Tuesday, September 14, 2010

September 14, 2010

"Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him." Hebrews 9:27-28
Each of us have an "ever after". It is not just the stuff of fairy tales. But unlike fairy tales, a happy ever after is not a given.
Let me ask you, "How is your ever after looking?" Are you staring at a happy ever after or is it scaring the stuffings out of you?
Here's the really important thing about "ever" - it is never-ending. We are talking about eternity. You and I have a date with our "ever after". That is what these verses are telling you! You had best pay attention.
If you spend your "ever after" with Jesus in Heaven you will know a joy that is unimaginable. But, if you miss Heaven the only other destination is Hell and that, too will be unimaginable - unimaginable horror.
The good news is that you get to determine your "ever after" by the choices you make in your "here and now". It is within your power to determine your eternal destination. So, if you can determine your destination and choose Heaven or Hell, why wouldn't you? Who would choose to go to Hell?
From my experience working with people for many years, I would say that those who fail to choose Heaven do so because they fail to choose. By not making a clear commitment they revert to their default setting - sinfulness, separation from God and a very unhappy "ever after." I think they miss it by assuming they will have another opportunity to choose. Sometimes they do, but sometimes they don't. You can't afford to be wrong because you could be dead wrong.
Today is the best time to to assure that your "ever after" will be happy is RIGHT NOW. Christ was sacrificed for your sins. He paid the price for your forgiveness. He took your sin and your guilt upon Himself on the cross. He died as a sinner so that you don't have to! Why not receive His wonderful gift?
You don't have to wait until forever to be happy. Your "happy ever after" could begin today.