No matter what you have done or what has been done to you… one question remains: What will YOU do with Jesus? He’s done everything possible for you. God loves you dearly, He’s demonstrated that clearly, what else can He do?
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
My Response
True relationships are reciprocal, they cannot be one-sided only. There is a unique difference between human relationships and one with our Holy Creator. We were born under the curse of sin, therefore relating to God must be through Jesus Christ who has paid the penalty for our sin. There is a choice involved. To ignore His gentle call means by default rejection of Him because the Holy Spirit is continuously calling us unto the Father. His love is bestowed without favor, He loves unconditionally at all times. Only He can know our hearts completely and how to best work in our lives to bring about true and lasting fullness of joy. No human relationship can ever replace the intimacy we can experience with Jesus Christ.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. “ Galatians” 6:7
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Matthew 7:21-23
In God’s loving-kindness, He made a way for us to reciprocate our love to Him. If we choose to recieve this provision for our sin, our name is written in the Book of Life. If not, He’ll is the default destination for those who reject Christ’s offer of salvation.
And at His appointed time, God will avenge all evils committed, and only the blood of Christ will protect us from the judgment of God. Each soul will stand before Him, naked, without excuse one day. We decide now what our standing (legally) in His courtroom will be. Will you accept the Advocate He provided? Embracing this wonderful Savior is the wisest decision you can make.
To receive Christ: acknowledge that you have sinned. Repent of your sins which means change your direction, turn toward pleasing God, rather than your sinful nature. Confess that you believe Jesus Christ died for you. That He took your sins upon Himself on the cross. Humbly accept His love and forgiveness. And tell others about Him!
If you choose to recieve Him and become His child, then find a local family (church) to become a part of where you can grow to understand God’s Word. Seek to know Him in full relationship through His Awesome Words. The Holy Spirit will guide you. Read the gospel of John first to understand this.
Photo Credit/Pixabay: Magnolia/Jose Alba, Cross/Dennis Gries
Five years ago marked a turning point in my life; my symphony of dissonance was revealed. My emotional world was falling apart, I was desperate and needed help; I ended up temporarily separating from those I loved most to find it. I couldn’t see it then but it was the beginning of something good; it began my difficult journey from there to where I am today. It has involved great loss, pain, and grief of soul; I did not know it was possible for a human being to experience this, and still live. Yes, I had been through various types of suffering prior to this point; much of it physical pain in my body. But the greater pain was the inner pain of my heart, aware that something was wrong, and yet I did not understand how to make it right. Thankfully, our Good Father brought me through it by teaching me, humbling me, and showing me what to do. Now, I am making joyous music for Him.
parched places and made them into streams of living water. There is no way to fully thank God for the riches of His goodness to me; I’m grateful and desire to live harmoniously with Him. Romans 5:3-5 says, More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (ESV).
Have you been to a symphony recently? I recall a fun school outing with our four children in Lake Placid to see the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra perform. It was a “School Performance” and we met up with some fellow homeschooling friends to attend and have a picnic. I was so impressed with the skill and excellence with which they performed; united as one, in purpose and determination.
Do not lose heart. Look up to the Master Conductor, He will guide and direct you. As stated earlier, He will give you direction onto and off the highway at the right time. How you ask? By knowing the score and the script found in the Bible. When we have desired, practiced and determined to live by God’s Words we have placed ourselves in a position to look up and have His nod, His eyes looking at us, letting us know whether to go ahead or wait. What a treasure we have in being a part of His Symphony!
Satan is real. He desires to sift us like wheat. He prowls about looking for someone to devour. “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” I Peter 5:8
Have you ever been discouraged wondering if someone would ever change; if you could ever change? Be encouraged, with God ALL things are possible. God offers us solutions for every area of life. Let’s consider the heart of man, and why we are tempted toward those things that can harm us and others.
If you want a new heart so that you can function fully in the way God designed for you, ask Him for one. The first step is to invite the Holy Spirit into your heart. Jesus explained to Nicodemus, a very sincere religious man, how He could be born-again. Read in the book of John to find out more. John 3:1-8 ESV “Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
Nancy Demary 