Would You? part 2

        If you read my blog post yesterday, you undoubtedly noticed that it was a little different from my normal post. I shared with you that I had been asking myself a tough question, and asked you to consider that question too. Now I want you to think about your answers, if it was a straight away yes then praise be to the Father,  you are a better person than I and God will bless you for your unwavering heart! But if like myself you were second guessing, or the answer was simply no, look into your heart and ask what's keeping you from saying yes? What's keeping you from fully giving everything you have to him who suffered and died for you?
     It's important to ask questions like this now and take advantage of the time we have now to get our hearts right. It is important to understand that is not enough to simply say you love Jesus and do good works, but you must love him with a pure and obedient heart, you must be prepared to say 'yes Lord I will serve you,' even in the face of  incredible suffering. So, if you are like me and that word suffering made you stumble,  look at your answer and those feelings about suffering and ask why did it make me question/falter? And then ask yourself how can I change it? What do I need to do, or let go of in order to say unflinchingly yes.
      We do not know the day or the hour of his return, but we do know it is coming. We need to prepare ourselves now for it. We have to change our hearts and our actions now to reflect Jesus. Our constant, consuming thoughts should not be worries, but what can I do to be more like Jesus. Everyday it needs to be our position not to think of ourselves first, but those around us, and treat them with the same love and compassion our Father shows to us.
       We may never be called on to suffer torment in His name as others have, but regardless our hearts and mouths should be ready to answer with a resounding 'yes Lord, your will be done!'  if ever called upon. God needs to be first place in our lives, we need to serve Him in all we do and strive to be obedient loving children. In  John 15:13 Jesus states  'Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.'  Jesus laid down his life and suffered for us, what are we willing to endure for him?
      Work on letting go of whatever is holding you back, learn to sacrifice in your love for others, and to give love to all freely. Know that life here is short and we will be judged by our hearts. We must use each day given to us to know Him better, to follow the example of Christ better, and to have hearts that are obedient to all that is commanded of us.    

1 Peter 1:13-21

13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.