Matthew 23:37, New Living Translation

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.”

I am a sinner saved by grace. What would we do without the grace, unmerited favor, of God in our lives? I know where I would be at this very moment if His hand of mercy hadn't reached out to me. Over fifteen years ago, I had a near death experience. This was before I knew Christ. The doctors had told my sister that if she had waited to get me to the hospital until morning, I would have died. To this day, I don't know how she found me, except that it was God's grace reaching out for me. If I had died that night, I would have been righteously and justly sentenced to hell. I didn't realize it then, but I see it now, looking back. Jesus is calling out to us, but will we accept His invitation? Jesus says in Matthew 23:37 (NLT) says, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.”

Jesus has a longing for us to be with Him. Not just now, but in eternity. We were

given free will. With that free will we will make a choice. Paul tells us in Romans 6:15-16 (NLT), "Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.”

The lifestyle I was living all those years ago was a lifestyle of sin. I had thought that I could do life better on my own. I was wrong. It was almost six years before I surrendered my life to the Lord. Even through a near death experience, it was not enough to bring me to Him. It was hitting my "rock bottom" and realizing that I had nothing at that moment but reaching out His hand of mercy to me once again was my Savior, telling me that no matter where I was, I wasn't alone. We as people can be stubborn people. I want to encourage us to break the cycle of stubbornness. Sin leads to death, a spiritual death that will take one to an eternal home of fire and groaning and pain.  

We have an enemy who will try everything in his effort to snuff out your light. He knows the power that lives inside of you and what it can do! Jesus tells us, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:14-16, NLT) Your life may not make sense right now but know that there is a light inside of you that reaches the people around you. That light inside of you, you do more than what you think you do by the Spirit that dwells in you and the love that drives you, the love for God and the love for people. One of my favorite verses that I have used several times in writing says, " Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. " (Proverbs 3:5-6, NLT)

The Beatles were right when they sang "all you need is love." For God is love and in God, we have all that we need. Instead of looking at God as this figure that gives rules and stipulations, we should look at Him as the loving Father He is. When our earthly parents parented us, they gave us rules and boundaries. They were for our protection because they loved us and wanted to protect us. That is the same for our heavenly Father. Living righteously, is living in the love, protection and blessing of God. This is where I want to be, this is where I want you to be. This where Jesus wants us to be. “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17, NLT) Although this scripture is one of the most well-known scriptures in the Bible, it is one that we should take to heart and not look lightly upon. God is rich in mercy! He gives us every opportunity to come to Him. Even when Jesus was dying on the cross beside two thieves, he looked at the one and said, "Today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43)

If you do not know Jesus as your Savior, I urge you to seek Him now. Don't let Satan steal your salvation. We are not promised tomorrow. Ask Jesus to come into your

heart. Forgive those who have hurt you, repent of your sins, and let God be God. He loves each one of us and has a plan for each one of us! Our days are ordained for us in His book and Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) tells us, “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” God has certainly given me a future and a hope. My life has had its challenges, but the one thing that has remained faithful in my life is God. I would not be here without Him, and I would not have the strength I need to make it through this hurting world. I give praise to the Father, who saved me from a life of sin and gave me this opportunity to encourage you, my brother and sister! May you find and know the God of love who is rich in mercy and full of grace!