Where Can We Go?

As I look out over the congregation, I see a great number who are struggling in their walk with God - yet they refuse to give up.  To those of you to whom these words apply, I want to encourage you to keep going.  Continue to hold on regardless, because your deliverance is near.  There have been many among our number who have given up for a variety of reasons, not thinking when it comes time at the end to stand at the judgment - no reason will be good enough.  Imagine attempting to convince an all-knowing God why you abandoned His family, and decided life was better for you in the world.
 
One of my favorite powerful moments in the Bible took place when the crowds on one occasion abandoned Jesus in John 6:66. Many in the crowd were those of the 5,000 who had been fed by Jesus.  Now in this conversation leading up to verse 66, Jesus offers them something greater than mere food.  As He seeks to offer them life, He explains to them  who He is, and what they needed to do.  Unfortunately, they could not accept what Jesus was saying, and the Bible says they began to grumble among themselves.  And then, in one of the saddest statements recorded in the New Testament, the Bible says, “from this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.”  However, it was then one of the greatest statements was made, when He turned to the twelve, and said are you going to leave me too?  And they answered, “where can we go, you have the words of eternal life.”  What a great moment of declaration for those who truly follow Jesus for all the right reasons.
 
It is no different for us today.  As Satan battles you daily, remember the sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary.  Remember when you gave him your life.  And remember, there is no other place to go, because he indeed has the words of eternal life.  My prayer is that you will continue to fight the good fight of faith -refusing to budge an inch towards turning back. Lastly, continue to strive and hang on with all you have, until you make heaven your home.
 
Blessings.
Lamar