Friday, September 6, 2013

Hot Pursuit

Did you know that most of the New Testament was written by a man whose number one goal was to persecute, imprison and even put to death those who believed in and followed the Lord Jesus Christ? 

 

The Scripture tells us in the book of Acts, Chapter 9


Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 

 

Truly he was in hot pursuit with only one goal on mind. Something happened on that road that changed his life forever. Saul, whose name was later changed to Paul, had a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. The Scripture goes on to say:

 

As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”  “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting”.

 

This is an amazing story of what can happen in one's life after a genuine experience with Jesus.


The very one who was so set on destroying those who followed Jesus has now become a believer himself. No longer is his heart filled with hatred. No longer does he have the desire to stir up trouble. Instead he has turned his passionate focus, his un-distracted efforts toward a new goal. Leading others to the very one he fought against for so long.

 

Have you ever been in pursuit of something or someone? Isn't it interesting that once our minds are set on something we will stop at nothing to see it fulfilled. 

 

As a follower of Jesus Christ I have come to realize that my pursuit of God is something I cannot take lightly. It is not a casual matter, it is a mind set, a choice, a determination, an un-distracted focus on serving Him and making heaven my eternal home.

 

What are you in pursuit of today? Which one can you relate to the most, Saul who was was filled with hatred? Or Paul who allowed Jesus Christ to totally change his life?

 

What has been done in the past doesn't matter. Jesus longs for you to really know Him and the love He has for you.

 

Would you consider taking the first step, if you haven't already? Simply talk to God. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you in a personal way. Tell Him how you feel. Tell Him you are sorry for the sin you have allowed to control your life and ask Him to forgive you. Then invite Him into your heart to become your life.  He loves you so very much.

 

I would love to hear from you. If you live in the Pottstown, PA area I invite you to join us on a Sunday morning. You will experience the love of God, through His followers at:

 


426 Laurelwood Road
Pottstown, PA 19465
610-323-0480

 Feel free to e-mail me:
Cindy Mckinley at:


 Check out some of my other blogs:
Choices http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2013/08/choices.html
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Thursday, September 5, 2013

LIFE

Have you ever stop to think how many choices we make in any given day? It begins the moment we wake up each morning. We make the choice to get out of bed or roll over and go back to sleep. We choose whether we will go to work or stay home. As we go throughout our day we are faced with choices everywhere we turn. 

 When others do or say things that 'tick us off' we choose how we are going to respond. I recently heard that when something happens that upsets us we have a six second window to choose how we will respond to that situation. Six seconds can go by pretty fast.

 Confession time here....I love doing for my family. But sometimes it would be nice to have their help. Like when we have all eaten dinner, which I have prepared, and everyone, except me, heads to the living room for a relaxing time in front of the television. Did you catch the part where I said, "Except Me!" While the entire family watches TV and talks and laughs together I am in the kitchen washing dishes and putting the leftovers away. 

 This happened a few weeks ago. As I was doing the dishes I could hear the laughter in the living room. At that very moment I could literally feel the frustration starting to rise up within me. I then experienced that six seconds. I even said to myself, "Girl, you have a choice here. Are you going to get upset or just finish the work and join them?" I regret to tell you I did not make the right choice. I choose to get upset and feel sorry for myself. Although I never said a word to my family, they knew Momma wasn't happy.

 Let's face it. We all have situations that causes us to become angry or feel as though we are being taken advantage of. No matter what the circumstance we are always faced with a choice as to how we will respond.

 God gives us choices as well. He is not some super power in the sky who cracks a whip to make us obey Him. No, He allows us to choose.

 In the book of Deuteronomy God says, "...I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live."

 WOW! What a choice...Life or death....Blessings or curses. That seems like a no brainer to me. 

 Choosing Life is choosing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Jesus Said, "I Am the Way, the Truth and the LIFE. No one can come to the Father except through Me."

 God doesn't make us choose Him. He gives us a choice to do so. By choosing Him we received life and blessings. By not choosing Him we receive death and curses. 

 The choice is yours! Which will you choose today?
Father God, I pray for my readers today. May they choose life and blessings. Help them to know the deep love You have for them. Give them HOPE as they walk their journey on this earth. In Jesus Name I Pray, Amen
426 Laurelwood Road
Pottstown, PA 19465
610-323-0480

 Feel free to e-mail me:
Cindy Mckinley at:


 Check out some of my other blogs:


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