Did they know Jesus?

My daughter can be very mature for her age (when she wants to be). Some would say she has "an old soul". Often times these insights surprise me as well as inspire me.

A couple of months ago there was a tragady in our community that brought lots of questions from our children. There was a house fire that claimed the life of a couple of children. Of course we had the normal questions about what happened and why and you don't have all the answers but try to answer the best you can. This even gave us an opportunity to review our emergency plans in case of a fire or other natural disasters.

Each of the older two of our children process things differently. Our oldest son often keeps really quiet and thinks about it. Our daughter on the other hand wants to talk about it and talk about it and talk about it which is fine with us because we know that is how God made her. If it is something such as the house fire, she ask questions, goes deep into thought and then asks more questions. After a long afternoon of deep thought she came to the kitchen and asked me, "Mom, did those people who died in the fire know Jesus? Did they go to heaven?"

 Wow! It hit me really hard when she asked me this. Even though I didn't know the family it is always a very sobering and thought provoking event. I admit, just the thought of someone going through this made me very emotional. Besides that, it always brings to mind, "what if that happened to us?" But the reason it hit me so hard is because of the fact that I had to admit to her that I truly did not know if these children would be in heaven. For that matter, I am not sure if I know whether or not my neighbors or other aquantences will be in heaven.

My job is to teach my children. Everyday we start with studying God's word and how He wants us to live, act and think. We often talk about pleasing Him and pray that we will be His witnesses but I have been convicted that I need to try harder at "practicing what I preach". If I am teaching my children that we are to tell others about Jesus then I need to be doing it too.

What about you? Do you know Jesus? I don't mean do you know who He is. I mean, do you KNOW Him by having a personal relationship with Him. Have you fallen on your knees and asked His forgiveness for your sins? If you were to die in a house fire, a car wreck or just natural causes this very day would you be in heaven? What would you say to Jesus Christ if he were to ask you why he should let you into his heaven? Please don't wait. There may not be a tomorrow for you.

John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that He gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life."

Romans 3:23
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

Romans 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Ephesians 2:8,9
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."