I don’t post these messages here with the hopes of racking up ‘likes’, nor am I longing for any kind of following or ‘ministry’. Yes, I read the occasional comments and can obviously see who has acknowledged reading on any given day. I do have a ‘hunch’ there may be more folks reading these than would ever let on which I am totally fine with; I’m just blessed that you are reading them...because that says a lot in itself. If there is anything to be proven or confirmed, I’m 100% confident that God will do just that with His word, as He always has done in the past. (Mark16:20) And it does help to have a heart that longs for genuine truth because those are the hearts God is looking for so that....2 Chronicles 16:9.

I will be honest here with you when I say the past four years that I’ve been writing and sharing here, these messages have been directed for anyone who sees themself in the ‘body of Christ’ at large- anyone who calls themselves or claims to be a ‘Christian’ or follower of Jesus. And without trying to sound overly dramatic, they have been a call to ‘wake up’ because just like in the parable of the ten virgins found in Matt. 25, with the virgins being a picture or ‘type’ of the church... they all fell asleep prior to the return of the ‘bridegroom’ who is a type of Jesus, and who is coming back for a holy and spotless and blameless church.

But something ‘shifted’ this past week or two, which was the reason for the ‘pause’ I took; and at the time, I was unclear what I was going to do next. I can tell you that now I believe I am to write and share these messages with a ‘different’ audience in mind – those who would not claim or profess to be ‘religious’ or ‘into church’ or Christian, etc. I suppose that is one nice thing about social media and a platform like this...where anyone online can drop in and read and no one will ever know you were here. My page on FB is ‘public’ so you don’t even have to be ‘friends’ with me to read here. Now that is not to say that if you are a Christian and have been gaining anything from these writings up to now...that you won’t continue to do so. And if you would like an enlightening passage to read that might explain this shift in the audience I’m writing to now, you might look at Matt. 22:1-14 and Luke 14:15-24.

So for any and all who may be ‘on the fence’, lingering in the shadows and dropping in from time to time to read ...can I just tell you that I am encouraged for you. I would imagine that some of you are where you are today because you’ve been greatly disappointed by the ‘fruit’...and/or ‘lack of’ among so many today who would ‘profess to be followers of Jesus’...but by their actions and behavior...they deny Him’ (Titus 1:16). Can I also tell you not to worry yourself with them because God is going to sort all that out...and sooner than most might imagine. (Matt. 13:24-30 and 36-43)

If today happens to be your first time reading here, and you feel so inclined...may I encourage you to drop back a few days and catch up and start with my ‘shorter than normal post on Wednesday the 22nd. It’s the one with the picture of some food in the teeth. That might put a few things in perspective before the follow up message on why I use this Bible as a point of reference for everything I share here. And if you read the two days following that one where I shared my own personal story of ‘conversion’...well....you may be scratching or shaking your head and are not quite sure what to think about all that. I get it; trust me...I really do.

We read of an account in the Book of Acts when the apostle Paul found himself in Athens and was communicating the gospel to quite a mixed crowd there. You can read about in in 17:16-34. (and in case the number reference confuses you, that first number is the actual chapter number, followed up by the numbered verses in that particular book. As a former school teacher, you learn not to assume anything about your audience ;-) )

I only share this particular story because after Paul said what he had to say, which included how there will be a ‘resurrection of the dead’ (vs.32)...the response of the audience was mixed. Many laughed and mocked him as they left. Others...were not sure what to do or say with this news but were at least open to ‘hearing him again on this matter’. But there were those who heard the word and received it and joined with those who were believers.

That is my hope, friends...that any and all who read here will find their hearts being ‘wooed’ by the Holy Spirit and drawn to a place where your Creator might reveal Himself to you. Let’s be real...we are living in very dark times. I know people who are absolutely terrified by events that are occurring, by the division and discord that is on the rise. Even Jesus spoke of these days where ‘men’s hearts would fail them for fear and anxiety of things they saw coming’...(Luke 21:26)

Here's my promise to you: If it’s truth you are hungering for, not to mention a genuine peace of mind with an abundance of joy thrown in for good measure’...God has that for you. You don’t have to ‘sign on the dotted line’ today, either. Just hear me out in what I want to share with you. Grab a Bible and look up the references I give so you can read for yourself what God’s word is saying. This will be between you and Him and He is quite capable of confirming, bearing witness and speaking to your heart if you will take the time to ‘be still and listen’. You need not run off and ‘join a church’ or ‘go public’ or do anything you are not comfortable doing...unless you sense a peace that surpasses all understanding lead and guide you. That...my friends...is where so many of us ‘seasoned saints’ have missed it in the past. We must have skipped out on that class that stresses the importance of being ‘led by the Spirit’ which is what true ‘children of God’ do (Romans 8:14; John 10:27; Psalm 23:3).

And one last note here for today...Maybe you are one of those who some call a ‘backslider’. There was a time when you might have had a walk or relationship with God...but then ‘stuff happened’. Perhaps you were hurt or let down, became disillusioned...whatever. Maybe that ‘light’ went out and you have a hard time believing that God would even consider giving you the time of day, let alone hear any prayer you might muster up. I have good news for you – I was there...and He restored my soul, pulling me out of the miry clay and He set my feet upon the Rock. So hang with me ...and if there was ever a time to just open yourself up ... one more time...can I tell you that time is now? :- ). See you tomorrow?