Author Archives: oneminuteministry

Return The Love

Mark 6:34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.

You could summarize the Bible in that scripture, in that statement of Jesus’ compassion, lies that story of how much he loves you. The Bible is historical and prophetic, creation and it’s destiny wrapped up in a living Word like none other, a timeless book that has tugged the countless for centuries, because it is all about God. We are wired with that desire for him, sin causes many to deny him or pursue the wrong one, but our need for him is in our DNA, inexplicably within us. God has such a compassion for you that he died for you, rose from death to conquer sin forever, and now sits in Heaven awaiting the judgement day to change history forever when Satan is defeated. Hebrews 10: 12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

I read this in my favorite devotional this morning, “Your relationship with God out to bring you more joy, satisfaction, and pleasure than any other relationship, activity, or material possession you have.” (Experiencing God Day by Day) It goes on to point out the only way we begin to “get that” is the pursuit of God’s will for our lives through seeking him. I will add the way I view that as, Matthew 6:33 Seek Ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. We all know of the Ten Commandments, and what is the greatest commandment; Jesus was even asked that exact question, and this was his reply. Matthew 22:37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. The entire Bible points to God’s love for us, and our need for him. God designed us with Free Will, but the battle good and evil has been around since the Fall of Man at the Garden of Eden. Even the lost know of these stories, but moving past them to the love exemplified in the Gospel changes lives eternally. Once God tugs on the heart, an eternal decision is made, not knowing the time we have to return the love that has been given us.

You know not the hour eternities door will open for you. You have this life to prepare for the next one. Everyone will spend eternity in one of two places, Heaven or Hell; the default is Hell because God has given you his Word and all of Creation to see your need for him, he has even wired deep within the desire for him. No amount of good works, church attendance, giving, or just not being that bad will get you into Heaven; you cannot earn it, only accept and understand that John 14:6 is the only way. Then and only then will you begin to return the love to him that he has to you.

Swift kick in the butt

Revelation 2:4 But I have this [charge] against you, that you have left your first love [you have lost the depth of love that you first had for Me]. 5 So remember the heights from which you have fallen, and repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will] and do the works you did at first [when you first knew Me]; otherwise, I will visit you and remove your lampstand (the church, its impact) from its place—unless you repent. (Amplified Version)

I have read this letter to Ephesus many times now, many different versions, commentaries, meditating on the passage and “to me” it speaks of life and death. The “life” we once had for our faith, our Savior, and the “death” we now walk in. I look back at myself, I look at the zeal I once possessed, now the lacking pursuit due to many different things. I look at over 1,100 devotionals/blogs I have written, daily pursuits that Satan used someone incredibly close to me to destroy. I look at the time in the pulpit, a depth of study and revelation unparalleled in my life. I look at the present time in my life, consumed with the anxiety of business, of family, of one’s health. I have always feared of being like my grandfather, one who died at my age at work, likely due to the same work stress I am under. I am at a very scary time in my life in so many ways.

If I were to die today, for any reason that God takes me home, I pray I am remembered for the zeal I had for the Lord. I hope people have seen my boldness to proclaim truths, to share failures, to filter my life through my faith. I pray my little contributions to online ministry, to prayers with friends and strangers, to my business ministry, to Trackside Ministry, to just being an open book, I pray my life has glorified God in these latter days. I want to finish strong, to use this second half of my life as a witness to the One who gives us eternal life. I read this morning of how blessed we are with the access to all God has at our fingertips in media, and of how we are going to be held accountable for how we used it in these days. (Exp. God Day by Day). Luke 12:48 but the one who did not know it and did things worthy of a beating, will receive only a few [lashes]. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more. There is no excuse for not seeking God more when you have your phone 24/7, and there are so many Bible Apps, podcasts, daily scriptures, and question answers you can find at your fingertips. Why not start with a daily verse reminder? Get it to come to your phone a minute after your alarm, and start your day with God.

These warnings to the churches of Revelation speak of the lack of zeal in a broad scope. The intense statement Jesus speaks to the lukewarm Christians in Laodecia is terrifying; he will vomit them from his mouth! I know my zeal has become distracted with life, I know my body is weaker than even recent years, I know Satan hammers my mind with depression and accusations, I know we all battle the same stresses of this messed up world we live in. Satan is peaking before his ultimate and final fall. God is showing himself in many ways today, gathering his church to stand for truth, building his army to call them home, and looking for zealous and fearless leaders that he has given that desire, to step up and show Him how much they love him. I need that swift kick in the butt to straighten me up, to revive my senses, and I pray that God does the same for you when you pursue him with a renewed passion.

Revelation 3:15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

I would truly say over the last 10 plus years I have learned God NEVER wants you to be stagnant; change brings your need for him, that you rely on him, and therefore keeps pride at bay. I have seen this ministry change; one from deeper exposition writing daily for years, over 1,100 blogs/devotionals, to simpler direct reflections of scripture filtered through my life in social media. I have seen work change; the pursuit of the American Dream to one of a business ministry. I am in the midst of another season of change in it, and can sense bigger things coming. I was called to preach for a short season, a life change that evolved into a deeper understanding of many things too long to expound here. I have seen God work in my testimony, returning me to once what was my god, to share of the One true God. I have seen the boldness I was born with, once a prideful fault, now used to proclaim him from the rooftops with no fear. God never wants us to be still….

I have been feeling called to study one of the scariest books in the Bible, the book of Jesus’ return above. Honestly, it is a deep topic to many, one of many opinions that have divided for centuries, but eschatology does not tug me like some; I have the faith I will end up with Christ before tough times, but if he calls me to suffer through them, I consider that an honor to do so. 1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” We all want to believe in the Rapture, it is the easiest most comforting road to take, yet I have heard many arguments against it, and I worry not nor divide over it. We all must agree we are living in the days that are biblically pointing to a change in history, a pivot that effects the world, and that likely pivot is Jesus Christ returning to judge sin. We all must give an account of our lives, not only whether we believed, but what we DID with that belief in Jesus Christ. He is going to ask you how you lived your life in reflection of the knowledge GOD GAVE you, the grace God bestowed upon you was a gift, and Jesus will ask what you did with that gift. Did you use it, or put it away somewhere inside of you as an insurance card to pull out when you needed it. Will your insurance be expired?

Stagnant is defined, many times used as, “showing no activity; dull and sluggish.” How would your Christian life be described? What evidences in the heavenly court of law will find you guilty of living your life for Christ? Do those around you know that you are a Christian? Even Christians still struggle with sins, guilty of sin just like the lost, but do you repent and try to improve? God build your testimony of forgiveness to show others of his love for them. Do you share how God gets you through the tough times? God many times reaches people when they are at the bottom, and your ability to share how faith that got you through them, that draws others to him. Do you pray with others going through tough times? Do you read your Bible? Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. God never wants you to rely on yourself, he never wants pride to creep in just like the church of Laodicea. They were comfortable, felt good about where they were in life, in faith, and God knew their hearts were not for him. Take some time to self-reflect, to look at your life as you were being judged for your faith. One day you will, and that day seems to be quickly approaching.

You will be judged for your answer

Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!

We all are living in a time of urgency, of one where the truths of the Bible are coming forth, leaping off the pages of the Bible into the headlines of the internet and TV. We are seeing things we once could not fathom, being heralded in the victory of acceptance of normalcy, the wrongs turned to rights seemingly overnight. We see the evil of abortion argued about in detail, supporting it’s cause to the greatest extent, yet passing laws to keep our pets toenails from being cut. We can cut our children from the mothers womb, yet not the nails of our pets due to the potential harm to a creature that cannot even speak. At this rate our nation will soon be arguing the hours of the day and nights separation; “light truly isn’t light anymore, it is only the removal of darkness.” Could you see how that would be possible, how that would be biblical, how much Satan would smile as the courts debated over it…..yet it doesn’t seem impossible these days.

People aren’t going to church any more. People aren’t seeking God anymore. People are looking for ways to satisfy themselves only, looking for ways to feel good about Heaven, and forget about Hell. I love how one of study Bible puts it in the opening of Isaiah. “The method the Spirit of Christ took in the prophets and still does, is first to convict, and then to comfort. Those who would be blessed with the comforts must first submit to the convictions.” There is no good news of the gospel, if you don’t accept the bad news of sin. The God of Creation is so Holy, you cannot get into Heaven by your own merits; by being a good person at any level. God only accepts pure holiness in his kingdom above, and the only way you are viewed as holy, is to submitting to the ideal of being anointed by the blood of Jesus Christ; covered in his blood as a holy sacrifice to present you to God holy and righteous. You will never enter Heaven under any means, until you fully understand and submit to John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. You must repent of your sins, even the ones that you thought earned your way into Heaven, and submit to the understanding you cannot earn your way into Heaven.

My world has been changing a lot this year. I have seen lows and highs, seasons evolving in work and personal, God is showing me incredible grace in bringing my testimony full circle to the racing community. We are seeing incredible fruit from that ministry. I have been challenged at work, yet change is bringing forth the fruit my heart missed in the business ministry where he has me. I see my family growing closer together, and I pray we all closer to the Lord. I pray that God gives them the boldness he has given me, to be the missionary daily in their fields. Matthew 9:37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” This world needs missionaries, those out in the world proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ to all that he has prepared to hear. Be bold with co-workers, family, friends, people you meet “by chance” throughout your daily routine. God wants to use you…….will you speak up for Truth and let him, or will you remain silent as evil is proclaimed good? You will be judged for your answer. #truth

Certainly Not!

Romans 6:10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I stand amazed at how God works; I have seen so many examples in just recent days of his intimacy in my life, some encouraging, some convicting. This morning I was awoken by God at 4am, a clear call to sit with him in his Word. I had heard three sermons just 48 hours ago on the judgement of sin, and something inside of me knew where we were headed. I felt lead to Romans, spent time in chapters six and seven where Paul deals with sin, even his own personal struggles, as he tries to convey the battle of good and evil that lies within us all. He openly addresses the Law and Grace, and condemns the abuse of both, in the NKJV, using the term, “Certainly not!” There are countless sermons to be preached from the depth of these two passages, messages that go back to the beginning of time, to the Garden of Eden, to the present day of hyper grace, softening the scriptures to fit our lifestyles, while denying the judgement of God on the Day of his return. Is God shaking his head above at us, ready to return to cast his judgement, to change the world as we know it? We hear the Good News preached everywhere, the blessings of God declared rightly and wrongly, but there is no good news without the understanding of bad news; Hell awaits those who do not repent and believe, who feel they have earned their way into heaven by their own merits, who don’t believe, or believe in the wrong God.

Paul talks about his own sin struggles, although we know not what they are. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I have always said I will not let my testimony glorify the sin, but glorify God. I have battled countless things through my life from drugs, porn, lusts, idolatry, covetousness, and I could go on. The porn struggle still lurks beneath the surface today, running in cycles of sin and conviction. Most men struggle with it, hiding it, and with our phones it’s access is with us at any time. I continually talk to God about it, and repent and believe he understands my struggles such as Paul. It is the sin that dwells in me, and it surfaces in so many ways in my life.

I laughed at the preacher this week that said, “If you know what went on inside my head, you would not let me preach to you. If I knew what went on inside of yours, I would not preach to you.” How do you do address the sins in your life? How do you clear your conscious when the sting of the Holy Spirit pricks? There is only ONE thing you can do; repent of it and turn to God in prayer and his Word. You will be amazed at the cleansing of a repentant plea. You will be amazed at the perfect verse he places you at when you seek him in his written Word. You will be moved to a newer place with God, an intimacy that will encourage your spirit from within. You can’t keep on doing what you have been doing, or you will keep getting what you have been getting. James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. You don’t want Judgement Day to appear on the horizon, and not have repented of your sin do you? Certainly Not!

Me and You

1 John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

There are two underlying themes of this epistle of John; love and sin. Those things that testify of it, or the lack of it. How can we say we are Christians if we do or don’t do these things? John’s epistle is a big “how ya’ living” look at oneself. John starts off being very clear, he is not telling you anything new, that from the beginning it is clear what God through his Son Jesus did for us. John simply stresses through the evidence of that love for us, we should love others just the same as God loved us. How can we call ourselves Christians, if we don’t love as he first loved us? John openly addresses sin and the struggles of sin throughout this book. John talks of how those that continue in sin, may not be saved at all. We all have sin struggles, we all battle something on a large scale, but that leads to an intimate relationship of repentance down the path of sanctification for our entire lives this side of glory. As crazy as it sounds, our sins struggles draw us closer to God; the conviction of sin is healthy when it leads to a repentant relationship.

Our world is full of hate, and it is hard to love so many people who hate one another. We can’t “love” those who are evil, but we can love them enough to pray for them, for God to open their hearts to their sin and to rescue them from Hell. That is how we love those who hate us, who mock us, who do bad things to us each day; we give them over to God. Paul expounds on this greatly in Romans 12 also: 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

I am really struggling with all I see going on around me in the world today. I am struggling with socially acceptable sin, praised sin even, sins that mock God on large scales. Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. I struggle with the level of evil in our hearts, the level of evil in our children’s hearts; this shows how far from Christians we have become according to these epistles. We have lost our reverence for life, for each other, for God; we are a dying generation from within on a biblical scale. God is not lacking in his promises to reclaim his people and judge the worlds sin. God has to be stirring in the heavens above to make the call of both, and change the world as we know it forever. Will you do the best you can today to live as a Christian? Will you seek to exemplify Jesus Christ showing love where not expected? Will you go to him with your sin struggles and repent? Will you seek him in prayer and his Word, letting him change you from the inside, showing it on the outside? Worldly changes begins with one, maybe today it will be me and you.

Speak Up Today

Luke 10:2 Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.

Who will you see today, or who might see you? Who do you spend time with today, or who will invest in time with you? What will you talk about, how will you pass the time?

Lord today might be our last
The chance we might have to speak
Let us be bold to share of you
Let us be not afraid and meek.

Prepare our hearts to be open
Prepare our speech to share
Prepare our minds to thoughtful
Prepare our senses to be aware.

Prepare our testimonies to you
Of how to share our love for thee
Help us to remember the changes
Of when we first knew began to see.

Of how our lives changed
When we first began to believe
Of how we felt such a love
Greater that we ever conceived.
What you did for us Lord at the Cross
Paid a price we could never attain
Gave us the keys to eternal paradise
Freed us from the sins that would have slain.

Prepare the hearts of the hearers
Soften the worldly struggles and sins
Do a work before we open our mouths
Prepare to free them from within.

Let your words pierce the souls
Let your mouthpieces be clear and true
It is never about anything we did
It is always only about you.

This world needs to hear your story
This world needs us to share
This world needs to repent and believe
Before many are lost unaware.

We are so wrapped up in ourselves
We are so blind to the pain all around
We are headed to hell first class
And there will be no turning around.

May you use humble servants today
May you tug on the hearts to be bold
May they obey the Great Commission
May they do the last thing that you told.

Go out into the world around you
Go out and share the Good News
Tell them of everything they can gain
Tell them of everything they will loose.

You can be five or seventy
At any age you can hear and believe
God can open your minds and hearts
To a love greater than you can conceive.

Let your Light shine

2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

This chapter four of Paul’s epistle has always spoken to me, it is highlighted in many colors in my favorite Bible, with notes, and times when God spoke to me. Paul somewhat begins to open the doors to deep within himself, he gives a glimpse of what it is to live for Christ. Paul never wants to draw attention to himself, but here he pens of the inward battle. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed– 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. Paul always related any and all of his sufferings as an honor, to relate his troubles in any way, in a very small way to Christ. He related to Jesus in these tribulations, both physical and mental to the immeasurable way Jesus suffered for us. Paul also saw how he was to focus on the glory that awaited him eternally in Heaven, for how these troubles were but for a small minute, a speck of sand in the hourglass of eternity.

There are none of us that don’t have hidden struggles, more than the physical ones that others see. I have not opened the doors that deep within me to anyone, only giving peaks to relate or seek help Lord willing. The physical pain, the weakened vessel, this body of mine is failing much sooner than I anticipated; only those closest to me see what I cannot hide. The inner war of the mind, of depression and anxiety, is my “thorn in the flesh.” The fading memory is something I try to laugh about while is terrifies me deep within. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. But…..for any and all of these things, I try to focus on eternity, to focus on investing in people, focus on sharing my faith in real ways, not in acts of religion. Our only investments that truly matter is our relationship with Jesus Christ, and how we evangelize to the sphere of influence that he has given us.

What are your struggles? What if your hidden struggles are the same as someone you see every day? What if they can’t cope through their faith like you try to do? What is they need to look at eternity, and not their present despair? 13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. There is nothing you have ever dealt with, are dealing with now, that has not passed through God’s sovereign hands. No low in your life, cannot be used to draw glory to God; from deliverance, to coping and comfort, to healing, to sharing it from an eternal perspective no matter the time of suffering here. Paul writes of this in chapter four in detail. Why not let God use your struggles, to encourage someone around you today? Why not speak up today, and let his light, shine in their darkness, through you.

Over and Over Again

James 4:5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

How easy it is to get sucked into this worlds affairs……It seems natural to want things we can’t have, to pursue things that rot or rust away, to focus on political debates, to idolize careers or family or sports or anything that becomes our god, to put our energies into things that don’t matter eternally, to put simply, anything that takes our focus and energies away from eternity. It isn’t our fault, we have a sin-nature at our core, even the greatest Christians still battled the lures of sin and misguided focus at times. Satan knows how to attack, deception is his greatest tool, and the greatest saints have still never walked purely in God’s eyes; they still need to be atoned for by the blood of Jesus to appear holy before a righteous God…. “but God gives more grace.” The depth of those words boggle the mind, the depth of his love for us, over and over and over again.

My life has been incredibly busy recently, much of it misguided focus and always battling the lures of sin and idols myself. We have launched NeedPrayer? Racing Team, and it is so humbling to see my testimony coming full circle back to the racing community. At a national race, in the midst of loosing focus, I failed to pray for two friends that needed prayer. God showed me I was lacking, and Satan tormented my mind as the great accuser he is. It was a wake-up call, one I learned from, and I will take that lesson and become more aware next time. Even in the times of doing what we deem “good things,” we may miss opportunities to join God to do great things. My favorite devotional of all time speaks at its core of joining God where he is already working, but we must be attentive to him, and not focused upon ourselves.

In the context of James chapter four, there is much depth to expound, but simply put, it is the battle of good and evil that lies within us. Of how we are to live in a pursuit of righteous living, of how pride is the root of all worldly sin. James puts it so clearly of how we are to feel the weight of our sin, a weight that leads to repentance. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. I truly question one’s salvation that has never felt deep conviction of oneself; the depravity of man as it is put. The conviction of sin is healthy, it is an assurance of the Holy Spirit that lives within you once saved. We are a temple of God, and when we sin, we grieve Him that lies within us. James put it so well, the humble person that see their need for God, through the many means that God draws them, we rest in the assurance of the promise of this continued grace he speaks of here. It is not a call to continue in sin, but an understanding of the forgiveness to those who continue to repent and believe. If we will just focus on God each day, to start our days with God in prayer and his word, maybe we won’t miss the opportunities to join God where he is already working around us, and if we mess up, he will forgive us, and “give more grace.”

It is never too late, until it is. Repent and believe.

Matthew 10:27 “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.

Yesterday we went to my cousins funeral, a celebration of life so tragically taken at age 43 in a plane crash a couple of weeks ago. Nobody knows how to process these events, but they alter life’s courses for all who were close to those lost when tragedy strikes. My own was altered about 20 years ago when I lost one of my best friends in a car wreck; it broke something of my strong-willed hard self, God humbled me greatly with it. Yesterday there was one thing that stood above all to everyone who witnessed it. Her brother, led by God, went to the podium and spoke to everyones need for God. He told me that he had not planned to speak, but God would not let him sit still. God laid on his heart the urgency for everyone there to hear their need for God, of how they are not guaranteed tomorrow, of how they are assured of eternity somewhere, and they are never too old or young to believe. His heartfelt plea was clearer than the two pastors who conducted the service, because God had commanded that he speak, and he was obedient in doing so. Because of that tragedy, and his obedience, God will bring good from this incredible loss, God will tug on the softened hard hearts, God will humble the most prideful, God will till the softened soil and produce heavenly fruit; more will enter the kingdom of God through this tragedy and bold gospel proclamations.

I have told those closest to me there has been an urgency in my spirt of the need to proclaim the gospel; the call of repentance, the breaking down of religion to the religious lost. I am the greatest sinner, still struggling daily today with my own battles; who am I to proclaim anything about repentance……..I understand repentance, the cleansing act that leads to salvation and restores communion with God. I had a prideful testimony that lead to brokenness and humble pleas for forgiveness. Are you stuck in pride, no need for God? 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Are you prideful in your religion because you go to church every Sunday, yet never seek or share your God the other six days a week? Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Are you prideful because you feel as though you really are not that bad of a person, and good people go to heaven anyway? Proverbs 16:8 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. Is your understanding that all gods are the same, that all paths lead to god, and all the good people will end up in paradise together? John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. I told my parents for years, I would get right with God on my timing, I wanted to live life and settle down when it suited me. It was not until much later in life, when tragedy struck, did I realize the depth of my ignorance. Job 12:9 Who among all these does not know That the hand of the Lord has done this, 10 In whose hand is the life of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind? Repent and believe about your pride, your religion, your ignorance today, right now, before it is too late. The call of the gospel is urgent, the time is now, and by the grace of God may you all repent and believe that you are lost without him forever. May your testimony be one of boldness to all that He has prepared to hear, may you proclaim it from the rooftops, or to at least that person you see every day beside you. It is never too late, until it is.