“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Acts 2:21
What a wonderful promise – that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Well then, is it a question of the truth to that promise, or do you think you have time, or you do not feel worthy to call on the Lord? My brothers and sisters in Christ, whosoever will may come. The time to repent is now. The place to begin is here. Today is time accepted for all. Do not delay, for we know not the hour or the day in which Jesus Christ will make his appearance. Do not be caught off guard. Do not be afraid or ashamed. Call on the Lord today, while he may yet be found, tomorrow may be too late.
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Act. 3:19
Many of us are so hard on others. We find it so hard to forgive one another, yet, despite our manifold sins and wickedness, God is saying to us, “repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Who else could love us so much, that he knew of our shortcomings, he knew that we would not be able to redeem ourselves, so he sent his Son Jesus for our redemption. “He died that we might be forgiven, he died to make us good, that we might go at last to heaven, saved by his precious blood.” Come Lord Jesus!
“Thy kingdom come, O God! Thy rule, O Christ begin! Break with thine iron rod the tyrannies of sin!
Dear God, many of us are waiting for your kingdom coming, and many are still not ready for your second coming. My prayer this morning is for you to help us to be in a continuous state of readiness, to be always on our guards, being watchful and prayerful for the day in which you will come. This morning Lord, break the tyrannies of sin that has enslaved so many of us for too long, break every stronghold on our lives that is preventing us from faithfully serving you, show us the way of salvation and light, and rekindle in our hearts a longing for you. Make us ready Lord, for thy rule O Christ to begin. Amen!
“The mistakes of my life have been many, the sins of my heart have been more, and I can scarce see for weeping, but I’ll knock at the open door.”
How many this morning are honest enough to make this confession? We have all sinned, we have all made grievous mistakes, and as a result we are burdened with the consequences. But, do you know that Jesus still sits on the mercy seat? Do you know that his door is always open to welcome you? No matter where we have been, or what we have done, we serve a God of second chances; a God who is always ready to forgive; so even though your sins be like scarlet, he will make them white as snow. All you need to do is to confess your sins, knowing he is faithful and just and will forgive us from all unrighteousness. Therefore, do not be afraid or ashamed to knock, and when God answers that knock, open your heart and let him in. Praise the Lord!
Today is the third Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of Joy. We light this candle in remembrance of the joy Christ brings to the world.
Dear Lord, we are thankful for the joy that you bring to us; help us to see and to understand that in you is fullness of joy; help us to turn aside from the distractions of this world that prevents us from sharing in your joy, walking in your joy, and hoping in your joy and focus on you. As we celebrate this season in hope, peace, joy and love, may we be always hopeful, peaceful, joyful and loving; may we keep the candles of hope, peace, joy, and love burning in our hearts always, may we share these with others who are still walking in darkness, and by you and I shining the light that is in us, the light of Christ, others will be led by it; for the light reminds us, that Jesus is the light of the world that comes into the darkness of our lives to bring newness, hope, peace, joy and love. It also reminds us, that we are called to be a light to the world, as we reflect the light of God’s grace to us and project it on others. My brothers and sisters in Christ, have you experienced God’s marvelous light? If you have not yet experienced it, it’s worth a try, for when you are blinded by the light, you will have no other choice but to allow God to lead you and guide in the path he prepared for you. Praise the Lord!
We have come to the end of celebrating the week of peace, but should it end here? No! It should begin with all of us: let us show a sign of God’s peace on the earth, and goodwill to all men.
“Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me, let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be, with God as our father, children all are we, let us walk with each other in perfect harmony. Let there be peace on earth, let this be the moment now, with every step I take, let this be my solemn vow, to take each moment, and live each moment, in peace eternally, let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.”
“Where will you spend eternity? If Jesus should call you home today, what will your answer be?
The question comes to you and me. What shall your answer be?”
At some point in our lives, we will come to the realization that the path we are traveling is not the path God prepared for us; but we have been walking in our own sinful way for so long, that it becomes a habit, that it seems easier than changing course. But look around you, take a good look at what is going on around you, the way you spend your time, and who you spend it with, and ask yourself this question – If God should call me home right now, where would I spend eternity? Will it be with the chosen one, who sits at God’s right hand, will I be singing with the angel band, or sinking slowly in hell’s quick sand?
“Oh, come to my heart Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for thee.”
Dear Lord, I have been selfish; I spent the time you have given me on the worthless pleasures of this world; I have turned you away when you called, even though, many times when I needed you, you were there for me. Lord, is that that door still open? Will you call my name again? Let me hear your pleading voice once more. I am ready and willing to make room in my heart for you. Oh, come to my heart Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for thee.
Only a step to Jesus, why not take it now? God enables willing feet.
“Why do you linger, why do you stray, in the broad road, the most dangerous way, while right before you narrow and straight, is the bright pathway to heaven’s pearly gates?” My brothers and sisters in Christ, Jesus has been calling you, earnestly and tenderly he has been calling you to come home. Why do you linger and heed not his mercy, when he’s calling for you to come home? Come home to Jesus, all ye who are weary, come home, and find rest in the Savior’s loving arms. Only one step to take, why not take it now?
“Have you any time for Jesus, as in grace he calls again? Oh, TODAY is time accepted, TOMORROW, you may call in vain.”
We screen our phone calls and answer as we wish. Sometimes the calls we don’t accept are the calls that would have made a difference in our lives. Sometimes the calls that we do not return until days or weeks later, does not matter anymore. If you were expecting a call, you would answer on the first ring. If you were expecting a visitor you would answer the door at the first knock. We know that Christ will come again, but we know that he will not come again until every knee shall bow, and every tongue confesses that he is Lord. God has been calling you, knocking on your door, waiting on you to bow; he has been waiting for you to confess his name. Oh, how can you ask Jesus to wait? He is not stranger, but he has been knocking a long time; he has been calling you to come home for a long time, but you refuse to return his call, you refuse to answer his knock at the door; he has been seeking your heart, but there is barrier blocking him. Will you allow God to come into your heart today and cleanse it from sin? You may think that you have all the time in the world to answer his call, but know, that TODAY is time accepted; TOMORROW you may call in vain. Accept God’s call of grace today for he may not call again. “Room for Jesus, King of Glory, hasten now his word obey, swing your heart’s door wide open, and bid him enter while you may.” Praise the Lord!