Live for Life

“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away. My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath.” Psalms 39:4-5 NLT

This morning I had a strong thought during my time in prayer and reflection. It started while praying before church and I had a strong realization, which has been eating at me for weeks, that each day is a gift and opportunity from God. It is a gift because God never promises us another day to live nor did we do anything to earn another day to live. It is an opportunity because as a person who knows the love, grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, I should live my life in such a way that I pass on that knowledge to others through my actions and my words in hopes that another person will ask Jesus Christ for salvation.

Then I heard this still, small voice inside of me saying, “Then why are you living as if you are dying?”

What? What does that mean? Why did I think that? What was God trying to say to me or teach me? I have heard many times to live your life as if you only had one more day to live, or two weeks or some short period of time, but never the opposite. Why would I want to live as if I was never going to die? Then it hit me: because in Christ, Jesus, I am really not going to die. My life has eternal consequences. If I lived each day as if I was going to always live with the consequences of my actions, and others might have to live with the consequences of my actions too, then I would live a totally different life.

How about you?

Moving Moutains - albeit, one roack at a time,
Pastor Matt

Mercy over Judgement

Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:12-13 New International Version International Bible Society Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984

Many people have asked my thoughts on the life and death of Michael Jackson and specifically the question of his faith and salvation. There is no way for me, or anyone else for that matter, to know the heart of Michael Jackson. I lead many people to claim Jesus Christ as their savior. I also bury many people who claim to believe in Jesus Christ as their savior. I also know many people, and bury the same, who I really have no idea of their faith. The reality of life is only each individual and God himself knows the truth of their relationship. So how do I speak to the reconciliation of the life and actions of Michael Jackson? I respond like scripture instructs me: If I judge anyone without mercy, then I too will suffer that same judgment.

There is no doubt that Michael Jackson made harmful choices and exhibited wrong behavior in his life. There is also no doubt that he did some amazing acts of kindness with hundreds of millions of dollars and was talented beyond comparison. Was some of his music good? Yes. Was some of it not so good? Yes. Does one arena outweigh the other? Not really. I do know this: He gave thanks to "God" numerous times when he spoke to the public. My hope is that the "God" of Michael Jackson is the same "God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob" (Acts 7:32). My hope and my prayer is that one day we will stop making idols out of singers, musicians, athletes, actors, and others, and then passing horrible judgment upon them when they fall short of our expectations. My hope is that mercy really will triumph over judgment "on earth as it is in heaven."

I don't personally know if Michael Jackson was a Christian or not and it is too late to be asking. The better question to ask you, and for you to ask others, is, "Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?"

Moving Mountains- albeit, one rock at a time,
Pastor Matt