Jesus, A Heart-Beat Away
How would you spend your day if it is your last day on earth? Each minute of the day becomes so important. What we do, what we say, what we think becomes more important!
This moment, this minute, is precious. Each breath, each heart-beat is a gift from God. Each now we have a choice of how to love and serve others.
Believing and trusting takes knowing God and His Word in the Bible. God waits for us to believe, trust, and live for Him. In John 14:6, Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him!” Knowing Jesus helps us to know God, the Father.
God has a purpose for our lives. He gives us gifts to enable us to serve Him according to His purpose. He teaches us to learn how to love and to forgive. He provides encouragement and strength all along our way. Stories of men and women who served others fill the Old Testament. They served God by showing true compassion and joy for others.
Has your best friend betrayed you? There is One Friend, who is our ‘forever friend.’ He walks with us along His way and Lights the Way.
John 15:9-14 – “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.”
The recordings of the healing in the Scripture happened in the twinkling of an eye. One minute there was blindness, sickness, and despair. Jesus brings healing and hope in an instant, a twinkling of an eye. Believing and trusting Jesus, and being His friend is a choice we make, instantly we are not alone!
The rampant sickness in the world today, spawned by hate, and not love. Hate in the mind grows and festers until there is no room for love. Hate fills our hearts with self-concerns. Love is selfless and cares about others. Jesus forgives sin in an instant through believing and baptism in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Our bodies may be healthy, but our hearts without Jesus are ill without His forgiveness.
Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Matthew 18:21. Seven times was all Peter could handle in forgiving others who sinned against him. What was the answer Jesus gives Peter? Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” Matthew 18:22.
Have you ever wondered how many times God has forgiven you and me? Think about the people from the beginning of time, and how many times God has forgiven? Countless, as many as there are stars in the skies. This is “The Why of Jesus.” This is why Jesus came to earth to be the sacrifice for our sins. Jesus came to build our link to God. Jesus is our assurance of purity, freedom from sin so we can live with God for an eternity.
Colossians 3:12-15 – Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For, as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Giving our hearts to God is a moment by moment happening through the numbered days of our lives. King David understood. Psalm 39:4-5 – “Lord, make me know my end, and what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am.”
A Heart-Beat Away!
This moment, this breath is a gift.
No one knows the hour or the day.
Eternity is so very near.
Just a heart-beat away.
This NOW is all I have
Each moment I make a choice
Not choosing, brings death,
Choosing God, and angels rejoice.
Believe, and I will see
God is waiting for me
To choose eternity
And with God, I’ll be.
Help me, dear Lord, to pray
Forgive me, dear Lord, when I stray
I give you my heart each day,
He is just a heart-beat away
Now is the moment
Now is the day
Now is all I have
Jesus — Only a heart-beat away.
Emily A. Combs
Comments? eacombs@att.net