August 25th

AUGUST 25th

God is not a safety net.

We don’t live our lives thinking that we will just enjoy doing our own thing now and then we will repent one day at the last minute so that we are forgiven and go to heaven. Tomorrow is not promised to us. This might be your last day. That is not a pronouncement or prediction, it is hard truth.

We cannot go through life thinking of God as our safety net that will catch us eventually when we decide to turn. Yes He helps His children when they fall but that is totally different than thinking of Him like He is a get out of jail free card.

Revelation 16:15 “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”

We must be ready for His return for us, this means to be busy about His business, not just living our lives as we please, serving other “gods” (self, world, screens, stuff.)

Psalm 16:4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more…

2 Timothy 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Lest you think this sounds harsh, let’s look at Psalm 107 as a good reminder of His mercy. The same theme repeats throughout the Psalm, here is an excerpt.

Psalm 107:17-20 Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.

He is ALWAYS willing to forgive and show mercy when we repent. No matter how bad we have messed up. The message today is: DON’T WAIT!

We don’t know how much time we have, so let’s make the most of every moment.

Ephesians 5:15-16 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Mark 13:33, 35-37 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’

Don’t wait!

Jesus, thank you for dying so that I could live. Forgive me for all the ways that I have sinned, forgive me for my attitude and for thinking that I have the right to do my own thing. Help me to surrender myself to you completely so that you can transform me and help me to serve you today.