Some Things You Dare Not Miss Out On

A happy new year to you each one. It’s hard to realize that we are already into 2019 - where did 2018 go? What a comfort to know that our times are in the hands of our Almighty God. He is guiding and directing us every step of the way, and in so doing, He will never lead us into situations which we will not be able to handle in His strength. May you know His love and goodness all this year, and beyond.

Various people ask me to arrange their flights on the Internet. I am not one for encouraging this sort of impersonal dealing - it’s so much more comforting to deal with a person - but that’s what we are stuck with if we want cheap flights. Recently I was asked by a friend to book flights to one of our capital cities. 

After getting the website of one of the airlines up on the screen, I typed in the relevant information, and in no time there on the screen popped up the important details - times of the flights and the cost. We were delighted to find that the airline company had some great specials.

So I asked my friend: “Will I book the seats? “No”, came the answer. “I just want to check something. And besides they’ll (the bargain prices) still be there later.” Right? Wrong! When "later" came, all the bargain prices were gone. There were none to be found anywhere for that day. 

When it's a cheap plane fare you missed out on because you waited - no big deal. When it's God you miss, when it's eternity in heaven you miss, that's huge. In 2 Corinthians 6:2, God says, "In the time of my favour I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." 

Notice two things here: 1. God says there's a time of His favour; a day of His salvation. And that's when you are to take hold of that important and life-changing opportunity. 2. Notice also that He clearly spells out the time we are to respond to Him. God's Word says, "I tell you, NOW is the time of God's favour, now is the day of salvation." Not tomorrow, or the next day but NOW.

When God in His Word talks about salvation, He's talking about rescuing us from the death sentence that we are all headed for because of our sin, which is the self-rule of our life and disobedience to His Word. Now we were created by God our Father in His image, and if we would know peace and joy, we should allow Him to rule and govern us. It only makes sense doesn’t it?

When things go wrong with our appliances, we turn to the manufacturer’s instructions, and there find out what we need to do. And yet when the world is crashing in upon us, we could continue to ignore our Creator, and His instructions as found in the Bible. 

It’s in His Word that we find the cause, effect and cure for the chaos and darkness all around us. The cause - sin has separated us from God. The effect - as such, we deserve only hell - we are under the death sentence. The cure? - In love and mercy, God sent His son to save us - to re-connect us with Him- to forgive our sins, and give us eternal life. 

But this "salvation" would come at a very high price for God. Someone had to die as our substitute, paying for our sin. The only someone who was qualified to pay that awful price was God's only begotten Son. That is Jesus Christ. So, believe me, it really matters to God what you do with His Son. The only response that can change a person's eternal address from hell to heaven is acknowledging that you are a sinner and putting your total trust in Jesus as your only hope of belonging to God - of being with God forever. 

But so many of us, like the person I was making the booking for, think that it doesn’t matter when you make the decision. It will still be there “later”. But “later” was too late. The bargain prices were no longer available. That's the awful risk you take when you put off Jesus one more day. 

Maybe you've been around the message of Jesus a lot. Maybe most folks around you think you belong to Him. But deep in your heart, you know there's never been a time when you've really committed yourself to Him. It could be that you've said, "I will give myself to Jesus - when I'm ready." 

You need to hear the words of Jesus recorded in John 6:44, "No one can come to me unless the Father ... draws him." You don't come to Jesus when you're ready. You come when God's ready. It's God who makes you ready to trust Jesus. If you feel that tug in your heart right now, this is the time God is calling you to come. There are no guarantees of one more opportunity. 

That's why the Bible says, "Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon him while He is near" (Isaiah 55:6). He may not always be findable. He may not ever be this close again. Now is the time - commit yourself to Him in all ways, and then 2019 will be a wonderful year! Grace and peace......

 

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