriages so full of love, they make The Notebook look like What’s Love Got to Do With It.  Not only within marriage, but within families and friendships as well. There is a longing to go above the love a person may have for themselves, to ensure the happiness of another. There is sacrifice. There’s even a chance the love may not be reciprocated. But to love, one has to take that chance.

How is something like this even possible? How can a person truly come to love another? The answer put quite simply - Christ. Christ is love. Many times throughout my life I’d hear someone say how a person can’t love if they do not know God, because God is love. Or a man can’t love me until he loves God first. I believed it. But it wasn’t until recently, thanks to Smallville again, that the light bulb turned on inside my head. It all became so clear.

When Christ came to earth, He left His seat on the throne in Heaven to become as His creation. He became dirt. The bible says “God gathered dust in His hands and breathed the breath of life to form man”. He did this for one purpose: to die. Crazy right? Makes no sense. Why, do you ask? I thought you’d get it by now. LOVE! Because He loves mankind. He gave His life, His blood literally poured out, as a sacrifice on our behalf. Even after His resurrection, where He showed Himself to hundreds of witnesses, He’d be rejected. But still, to this day, He shows grace to His people.

When I think about my life and the decisions I’ve made, it makes me cringe with shame knowing the Lord loves me the way He does. The fact that God became flesh, did not take away from His Godliness, so He knows the depths of our hearts. The things we are too ashamed to say aloud. The things we are too afraid to admit to ourselves. He knows the depths of our existence, our every thought. Yet He loves us, forgives and accepts us, just as the filthy beings we are.

Now that I can somewhat grasp that concept, I have a better understanding of what love is. Christ was the ultimate example of love. To love means to be like Him. Once a person knows Christ and has accepted Him within their heart, only then can they be capable of reciprocating love. To show grace when a loved one doesn’t do as expected. To forgive and wipe the slate clean as if the transgression never happened. To accept a person, fully and wholeheartedly, regardless of their past. Even to sacrifice a life, if necessary, for the sake of someone else. That’s love.

Jesus is the Reason

A few weeks ago, while before the Lord in prayer, He spoke to me. It had been a while since I’ve heard Him speak; I simply picked and chose when I’d listen. My spiritual battle has been somewhat up & down lately, by my own fault. I confessed to the Lord I wanted to be closer to Him; for it to be like it was just over a month ago. When I’d come home and couldn’t wait to approach His throne of mercy in prayer, and then get right into His Holy word. Truth is, we all experience this. One minute we proclaim ‘Praise Ye the Lord’ or ‘Thank You Jesus’ and the next we’re questioning His power or doubting our own salvation.  

It was during that very prayer that the Holy Spirit spoke to me and told me to fast. So I did. The very thing(s) that had been distracting me from my First Love, I removed from my life for one week. I just so happen to have been covering Philippians, when I came across the following:

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. (3:13-15, ESV)

Upon reading this, I sat at my kitchen table and stared at the wall. Time stood still while I played those words over and over in my head. I second guess my redemption because I know what I’ve done and what I CONTINUE to do; my mind constantly reminds me of the past - the ugly and the uglier! The old me was bitter, full of anger, lashing out at any and every one, heart overcome with hatred for this world because it just wouldn’t do right by me, and a distaste for men because they’d all caused me pain and heartache.

That passage hit me like a ton of bricks.  All the time I’ve been praying and telling the Lord I’d like to be closer to Him, when He hasn’t gone anywhere! It’s us; it’s ME that strays away or gets easily distracted. Daily He speaks to me and wants me to want Him, but I dismiss Him like He’s nothing, when He’s the very reason I breathe. I have gotten in my own way, telling myself how worthless I am and that I’m too filthy to be forgiven or too unworthy to be loved by Him. I may be unworthy of God’s love, in fact we all are, but I am no longer worthless. Jesus says so!

To be able to pray and read God’s word, experience praise & worship, have direct access to the Self Existent One, He who spoke this world into existence and breathed life into dirt is a GREAT PRIVILEGE I am beyond undeserving to partake in. Our primary thought in everything we do as believers should always be Jesus. He is the reason why I mustn’t dwell on the old me. He is the reason my salvation is concrete. He is the reason I can approach and surrender my entire being, filth and all, to a holy and perfect God.

What is it in your past that holds you back from fully committing to the Lord? Paul makes it clear the ‘mature’ forget what’s behind them and press toward their future in Jesus Christ. This means never losing sight of who you belong to and what He promised you. Your past, present, and future has already been paid for!

Why me, Lord?

I left home when I was 18 and got my first apartment 2 years later. I will be 30 (yes 30!) in December, so needless to say there have been some trying times since then. This year, however, has proven to be the most difficult while being on my own. It marks two years with my current employer and one year since signing my lease. The first 6 months in my new place were a breeze. Tithes and bills were paid, with a little extra left over. Now it’s a struggle to keep up with simple necessities. It seemed out of nowhere my pay was significantly cut, which I'm currently trying to get to the bottom of. I’m sure your first thought would be to check with my employer. I’ve checked. My boss checked. His boss checked. It’s a mystery; no explanation.  I got a little behind splurging on Christmas gifts, but it wasn’t THAT extreme.

As times got harder I spent most my days praying and in the Word; pleading to the Lord for help. He provided me with my current job of two years; a position I didn’t even apply for but was called and asked to interview on my brother’s wedding day, then hired 5 days later. As I continued to pray something I saw on social media came to mind: there’s a man drowning and he yells to God for help. Even as a boat passes him, he continues to ask God for help. The man dies and goes to heaven. When he sees God he asks “Why didn’t you help me?” God answers “I sent you a boat.”

 I surely didn’t want to make the same mistake he did. So I applied for another job. Not in a million years did I think they’d hire me. It’s Chicago; EVERYONE is looking for better employment. The most education I have is an Associate’s degree with little to no experience. I continued to pray. I was honest with God and confessed I wanted the position, but more so for His will to be done. He would  know the full details of the position, what kind of future I’d have with the company, and how I’d personally fit in. It seemed as if the Lord heard and answered my prayers right away. I was interviewed one afternoon and received a call the following morning: I got the job! Things were about to quickly change for me; or so I thought. I was informed that my start date had to be pushed back from June 2^nd to August 4^th; two more months of financial troubles. I know this job isn’t going to magically whisk all my money problems away, but it’d sure help a lot.  We’ve all been through hard times. I just didn’t expect mine to last THIS long. I’m like “OK Lord, I get it; you’re in control. That’s enough suffering now”. 

Were my burdens the Lord’s way of telling me it was time to move on? It’s possible.  Or it could simply be to strengthen my faith. Only He knows.  I’ve reached out for help and even was offered help, but some way or another it didn’t happen. Frustration doesn’t begin to describe my spirit lately. I’ve asked the question ‘Why me Lord?’ countless times. I actually said this question aloud during work one day, about 10 years ago. I can’t remember what the reasoning was, which shows its insignificance, but a man walked by and replied ‘Why NOT you?’ I can’t say if he was a coworker or even what his name was. But I never forgot that. Even as I approach the Lord in prayer with frustration on my heart, He reminds me that I have everything I NEED. How different would your life be, your daily attitude, if you were without any of the following: hot clean and running water, air conditioning, being able to bathe and use the toilet in the privacy of your own home, music, turning on a light with the flip of a switch, warm meals to eat/cool liquids to drink, or television. And yet, there are people who do it EVERYDAY. My circumstances have certainly made life uncomfortable, but definitely not unbearable.

One of the ways I like to channel my energy and deal with my frustrations is by doing something I love.  And I love baking!  I guess the silver lining in my current situation is my home bakery has been doing quite well.  I’ve gotten more clients this year, than the past 2 years combined. I used to only bake for holidays or family gatherings. Now I’ve successfully baked and decorated a few tiered cakes, one of which was for a wedding. People are asking for business cards and booking me months in advance! It was just 3 years ago that I dropped out of culinary school and couldn’t figure out, for the life of me, what God had planned. I’ve always known my cooking/baking skills were gifts; both came natural to me. Without culinary school, where’d that leave me? I’ve often felt envious of more successful and more talented bakers I’d come across. Wondering what wrong turn I made to end up a college drop-out, or if this was God’s plan all along. And if so, where will it lead me? Owning my own shop?  Or always a home baker? Well I know for certain God doesn’t make mistakes. He couldn’t if he wanted to! He’s so PERFECTLY PURE mistakes go against who he is. I rest on the words “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:11. It makes sense to trust the One who holds the future in His hands.

Then there’s this guy. There’s always a guy right? LOL. Well, you see the last time I’ve actually “dated” a guy was 4 years ago. If there happened to be a guy I liked or was attracted to I’d pray about it. I’d always ask God if this guy was not who he wanted for me, my future husband, to remove any and everything I felt for him according to His will. And if he was to be my husband, then prepare me for him and vice versa.  And it worked! I woke up one day, the guy(s) reached out to me or I’d happen to run into him and what I felt was no longer there. But then there’s this one particular fellow. It’s going on 3 years now and for some reason I can’t shake him. I’ve prayed the same prayer, but no matter how much time has passed between seeing him, what I feel for him seems to increase not decrease. Not only that, but I dream about him quite often.   

Two years ago I was at an event where he, my crush, was to perform. At this time we had never spoken to one another.  But he walks in, sits a few rows in front of me, and then turns COMPLETELY around to stare at me. I thought I was seeing things. My mind HAD to be playing tricks on me! Until it was confirmed by someone else that he was staring. My heart was throbbing and my pulse racing. He’s seen me before and never paid me any attention! There had to be some explanation. Well, before the event had started an old male friend asked “What is up with you?!?!” with this wide-eyed, shocked, yet amazed expression. He motioned with his arms that there was something different about my appearance. After the event I was told by a female friend that I was glowing and my aura was brightened; that there was a light shining from within me. Then I remembered reading something from several Christian blogs, how the Pastor/Minister/man of God knew who his wife was. He said one day he saw her and she was just glowing. That there was something about her appearance and he couldn’t take his eyes off her. Now, it would’ve been perfect if he’d have asked me out after the event right? Nope. He walked right past me with his head down as if he could barely look at me.

Upon talking to other Christian women I learned that having a glowed appearance is the light of Christ shining from within me, Acts 6:15 says “And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel”. Honestly it freaked me out a little because it’s never happened before.  What I asked myself is why, out the hundreds of people I saw at the event, that the Lord would allow those three, especially my crush, to see the glow He gave me. Here I am beyond excited thinking this was the Lord’s way of confirming my crush was my husband to the both of us. Now it’s been years later and….nothing. Sure I’ve seen him since then. We’ve even gotten to the point of greeting one another. And it’s the same thing; he stares but doesn’t say a word. I even saw him with a date a while ago.

Was I jealous? Heck yeah! But instead of showing off or trying to prove I was more deserving of his attention than she was, I went home and fell to my knees in prayer. I poured my heart out completely to the Lord. I admitted I was jealous, but if she’s his wife to be from Almighty God, then so be it, regardless of how I feel about him. I realized I haven’t been on a date in 4 years and the last date I had was my brother. I vented: when will it be my turn Lord?!? No one is pursuing me, kisses me, desires me, holds my hand, sends me flowers, or cuddles me at night. Why am I the only one left? Sure I’m a virgin but I still struggle with temptation. There may be some women who can go awhile without desiring sex. Well I am NOT one of those women, OK!  I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t desire those things. It’s a DAILY struggle for my mind AND flesh to fight that temptation. It. Just. Sucks. Those nights I lay awake in bed entertaining the thought of satisfying my flesh I reflect on 1 Corinthians 10:13:

Paul talks about singleness and marriage. In 1 Corinthians chapter 7 he explains that it is better to be single than marry, because as a single woman/man we long to please the Lord, but as a married woman/man our attention is divided between our spouse and the Lord. He also says it is better to marry than burn with passion because only in the sanctity of marriage can a man and woman glorify the Lord with their sexual acts. And I’m right in the center of it all. I know marriage won’t fulfil any lust I may battle with. A husband isn’t something I want to merely satisfy my flesh, out of boredom, or loneliness. It’s something I’ve desired since I was a little girl. I’d cook my dad breakfast and imagine cooking for my own family one day. Nearly every job interview I’ve had they’d ask “Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?” and I’d always reply “Married with a family of my own”.

A lot of my friends and family see me owning my own bakery one day. If given the choice between that or having a family of my own I’d choose the latter, no hesitation.  I’ve always saw myself as a wife and mother; not a doctor, not a programmer, not a Math teacher, and not an owner of a bakery (which is probably why I couldn’t figure out what to major in during college, LOL). Since grade school I’d picture myself at 25 years old walking down the aisle. By now, I should be married with 10 kids. That's all I ever saw for my future. Even BEFORE I desired to be physical with a man.

I’ve tried the world’s way. Whoever said “The best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” straight lied! Recently as I was praying, and venting, the Holy Spirit reminded me of a prayer I said a while ago. Prior to meeting my crush I prayed and asked the Lord that my next boyfriend would be my husband. That was 4 years ago! What you just read was the Lord answering my prayer. There’s a shield protecting me and only my future husband can break it. Isn’t that wonderfully crazy?!? Not only did the Lord hear and answer a prayer, but I am so precious in His sight that He’d guard me from all men except the one He created just for me. There’s nothing wrong with me! I’m just special!

Everything we go through in life is only temporary. Just because I’m struggling in some areas of my life doesn't mean The Lord isn't taking care of me or providing for me. Just because I’m not married now doesn’t mean it won’t happen. The lesson here is this: pour all your burdens, worries, concerns, and struggles to the Lord. Be honest. He knows your heart and inner thoughts better than you do. Let him know how you feel and allow Him to make any changes He so pleases. And even when things seem not to go as you planed, remember whatever He’s allowing to happen is for your good. Trust Him. As long as you have breath in your body, your purpose is NOT over. This is His world; we just happen to live in it.

Straight and narrow....which path will you follow?

For this blog I will discuss some of the major worldwide religions/practices.  My goal is to get a clear understanding of each practice, provide accurate information for each, and of course try, with all my ability, to lead any lost souls to Christ. Let’s get to it: 

ISLAM

Islam is Arabic (root word Salema) and means submission. Those of this religion are centered with their submission to Allah (also Arabic, translates to God, The One and Only Eternal God). The prophet Muhammad received revelations from Allah and recorded them in the sacred text of Islam, the Quran (or Koran). Those of the Islamic faith believe the world will be destroyed on the Last Day and Allah will raise all people and jinn (supernatural creatures) and all Allah’s creation will be judged. Those judged will either be granted entrance into Paradise or Hell (Jahannam). They agree all non-Muslims will be sentenced to hell. However, any Muslims sentenced to hell may or may not be rescued by Allah at some point. The sacred text of Islam, the Quran, both permits and forbids murder and violence, depending on the recipient: “Make war on them until idolatry is no more and Allah’s religion reigns supreme” (Koran 8:39), “It is not us who slay them but Allah…” (Koran 8:17). It also teaches that men have authority over women: “Good women are obedient…….whom you fear disobedience send them to beds apart and beat them” (Koran 4:34). There are 5 pillars (or obligations) of Islam that each Muslim must fulfill in his/her lifetime. Here are a few:  recite prayers 5 times daily while facing Mecca (the holiest city), fast (sexual intercourse, all food & drink, any tobacco substances) for one entire month per year, and making an annual trip to Mecca. 

Hinduism

Hinduism comes from the word “India” and is a wide variety of religious traditions and philosophies developed over thousands of years. What’s interesting to me is this practice has no known founder. It is a culture based out of India, which later took a form of religion. Hindus believe in one Supreme Being who is both immanent and transcendent. They believe the universe goes through countless cycles of creation, preservation and dissolution. Our thoughts and attitudes about life direct our actions; our actions then determine our destiny. When a person dies, their soul reincarnates, evolving through many births until all karma (the law of cause and effect) has been resolved. Hindus believe that all religions, faiths, paths, etc., are facets of God’s light, deserving tolerance and understanding. Their sacred text, Sanatana Dharma (the eternal law), is their codes of ethics, how one receives enlightenment.
   

Buddhism

The word Buddhism comes from ‘Budhi’ and means to enlighten. It originated when the Buddha, Siddhartha Guatama was awakened, or enlightened. Siddhartha Guatama was born into a royal family. While in his twenties he realized wealth and luxury did not guarantee happiness, so he spent 6 years exploring different religions/teachings of his day. He then found the “middle path” and was enlightened. He spent his remaining years walking the earth teaching what is now known as Buddhism. Three basic principles of this practice can be summed up as: 1) to lead a moral life, 2) to be mindful and aware of thoughts/actions, and 3) to develop wisdom and understanding. After death a person is either reborn into another body (reincarnation) or enters Nirvana (transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of self, and the subject is released from the effects of karma and the cycle of death and rebirth).

Jehovah’s Witness

Jehovah’s witnesses were founded by Charles Taze Russell. His own study of the bible led him to deny the existence of hell and doctrine of the Holy Trinity. People who follow him believe in the only “true God” whose name is Jehovah, though they deny the Holy Trinity (God as the Father, Holy Spirit, and Son Jesus Christ). They believe Jesus was God’s first creation, is an immortal spirit being, and inferior to Jehovah; and the Holy Spirit is merely a force of Jehovah. Their text is the bible, not in its entirety but specific translations. Each witness is to evangelize or convert others to become witnesses. To them, heaven is another worldly kingdom where Jehovah dwells; while hell is mankind’s “common grave”, not a place of torment. They believe only 144,000 people will go to heaven (Rev. 7:14), the saved others will live on a new and restored earth forever.

Judaism

The people we now call Jews were Hebrews. The word “Jew” came from Judah, one of Jacob’s (son of Isaac and Rebekah, Abraham’s grandson) sons. “Judaism” literally means “Judah-ism” or the religion of Yehudim (Jews). They believe there is only one God. This God is beyond our comprehension and every person’s relationship with God varies. Judaism teaches that every human being was created “in the image of God”. The Torah is the text of Judaism which includes the 10 commandments in addition to 613 commandments or mitzvoth. The 10 commandments are considered most important in the text. They believe God will send a Messiah who will bring peace and unity to the world. While traditional Judaism believes that death is not the end of human existence, the belief of heaven/hell, reincarnation, or any afterlife also varies. The Judaism practice focuses on life and how to live it best, rather than on the afterlife.

Atheism

The word atheism means “no god” (root word theos – god, a – no). Atheism is the lack of belief in a god or the belief that there is no god. It’s history dates back as far as the 16^th century; Epicurus, Democritus, and Lucretius are considered the first atheists writers. There is no known universal atheist organization; one atheist’s beliefs, or lack thereof, can very well differ from another’s. There are atheists who will outright say “there is no god” and the idea that there is a god is illogical. There are also others who deny God’s existence based on lack of evidence. The supernatural world does not exist; when a person dies, their soul dies also (the human soul is merely functions of the brain and when a person dies their brain ceases to function). A quote from gotatheism.com website “do you remember what you felt like before you were born? Of course not... you had no brain function. Death is exactly like that.”

Christianity

Greek word Christianos means “follower of Christ”. Those of this faith believe the man called Jesus was, and is, the Son of the Living God, Creator of all things seen and unseen. He and His Father are one and by faith in Him, and faith alone, will any soul be granted eternal life in His presence. Those who have not accepted the name of Christ will have sentenced themselves into eternal punishment, separated from their Creator forever. What makes Jesus Christ so important? Why He’s God in the flesh of course! Here are a few examples of Him revealing His deity or "Godness":

·         He prophesied his own death-Matthew 12:40 “For just as Jonah was 3 days and 3 nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be 3 days and 3 nights in the heart of the earth”

·         After being dead for 3 days, He resurrected-John 20:27 “Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe”

·         He forgives sins-Mark 2:5 “And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son your sins are forgiven”

·         He is omniscient or all-knowing-John 16:30 “Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God”

·         He is omnipresent or everywhere at all times-Matthew 28:20 “…And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” and 18:20 “For where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, there I am among them”

·        He is omnipotent or having all power-Matthew 28:18 “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.’

·         He is unchanging-Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”

·         He accepted worship-Matthew 28:9 “And behold, Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him”

·         Jesus Christ will judge all humanity-Matthew 25:31-32, 34, 41 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats…Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’…Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels’ “

·         Our eternal destinies depends on our response to him-Mark 8:35 “For whoever would save his life will lose it but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it” 8:38 “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed  when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels”

The very fact that Jesus is God/Lord of all/the Creator/Messiah makes Christianity what it is. Without Christ, there’d be no Christianity. It’s a good thing to follow a man of God, a man who has heard directly from his Creator. The Old Testament told of such blessed men: Adam, Abraham, Moses, and Noah to name a few. The thing is, and I want you to read this carefully, this was BEFORE the Lord revealed the path of salvation. Of all the ways in which Christ revealed his deity, the most important by far is His resurrection. The people who may or may not have founded the religions above are all long gone by now. They’re dead. And there’s no way for them to come back and confirm what religion they’ve organized.

Historians, theologians, and even non-Christians agree a man named Jesus lived and walked the earth. Bart D. Ehrman and John Dominic Crossman are New Testament scholars, who have a reputation for attacking Christianity. However, both are “certain” of Jesus’ existence.  History doesn’t lie about Jesus’ existence. The question, and what has been debated since His time on earth, is whether He truly was/is the son of the living God. Interestingly enough, history points to His existence and it’s been over two thousand years since he’s been here; yet there is no burial ground for Jesus. Muhammad, Buddha, Confucius, Barnabas, etc. were buried upon death and stayed there. Jesus died, but where is His body? There is no burial ground for Jesus because His body is not here.

All religions/faiths/practices have one thing in common; they all agree that at the root of every human being there is something wrong.  That we all are inherently bad and our very nature is wicked. To fix this problem, all belief systems (outside of Christianity) have a list of works or obligations for one’s faith, as described above. Whether five or 100; there are do’s and don’ts for the world’s religions; i.e. praying 5 times a day, thinking positively, doing good deeds, etc. Things we must or can do to help cleanse us, make up for what humanity lacks, and help us to appear righteous in the next life. The goal for religion is to have peace and not suffer when we die.  Christianity picks up what every other religion lacks. Works are dead; there isn’t ANYTHING any one can do to make up for their sins or the evil in humanity. It is only by accepting and believing in Jesus Christ that a person can become righteous in God’s eyes. Once a person sincerely accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior their slate is wiped clean. Even as a Christian I sin against God daily and do things I know that are contrary to His will. And THIS is why any works are void, because they will always be infected with our transgressions. How can I possibly say enough prayers, do enough good deeds and think enough positive thoughts to make up for all the bad I do and/or think?  My bad deeds still need to be punished right?  Jesus Christ took OUR punishment for us on the cross and through his death and resurrection we are redeemed.  For this reason and this reason alone do Christians serve and worship Him.

Matthew 7:13-14 says “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few”. There are countless ways (or roads) this world has people thinking will lead to peace, eternal bliss, to God and/or to heaven. The way, however, is narrow because there’s only one way to the Lord; through Christ Jesus. Why not take God at his word?

"Ye that work iniquity"

Before God created man and earth, He created angels. There was one very popular angel, the one angel all the others looked up to, called Lucifer. The Latin name Lucifer means ‘bringing light’ or ‘morning star’. He was the brightest of all angels and the most powerful; the “anointed cherub” (Ezekiel 28:14), covered in every precious jewel in God’s creation (Ezekiel 28:13), and a model of perfection (Ezekiel 28:12b). Here we have God Almighty and His angels, who worship Him day and night, crying out “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty…” (Revelation 4:8). Pretty soon though, Lucifer became jealous and wanted praise for himself. He actually wants to take God’s place! So God kicked him out of heaven (Luke 10:18), along with one third of the angels whom he succeeded in persuading to go against God (Revelation 12:4 and Jude 1:6).  And this, my friend, is why we have sin.  

God created us to be good and without a sinful nature; “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…God created man in His own image…” (Genesis 1:26-27). God’s plan when He created man in ‘His own image’ was for us TO BE LIKE HIM. When Lucifer, now Satan (the Hebrew word for ‘adversary’), tempted Eve in the garden (Genesis 3:1-7), is when sin entered into God’s creation, embedded into any person born of human parents. From that point on the bond that was there between God and man, Creator and creation, Potter and clay, was spiritually and supernaturally broken. Sin is the reason the world is the way it is. Child molesters and abusers, rapists, murderers, alcoholics, terrorists, thieves, etc. show how sick and evil we ALL are. Jeremiah 17:9 says the heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; John 3:19 says the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. It’s speaking of all mankind and our very root of evil and loving darkness. The light that came into the world is our Creator, the Holy One, God Almighty, as Jesus, the only one that can mend our spirits back to its source; Him.

Take children for instance; the parents or guardian of a child will teach them to eat, walk, to dress and bathe themselves, how to say ‘Please’ and ‘Thank You’, etc. If you say to a child “Don’t eat any cookies until you’ve eaten dinner” and turned your back, what is it that makes that child know it’s the perfect opportunity to sneak and eat the cookie while your back is turned? And even lie and say they didn’t eat the cookie when asked if they did? My nephew is almost 19 months old. When he goes for anything I know he could possibly break or mistreat, I take it away from him. He then gets mad and swings at me with his fist hitting my thighs and/or face. He may not actually know what he’s doing, but it’s almost a reflex. It just comes naturally for him to be selfish and try to hurt me for taking someone away from him. It’s up to me as an aunt and anyone else watching him to show him that behavior is not appropriate. What is that though that makes him do that? The answer is simple for all three questions: SIN. We are guilty of it, starting from conception. No one teaches their child to lie, or steal, or talk back, or throw tantrums, etc. (at least I hope not), they simply know how because it’s built in us. Obviously there are greater sins than others, but we’re ALL sinful creatures nonetheless.  

Obviously sin is still present, which means the forefather of sin is still free. Day and night Satan walks the earth, waiting, searching for more souls (Job 1:7) to suffer as he. Misery does indeed love company! His motto: steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). He knows exactly who to send into your life and what situations to place you in that will continue to distract you from wanting God, keeping you more comfortable with your sin. It can be an obsession with keeping your body healthy and fit, with working and not having a life outside of your employment, always wanting comfort and attention from lovers or friends, getting high, tipsy or drunk, and especially putting all your time and energy in making more money. He will use absolutely ANYTHING he can to keep your mind and attention away from thoughts of God and eternity. 

For those of you that haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and doesn’t believe He is Lord of all, he’s probably tempted you with lies like these: There is no God, God doesn’t love you, you have time to get your life together but now’s the time to have fun, you’re a good person-you’ll get welcomed to heaven definitely. Yeah, Satan’s good at what he does. I mean, he is the father of lies (John 8:44)! Every temptation has been God allowing Satan to test you (Job 1:12), and you’ve failed miserably. Then, there’re times when something tells you to go to church, pray, read the Word, or reach out to someone who knows God’s word, but you ignore it. Those are the times God is trying to get your attention, but you keep slapping Him in the face. You’re choosing things of this world over God. Think of it this way: right now you’re life is like a ticking time bomb; every day, hour, and second that passes could be the end of you. Any moment now, you could come face to face with the Creator. This is the case for anyone walking this earth. Death is definitely a guarantee for us all! Whether a person lives to be one day old or 150 years old, their body will still perish. What it comes down to is that moment; when you take your last breath and stand in front of God’s holy throne. For those of you that don’t believe Christ is King of King and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16) you’ll be in for quite a surprise. 

 

 

At that moment, do you know what God would say to you? He’d say “I never knew ye; depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:23) or get away from me, you who break God’s laws/workers of lawlessness. Iniquity means immoral or grossly unfair behavior.  He pretty much wouldn’t want anything to do with you! The instant the words ‘depart from me’ would exit His lips your very soul would begin to be thrown from His presence. You’ve spent your life ignoring Him, not believing in Him, going to church to show your face or giving offering only wanting something in return, spending most of your days continually doing things He’s made clear in His word NOT to do. Why would He, the most Holy and Righteous God, want to be around you? If someone you’ve never seen knocked on your door, would you let them in? I know I wouldn’t especially where I live! It’s the same concept. The thing is, He created you, gave you chance after chance to be reconciled back to Him, but you chose otherwise. You would be a stranger to Him.  

And do you know where you’d be departing to? Matthew 13:42 says ‘and the angels will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth’. The very angels the Lord created before us will be the same ones who will literally throw your soul into hell, into the furnace of fire. I scream when I burn my hand while cooking, ok. To just sit in fire while burning forever! And gnashing of teeth! Think of a ferocious lion. Personally, lions are my favorite animal, but that doesn’t mean I’d like to go to the zoo and walk inside their cages. Not only will you burn for an eternity, but have to deal with Satan and his demons. They are like lions, itching to sink their teeth into you (and who knows what else they’d like to do); only for you there will be no escape by death, because you’ll already be dead. Do you get the picture now?!?

 

“There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out” (Luke 13:28). Of course there will be weeping, tears flowing constantly! What else can you do in a place such as that?! And you will most certainly be thrown from the very presence of the Holy One “…into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).  A million years would pass and that’d be NO COMPARISON to the eternity you’d have ahead of you. There’d be no way of escape, no break, no hope for you. “The Lord will come with fire/Sudden destruction cometh upon them; they shall not escape/Will I also deal in fury, neither will I have pity/and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever….” (Isaiah 66:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:3, Ezekiel 8:18, and Revelation 20:10 respectively). God will not have pity on you; He will show you no mercy. 

Now this may seem harsh, but quite frankly it’s what you deserve. It’s what we all deserve! We are all given a choice, live for God Almighty or of this world. You may have thoughts about surrendering to God, the Spirit of God may be speaking to you now, but with every opportunity that you pass or ignore, you continue to reject Him. That is the choice you consciously make, rejecting God, as Satan did. Jesus said “He that is not with me is against me” (Luke 11:23) and “He that does not believe is condemned…” (John 3:18). Either choose to live for the one and only Christ Jesus or you are claiming to be the enemy of God, His adversary, just as Satan. Therefore, you will endure the same fate as he. You are condemning yourself to hell by rejecting Christ.  

Who knows how much time you have left? You have not a clue, but God does! He’s omniscient. You think you have your entire life ahead of you and that’s exactly what Satan wants you to think. Even if you don’t care how long you have on this earth, you definitely should care about what happens to you once you’re gone. God is NOT PLAYING WITH YOU! The fact you’re reading this now, shows His mercy and grace for allowing your eyes to read the truth, and giving you yet another breath to accept Him. Yesterday, this morning, an hour ago was someone’s last time and they didn’t take the opportunity to accept the Savior. Every soul burning in hell right now will NEVER get out! There is NO HOPE for the condemned. “He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might”, (2 Thessalonians 1:9). Your mind couldn’t possibly fathom what God’s wrath will be, even after reading those verses! All because you’re hard-headed and want to be accepted by this world. You are DUST (Psalm 103:14) and like GRASSHOPPERS (Isaiah 40:22) to the Almighty THAT SITS HIGH AND LOOKS LOW. The dirt that’s caked on the fans you have going in the summer time, or the dust that sits on your TV set. That is what you are to the Lord, what He made you from. Do you really think its ok to ignore Him now??!?!? 

He’s not asking you to change, give up something, or commit to follow some rules. He knows you can’t! All God is asking for is YOU. He wants YOU. He doesn’t like when you pray or call on Him only when you need something. He wants your heart! He wants all of you! Why? Because He made you. You were not a mistake. Psalm 139:13 says You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Every single detail about you, the way you look, what drives your emotions, the way you think, the things you’re insecure about; EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU, THE CREATOR DESIGNED ON PURPOSE! And He wants His child back, not by force, but willingly. If God forced you to obey Him you’d just be a robot, no sincerity.  

So again, you have a choice. What is your heart saying? Is there any part of you, and I don’t care how small it may be, that has any questions, curiosities, or doubts? Talk to Him! He knows any and everything you could ever possibly think, do, and say so you can’t hide anything from Him. Are you angry with God for something that happened to you? Tell Him! Do you doubt His existence? Tell Him! You still don’t understand why a God would send you to hell? Tell Him! Call on God and confess every single thing that’s on your mind and heart right now! The things He can reveal to you, to show you He’s there will be mind-blowing! 

 

He is God of all. He not only wants your all, your worship, your praise, to be the head of your life, but He DESERVES it! There is no one like Him; He is the Creator of time, skin, blood, and bones; He was there first and will be the last (Isaiah 46:9-10). Stop worrying about the things of this world and fear the One that can cast your soul into hell (Luke 12:45). All you have to do is call on Jesus right now and He will take care of the rest. “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” (John 3:36). 

*Belief in Him is not enough. Satan and his demons believe in God (James2:19). They’ve seen Him! Even with their belief Satan and his demons will still be cast away from the Holy One! But if you don’t ACCEPT Jesus as Savior, ALLOWING God to be in ultimate control, direction, and guide your life, your belief will be in vain and have no purpose. Faith without works is dead (James 2:17). It must be a daily decision; your thoughts, things you say, your actions, everything you put out into this world is representing Christ in the best way possible. Can a person actually do everything perfect? Absolutely not! But that’s where dependence on Christ comes in. You are to strive and have the mindset to be perfect, holy, and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1). Sacrifice your own desires of what your flesh wants and allow the will of God to take place in your life, strengthening your spiritual walk with Him.*

 

With Love,

 

Karen