ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

EYE-CATCHING … THOUGHT-PROVOKING!  Isn’t that of utmost importance these days in the marketing world?  The goal seems to be to catch the attention of the consumers and then to make them stop long enough to think and make a decision to act on the offer.  The other day one of those ads caught my eye … and … my attention.  Not necessarily because of what it was advertising, though there was much truth to it; but because of how it rang true in the spiritual sense.  Here, let me share it with you!  A local funeral home published this eye-catching … thought-provoking ad.  “ ‘Someday’ is not the time to preplan your funeral or memorial service.  Last time we checked there is no ‘someday’ on the calendar.  Plan TODAY!  Your family will thank you.”  Powerful, you have to admit.  It caught my eye and made me think.  But within seconds, I “saw” other words appear in my mind that would be equally eye-catching and compelling as an advertisement for those who do not know Christ personally.  It goes like this:  “ ‘Someday’ is not the time to preplan your eternal destination – where you will live forever.  Last time we checked, there is no ‘someday’ on the calendar.  Plan TODAY!  Not only will YOU be forever grateful that you did, but your family who wants you to know Jesus so you can all spend Eternity together, will be so very grateful!”  Thought-provoking, for sure!  The words compel the “consumer” to make a decision to act on the offer – God’s offer of salvation and a forever Home in heaven with Him and loved ones who already know Jesus!  Who would intentionally turn that offer down, or just ignore it?

Here is God’s take on this eye-catching …thought-provoking ad.  He actually wrote His own long ago and it is so important that He put a non-stop run on its length of time for publication.  The message has never been pulled; the “ad” still runs.  Look at what it says . . . (2 Corinthians 6:2)

“For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, 
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.’

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 

(New King James Version)

“For He says: ‘I listened to you at the time of My favor.  

And the day when you needed salvation, I came to your aid.’

So can’t you see?  Now is the time to respond to His favor! Now is the day of salvation!”

(The Passion Translation)

So, do you hear the invitation God gives, the help He offers, and the urgency of receiving the offer NOW?  There is no “someday” included in this invitation.  No expiration date is included, because for each of us – that date will be different.  We are not guaranteed our next breath, much less another day or month or year.  That is precisely why God urges us that “NOW” is the time to respond affirmatively to His offer of salvation!!  In the very moment we accept His gift of salvation, our reservation in Heaven is secured for all of Eternity!  I plead with anyone and everyone reading this, as well – please do not intentionally delay your decision, or turn God’s offer down, or worse yet, just ignore it!  This offer WILL expire the day and the moment God has already ordained to be your last breath on earth.  So if you have never said “yes” to Jesus … please say “yes” right now!  God purchased your one-way entrance ticket at Calvary with the price of His Son’s blood – and then printed His invitation with your name on it – and all that still needs to be done is for you to reach out and take it and say “yes” … “I receive You as my Lord and Savior!  I choose to spend eternity in heaven with You – and with those I love who have already said ‘yes’ to You!”  It IS that easy, that simple, and it IS completely free!  TODAY is THE day … for YOU!  This is the most important “ad” you will ever respond to because it will change your forever destination from Hell to Heaven!  I’ve already preplanned for Heaven … will you please join me today?!  More than anything ~ I want to see You there!  And so does He!

REMEMBER . . .

“Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

~ Luke 15:10 (New King James Version)  

Joyfully Serving Christ . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie