TRADING DEATH FOR LIFE
I’m going to assume that anyone reading this has at one point or another thought about death. After all, it is the one thing that nobody can avoid. Death is a sensitive topic yet it must be addressed, especially today.
Suicide Rates in Teens On The Rise
According to the American Psychological Association, more than 20% of teens have seriously considered suicide. I know of one young man who talks about death frequently. This is becoming an epidemic in itself and needs to be taken seriously, yet today’s society has begun to normalize this upward trend. Children in this generation appear to be engulfed in depression. Why? What is causing this strain on their mental health to the point where they would consider ending a life that has just begun?
This writer is no stranger to depression or suicidal thoughts. In my book God Knows My Heart: will it be enough to get me into heaven? I share my testimony on how I intended to end my life. I am so very glad that I did not succeed.
One Second Is All It Takes
One moment of impulse can end a life and that moment can never be taken back. One moment of despair can take away a lifetime of joy. If I had succeeded in killing myself, this moment, right now would not be happening. These words would not be here for others to read, to encourage and offer hope in a time of need. My life would have ended needlessly over a moment of self pity brought on by alcohol.
When I woke up the next day, still alive, my memory was gone for a few moments, wondering what was going on because I could barely get off of the couch and one side of my body was numb. I could barely speak. I thought I’d had a stroke. I managed to get myself to the kitchen sink and get a glass of water, then I remembered the night before and the feelings of shame and remorse were overwhelming.
Knowing what I know now, the reality of what I nearly did is what keeps me close to Jesus. I didn’t know Him then but what He did for me that night has made me humble. He saved my life in more ways than one. To think about being lost and dying lost…it is so frightening to me now!
I know that my life has meaning and purpose because every day I wake up a little more to His ultimate plan for me. He has a plan for each one of us.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11 KJV
Love. God is love.
Most of my life was spent on the other side of the fence, as far away from God as anyone could ever be. Life had no meaning, no real purpose and it took rock bottom for me to discover that there really is someone who loves me. someone who has protected me even though I was oblivious to His presence.
Patient. God is patient.
I was in my late 40’s before I realized that God is real, Jesus is real and that He died for ME. How could I not return that love?
It has been over 6 thousand years for us, but for God its been only 6 days, for His timing is not our timing. In Bible prophecy a day is equal to one year, and His return is imminent.
What is driving our children and teens to the brink?
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. (2 Timothy Ch.3)
What Is The Great Exchange?
Trading death for life! I chose life. I chose to give my life to Jesus and that was the great exchange and my LIFE has never been better. I chose to sacrifice my old life and to die to SELF and follow Jesus, by repentance (the turning away from sin) to live the life of a Christian, which is described in my book.
2 Timothy chapter 3 (KJV) Has laid it all out. We are living in the last days and this is pretty obvious to me. How about you?
Can you see the state of this world and where it is turning? It was never meant to be this way, except sin entered in and has taken over. Satan rules this world but he knows that his time is short.
How can we know that we are living in the last day? stay tuned. This will be shown in my next post. Until then, may the Lord bless and keep you safe. Watch the following and learn more
