The Truth Behind The Name

The truth behind the name of my blog is that the Lord has, indeed, given me the heart of an encourager. Rarely do I recognize it as other people do - it's just who I am - but all of us are commanded to step up and encourage one another . . . let me offer this as an example of the command given to us: It is written in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 "For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words."

There you have it. Our command to encourage one another. And what better way is there to encourage someone than to tell them about the rapture! Just think about it - we who are 'born again' - we who have accepted Christ as our Savior AND have chosen to follow Him as our Lord - will be caught up with Him in the air and we will then be with Him FOREVER! First those who have already died and then His beloved who are still alive. All of us will join Him.

How about you? If you were to die today - this moment - what do you believe would happen to you? Or if the Lord decides to return tonight to rapture His beloved as they sleep . . . will you be one of those who is caught up in the air with Him - or will you be left behind to endure the trials of darkness that are promised?

Well, you will join Him IF you're 'born again'. Oh, I know, the phrase 'born again' is a bit misused so it's hard sometimes to think of it without associating it with a redneck cowboy . . . but according to John 3:3, Jesus Himself declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again."

Let's see if I can explain . . . no, when you're 'born again' you don't reenter your mother's womb and make a second exit . . . being 'born again' speaks of your spiritual birth. Spiritually speaking you accept Christ as God's son who came into this world to save you from your sins. In this way Christ becomes your Savior. Then, you follow Christ's teachings. In this way Christ becomes the Lord of your life.
When you are 'born again':
~ You worship Jesus. You put Him first before anything or any one,
~ Your daily desire is to develop a relationship with Him,
~ You allow Him to rule and control your attitude, your thoughts, your actions . . . your heart.
~ You realize that life is all about HIM - and not about you!
And remember . . . Jesus Himself declared that you will NOT go to heaven unless you choose to accept and follow Him.

So, as it so often happens, the choice is yours. If you choose Light over darkness . . . Eternal Life over eternal death . . . then let me suggest that you join Joshua in saying "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Let me also say . . . welcome into the family of the beloved!

Father God, thank you so much for directing Jesus to be the way, and the truth, and the life that will enable us to be with you forever into eternity. Thank You, Jesus, for your willingness to be obedient to the Father's will and thank You, Holy Spirit, for leading me in the paths that will lead to everlasting life with You, forever, in heaven.
It is in the mighty name of Jesus that I give you glory and honor and praise and heartfelt thanks. Amen and Amen.
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