Proverbs 23:18 ~ Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

Who are you going to be rude to - Today?

Famous Dumbledore said: "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends."



I had a memorable conversation with my very loved Daddy. He said several times, "When you are dead, you are just a dead animal."

Oddly, and with good reason, God talks about this in Scripture. What is Scripture? Scripture is a truthful road map to the circumstances in life - guaranteed - to test what metal you are made of.

So who thought we might just be dead animals? Solomon.

Ecclesiastes 9:4
But he who is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.


Solomon actually heard from Father God. And then Solomon set out on his merry way to do what people do. Like the Frank Sinatra song - "I did it myyyyy wayyyyyy." Solomon later came back to God and wanted his life to reflect the wisdom of growing up.

Well.
I learned some of this as I grew up.
However.

I was standing in my godfather's driveway and in 5th grade. I'd been sent to Parochial School by my parents and grandmother - where I learned  Heaven is a huge part in believing God is God and His Word is His Word. And His Promises are Sure. My father probably wanted to annoy me, but frankly. I was tired of this two week, on going, JAB. 

My father was telling my godfather he had decided we are dead animals when we die.

And I said, "Daddy." My godfather Jess, sorta poked my Father with his grilling spatula.

"What, honey?"

"I'm telling Uncle Tate."

"Sure, honey. Tate knows."

I digested this as unlikely. But Daddy was 6 feet tall and I was not. And I felt angry. Angry at this Jabbing. And angry that Daddy had said differently for years.

So I said with A Lot of Anger, "Maybe you ARE GOING TO BE A DEAD ANIMAL and Jess and I WON"T BE."

Daddy immediately looked hurt.

I also know when to make a healthy retreat.

And to know more Discussion Would Happen.

And that did occur. Daddy said I'd really hurt his feelings. And I said you send me to school and YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BELIEVE IN JESUS. And I cried, my mom got upset and Daddy decided he did believe in Jesus and Heaven.

You never know what conversations become meaningful. However, I know that conversation occurred in 1974 and my dad died in 1993. Daddy wrote one last letter and said that he was going on. And he was calling on the mercy of Jesus to make sure he met his loved ones in Heaven.

God says what you tell a child is important.  The conversation might Spiritually have been much more about Daddy and Father God, than I was,  in that conversation. Daddy protected his child. 


Matthew 18:6 
If anyone causes one of these little ones--those who believe in me--to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

We really have a choice when we call on the name of Jesus. Placing ourselves well.

Someone else  I count as one of my Favorite and Most Loved People on the planet passed on after years of speculation about Cheap Grace and Expensive Rent running a Church.

That death bed scene had a tremendous choice offered.  That life had been spent not talking the talk, but without doubt - Walking His Walk.  The offer went back to accepting Jesus as a teenager because a grandmother had asked her beloved grandchild to love Jesus, saying, "I'm going to Heaven because of Jesus, and you need to accept Him too - because I'm not going to Heaven without you."

Many, many times I've quoted the Parable Jesus told us about expectation and Prayer. Do we see God as a Judge or someone who would Run as a Father to us.

God loves our best expectations of Him.

Proverbs 23:18
Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.


God expects us to Think about this.

God says we reason. Let's reason in His Love for us.

Proverbs 24:14
Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Philippians 1:20
As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.


Father God, Let me be one of Your number and I shall go far in the mercy and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. I invite You, God, to know all of my variations, aspects and shine Your Life and Light within me always.  Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves  †

<><