A recent email exchange with 14 people involved the Supreme Court nomination of Amy Coney Barrett. Her Catholicism came into question as some writers were positive that she was pro-life and would fight to reverse Roe v. Wade. I responded that I know several Catholics who are voting for Joe Biden, even though he, a Catholic, is pro-abortion. That being said, the fact that Barrett has seven children (five biological and two adopted) makes me believe that she probably endorses laws respecting the sanctity of life. And so do I. I know someone who has had 3 abortions. To her, birth control is “such a pain.” I also know others who have aborted their babies and live in guilt for the rest of their lives. It is a haunting shame and one that therapy rarely can solve. Sadly, quick solutions seem to be the mode of our microwave, drive-through generation. Who wants to be inconvenienced?

If that “piece of tissue,” aborted baby had been you or me, how differently we might see this predicament. (And yes, I see the futility of that sentence, but hopefully you get the point,) A person I know recommended an abortion to his daughter. I asked if he considered that this “fetus” could be a future president of the United States or inventor of a cure for cancer or the most beloved janitor the school had ever seen. Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow was recently at our son’s ranch here in Ft. Scott. His mother did not follow through with her thoughts to abort him, and because of that, he delighted dozens of military guests who spent an entire morning catching his passes, not to mention that his Christian faith has encouraged many who are persecuted for their beliefs.

If you watched the RNC, you heard Abby Johnson share how she joined the staff of Planned Parenthood to help women in crisis. Having experienced two abortions of her own, she wanted to offer support to those women who didn’t think they could care for their child. Planned Parenthood began to push her to be more proactive in selling abortions because “Abortion is how we make our money.” Her new quota was double the number of abortions at her clinic the previous year. A month later, Abby’s eyes were opened when she was asked to assist an abortion doctor to do an ultra-sound guided abortion. For the first time, she witnessed the bloody, violent business that takes a human life. “Nothing prepared me for what I saw on the screen,” Abby said. “An unborn baby fighting back, desperate to move away from the suction. And I will never forget what the doctor said next: ‘Beam me up, Scotty.’ The last thing I saw was a spine twirling around in the mother’s womb before succumbing to the force of the suction.”

Last year a relative became pregnant with a baby that had the Trisome 18 syndrome. She carried the little guy into the 5th month where it was diagnosed that he had no esophagus or stomach and only a fragment of a brain. It was her second miscarriage. Should the parents not be able to have a baby, how thrilled they would be to adopt one of those rejects…you know, those “inconveniences.” The numbers are staggering: Two million American couples want to adopt. (That’s 36 families for every one child placed for adoption.) As for the argument that abortion is necessary for rape victims, read the story of Lianna, a 12-year old rape victim who was told to have an abortion. When she asked the doctor if an abortion would ease her pain and help her forget about her rape, her doctor told her it would not. Lianna chose life and soon found that the love of her daughter replaced the pain of the rape. Google her story. It is a tremendous read. There have been 62,252,920 abortions since Roe v Wade, and I have to wonder how grieved God, the One who creates life, must be. The most amazing thing about this Life-Giver is that He’s also a merciful God who forgives those who call on His name, no matter how grave the sin. He is a Father none of us deserve.

I am so grateful that we serve a merciful God who understands the desperation of women who make a choice to abort a baby and offers forgiveness when they do.

Keys to the Kingdom – by Carolyn Tucker

In the early years of our marriage, Jimmy and I were taking a motorcycle trip to see his grandmother in Anderson, Missouri. On the way, we had a flat on the back tire. There we were, stranded alongside the road (with no cell phone). We didn’t have to wait very long before the driver of a pickup stopped to help us. He and my husband loaded the bike into the truck bed and he drove us to a bike shop in Joplin. After we purchased the new tire, the man took us to a park where Jimmy put on the tire. We were soon “on the road again” because someone, who didn’t know us, took the time to care.

I don’t remember the stranger’s name, what he looked like, or what he did for a living. I believe in angels, but I don’t think this guy was one. He didn’t seem to be a priest or a religious person, but he did have a compassionate heart. It’s one thing to be “between a rock and a hard place” and call on family or friends; but it’s a whole other ballgame to have a stranger volunteer to help.

Jesus commands us to live a life of love. One day a teacher of religious law asked Him which commandment was the most important. “Jesus replied, ’The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these” (Mark 12:29-31 NLT).

In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, a lawyer, looking for a loophole, asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus answered by telling a story about a traveling man that was attacked by robbers. They stole his clothes, beat him half to death, and left him to die alongside the road. Later, a priest came down the road but, when he saw the wounded man, he crossed to the other side. Next, a religious man walked up and, as soon as he saw the injured man, he avoided him too. Then a Samaritan traveling the road came upon him. He had compassion on him, applied first aid, lifted him onto his donkey, took him to an inn, and made him comfortable. The Samaritan paid the innkeeper and told him to take good care of him. In the words of Jesus, a neighbor is anyone you’re around.

Cain and Abel were brothers, which is up another level in regard to loving your neighbor. Usually, blood is thicker than water, but not in this sad case found in the Book of Genesis. Because Cain did not master his jealousy and temper, he murdered his own brother! Afterward, God asked Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” Cain responded, “I don’t know; am I my brother’s keeper/guardian?” (Wow, it’s really dumb to lie to God.)

The hit song, “Try a Little Kindness” was first recorded by Glen Campbell and released in October 1969. To drive home the parable in Luke 10:25-37, here are some of the poignant lyrics: “Don’t walk around the down and out, lend a helping hand instead of doubt. And the kindness that you show every day will help someone along their way.”

The Key: Who…me? Yes, you. You’ve got to show a little kindness and shine your light for everyone to see.

After this Covid-19 virus passes, I hope we learn a few things.

Like the importance of saving. Proverbs 21:20 offers advice we cannot discard. The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down. According to Bankrate.com, more than one in five Americans don’t save any of their annual income. For those who do, twenty percent have put back only five percent or less of what they make. What would have happened if our government had not bailed us out? My widowed mother raised three of us on minimum wage. She believed in putting a little money away each month “for a rainy day.” The day she received her paycheck, she set aside her tithe. If she did not have enough money to purchase something, we went without, including a television and a car. We rented until she saved the cash to buy a home. She never had a credit card. Had this virus hit when we were young, we probably would have been much better off than some of my friends’ families…you know, the ones with the impressive homes, the Country Club memberships, and, oh yes, a huge amount of credit card debt.

I am grateful that we live in America where Uncle Sam is looking after us. My Hispanic friend from Mazatlán recently sent an email sharing that, since the Mexican government is doing NOTHING to bail out businesses or individuals, people are figuring out ways to help each other. She shared that fishermen catch fish and offer them to anyone who was hungry. Department stores host giveaways. “If you need something, take it; if you could donate something, leave it.” My friend ended with this: “By my place 3 days ago a lady was passing by, yelling, ‘Tamales, 2 per person for free.’ Senora Patty, this kind of things make my heart feel good.”

We in America could learn from our Southern neighbors.

Proverbs 6:6-8 encourages us to learn our saving habits from the lowly ant: “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” The Bible has much to say about saving. For one, our money is not ours; it is God’s. In times such as this, how nice would it be to help our neighbors because we had “stored” some provisions and not lived above our means? Instead, I’ve met too many Americans who save only to relax when their working days are over. A leisurely “Retirement” becomes their payoff, yet even Jesus admonished the person whose goal was to save in order to have a comfy life instead of taking care of real needs as a thank-you for God’s provisions given to them.

In Luke 12: 16-21, Jesus shares a parable about a rich man who had so many crops, he tore down his barns and built bigger ones to store his grain and goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” But God said to him, “Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Christians, saving for retirement should not be self-centered. It should be the time when we devote ourselves to serving others.

Please don’t get me wrong. I am grateful that we live in the United States where businesses can be saved and families can eat because of the bail-out. I just hope that when this virus is over, we all might rethink our financial priorities and learn from the lowly ant…the wise, working, lowly ant.

The DVR on my television remote allows me to watch previously-aired shows, avoid commercials, fast forward and rewind. It is my new electronic BFF.

Last week, while watching the recorded version of The Voice, severe storm warnings appeared in that rolling strip of news that scrolls across the bottom of the show (technically referred to as a “news ticker” or a “crawler”). The viewers were to “expect damage to roofs and siding.” I could read where the storm was headed and how fast it was moving. “People and animals outdoors will be injured.” Serious stuff.

Had I been watching the show live, I would have taken the alerts seriously. Patio furniture would be moved so as not to blow away; tornado preparations would start (Put on shoes with hard soles; ready my computer/phone/flashlight to be taken to the basement, etc.). But in this case, the danger had passed. This storm alert had come from the previous week. There was no stress. I knew the ending. No damage to our area was forthcoming.

Let’s face it. We don’t live in a DVR world, and warnings need to be taken seriously.

• Read medicine labels for side effects.
• Smoking is bad for your health.
• Beware of curve ahead.
• Wear a mask and socially distance.

Others cause us to wonder why they are necessary.

• Do not submerge electrical appliance in water.
• Danger–Do not hold the wrong end of a chainsaw.

The list goes on and on, some carrying harsher consequences than others.

There is one warning, however, we are foolish to ignore, and the good news is, if we have made Jesus our Lord, we don’t need to be stressed about its outcome. He will come again. We don’t know when; we just know we need to live as though it could be today. John 14:3 brings us Jesus’ words to his followers: And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

So, how does Jesus take Christians to himself? Let’s look at 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: For the LORD himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the LORD in the air. And so we will be with the LORD forever.

Like the alert on the television ticker, there is no stress for the Christian. We have read the “Manual” and know the ending. As the renowned preacher D.L. Moody once said, “Some day you will read in the paper that D.L. Moody of East Northfield, is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it! At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now.”

Woo-hoo! Like the television crawler, Christians can rest assured that there is nothing to fear; they have heeded the warnings of Scripture and know that the only thing ahead of them is the glory of Heaven. I pray that you all are living each day as if it were your last.

Keys to the Kingdom by Carolyn Tucker

When my Dad brought “me and Mom” home from that California hospital in February 1958, my parents understood that I was a newborn baby and couldn’t do anything for myself. They didn’t have grandiose expectations that I could keep my room clean, set the table, or read a book. They were just happy they had a baby to love and nurture. At the appropriate time, I eventually developed the ability to do what was expected.

You and Jesus have a lot of work to do together. You should be thankful you don’t have to “white-knuckle” it by yourself to get through everyday life. The work I’m referring to is “working out your own salvation.“ Only God has the unique blueprint for your life, so be careful if some well-meaning Christian comes to you with their instructions as to what you should do and how you should act.

“…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12 NKJV). In order to mature in our Christian walk, we must renew our hearts and minds in the Word of God and come into His presence with an attitude of reverence. This scripture is not indicating that you can gain salvation through works (doing good deeds). It means once you become a believer in Christ Jesus, you don’t just sit on a stump while waiting to die and go to heaven. If you want to grow up spiritually, you’ll have to listen and obey God‘s voice.

In 1972, there was a popular song written and recorded by Tom T. Hall. I haven’t heard it for many years, but it impressed me in my high school days. “Me and Jesus” hit the country charts with a tremendous gospel message. Some of the lyrics are: “Me and Jesus got our own thing goin’…Me and Jesus got it all worked out.” The pastor, bishop, or priest can’t make you holy or get you to heaven. It all boils down to the fact that accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior is when you really begin to live a life of purpose. His love for you will gently and precisely guide you in all your ways (see Proverbs 3:5,6).

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV). God is love, and love is what makes the changes in your new life in Christ. God loves you, and you love God and you want to please him in every area. Here’s the first verse to Mr. Hall’s song: “I know a man who once was a sinner. I know a man who once was a drunk. I know a man who once was a loser; He went out one day and made an altar out of a stump.”

When God fills you with His love and His Spirit, you begin walking together to become holy. I once heard someone say that no one is holy but God. That sounds nice, but it’s not true. “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ’Be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15,16 NKJV). God never tells you to do something you can’t do. By trusting Jesus as your helper, becoming holy is part of your spiritual maturity. Christians should know and believe that with Jesus all things are possible.

In John 15:5 NLT, Jesus says: “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.“ I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be a do-nothing. I’m going to stick to the Vine and allow God’s love to make the needed changes in my life.

The Key: Work (cooperate) with Jesus so you’ll mature and become what you ought to be.

On mornings when I walk on the east side of the lake, two dogs—from houses a half-mile apart–join me. They frolic, munch on each other’s necks, scamper after squirrels, drink from mud puddles and sometimes walk down the center of the road. Neither listens to me when I explain the dangers in that decision. I ask them to mimic me: walk on the side of the road facing oncoming traffic. They pretend not to understand.

Yesterday, a truck came over a hill in time to brake for the dog that was in its lane. If looks could kill! The woman driver and male passenger glared at me. Not the dog. Me! I mouthed very clearly, “It’s. Not. My. Dog.,” but when they pulled away, they still were shaking their heads.

Sooooo not my fault! And yes, I love it when I’m innocent, probably because it’s rare when blame belongs to the other person, or in this case, dog. Typically, I am responsible for whatever has gone wrong, and most of the time, I have no problem admitting it. (Do not ask my husband to verify that statement.) My frustration comes from other people who cannot admit they make a mistake, politicians in particular.

Republicans and Democrats, take note: sometimes the best thing you can do for your country is to admit the error of your ways. (Am I hearing an “Amen”?)

Nancy Pelosi was videoed having her hair done inside a San Francisco salon. My granddaughter is a stylist in California and, with the exception of two weeks, has been out of work for months because of state mandates closing those businesses. I understand Ms. Pelosi wanting her hair colored and trimmed. She is in the spotlight almost daily, and gray roots would cause her constituents (and certainly her enemies) to murmur. Walmart’s root-dye probably wouldn’t have worked for her, like it had to for the rest of us during this pandemic.

But her apology left me aghast! “I want to apologize for being caught in a trap set for me. I should have seen it coming.” In other words, Ms. Pelosi considers herself too sharp to fall for being set up. Her apology was, in essence, nothing more than bragging about her cleverness.

I was more than aghast. I was aghastest. Wouldn’t it have been better had she admitted to making a bad judgment call and say that she was sorry? You know, the truth?

When one of our sons was younger, he was marched back inside Walmart to return a stolen package of gum and apologize to the manager. There was no “I apologize that I wasn’t smart enough to hide this better from my mother.” That wouldn’t have been an apology. That would have been reason for a spanking. Yet, that’s what Ms. Pelosi did.

Perhaps Ms. Pelosi needs a spanking.

The Blame Game began in the Garden of Eden. Eve listened to the serpent, juiced up on a piece of fruit, shared it with her hubby, and the rest is history, eternal history. We are only three chapters into Genesis when God asked what happened. Adam made a life-altering boo-boo with this response: “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” In other words, God and Eve were responsible.

Adam needed a spanking. Actually, what he got was worse than a few swats. He and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden. Eve forever would be under the authority of her husband who would have to do manual labor to survive. I wonder how different things would have been had they both apologized and asked for forgiveness. God, who is rich in mercy and grace, just might have treated their punishment differently. We all should learn from their sin.

I’m still hoping Ms. Pelosi will come to her senses and take responsibility for her actions. I have a feeling I’m in for a long wait.

Keys to the Kingdom – by Carolyn Tucker

My brother is a retired pastor who lives out-of-state and he recently wrote and sent the following true story to me. He kindly gave permission to have it printed and I pray it will speak to your heart, as it did mine.

At first it sounds like a real neat story about a conversion experience, although a dumpster isn’t the ideal place for such an encounter. But, no, this isn’t about a salvation experience. Being allowed to use the church dumpster after our retirement from pastoring was a privilege for us, even though to some it would be a trivial matter, to say the least. My weekly trip to the church dumpster was usually very uneventful. Occasionally, a stray cat would emerge from the debris when the cover had been left open. But nothing of that nature showed up on this given day. However, what did show up completely took me by surprise.

I stood in front of the dumpster and lifted the lid and there he was! I froze where I stood; unable to move for a second. Completely startled, I immediately wondered, “Now how did you get here?” It was Jesus! A perfect picture on canvas of Jesus Christ — frame, glass and all. Not a defect anywhere, no scratches, no tears, no repairs from the past. Oh, there was indeed a past, as I remembered that very same framed picture, of over 50 years ago, hanging on the wall of the church where my family attended. It was a 16×20 framed canvas painting. This was not just an ordinary portrayal of the Savior, but an authentic picture of Jesus knocking at the door, signed by Warner Salmon of Chicago, 1892-1968. It was entitled “Christ at the Door” dated 1942. It was a rendering of Revelation 3:20, “Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.”

I gently retrieved the unblemished masterpiece and looked at each detail. The portrayal was of Christ standing at the door, knocking to enter. Perhaps the dumpster experience was a reminder that Jesus, once again, is at the door ready to make His descent from heaven the next order of business. Sad to say, many people have placed Jesus in the dumpster of life — discarded, unknowing, and uncaring about Him. But this will not prevent the King of kings and Lord of lords from coming to claim His own!

The next time you see a dumpster, perhaps you will think of this true story. What became of the discarded portrait of Christ? It now hangs on a wall in our home as a constant reminder of His imminent return.

The Key: Jesus is coming soon. If He is knocking at your heart’s door, let Him in. Be ready!

Keys to the Kingdom – by Carolyn Tucker

I was driving north on I-49 out of Nevada when I had to dodge a bouncing work boot that had just fallen out of the pickup ahead of me. A few miles back, this red truck had passed me hauling a load of luggage in the back. (I thought that was a bit unusual — normally I see fencing material, feed sacks, or a Blue Heeler in a truck bed.) I wanted to tell him that one of his important footwear just went AWOL, but I couldn’t help him. I felt so bad as I put myself in his shoes and thought about how he would feel when he realized he’d lost one of his boots.

Ephesians 6:15 NKJV tells us about the importance of spiritual footwear. “…and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;” The Apostle Paul is telling all Christians to put on the whole armor of God so we can stand against the devil. God has provided us with everything we need to be fully protected from the evil one (see Ephesians 6:10-18). We’re covered from head to toe when we wear all of God’s armor.

If believers don’t take advantage of the spiritual work boots God has given them, they’re missing a vital piece of armor called peace. My mother always told me, “Shoes make or break your outfit.” I’ve found that to be true; especially if you’ve got one shoe on and the other shoe off like Diddle Diddle Dumpling, my son John. If your boots fit firmly, then they’ll stay on your feet when you walk through the muddy times in life.

When the peace of God is working in your life, it protects you from going bonkers when the devil tries to hassle you. Even when the world is going crazy, you can keep marching forward with the assurance that God‘s shoes of peace never fail. “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7 NKJV). This peace is beyond human understanding and it’s a wonderful thing to experience. The world is searching for this kind of peace, but it‘s only found through a personal relationship with Jesus and trusting in all He‘s accomplished for you.

Just remember, if you’ve carelessly let your boots fly out the back of the truck, you obviously aren’t wearing them. If your shoes are sitting by the back door, then your feet are not shod with peace. You are responsible for putting on your spiritual footwear. Jesus spoke to the disciples when He was about to ascend back to heaven and said, “I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid“ (John 14:27 NLT).

Jesus didn’t leave believers (then and now) just standing around barefoot and holding an empty bag. He left us with the marvelous gift of His peace. If you’re a Christian, but not experiencing His peace, then you need to open this wonderful present. Open the pages of the Bible and read what God’s Word says about peace, and then receive it for yourself.

The Key: These boots were made for walking…and these boots are gonna walk straight through the pearly gates.

Last week, I wrote about “stuff.” Since we all handle things differently, we should look for commonalities if friendships are to last. Sometimes, that’s easier than it sounds.

I phoned a girlfriend. Not to chit-chat. To ask for advice. I was upset and knew that this friend would give me Godly counsel. After reading her a text/email exchange between “Sue” and me, I asked if my final response was (a) too harsh or (b) appropriate. (“Too harsh.”) Was I demonstrating Christ-likeness? (“No.”) Would she feel as frustrated as I did? (“Yes”—finally, a teensy bit of empathy from my friend.)

This all began when Sue, a cannot-take-no, multi-marketer acquaintance, invited me to be a part of a ZOOM call as well as a Facebook collaboration to learn about a new product that would cure several ailments. Was I available on Tuesday night? I shared that I am on a ZOOM Bible study every Tuesday evening. No problem for Sue. There was another ZOOM on Thursday evening. She would sign me up and send me the FB link.

This is what I wrote: “I don’t attend ZOOM meetings that sell something or promote something. I’ve done too many that want me to participate in something. I have been stung and just can’t bring myself to participate. I love that you are energized by these, but I am not. I have multiple requests to listen to these. I hope you understand.”

She did not. Why, to her, I had to be interested! Why would I not be? “You are even going to your Bible study on ZOOM” (which means?????). The rest of the text told me how great the product was and that I need to be informed, and she ended with this: “I am disappointed that you think that of me.”

I re-read the text several times. Just what did I think of her? I asked her that question and added that my best friends know that I don’t have luck with multi-level products. “So, we just agree to disagree,” I wrote.

Sue told me that I was missing out, that she is not a “fly by the seat of my pants kind of person,” and she knows results. She copied and pasted a meme listing the 3 C’s in life: “You must make the Choice to take the Chance if you want anything in life to Change,” signing off with this: “Think about it.” I was thinking about it, all right, but not in a loving-Jesus-sort-of- discipleship way.

I thanked Sue for thinking of me but shared that the product I bought last year from a close friend did not solve my ailments, in spite of several positive testimonials. “I know your intentions were to help” were my final words.

Well, according to Sue, obviously my friend did not sell me good merchandise. Had it been tested and approved? On she went, explaining criteria I should have used to research the product and ending with this: “But you basically called me a snake oil salesman and called zooms the devil! Bible study zooms sell something too! Eternal Salvation.”

Let’s just say I was not thinking about Eternal Salvation when I wrote my “I want to yank your tongue out” response, including that, because of Jesus, Eternal Salvation is Free, thank you very much. But something (Somebody?) prevented me from hitting “send.” That’s when I called my girlfriend who talked me down from my ledge of pride, self-pity and retaliation. Her suggestion was that I go ahead and vent…get it all out of my system…write away…and then hit the delete button.

I said a few prayers and took my friend’s advice (even though the tongue-yanking sounded more appealing). She was right. We all need friends that pull us towards God, those who don’t add to our anger but who remind us of what Scripture says about forgiveness instead of payback. Hopefully, should the need arise, I will offer the same kind of advice.

Keys to the Kingdom

About 2009, when our daughter married and moved to Texas for a couple of years, we purchased a GPS. Prior to this, we had always traveled on our family vacations with Jimmy as driver and me as navigator. You’d think traveling by GPS would result in a foolproof trip. Not. I can still hear the annoying voice of that “woman” saying, “Recalculating, recalculating. In 600 feet, make a U-turn.” I’m glad she wasn’t a real person, because I actually hated her when she said that.

In Acts Chapter 9, we find Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus. He was on his way to arrest the Lord’s followers and ultimately kill them; he’d been successful in overseeing the stoning death of Stephen. Saul was a highly-educated and zealous man who was deceived in thinking he was doing God a favor. Well, he was doing the devil a favor, so God put a stop to it.

Saul was conducting his life in the wrong way. There’s no scripture to prove this, but I believe God had previously tried to get Saul to go the right way, but he wasn’t paying attention. God loved him and needed him to make a U-turn in order to preach the Good News. So, as Saul was making his journey, a light from heaven came down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting Me?” Jesus said, “Get up and go and you’ll be told what to do.” Saul then picked himself off the ground and discovered he was blind, so his friends led him on to Damascus.

When God told Ananias to go to Saul and lay hands on him so he could see again, Ananias reminded the Lord of what an awful person Saul was and the terrible things he had done. But God could already see Saul as Paul and said he was His chosen instrument to take the gospel message to everyone who would listen. Long story short, Saul made a U-turn, had a name change, and a lifestyle change.

Have you had a Saul/Paul experience? Saul was on his way to Damascus, and Jesus got a hold of him and he turned around. You’re on your way to hell unless Jesus has gotten a hold of you and you’ve made a U-turn. You cannot take an alternate route to get to heaven. Jesus said”…I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me“ (John 14:6 NLT).

Jesus doesn’t want anyone to go to hell, but that’s a choice we make for ourselves by rejecting Him. Jesus will do everything He can to get your attention. He had to knock Saul down and blind him, but Paul would tell you he‘s grateful he made the decision to make a U-turn. The Cathedrals recorded a song several years ago entitled, “He Made a Change.” The last line of the refrain could have been sung by the Apostle Paul: “If He can make a change in me, He can make a change in you!”

The Key: Pick yourself up, take Jesus by the hand, and make a U-turn. Now.