Jan 10

Deb is feeling better, but probably still won't be able to come in today. I'm going to ask the doc how long before she can come in. Dana is going home today with Hailey and Aiden so I'm sad about that, but the kids will be glad to see their daddy. Dana really got a good one, Dave is a remarkable guy who really loves Dana and the kids. Deb and I feel very fortunate to have him for a son-in-law. Brian calls every day and we feel very fortunate about his family too! Toni is sweet and has blessed his life. Brian loves her and the kids, Ashli, Chris & Jacob a whole lot! I slept the best yet last night, I got 8 hours in (8pm to 4am), got up for some worship, finished yesterday's jounal, then took about an hour nap. If this is what retirement will be like, I'm in. My doctor came in today and I got clarification on the 2% leukemia that I have left. They say anything from 5% on down is called "in remission", but its the 3o day bone marrow test that is the important one, cause it could change and it's the one they go by . I think that's good news so we'll hope and pray it stays the same or goes down on the 30 day bone marrow test, which will be about Jan 22. My platelets were low today so they gave me a transfusion. ***This will be the longest I've talked about God, but bear with me, its the most important. We know that heaven is a free gift, that its not earned or deserved, that we are all sinners and can't save ourselves, that God loves us so He doesn't want to punish us, but He is also just so He must punish sin, and He solved this by having Jesus die on a cross and rise from the dead to pay our penalty for our sins, and that's the gift. The great thing about this gift is that anyone can get it. We get it through faith. The bible says that faith is the key that opens the door to heaven. The faith we're talking about is 'saving faith' and thats not just believing that God exists. The bible says that "even the demons believe that- and shudder." (James 2:19) 'Saving faith' is also not having faith that God will grant us answers to our prayers; traveling safety, finances, school, etc. That's good faith but its not 'saving faith'. 'Saving faith' is this, trusting totally and alone in Jesus Christ for our eternal salvation. "Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved." (Acts 16:31) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2: 8,9) Let me give you an example. If you see a chair let's use that, if not imagine one. When you see the chair, you believe it exists, don't you. I mean you acually see it! Now, do you believe that it will hold you up? OK, you might but its not holding you up is it, so you're not really trusting it right now are you?? The only way you can show that you trust that the chair will hold you up? Right, sit in it! Thats the way it is with Jesus. A lot of us, me previously included trusted Jesus for traveling safety, finances, and other things but we never trusted Him for our salvation, we thought that was up to us. We were sitting in the "ME" chair, not the "Jesus" chair. In order to have eternal life, we must get out of the "ME" chair and get into the "Jesus" chair. Trust Him for your eternal life, trust that by dying on that cross and rising from the dead, He is our savior, the one Who saves us. "Saving faith" is putting your trust in Jesus alone for eternal life. I did this years ago, it was like a beggar reaching out his hand to a king for a gift, and the King, Jesus, gave me eternal life. I didn't deserve it, nothing I did (good works, being good) could ever get it for me, but because I took that step of faith, He (the real King) gave me (an undeserving beggar) that gift of eternal life. You have just heard the greatest story ever told about the greatest offer ever made. Now what? I'm not going to wait until tomorrow this time, this is too important. If you want this gift like I did, here is what the bible says to do. 1) Transfer your trust for eternal life from yourself to Jesus alone. (understand that it is He that gets you to heaven) 2) Receive Jesus as your Savior (understand that it was He who saved you, not you) 3) Receive Jesus as Lord. (To do this you let Jesus run your life, not you) Believe me its a lot easier and better for Him to do it! 4) Repent. This just means to change the way you live your life and follow Jesus. 5) Prayer. This is where you actually sit in the "Jesus" chair. If you want to give your life to Jesus right now and make sure you are going to heaven, pray this prayer. "Lord Jesus, I want you to come in and take over my life. I'm a sinner and I've been trusting in myself and my own good works, but now I put my full trust in You alone for my salvation. I accept you, Lord Jesus, as my personal Savior. I believe you died for me and paid the price for all my sins. I receive you as Lord and Master of my life. Help me to turn away from my sins and follow You. Jesus, I accept your free gift of eternal life. I know I'm not worthy of it, but I thank you for purchasing it for me with Your shed blood on the cross at Calvary. AMEN" "Most assuredly, I say to you, He who believes in me has everlasting life." (John 6:47) If you prayed that prayer and meant it and live your life following Jesus, you are in the family of God and that's what its all about, God's family goes to heaven.