MERRY CHRISTMAS 2023

 

TURN

This post was written for Five Minute Friday

Word prompt--TURN

Five minutes to free write about it 

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Several days ago I was taking my recyclables to the dumpster and planning to drive them there. However, it was a nice day out, and my back did not feel too bad, so I decided to walk instead. 

The dumpster is at the back of our parking lot and there are several ways to get there. I started one way, but felt a little prompt to turn around and take the steps instead. I listened and made the turn, and was rewarded by a lovely, uplifting surprise.

Some of the rocks bordering the sides of the stairway had been painted and inscribed with encouraging slogans. 

My favorite, and the first one that caught my eye--a bright pink one that said, "You are as strong as this rock."

I know in my own strength I am not, but it reminded me that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, and who is the solid rock on which I stand (Philippians 4:13, 2 Samuel 22:2).

That led to a mini photo shoot and a moment of gratitude for the prompt that led me to take that turn.

On my way back from the dumpster I thought of a Scripture that also uses the word TURN -- Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." -- Isaiah 30:21, NIV

NO ONE NEED BE LEFT BEHIND

This post was written for Five Minute Friday

Word prompt--LEFT

Five minutes to free write about it 

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The first thought that popped into my mind when I saw this week's prompt was "left behind." 

I thought of the 1995 bestseller by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins about Earth's final days following the Rapture when all true believers in Jesus Christ have been taken to Heaven, leaving only the nonbelievers behind to face God's judgment on a rebellious world (1 Thessalonians 4:17, Revelation 6-16).  What a terrible time that will be.

The good news is that no one need be left behind, "for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16, Romans 6:23). It is a gift that can only be received by faith. There is nothing you can do to earn it (Ephesians 2:8-9), and as much as it is not God's will for anyone to perish, He will not impose His will on you or force you to accept it. The choice is yours.

Don't be deceived, as I once was, into believing that there are many paths to God, or that we get to Heaven by being good. That's the biggest deception of them all.

Although we were created to have fellowship with God, Adam and Eve's sin caused us to be born with a sinful nature. The Bible tells us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," and that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 3:23, 6:23a). Because of sin there is a great gulf that separates us from God and there is no way we can cross it through our own efforts. There is only one path across, and that is through Jesus Christ (John 14:6).

Jesus stands at the door of your heart knocking and waiting for you to answer (Revelation 3:20). I implore you to open the door before it is too late. You are not promised tomorrow or even the next moment. Accept His invitation to enter your life, forgive you of your sins, and make you a new creation.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. -- Romans 3:23-24

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. -- Romans 6:23

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. -- Ephesians 2:8-9

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. -- John 14:6

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. -- Revelation 3:20

By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. . . . The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. -- 2 Peter 3:7, 9)

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with thm in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. -- 1 Thessalonians 4:17

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Photo credit: Anny Akter