Well it has been 2 1/2 months since my last post and that amazes me! It's hard for me to believe, but a LOT has been accomplished in my life. Chris and I took the girls & my Mom to Disney World, made it through soccer season with Savannah, celebrated my sweet Payton's 7th birthday, enjoyed my family during Thanksgiving, had a blast watching my girls be flower girls at my former Jr bridesmaid's wedding, & much more! Busy to say the least, but what amazing memories!
We are in the middle of the Christmas season - a very special time of year. It's a great time to share the love of Christ with others, to share our blessings with those less fortunate, to share the time we're given on this Earth with our families. Something that has been on my heart for a very long time (and sadly I've done nothing about it), is approaching family and friends who haven't accepted Christ as their Savior. We are called to share the Word, God's love & hope with others, but it is difficult to do so with someone close to me. I could more easily share with a stranger because I guess I don't care as much what they think or how they'll react.
Well over the Thanksgiving holiday, I approached a loved one. This family member is very loved, and I would want nothing more than to share eternity in heaven with them. So I was very blunt and just said, "Have you given your life to Christ and accepted Him as your Lord and Savior? Have you admitted that you cannot make it through this life without His help? Have you accepted that He was born of the Virgin Mary and died on the cross for our sins?" The answer after a huge laugh was "no". They didn't know what to say and asked what was with the questions. I stood my ground and said honestly, "It's been on my heart for a very long time. I pray for you to come to Jesus because I want to spend eternity with you. All I ask is that you think about it and know that I'm still praying."
"He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'" Mark 16:15
That was it - conversation over. But it won't end there. I will ask again without reservation. The 2nd time couldn't be nearly as hard as the 1st so there's nothing to lose on my end for sure. I love the song "If We are the Body" by Casting Crowns. The line "Jesus paid much too high a price
for us to pick and choose who should come" rings so true in my heart. We should tell everyone, shout to the countryside from the mountaintops telling everyone the Good News! In a world where we spend so much on 'stuff' that doesn't even go with us when we die, we are focused always on the price tag. Yet, there is no number that could be placed on the price tag of what Jesus did for us, for our faults, for our sins!
I challenge all of you to be brave and face a loved one who may not know Christ this Christmas season. Get right to the point, answer questions they might have, pray for them! I figured I'd rather be a little awkward here for a short moment, then have to explain one day why I didn't even try! So keep on trying and don't forget to listen to the Giggles from Heaven!
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
Blessings Always,
Tammy Jones
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
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