No Matter What.

Last Sunday, I was feeling terrible, so I stayed home from church and stayed in bed. I turned on my TV in time to hear some preaching. You know, Joel Osteen, etc. Pastor Furtick at Elevation was on TV, and I was completely thrilled. I listened and loved every minute...it was an incredible, encouraging message. Then, another preacher, (I won't name any names) came on TV. His sermon was titled: "Seven People God Cannot Save." After listening for about 30 seconds, I was absolutely disgusted. It made me angry. I continued listening...determined to give his message a chance. It continued to make me even more mad. The entire time, all he did was condemn people to hell. If you do this (fill in the blank)...God cannot save you. If you have done this (fill in the blank)...God cannot save you. If you have ever thought about (fill in the blank)....God cannot save you. He went on and on about who God cannot save.

I began to think about his message. I started thinking about if I were a pastor...and had the unique opportunity of being on television...to reach a huge number of people for Christ...and the words I would say to them. I would make it my goal to offer people the HOPE that I have found in JESUS. I would make it my goal to spread the message of the Gospel. I would make it my goal to show others what it means when God's love has completely changed your life forever. I would make it my goal to tell others about how God sent His one and only Son to die a death we should have died...so they we can live a LIFE that JESUS should be living. I would do my best to tell them how much God loves them and cares for them even when they feel like no one does. I would do my very best to glorify God.

All I heard out of this pastor's mouth were words of condemnation. There was absolutely no hope and no encouragement. It made me sad. It made me angry. Why is it that when someone has the opportunity to changes lives, they do nothing but condemn people and have the nerve to say that God cannot save them? Why? It makes me even more mad that the place where this pastor was preaching was filled with at least 2,000 people. And every one of them was saying, "Amen" and clapping their hands for a man who was doing nothing but telling them that God could not save someone who (fill in the blank....).

Last time I checked, God can save ANYONE who simply says YES to Him...and asks forgiveness for their sins. No matter where you have been, what you have done....God can save you. No matter who you are, how you feel....God can save you. No matter how bad you think you have sinned....God can save you. No matter how far you think you may be from God....God can save you. No matter what...God can save you.

I don't know who is reading this, I may not even know you....but, my prayer is that you know that God can save you. God's Word says so.

I am not really sure how to wrap this up, so I am going to end it with lyrics to a song.

Mighty To Save -

Everyone needs compassion
Love that’s never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Savior
The hope of nations

Savior
He can move the mountains
For my God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender

Shine Your light and
Let the whole world see
We’re singing
For the glory of the risen King
Jesus