General Articles

Why Me, Lord? :: By Dennis Huebshman

Published on: by RR7

About three years ago, I made reference to a Kris Kristofferson song called “Why Me, Lord?” At that time, I stated that there was definitely a message in it as well (from the article, “Take My Hand Precious Lord” – 2019). While my intention was to make this the next message, for some reason, it didn’t get written. Since then, there have been many others that the Father has given me, but this beautiful work kept getting pushed back. Time to correct this. (ESV – all emphasis mine)

Just the title is very profound, “Why Me, Lord?” About thirty-five years ago, that question came to my mind in a powerful way. Up to that point, I had the same belief that many people have today, that I was okay with God and would go to Heaven when I left this earth because I was a “good person.” Then one day, I was home alone, and a thought crossed my mind. Was I absolutely certain my belief was correct? And, if not, what then?

Please understand that our Heavenly Father loves us more than we could ever imagine. He wants every single person on this earth to call on His Son and be saved (2 Peter 3:9). However, He will never force anyone to do so. He is willing to forgive all but one sin, and that sin is to leave this earth without truly having received and accepted Jesus as Savior. Just being a “good person” doesn’t save anyone.

God loves for us to “talk” to Him and let Him know our thoughts and desires. In numerous verses in the Bible, Jesus said that whatever we ask in His name, He will do it. This does not mean for selfish or destructive requests, but as believers, we would make requests that honor our Savior, and also for the welfare of our brothers and sisters.

Therefore, if one person prays for another, and it’s to provide a pathway to our Gentle Shepherd, it would be understandable that the Father would provide for this in His own way. By having the Holy Spirit open our hearts and minds to the truth, this still allows us to have the choice to accept or reject it. I found out later that there were “prayer warriors” who were asking the Lord to show me the right path. Resources opened for me, and I learned that I had never really received and accepted Jesus as my Savior.

I followed what I later found out was Romans 10:13; I called on the name of the Lord to be saved. I also became aware that He doesn’t want to be an overbearing deity but truly wants a relationship with us. That relationship started for me on that day and has grown stronger ever since. He even showed me that I could be an ordained pastor and provided the means and resources for that.

One of those “prayer warriors” was my mom, and though she didn’t live to see me become a pastor, she did know that I was saved before she passed away.

Right after I get to see Jesus in person for the first time, and when I am able to stand after falling at His feet in total awe, I look forward to the wonderful reunion that will take place. We will be able to see those who were in God’s will in the Bible that we read about, and they will want to see us as well. All of our loved ones who were part of His flock and went Home before us will be there also. Best part is, everyone will know everyone else.

Right now, I can look back and see where my life was taking me. It was toward a place in the long line at the Great White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20:11-15. One of the first things I did after I called out that day was to get a study Bible in a translation I could understand. At forty years of age, I was ashamed to admit I had never done any serious reading of God’s word. I always just took whatever the preachers said as being true and accurate without checking for myself. It wasn’t very long at all that I found out there was so much more to our Father’s “Love Letter” than what is proclaimed in many pulpits today.

I especially learned that no one is truly righteous, and we all are sinners (Romans 3:10; Romans 3:23). God’s word is specific that the wages of our sin is death in the hell fires, but He offers us eternal life as a free gift for all who will receive and accept His Son, Jesus the Christ (Romans 6:23). The steps are simple, but some people try to complicate them. They feel there has to be much pomp and circumstance to be recognized by the Father.

We admit we are sinners; we have faith and believe that Jesus is our only way to forgiveness; and if we truly call on Him, we will be saved (Romans 10:9-13; John 14:6). To add to any of this is an insult to the perfect sacrifice our Savior made for us. No one has sinned so badly that they cannot be forgiven if they truly ask for forgiveness.

As I said earlier, “Why Me, Lord?” Kris Kristofferson wrote and released this song in 1972, and the message is still powerful for those who will accept it.

1) Why me, Lord? What have I ever done to deserve even one of the pleasures I’ve known? Tell me, Lord, what did I ever do that was worth loving You or the kindness You’ve shown?

Ref) Lord help me, Jesus; I’ve wasted it so. Help Me, Jesus; I know what I am. Now that I know that I’ve need You so, Help Me, Jesus; my soul’s in Your hand.

2.) Tell me, Lord, if you think there’s a way I can try to repay all I’ve taken from you. Maybe, Lord, I can show someone else what I’ve been through myself on my way back to You. (ref)

When I called out for Jesus to forgive me and be my Savior forever, the words “Why Not Me, Lord?” came to mind. I firmly believe the Father’s word to us is true, and He cannot nor would He ever try to lie to us (Titus 1:2). There is one word of caution here; there are so-called modern bibles that have changed or “tweaked” the true word of the Father. Some give a “gender-neutral” god, and some even refer to Him as a “she.”

I have read the KJV, the New KJV, the New American Standard, and the English Standard Versions of the Bible. All declare in their opening pages that the texts were taken from the original word, and all were purchased through a reputable Christian Book Store.

One lesson I have learned is that as long as I am a human on the earth, I will slip and sin. So will everyone else. That’s where 1 John 1:8-10 comes in. It’s our pathway to forgiveness. Please note that just because God promised He would forgive us when we confess and ask for His forgiveness, we are still subject to discipline for our actions (Hebrews 12:5-11; Proverbs 3:11-12). This is done because He loves us.

As mentioned earlier, there is one unforgivable sin, which is to deny Jesus as Savior. This is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31-32). Once a person receives and accepts Jesus, the Holy Spirit dwells within them. To purposely not acknowledge sin is to not seek to have it forgiven and, therefore, to deny the gift that God has provided for us through His Son.

All who truly call out to Jesus to save them will be saved. In this day and age, we are rapidly approaching a time when all who are a part of the Savior’s flock will be taken up to be with Him and to avoid the absolute worst time this earth will ever experience. This is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-53.

The Father’s promise (remember Titus 1:2) to keep us from the tribulation/wrath is in 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, and Revelation 3:10.

Please know that all the end of this age signs, as given in the Bible, are here right now and all at once for the very first time. Jesus could call at any moment. Please consider whether or not you have truly asked Jesus to be your Savior. Today would not be too early to do so.

Maranatha – Come Lord Jesus!

huebshman46@gmail.com

 

Are You Ready for Jesus’ Return? :: By Grant Phillips

Published on: by RR7

 

More than once, actually several times before Jesus went to the cross, He warned us to be ready for His return. Did you get that? He knew that death would not hold Him on the cross and would not keep Him in the grave. He would rise again after three days, spend forty more days upon the earth to prove it, then return to the Father in Heaven.

He told of the homeowner and the thief in Matthew 24:42-44, and the good and wicked servants in Matthew 24:45-51, and the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13, and the talents in Matthew 25:14-30. The main point in each of these examples Jesus gave was to be ready.

Those who lived prior to the flood of Noah’s day were not ready even though they had 120 years to get ready. Now get this: for 120 years, they had been warned that a great flood was coming. The visual of Noah building an ark on dry ground should have told them something. I’m sure there were many questions along with their mockery of “this crazy guy” Noah, and no doubt Noah relayed to them that God’s judgment was coming. They didn’t listen. Are we listening today?

God promised that He would never again destroy all life with a flood and there would never again be a flood to destroy the earth (Genesis 9:11). He even gave us a sign to remind us of His promise, the sign of the rainbow. (Those who have mocked and dishonored this sign are in for a rude awakening.)

Before we get too haughty, God told us later on in His Word that the world and all that is in it will be judged again, and the next time it will be judged by fire.

“For by fire and by His sword
The LORD will judge all flesh;
And the slain of the LORD shall be many” (Isaiah 66:16).

“For behold, the day is coming,
Burning like an oven,
And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble.
And the day which is coming shall burn them up,”
Says the LORD of hosts,
‘That will leave them neither root nor branch” (Malachi 4:1).

“But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men…. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:7, 10).

In Luke 21:36, the Lord says, “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

In Luke 17:26-30, Jesus warns us that the last days will be like the days of Noah and the days of Lot.

Luke 12:35-48 is another very revealing Scripture passage about being ready, faithful and wise. We should be like servants who keep their lamps burning and are waiting at all hours for the unexpected arrival of the master of the house.

Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32 tell us, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”

My friends, Jesus is going to return. It may be in my lifetime, and it may not. It doesn’t matter. Either way, my destination will be my home in Heaven. Many, many others can say the same because we know Christ Jesus as our Savior and Lord. Unfortunately, there are many times more who are like those in Noah and Lot’s day. They don’t know Jesus and couldn’t care less. Their only interest is in what this world has to offer.

Since Jesus returned to Heaven, our post-Noah world has been receiving warnings from God of His coming final judgment. God’s judgment upon this world and those of this world during the soon-to-come Tribulation period is nothing to take lightly. Once Jesus removes His bride (the Church), the Tribulation judgment will be hell on earth.

Jesus gave us our marching orders in Matthew 28:18-20, which says, “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.”

Through the apostle Peter, Jesus had a message to us to feed His sheep:

“So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Feed My lambs.’

“He said to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’

“He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My sheep.’

“Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.’

“This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, ‘Follow Me'” (John 21:15-19).

In my opinion, this conversation between Jesus and Peter is especially pertinent to those who are pastors. Many of today’s pastors aren’t going to be happy when they stand before the Lord Jesus Christ and He asks them, “Did you feed my sheep?”

It is also for Christian parents, who need to teach their children the Word of God beginning at an early age. It is for Sunday School teachers, Bible teachers, Christian writers, evangelists, etc.

I think too many Christians believe that as long as they’re saved, they are ready for Jesus’ return. What about those just within our circle? Are they ready? Can you and I say along with the apostle Paul …

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

If we can, then we too are ready for Jesus’ return.

Grant Phillips

Email: Phillip5769@twc.com
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html