I heard a pastor recently talk about a scenario of his congregation having life vests on. They were all in a giant swimming pool. He could see everyone had a life vest on, but he couldn’t know for sure if everyone knew how to swim without it.

He went on to describe some Christians, even though they came from a Christian home or went to a Christian school didn’t make them a Christian. Being a Christian is not an inherited lifestyle.

So, what’s keeping you afloat? Do you think that just because you went to Sunday School as a child that that’s your ticket to heaven. Or, because you haven’t killed anyone that God should let you into heaven.

There’s only one way to keep afloat; to be 100% sure you’re going to Heaven. And that’s to totally surrender your life now to God; to establish and maintain a lifelong relationship with our creator.

Have you done that? It’s not too late.

Stay safe out there. Don’t hide behind your life vest.

2 Timothy 2:15 - “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

I’ve heard people say, “if God is so good, then why did this happen to me?”

Hey, I’ve even said that before so I understand. But, honestly when I said that, I didn’t really know God. God wasn’t a priority in my life. My dependancy on Him was usually temporal at best.

If you’re thinking of the above observation, ponder this: If you met someone, started a meaningful relationship with them, but you only contacted them when you were in trouble or needed something. Sounds kind of one-sided, huh?

That’s the way some people try to treat God. Oh, they acknowledge that God exists and that He created the universe and everything in it, but that doesn’t mean they want Him to run their life.

It’s sad, because they’re missing out on the best of God. God already know us inside and out. Why not let Him into your daily life?

I can’t promise, nor does God promise that He will take tragedy away, but He does promise that He’ll be at our side, going through it with us.

Now, when tragedy comes, I know that God will be there, in it, with me. He promises to never leave me and I have found that to be true many many times.

Psalm 34:18 - “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Romans 9:33 - “As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”

I think you’ll agree that our climate is changing rapidly. The hurricanes have increased and the average temperatures are rising everywhere. Whether you believe it or not, the Bible says these are signs of the end of this age as we know it.

Most people ignore the signs, just as they did in the days of Noah and the ark. People mocked Noah for building this large boat, when they had never even seen rain before. They thought he was a crazy old man.

Did you know that God hates sin? Yes, He is a loving God and wants the best for us, but He is also a just God and must punish sin.

You see it on t.v. Those people who hear the coming of a hurricane, but refuse to leave their homes. They know the possible destruction and harm, but resolve to stay and think that their decision to face the storm outweighs the inconvenience of leaving.

Sadly, some of these people have not only lost their homes, but their lives.

Wake up. Don’t be like the people in the days of Noah.

Make the right choice to follow God today. Don’t ignore the signs.

A hoarder is defined as “a person who has a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them.”

But, have you ever met someone who is an ‘emotional hoarder?’ Just like a hoarder, someone that hoards emotions has difficulty in parting with past hurts, anger, disappointment and distrust. They hang onto these emotions as if their life depended on it. They can’t part with these feelings. They actual find comfort in the bitterness that they hold onto. It’s their defense that they can use when they don’t want to give up the pain.

I’m no psychiatrist but I know from personal experience that holding onto the past will not allow you to go forward with your life. If you’re holding onto all these emotions, how in the world will God be able to come along side you and help you get through these times?

You’ll find yourself isolated from others. Let go and let God go to work on your behalf.

Jesus died a horrible death, was buried and rose from the grave for you. He can handle the emotional hoarder. But, you have to surrender it to Him.

Let go and let God do what He does best.

Philippians 4:6-7 - “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:10-11 - “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.”

God created each of us with a purpose, whether you believe this or not.

You may be thinking that you are just existing; just getting through the day the best you can. Each day seems identical to the next.

You sometimes wonder if anyone would notice if you didn’t show up.

Believe it or not, I’ve been there and it’s a rotten place to be. It took me years to realize God’s purpose for my life.

Now that I know, I’m sold out to Christ. I’ll never turn back to my old way of life. I’m holding the course.

I realize now that without God in my life, directing my steps, I would be stuck with the old habits; going through the same problems and never getting ahead.

You matter to God. He loves you and wants to be a part of your life.

Choose God. Hold the course and let Him direct your steps.

There are so many reality t.v. shows out there, which is one of the reasons I don’t watch much t.v. anymore.

The world is hungry for someone to just show them how to live a better life. You’ve heard the phrase, “barking up the wrong tree?” Many are searching for answers in the wrong places.

1 Kings 22:19 - “Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the multitudes of heaven standing around him on his right and on his left.”

Heaven is reality, my friends. Unfortunately, so is Hell.

There are millions of people who are making earth their residency. We are all renters of this earth, temporary residents.

Which kingdom are you seeking to be a resident of?

I hope you can answer that question with ‘heaven.’

Don’t be fooled into this world’s enticing glamour. Watch out for the pretty lures, pulling you into dark places.

It says in the Bible that in the last days there will be many false teachers. These are people who claim to know God, but are working on Satan’s behalf to destroy you.

God is the only way to enter the kingdom of heaven. He’s real. He’s the first and the last.

Choose life today with God.

Psalm 121:3 - “He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;”

As I was hiking a treacherous hike recently, all I could think of is, “one slip of the hand or foot, and I’m a goner.” I asked God to guide my steps and keep me safe.

As it says in the verse above, God will not let our foot slip. It is also referring to other things in life. He will not let us go into danger without warning or protection.

And the last part of the verse states that God does not sleep. There’s such comfort in knowing that even while we sleep, God is watching over us. While we’re busy going about our day and busy lives, God’s meeting our needs. He’s concerned about the tiniest need that we may have.

So, whether you find yourself climbing the side of a mountain, or you’re facing an unknown medical diagnosis, God’s got it. He will not falter in keeping us safe.

Don’t fear. Trust God with your challenges today.

One definition of preserve is to maintain something in its original or existing state. It can also mean to keep safe from harm or injury.

My mom used to can everything from beans to pears. We loved it because deep in the heart of winter and cold weather, we could enjoy the sweetness of the pear preserves, or take delight in fresh green beans with supper.

Parents also try to preserve their children’s younger years by taking measures in keeping them safe and well fed.

The most precious thing we can preserve in our lives as Christians is God’s promises. There are many promises throughout the Bible for God’s children.

Read about them, meditate on them and relish them throughout your journey here on earth.

These promises protect us, encourage us and guide us each day.

But, don’t just take my word for it. Read these promises for yourself.

You’ll be glad you did.

Psalm 119:50 - “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.”