WHAT IF?

 AT THE END OF SUNDAY NIGHT SERVICE, BRO JERRY ASKED EVERYONE TO CLOSE THEIR EYES FOR A MOMENT AND JUST IMAGINE "WHAT IF TONIGHT WAS THE NIGHT THAT THE LORD CHOSE TO RETURN FOR HIS PEOPLE?"  "WOULD YOU BE PREPARED TO MEET HIM TONIGHT?" 

THOSE TWO SIMPLE QUESTIONS ARE STILL ON MY MIND TODAY.

IF WE KNEW HE WAS COMING TONIGHT, WOULD WE COMPLAIN ABOUT GOING TO CHURCH THIS EVENING?
IF WE KNEW HE WAS COMING TONIGHT, WOULD WE HAVE TO LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE TO FIND OUR BIBLE?
IF WE KNEW HE WAS COMING TONIGHT, WOULD WE OPEN OUR BIBLE AND READ A FEW CHAPTERS?
IF WE KNEW HE WAS COMING TONIGHT, WOULD WE HOLD ON TO THE ANGER WE HAVE TOWARD OTHERS?

                                                                     ...........OR.............

WOULD WE GET THERE EARLY, EVEN BEFORE THE DOORS WERE UNLOCKED?  
WOULD WE HAVE WOKE UP THIS MORNING AND IMMEDIATELY MADE TIME TO READ HIS WORD?
WOULD WE CRY AND PLEAD TO GOD FOR FORGIVENESS OF OUR SINS?
WOULD WE DO WHATEVER IT TOOK TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WE WERE TRULY SORRY FOR WRONGS?
WOULD WE BE QUICK TO OFFER FORGIVENESS?
WOULD WE HIT THE ALTAR AND PRAY LIKE NEVER BEFORE?

THE DOORS TO THE CHURCH MIGHT BE UNLOCKED WHEN I GET THERE THIS EVENING, BUT I SURELY WILL BE THERE AT THE APPOINTED TIME TO WORSHIP HIM AND HEAR HIS WORD.  I AM SO GLAD THAT WE SERVE A PATIENT GOD.  HE HAS SURELY WAITED PATIENTLY FOR ME TO FINALLY DECIDE TO COME TO HIM.  I AM ESPECIALLY THANKFUL THAT HE HAS SEEN FIT TO GIVE US ALL TIME TO REPENT AND TURN TO HIS LOVE. 

I AM DOING MY BEST TO LIVE MY LIFE IN A WAY THAT WOULD BE PLEASING TO HIM.  IN FACT, I DONT KNOW WHY I RESISTED IT FOR SO MANY YEARS.  MY LIFE TODAY IS SO FULL OF JOY, PEACE AND LOVE.  THERE IS NOTHING WORTH LOSING IT FOR.  I ONLY WISH THAT MORE OF MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY WOULD ENJOY IT WITH ME. 

IF HE DID IT FOR ME, HE SURELY CAN AND WILL DO IT FOR YOU!