If Only . . .

November 29, 2022 Gracie

If Only I Was in Charge

Have you ever thought to yourself,

If only this would have happened

If only that didn’t happen

We don’t like not being in control, do we?

In some cases, it can boil down to our own pridefulness.

Here are some wise words from Pastor Vernon McGee:

Let me remind you that this is God’s universe, and He is doing things His way. You may think you have a better way, but you don’t have a universe to rule. – Dr. J. Vernon McGee, pastor, Bible teacher, theologian.¹

Ouch, right?

It’s easy to fall into the trap of “if only’s.”

God is a God of love, but He is not some kind of cosmic genie whose purpose here is to make everything easier for us.

Not even close!

God’s redemptive plan is to bring repentant sinners to salvation through Jesus Christ.

We look at the world today . . . increasing crime rates, violence, and blatant perversion aimed at children.

Please God, make it stop!

None of us deserve God’s patience, but He is merciful.

There is still time to help reach lost sinners for Him.

Think about it.

Their destiny is tragic.

That means that people we both know who are lukewarm, apathetic, or complete deniers of God will end up in Hell if they don’t repent and believe.

If only I was in charge, I would instantly make the whole world understand how desperate the times are now in which we are living.

But I’m not in charge.

God’s ways are not ours, and we should be thankful for His sovereignty.

“If Only” Does Nothing

Are we in the “last days”?

In the verse below, the Apostle Paul spoke to earlier believers of the last day signs.

See how these words also reveal to modern day Christians (you and me) about what we can expect.

We shouldn’t be surprised, but prepared.

2 Timothy 3:1-7 states,

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, ⁴treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these. ⁶For among them are those who slip into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, ⁷always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. – 2 Timothy 3:1-7, (NASB).²

How much longer will God put up with this wicked world?

God is working out His divine providence in His timing and His ways are perfect.

We won’t hear about it in the secular headlines, but people are being saved and coming to Christ in a very dark world.

His divine timetable remains a mystery.

I love this verse below:

The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some count slowness, but is patient towards you, not willing for anyone to perish, but for all to come to repentance. – 2 Peter 3:9, (NASB).³

“… He is patient with you . . .”

Have you thought about how beautiful and comforting those words are?

Trust Him.

Some day this will all make sense.

When Your “if only’s” Become “that is why”

Did you know that the opposite of “if only,” is “that is why”?

Here’s the good news:

On that glorious day when we see our eternity firsthand, our “if only’s” will become “so that is why.”

Father God, thank You for who You are.

Thank You for Your mercy and compassionate love

for a world full of broken people.

Help us to see those opportunities to reach others for Christ

in our time remaining

and to recognize that this life is not about us,

but about bringing glory and honor to You.

There is still time.

May our “if only’s” cease to cloud our judgments.

May we remember always

that You love us,

and that is why

You sent us Your Son –

to save us from ourselves.

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¹J. Vernon McGee quotation, courtesy of azquotes.com.

Our Exceptional God

Praying Silent Whispers In The Dark

May 4, 2021 Gracie

Silent Whispers in the Dark

Christian friends, I know you can think of someone you deeply care about who denies the fact that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

It’s heartbreaking, isn’t it?

Is it a family member, a dear friend, or maybe even someone you’re about to marry?

Why won’t they listen?

The conversations you’ve started with them about salvation through Jesus seem to go nowhere.

Do any of the following responses sound familiar?

“I just don’t feel that way”

“Nope! Not interested”

“Jesus is a myth”

If only they knew how important their eternal lives are to God.

If only they knew how much you want to see them in Heaven.

Praying those silent whispers in the dark on your loved one’s behalf seem to go unanswered.

It’s troubling.

Don’t they see what’s going on in our world?

Don’t they see the growing divide between good and evil playing out before our very eyes?

Keep Praying

Our loved ones’ salvation could take a very long time.

But also, in our heart of hearts, we have to face up to the fact that some of the people that we love will not go to Heaven.

They will continue being the wonderful people they are here, but their hardened hearts will send them to Hell forever.

I know we don’t like to think about it – but it’s true.

Faith can’t be forced on someone if they are not called.

Your Silent Whispers in the Dark are Heard

silent whispers in the dark

Going forward, it doesn’t matter how long your lost loved ones continue to reject Christ, keep praying for them.

Even though it seems like they’ll never change, the Heavenly Father hears your silent whispers in the dark.

God knew the exact timing for you to come to Christ, and He knows the exact timing for your loved one . . . even if it’s years down the road.

If they are called to salvation, it will happen.

Do you want to hear something beautiful?

⁹The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance. – 2 Peter 3:9, (NASB).

Peter, a friend and disciple of our Lord, spoke those words.

He saw deceivers coming into the church trying to influence God’s people.

confusing messages

Look around – is anything different in today’s world? There are wicked people everywhere looking to spread their hate for God to all generations.

And yet, God is not willing for any to perish.

He, not we, knows who His elect are, and that’s why it’s so important to bring the gospel to all people.

So why won’t some of the people you care about accept the gospel message?

God willing, they might, but it’s all in God’s timing.

The Lord is never late.

Praying for Lost Loved Ones

How do we pray for them then?

Some people have trouble finding the right words.

Regardless, God will hear you so don’t get caught up in trying to make it flow like you have to be perfect.

This should be a cry from the heart.

Even the length of the prayer doesn’t matter.

You’re praying for God to open their hearts to hear His Good News.

Don’t Give Up Praying Those Silent Whispers in the Dark

Here’s an example of a prayer that you’re welcome to use – maybe it could be a springboard for your own personal prayer for your lost loved ones.

Father God,

I have some special people on my heart today.

The __________ family,

___________,

and ____________.

Father, nothing seems to work.

No matter how much I pray, they don’t want to talk

about Jesus at all.

I know You hear all of my prayers.

As it says in Your Word, You love us so much that

You’re not willing for anyone to perish.

Thank You for Your patience with me,

and for Your patience with my lost loved ones.

I pray that they won’t wait until there’s no turning back.

I pray for the Holy Spirit to guide me in any future conversations I have with them about repentance and salvation. May the words of my mouth help plant those seeds that can lead them to Christ.

We fail You daily and yet, through Your compassion and mercy, You have provided us with a way to have eternal life.

As this world grows darker, help them to see that You are the only way to their salvation.

I know all things are done in Your timing. Your will be done.

I pray this through Jesus Christ, Amen.

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Our Exceptional God