Pink Earth Studio

 True giving is fromthe heart, not by the sword. Socialism is a nice idea; we all take care of oneanother. Everyone pays their fair share so that we all can live healthy andhappy lives. The problem is that there is not a choice in the matter. We haveto take from those who do not wish to give in order to make it work. Notwanting to give is human nature which is also sin. There will always be thosewho do not wish to give just like there are always those who do not wish towork. Then those who don’t wish to give to those who do not wish to work willdecide that they do not wish to work, because they are forced to give. Thenatural response is to force labor which is, guess what, slavery. It is avicious cycle, but there is a solution. Jesus Christ was the ultimate giver. Hegave his life for all of us, not just some of us. He paid the ultimate price sothat you and I could have eternal life if we choose to follow his example. Hetaught us to give from our hearts and to take care of those in need not thosein want, because everything that one wants is not a good thing. I want a biggerhouse and a nicer car and a flat screen TV in every room and to be able to liveit up the way I feel like doing, but that would not be good for me. I wanteveryone to have good things and the best health care, but there are not enoughbillionaires in the world to pay for that even if they wanted to. Jesus saidthat the poor would always be with us. But even the poor are capable of giving from the heart.  Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put andwatched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many richpeople threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very smallcopper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him,Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into thetreasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, outof her poverty, put in everything-all she had to live on." Mark 12:41-44

True Christians give from the heart whether they are rich orpoor: money, food, time, heath care. The only way to become a true giver is toturn our hearts and lives over to the ultimate giver, who is Jesus Christ. Weare simply not capable of true giving without Him who gave us life. Jesus isthe answer to all of life’s problems, He is The Way. He said so. Jesus answered, "I am the way and thetruth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

   Jesus answered, ?I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.? John 14:6. This verse really steps on peoples toes and many, even those who say they are Christians just do not want to believe it. You cannot get to heaven without Christ as your advocate. Jesus said it himself. Now he is either a liar or he is the son of God. Many have tried to prove this wrong and all have failed. In fact those who have really challenged and done all the research have discovered the truth and become believers. Unfortunately it has become part of our culture that we?re only supposed to discuss Jesus in church. However that is not what we as Christians are called to do. He said to them, ?Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:15,16.

      Jesus did not come to give us warm fuzzies He came to tell us the truth so that we might be saved and be a part of His eternal kingdom. Giving a testimony has always been difficult for me as well as many others. The fear is that we might not be successful, but our job is not to be successful but to obey God and let Him do the rest. So, here it goes.

Oh, Prodigal

      Son, daughter, brother, sister, mother, father, friend, if you aren?t one then you know one. You?ve turned away from those who love you including God.  How far will you run? Who or what will you turn to in time of need? Are you satisfied with your life? Is it all about you? What about those that you have turned away from? The questions could go on. It may be that those you have turned away from have hurt you in some way. You may be angry with God. One thing is certain. God?s love is unconditional. It doesn?t matter where you?ve been or what you?ve done. If you decide to turn back to Him He is always there. So he got up and went to his father. ?But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:20

     However, the alternative to repentance is death and eternal separation from God. And if you think that hell is some sort of nonexistence or that it couldn?t be worse than your current situation, you are dead wrong. ?Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.? Matthew 25:46. Does eternal punishment sound like nonexistence to you? Is it something you want to leave to chance?  Once you die your options are gone. Your life on this earth is your gift- time to make a choice, but how much time? You are not guaranteed tomorrow. If you do not know of someone who has died an untimely death, you eventually will.  If you were to die tomorrow, how would you convince God that you deserve to go to Heaven? Would you start with your list of good deeds? Do you really believe in your heart that you have done enough good in this world? All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. Isaiah 64:6.  None of us deserve heaven, so what is it that makes one righteous? Our sin separates us in a way that we ourselves cannot make up for.

       This is where Jesus comes in, Praise the Lord!  ?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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. John 3:16-18  So where do you begin? Admit that you are a sinner and that you need help. Believe that Jesus came into this world to die on the cross and bear your guilt so that you wouldn?t have to.  Ask Jesus to come into your heart and commit your life to following Him. Go find another Christian to encourage you. And find a church that preaches the word of God. And how will you know the word of God? Get a bible and study it for yourself.

I have to say that through the hardships and pains of life as well as the joys, Jesus has been and is the source of my strength. I would not be the person that I am if it were not for Him who gave me life. Yet, oh Lord you are our father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8.  And, thank goodness He is not through with me. I have been given many blessings; my salvation, my family, my friends, my church, my community and my talents. Using my gifts and opportunities to glorify Him is the least that I can do. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to hid purpose. Romans 8:28