Take the time.

Ever think it's too much of a pain to return something? I know I do.... but I'm sure glad I didn't do that today.

After talking to Chenise about this $9 item for over 15 minutes I'll admit to being aggravated. But suddenly I came to my senses. This wasn't about the light bulb I was trying to return. It was about the light bulb that had just come on in my heart!! This was really about the soul of the person on the other end of the phone.

While Chenise typed I asked her if I could ask her some questions. She agreed readily. I asked her where she would go when she died. She told me that she was going to Heaven.

"Why will God let you in?" I queried.

"I go to church and live my life according to His ways," she said.

"Well, think about your whole life, how many times have you lied?" I asked her.

"Wow, ummmm I have no idea...a lot." Chenise admitted.

"Did you know that scripture says "no liar shall enter Heaven"?

"No...."

"Have you ever stolen anything? I mean, even one minute on the time clock?"

"Well, when I was little..."

"That makes us thieves."

Chenise was getting more quiet all the time.

"Ever use the phrase OMG Chenise? Because that is blasphemy."

Chenise admitted to all of these but didn't want to think that God would condemn her. We talked about simply apologizing to a judge in court and expecting to be set free. She thought God would be more lenient than a human judge.

"Do you think a pedophile should be set free if his uncle is the judge presiding over his case?"

She adamantly declared that he should not.

"God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Psalm 5 says that God is holy and cannot dwell with evildoers and lawbreakers. Revelation 21:8 states that all liars shall have their part in the lake of fire...we deserve Hell Chenise, but do you know what God did so we don't have to go there?"

"Yes, He died on the cross." she said, gaining confidence.

"Did you know that simply being aware of that will not get you into Heaven? You see the demons know all of that, too. They are not destined for Heaven, are they?"

"No, they're not." She became quietly serious again.

"Chenise, God's desire is that we humble ourselves before Him and repent- not just apologize but turn away from our sin and follow Jesus with our whole heart and life. Do you think this information is important?" I asked.

"Oh, absolutely!"

"Chenise, I hope that you will seriously consider the things we've talked about. Does it make sense?"

"Oh yes, perfect sense. I will consider this."

"I don't know you but I'd sure like to see you in Heaven."

I could hear joy in her voice as she said, "Oh, I believe you will. God bless you!"


It would have been so easy to miss this opportunity....glad I didn't.

Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."