Grandfather's & Lantern's

My grandfather is a wise man.

I know this because his wisdom has proven itself true time and time again.  Though he isn’t perfect, so often he knows exactly what to say.

One of his favorite phrases is “Tough.” 

Essentially, if you live long enough, you’re going to get burned, hurt, broken.  Life is tough.

I think we can all agree, life is tough.

So often, when life does get tough I’ve caught myself saying, “Jesus, take me now. I just want to be home with you. I’m ready to go.”

Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthians touching on a similar subject.

“So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him [Jesus]. For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body. Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others." 2 Corinthians 5:9-11, NLT.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to be with Jesus. Being with Him is not only where we belong, but our true home.  However, I believe we let this mentality take over when times get tough.

When tough times do come, it is much easier to think about leaving rather than enduring knowing one deep truth:

Many times God has used the toughest of times to bring those far from Him closer to His deep embrace. Although we are hurting, He is with us and He will receive glory no matter the outcome. 

Its easy to forget, we have a responsibility to Him whether we are here on earth or with Him.  That responsibility is to please Him.

A friend would put it this way, “We still have a lot of work to do. Let's get to work!"

I emplore you to use your time in this life to chase passionately after God, and in the hard times pursue Him harder than you ever have before.  Let the tough times be the times where you’re light shines brightest in a dark and broken world that so desperately needs to be filled with the light of Christ. 

Don't give up when tough times come, rather dig deeper into Christ and work harder than ever, here is where your light shines brightly bearing the name Jesus, because He is filling you up, not anyone or anything else, no matter the outcome.

My last words to you are simply to shine, my friends. Shine.

Simply,
Tex G.M. Rule

Prophets & Open Invitations

We have been given an open invitation from Jesus.

If anyone reads the Gospels, you can count the several different times where Jesus says the word, "Come."

It is an open invitation that is all inclusive & open to all who would come.

This invitation has been around since the beginning.

God has constantly invited us to be in communion with Him,

and we so often walk away, wondering why we're empty.

For those of us who are empty

or know of someone who is empty

hear these words, I will let them speak for themselves.

"Is anyone thirsty?
    Come and drink—
    even if you have no money!
Come, take your choice of wine or milk—
    it’s all free!
Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength?
    Why pay for food that does you no good?
Listen to me, and you will eat what is good.
    You will enjoy the finest food.
“Come to me with your ears wide open.
    Listen, and you will find life.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you.
    I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.
See how I used him to display my power among the peoples.
    I made him a leader among the nations.
You also will command nations you do not know,
    and peoples unknown to you will come running to obey,
because I, the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious.”
Seek the Lord while you can find him.
    Call on him now while he is near.
Let the wicked change their ways
    and banish the very thought of doing wrong.
Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them.
    Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously."
-Isaiah 55:1-7, NLT.

Its time to respond.

No more will we stay unresponsive.

No more will we delay.

Its time to act.

For some of us, its means coming to Jesus,

with everything we have and laying it at His feet.

Turning away from everything else, and putting Him on the throne.

Making Him our everything and leaving the world behind.

For others, we need to invite.

Its time we give others the same invitation Jesus gave us.

An open invitation to all who would come,

not to those we want to come

but to all who are thirsty,

to all that would come to Jesus

Its time to invite the world to Jesus.

Will you come?