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.’
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
