I don't like labels but this one I am proud of. I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I don't define myself as 'religious' and I don't think a specific denomination is the 'right' one. I believe in the Bible and I have a personal relationship with Jesus. I strive every day to live a life that is pleasing to Him. I try to love like He loved. I try my best not to judge people and to accept them for who they are. I'm by no means perfect. I mess up. I say things I don't mean. But by Jesus dying for my sins, I can be forgiven and live in eternity with Him. Sometimes, I question my faith. In the past, I have fallen away. But God always brings me back. He shows me His unfailing love. He has shown me that no matter what I do, He will love me and call me His own. Some people question me about my beliefs and all I can tell them is my story. God has shown me his existence, through circumstances, so many times. (I would love to share those stories sometime with you, if you would like.)
I know that Jesus is going to come back again and take his believers with Him to live in eternity. However, I think I assumed that it wouldn't be in my lifetime. This whole end of the world thing, which is supposedly happening on Saturday, made me realize that He could come back at anytime. I don't think he is coming back on Saturday. My main reason is because in the Bible it says that no one will know the day or the hour. (Matthew 24:35-36) But He can return at any moment. The talk about Saturday opened my eyes to see that I haven't been doing my best. I have so many people that I love who aren't believers. I respect their opinions and their thoughts but I know I can be doing more. I don't want to shove Jesus down their throat but I want to show them His love. I want to show them what having a relationship with Jesus looks like. I want to show them that there are a lot of misconstrued ideas about who God is. I want to do all these things--but I haven't been doing them.
There are so many thoughts about Christians that aren't correct. Sure there are the extremist who think that Justin Beiber is the Anti-Christ, but we aren't all like that. For example, a lot of people think that God and Christians hate homosexuals. FALSE. One of my really close friends is gay and I love him dearly. God loves everyone. He sent his son to die for everyone. (John 3:16) Why would he do that if he didn't love us?
Now back to the end of the world...when I thought about the fact that God can come at any time, it scared me. I thought about the people that I love so much who wouldn't be with me. It actually made me tear up a bit. I've been praying and asking God to give me opportunities to share my faith. I don't want to be like the bullhorn guy on the boardwalk who tells everyone they are going to hell. I don't want to condemn people. I don't want to judge them. I just want to show them that there is more to this life. There is a father who loves you and wants you to be with Him in Heaven forever. God gave us free will; which means we can choose how we act, how we live, and what we believe. I want all of my friends and loved ones to be partying it up with me in Heaven. (It's going to be one heck of a party.)
To end, I don't think the world will end on Saturday. It can end anytime! There is a song that some guy wrote talking about all the things we think God is that he isn't. (White, an old man sitting on a cloud, American..etc.) But one thing God is, is love. Here is the song...it is pretty incredible:
I don't know who reads my blog but if you have any questions or something wasn't clear, please talk to me.
I'm not out to convert the world. I just want to love like Jesus loved and share the amazing things He has done in my life.
"Nothing can separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life; neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below--indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." -Romans 8:38-39
"And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus" -Philippians 4:19
"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me, you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." -John 16:33
"Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." -Isaiah 41:10
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