We Only Have Today

I'm sure some of you readers are wondering why I have been so adamant this week about sharing the Gospel and writing "salvation posts" or whatever you want to call them. Well, the reason is this. I don't want to see anyone spend eternity without God. That is the true definition of "hell," life without Jesus.

We live in unsure times. No one knows when it's their time to die, but we will all die at some point or another. The question is, "Will we die safe in the arms of Jesus or painfully in a sea of regret?"

Maybe I sound a bit dramatic. That's the point.

This is real!

Let me explain. In May of 2001, I got the call from my Dad that my brother, Earnest, had passed away suddenly. I love my family very much, so that news destroyed me. Partially because it was my brother, but moreso because of the way he was living. He had grown up in a Christian home (Dad's been a preacher since 1941... no exaggeration), but when he retired from the United States Air Force, and had seen combat in Operation Desert Storm, and had to kill people, he felt his only escape from those memories was the bottle. He became so dependent on alcohol that he drove everyone who loved him away. He separated from his wife of nearly 20 years, he became an extreme recluse ("hermitism" runs in my family, but usually not to the point of complete isolation). He was plagued by all kinds of physical and mental health problems. He was a small man who convinced himself that he needed to take diet pills.

He had completely walked away from God. He would say things like, "Me and God have an understanding. I don't need church or anything like that. I'm fine." Or, the one that tore me apart, "When it's time for me to check out, I'm gonna be all alone."

Sadly enough, he was.

He had been dead for a couple days when my Dad found him. Dad and I both felt, and still feel, guilty for not having witnessed to Earnest enough. I know Dad tried at least to get him back to church. That was way more than what I had done... nothing.
I wasn't even praying for him.

Ernie's death created this conviction in my heart that has never gone away, and I don't think it will. That's why I've been so moved to share Christ in whatever ways I can. If someone is reading my blog who doesn't know Jesus, it's time you get to know Him. If there's someone reading this who knows Jesus but has turned away to do his or her own thing, it's time to turn back to Him. He's waiting for you. He wants you to know He loves you.

We only have today to love, serve, forgive. We only have today to make the best of every situation. Tomorrow isn't promised. Yesterday is gone. We only have today to live! And only in Jesus will we truly live! Please, don't wait any longer. The choice is yours, and I pray that you will choose the life that is found in Jesus Christ!

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 (NLT)

Peace, Love, and Chocolate