Raining and cool this morning.  Work has me on the road today.  Just thanking God that it has finally rained A LOT and continues to rain at home.  I hope it rains wherever you're at!

Revelation

Read it.  It's the last book in the Bible.  It will scare the hell out of you.  If it confuses you, read the Left Behind series or do some research on the Book of Revelation.  In it, John talks about his vision of how Jesus will return.  What is scary are the events leading up to the return of Christ. 

There are many different schools of thought on how Jesus will return, and whether there will be a Rapture seven years beforehand.  There are even names for the separate belief systems.  For my part, I just say that Revelation gives us a good idea of what is going to happen to Believers and non-believers. 

There is a Book of Life.  The living and the dead will be judged.  Their name will be searched for in the Book of Life.  If you are a true believer, you will be in it.  If not, you will not be in it.  Those in the Book of Life will enjoy an eternity with the Lord.  Those not in the book of life will suffer an eternity in a lake of fire. 

So how do you get into the Book of Life?  Simple...you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, believe in the Word of God (the Bible), Glorify God first, love and serve others second, and think about yourself last. 

Ha!  Not so simple for someone who hasn't ever heard of Jesus or God or is self-absorbed or believes in another God figure or etc., etc., etc.  The simple truth is this:  There is only one God, the Father and the Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, of all things seen and unseen.  He gave us Jesus, who brought the gifts of forgiveness from sin and eternal life.  To me, you either believe that or you don't.  I hope for the sake of your soul you do.

So that's how you get into the Book of Life.  See you tomorrow.

BUT WAIT!  I'm kidding...I know it's not that easy to absorb.  Becoming a Christ follower and a Believer takes time and effort.  What I have written above is absolutely true, but it has taken me almost four years of getting back into a relationship with God to completely accept His love for me and reap the benefits of a day-by-day walk with Christ. And I will learn and re-learn the dynamics of that relationship as long as I walk and breathe on this earth.  Much like I practice law, I practice my faith in God.  It's constantly evolving and growing.  There are setbacks.  I will make mistakes.  But I will be in the light of God's love for me.

If you do the same thing, at some point you will look at what I wrote above and say, "Yeah, that just about sums it up."  But it's the DETAILS that make all the difference, and unfortunately, the details take TIME and FAITH and EFFORT to learn, absorb, understand, and finally, to live.  But it can be done.  It starts with one simple step....

Pick up your Bible (or buy one) and start reading the New Testament.  Don't start with Genesis at the beginning of the Old Testament!  It will confuse you.  Start with the New Testament, maybe Matthew or John, and then move forward.  Read it over and over again.  Research what you read.  Plug into a church and study with others.  Don't worry, they are just as confused as you are!  Form a small group or bible study group and immerse yourself in God.

With time, you will find out that you are feeding the Spirit inside you.  And after a time, you will be ready for rebirth through Christ Jesus.  I dare you to try it. 

So if you're past that point already, read Revelation.  If you're not to that point yet, get there and then read Revelation.  It's a vision, and it's very symbolic.  For example, Jesus comes with a sharp sword out of his mouth.  Well...that sharp sword coming out of his mouth, cutting down the evil army is the Word of God.  Get the picture?

Do you want to be behind that sword or in front of it?

Until tomorrow...

Come Believe.