PROCRASTINATION

Are you a procrastinator? Webster defines procrastinate as: put
off, delay, postpone, drag your feet, defer and dally. Many people
have problems with procrastination, but they do eventually get
around to taking care of business. Sometimes though, they don’t,
and miss important deadlines as a result.

Different people procrastinate about different things. Some
missed deadlines are opportunities gone forever, and no amount of
regret can change that. If you drag your feet about a bill for instance, you might
have to pay it later with interest and life will still go on.
However, there is one critical deadline that affects every
individual, man or woman, young or old, and the Bible calls it the
Day of Salvation (see 2 Corinthians 6:2).

It is a critical deadline because the Bible also says, “Man is
destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27 NIV).
The Day of Salvation is a critical deadline because if missed,
(unsaved before death) the destination after judgment is hell, a
place originally prepared for the devil and his angels.

So you might say, “Which day is the Day of Salvation?” It is
different for each person, but it is the day a person is confronted
with the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ. So for you dear reader,
today is your day. Don’t let the sun go down without you settling
this issue. Below is the gospel in a nutshell:

1. You are a sinner (you were born with a sin nature and you do sin). See Romans 3:23.

2. Th e payment for your sin is death (hell). See Romans 6:23.

3. Jesus is the Son of God, the only Savior appointed by God, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 NIV).

4. Jesus died in your place so you can be saved through Him (see 1 Timothy 2:6).

5. What you need to do:

• Repent and believe in Jesus
• Confess you sins to Him,
• Ask for forgiveness and He will forgive you (see 1 John 1:9).

You might have heard this before, but did nothing about it.
Head knowledge about the gospel does not save you; you need to
believe it by believing in the name of Jesus for salvation. By God’s grace you have
been given another opportunity. Please don’t put it off any longer;
you might not have this opportunity again. Make your decision
today, because tomorrow could be too late, "Now is the time of
God’s favor, now is the Day of Salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2 NIV).

TIGHT SECURITY

Why has air travel become so frustrating? Why do we have to be
at the airport hours before departure time? Why do we have to
remove our shoes, hats and so forth when going through airport
security? And why can’t we take drinks or food through security?
Th e answer is simple. The government is trying to ensure that
no individual with evil intentions (terrorists) is allowed on an
airplane. In short, it is a way of securing our safety. I am sure the
bad guys have not given up yet; they are still trying, and hoping
that one of these days, they’d succeed.

A few years ago, at a White House Dinner Party, an uninvited couple
was able to get through security, and mingle with guests. When
questioned they made up stories like, they had forgotten to bring
their invitation, etc. They posed for pictures with dignitaries, and
had a good time. So apparently, tight security in places does not
guarantee that the uninvited would be kept out. It is still possible
for the uninvited to go through security without being stopped or
identified as uninvited guests, regardless of their intentions, until
it is too late.
There is one place though that a guest without the proper
credentials cannot bypass security, unnoticed. Look at this verse
with me, “If anyone’s name was not found in the book of life, he
was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15 NIV). No one can sneak into
heaven! There’s not going to be an issue of oversight, mix ups, or
excuses. Either your name is, or is not in the book of life. This is
a very crucial issue.

How does one get his or her name in the Book of life? No
name will get there by chance, or by being God’s favorite. God
is not in the business of playing favoritism. Jesus said to his
disciples, “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my
brother, and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:50 NIV). Also, Jesus promised
to acknowledge before the Father, those who acknowledge Him
before men; likewise, to disown before the Father, those who
disown Him before men (see Matthew 10:32-33).

Names are placed in the Book of life intentionally, for
one reason only. “I tell you the truth; whoever hears my word
and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be
condemned; he has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24 NIV). So as
you see, it is by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ that one
is saved. It is also important to note that the Book of life does not
have names of groups. Hence no one can be written in the Book
of life because they belong to a particular Church, family, school
or denomination. Each one is on his or her own. Each one has to
come to Christ as an individual. No one can wish himself/herself
into heaven; no one can do enough good deeds to qualify getting
into heaven.

This is the assurance the believer has that his/her name is in
the Book of life, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for
those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the
law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death”
Romans 8:1-2 NIV). “I write these things to you who believe in the name of
the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life”
(1 John 5:13).

Would you like to get into heaven? Did you say, “Yes”? How
do you plan to get there? Are you hoping to sneak by security
somehow? That will not work. The only thing that will work is
repentance and faith in Jesus. Accept Jesus as your personal Savior
today. Jesus Christ is the only Way! Guaranteed!

IT IS HIS RIGHT

From beginning to end, Scripture repeatedly emphasizes God’s ownership of everything:

Heaven belongs to God.
He decides who goes there;
He also decides the terms.

You might disagree with his decisions,
But that will not change anything.
You could even make suggestions to sway him,
But that will not make any difference.

Heaven belongs to God!
He decided the only ones allowed there, are those whose sins are
forgiven.
He also decided the only way to forgiveness is through faith in
His Son Jesus.
You might disagree with His decisions;
You probably think, regardless of what people believe
He created all so all should be allowed in.
You probably also think, whoever you judge as good should be
allowed.

Heaven however, belongs to God and not to you,
He does not need your advice or suggestions.
He can do with heaven as He pleases.

Heaven belongs to God!
He is not going to excuse your unbelief because you disagree with
Him.
How often do you allow others to dictate to you what you should
do with your property?
Heaven belongs to God!
If you desire to go there, you have to follow his direction.
Confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus,
And believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead
And you will be saved.
There is no other way.

BOW NOW, OR BOW LATER: YOUR CHOICE

Bowing is the act of obeisance: paying homage to someone you love and respect, or an individual who by nature of their position is due that respect. The Bible declares that God has elevated Jesus to the place of highest honor and given Him the name that’s above every name (see Philippians 2:9). For that reason, the Bible says, “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11). This means there’s coming a time when every single person will pay homage to Jesus, whether they like it or not!

Currently, bowing or not bowing is by choice. Those who bow do so because they have found salvation in Jesus Christ; they understand that Jesus left His throne above and became man, and died to save them. They adore, love, and appreciate Him. I am included in that number, and we believe bowing is the least we should do to show appreciation for paying the penalty for our sins.

The people who don’t bow now have either not been exposed to the gospel of Jesus Christ, have but don’t believe it, or think there’s some other way or deity through whom they could get to God. Some of these people actually hate Jesus and would not consider bowing to Him for any reason. For now, these people are free to not bow. Unfortunately, their refusal to respond to God’s love through Jesus means only one thing—when their time in this world is over, they’ll be spending eternity away from God in hell. In addition though, they will still bow and acknowledge that Jesus is Lord, the very posture they despise! Bowing under this circumstance, however, will not change where they spend eternity. They’ll bow in sorrow and remorse!

Which category do you belong to? Are you or are you not bowing willingly? If you don’t already bow willingly, I’ll like to encourage you to call on Jesus today and experience His love. After all, like everyone else, you’ll bow eventually. Bowing now will make the most sense, and bring you the most benefit.

Jesus is the only One who could appease the Father’s holy law, which is why He took your sins and mine upon Himself and died in our place. You need to accept His sacrifice on your behalf, and ask Him to forgive your sins and come live in your heart. God does not want you to perish; He wants you to repent and be saved through Jesus Christ (see 2 Peter 3:9). Jesus makes it clear in the book of John, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 NLT). Please come to the Father today, through Jesus, and bow to Him willingly, in adoration.