Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Where is your Eternal Home?

 

GRIEF-stricken family and friends of Heath Ledger vowed to give his two-year-old daughter Matilda the "beautiful life" he had planned for her, as the body of the 28-year-old Australian actor last night began a sad final journey to his home in Perth.

Tears flowed as his parents, Kim and Sally, and his older sister, Kate, arrived in Los Angeles to await the arrival of the casket carrying his body.

Actor Abbie Cornish, who starred opposite Ledger in the movie Candy and remained a close friend, accompanied the family to the US for the grim task of bringing the body home after he was found dead in his Manhattan apartment from a suspected drug overdose on Wednesday.

The funeral is expected to be held in Perth this week, but details have not been released. There also was speculation yesterday of a public memorial service in LA within the next few days, likely to be attended by many of Ledger's Hollywood A-list friends.

Toddler Matilda, who's tender age has protected her from fully understanding that she has lost her father, was being shielded by her actor mother Michelle Williams, who was engaged to Ledger until the relationship ended six months ago.

Matilda and Michelle were "the two true loves" of Ledger's life, friends said last night.

As Matilda grows up, she also will have the comfort and support of a loyal and protective circle of Hollywood friends.

Meanwhile, Australia's Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith – who is in New York for meetings at the United Nations headquarters – said he was satisfied about the handling of the inquiry into Ledger's death by US authorities.

The authorities said they would not make a final determination on the cause of Ledger's death until toxicology tests are completed.

photo & story courtesy news.com.au, 1/27/08

Romans 8:35-39

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (ESV)

Why is today's God's Story scripture so comforting for anyone who is a follower of Christ?

Paul says that God promises His children (those who have trusted Jesus Christ as their Savior) His ongoing presence. They will have an eternal homecoming in Heaven!

All of us who are followers of Christ face some hardships in life. It might be illness, suffering, persecution for our faith in Christ and for some around the world - imprisonment. The final hardship is death, BUT (this is one of the most powerful words in Scripture!) it is impossible to be separated from Jesus Christ! His death and resurrection for us proves His ultimate power which means that He keeps all of His promises to us.

The Heavenly Father gives this promise of unending love to us so that we will feel secure in Him. His children are assured of eternity in Heaven. There's no need to be afraid.

ARE YOU ONE OF GOD'S CHILDREN? THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM BEING ONE OF GOD'S CREATION.

Today's story about the death of Hollywood star Heath Ledger is sad and troubling. Please understand that only God knows for sure whether Heath was was of His creation or one of His children, adopted into God's family through receiving the forgiveness of sins through Christ.

I have not found a single article or quote where anyone has said anything that would indicate that Heath Ledger was a follower of Jesus Christ. Remember, according to God's Story (found in the Scriptures), without Christ, there is no hope for eternity in Heaven.

If Christ is in you (1st John 5:11-13), the homecoming that is out of this world is waiting for you!

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

What Is God's Will for My Life?

The very desire of God’s heart is for each of us to walk with His Son whom He has sent.

    • Knowing God does not come through a program or method. It is a relationship with a person.
    • It is an intimate love relationship with God.
    • Through this relationship, God reveals His will to you and invites you to fellowship.
    • John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
    • When is the last time you heard Jesus speak to you in that still small voice?
    • When is the last time you can clearly identify the activity of God in your life.
    • John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
    • We need to believe God to be and do everything he promises.
    • When is the last time you have adjusted your beliefs, character, and behavior to God and His ways.
    • What does God want to do right now through your life?
    • Who is it that really knows the way for you to go to fulfill God’s purpose for your life?
    • John 14:6 Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.
    • Abraham is a perfect example of what it means to walk by faith.
    • Gen 12:1-2 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get out of your country, and from your kindred, and from your father's house, unto a land that I will show you: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and you will be a blessing:
    • Abraham was seventy-five years old when he left his homeland. He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they acquired and set out for the land of Canaan. Promise Land
    • Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
    • Christ does not want our encounters with Him to remain just experiences He wants them to be a way of life.
    • John 10:10 The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.