Do You Know Jesus?

Are you saved?  These are questions that are asked in conversation and even in Church and because people go to church, we often assume that everyone understands the questions.  Not so.  There is a difference between knowing who Jesus is and knowing Him.

Anyone who’s ever been in a Christian church has been told that Jesus is God’s Son and our Savior but what does that mean to you.  Is He some abstract being that oversees your life, but isn’t really a part of it or Lord over it? 

Romans 10 vs 9 says that if you confess the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.  Remember, that requires that you also believe that He was born of God, died on the cross for your sins (because He was always without sin and perfect) and was buried first.  That’s what salvation is all about…..relationship with God through Christ Jesus as Lord.  Have you done that?  If not, you are not saved. 

That’s not condemnation or judgement, that’s the truth according to the Word of God.  No matter how many days a week or years of your life have been spent going to church and doing “good” things, according to the Bible’s simple instructions, you aren’t saved if you have not confessed and believed. 

But don’t lose hope, God loved all of us so much that He sent Jesus to die for us...and then He raised Jesus from the grave.  Can you think of anything or anyone that you love enough to send your parent or sibling or child to die for?  Or that you would die for?  That’s how much God loves you.  No matter what you’ve done or are doing, He loves you so much and He wants a relationship with you…..a real one where you can be yourself with everything that you are and trust that He knows you better than you know yourself.  He is the only one who can change your life for the better, even when it doesn’t feel like it. 

So….the ball is in your court.  You can choose to believe God’s Word or you can choose to deny Jesus and His actions on the cross!  But remember, you’re choices have consequences.  Choosing to believe means that you want a life that, while it won’t be free from issues or drama, will be full or God’s love and grace and mercy.  You’ll never be alone and the Holy Spirit will empower you to face whatever comes. Eternal life with God is pretty good, too.  Who doesn’t want that?  The Devil.  He wants you to lose and be scared and guilty.  Don’t let him have that from you.

And just in case you need it, here’s a simple prayer for salvation:

God, I’m a sinner.  I confess my sins to you and ask for your forgiveness.  I believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for my sins and that you raised Him from the dead so that I can be saved.  I ask You to be Lord of my life.  I want a relationship with you and to be your child.  In Jesus' name, I pray.  Amen!

 

If you did pray that prayer for the first time and mean it, find a good bible based church to attend and don’t let anything or anyone stop you from developing a real relationship with God.  When everyone else disappoints you, He won’t.  His answers to your prayers may not be “Yes”, but they will always be right. 

 

This is your life!  What are you going to do with it? Choose God/Jesus/the Holy Spirit!!!!  That's your first step.  With Them, you can’t lose!!!!

 

Plan but Don't Worry

While God doesn’t want us to worry about tomorrow, because it really will take care of itself, He doesn’t want us to ignore information we receive and not prepare for what may come.  For instance, the recent storms in Atlanta brought snow and ice and shut down the city for several days.  Now some may react with panic about what may possibly happen and that could paralyze them into not doing anything.  Others might wait until the last minute to act believing the information received is incorrect. 

At least a few believe in being prepared for whatever comes.  They plan what they’ll do if the power goes out.  They have flashlights and candles and bottled water to sustain them in case the worst comes.  They don’t worry because they do know that God will take care of them, but they utilize the information they have been provided because God always gives us what we need.

Just like Joseph interpreting the dreams that represented seven years of plenty and seven years of famine.  Joseph didn’t worry about how God would take care of him.  He knew God had taken care of him through slavery and prison.  But he followed God’s leading to prepare for the years of famine when they came.  The same goes for Noah, when he was told that it would rain and destroy the earth.  God gave him direction and he followed.  That is what we must do.  When we know things will happen, we must plan for them.  That means saving for when we get a flat tire or need a new battery for the car; or buying flashlights since we know we may lose electrical power; or taking a warm coat when we see that the weather is likely to take a turn toward colder temperatures.  These are minor examples, but they all hold true. 

God is God and He will not change.  He has our best interests at heart and will take care of us, but He gives us information so we can act.  When we don’t, we are the ones who suffer.  Trust God, take heed to the warnings and act.  You can only benefit from it.

Don't Give Up

Are you struggling where you are? Does it feel like you can't catch a break at work or school? Does it feel like things just won't go your way? Are things just out of whack? If so, maybe you should ask God the purpose of the struggle?

We never go through anything for no purpose. Maybe it's for some one else's benefit... that they might see God in your life. Maybe it's so you will develop a deeper relationship with Him. Maybe there's is a lesson to learn. Sometimes the best lessons are the most painful. It is during these times that strength is found.

Remember, we are weak, but He is strong. God always has something for us to do and He is always using our experiences to develop us. Whatever the reason, remember God will not put more on you than the two of you can handle. He's got every thing you need and if you seek Him, everything else will be added.

Have a Happy and Blessed New Year!

Go Where the Wind Takes You

Have you ever done anything you really didn't think you'd enjoy, something you were almost afraid to try? Well, so have I. Taking a ride in a Hot Air Balloon was my thing. I was skeptical about it at first and that's a bit of an understatement. You see, I don't derive pleasure from heights. In fact, I don't really like them at all. That said, riding in that balloon was one of the most peaceful and amazing experiences of my life.

From the gentle take off to the moments soaring at 10,000 feet to the landing in the cul de sac of an exclusive neighborhood, the experience is not one I'll forget and would likely be willing to repeat. This is partially due to my pilot who was absolutely fabulous and his experience and expertise put me at ease right away, but it was more due to the knowledge that God has complete control even when we don't.

When flying in a hot air balloon you realize that no one has complete control of where they end up, they just go where the wind takes them and then they land on the safest spot possible. They use all their skills to land safely but the spot is never really predetermined. That is to say, they know approximately where they want to land and sometimes it works out just right but many times it doesn't. So, you just hold on and ride... you stay calm even when the winds whip around you because you know it'll all settle down given enough time.

Doing Anything Yet?

Have you taken a look at what you know God has for you and taken a step to get started? If not, get up right now and take that step. Stop procrastinating! Life is short. No matter how much time you think you have, it is not promised...nor has God promised to hold opportunities open for those who refuse to trust Him. We must move when the opportunity presents itself.

For example, when I was looking for a house, God led me to the house in which I now live. The day I went looking, the house had just come back onto the market. The sign indicating that the house was under contract was still in the driveway. But, the moment I walked into the front door, I knew the house was my house. When I went into the bedroom, it was further confirmed for me. As I was walking through, another buyer came to look at the house. Going back to the model home, I asked what additional steps I could take to obtain the house as I had no agent, had not been approved for a loan or anything else required to purchase a home. I was just out looking for a house and had found the perfect one for me. Upon asking the agent about steps to take, she offered to hold the lot for three days with a small deposit while I contacted the bank to be approved for a loan. While I was outside getting my checkbook, the other buyer along with her agent attempted to put the house under contract. The agent held to her offer and within an hour, I was approved for the loan needed to purchase the house and at an amount that God had already provided for with the salary I was making at the time.

Had I not moved when I was led to, I would have missed out on the blessing God had for me. That's the thing about God, He wants you to move when and how He directs, not how you feel or how you are driven by your fear of the unknown. Whatever God is leading you to do, do it when and how He tells you to. Don't wait until your fear no longer exists. You must trust that God knows better than you and trust that He knows what's good for you. Just do it!

Have Some "NO" People

Are you surrounded by "YES" people who agree with everything you say and do? Do you distance yourself from people who tell you the truth? Do you hang with people who just go along? If so, stop it.

Every one wants people to agree with them. I know I do. But, sometimes that can be more of a hindrance than a help. We all need someone in our lives who we can trust to tell us the truth no matter what. That doesn't mean we have to be around downers or people who are always discouraging us from reaching our full potential. That means we need someone in our lives who cares enough about us to tell us when we're wrong even if we get angry or to encourage us on things that might scare us. These people push us to be real and honest with ourselves. That is a good thing.

A friend loves at all times. A true friend loves enough that they will risk your wrath in order to do what's best for you. Take a little time and take inventory of those people in your life who are true friends. Let them know how much you appreciate them. Remember, they love you or else they wouldn't care.

The Sun is Always Shining

You often hear people say that the sun will come out after the storm, but it's important to remember that the sun never stops shining. No matter how much rain or thunder or lightening, the sun is shining behind the clouds. Just as the sun is always shining, the Son of God is always there for you. No matter what storms are in your life, He is there with you. You are never alone.

So no matter what is going on, know that it's just a passing storm. Things will get better. Sometimes the situation doesn't change but the way in which you deal with it or see it does. You realize things could always have been worse. In the middle of the storm, we learn to appreciate the sunshine. And, in the middle of our personal storms, we learn to better appreciate Jesus' presence in our lives.

The bible says He will never leave us nor forsake us. What comfort do you gain from knowing that? The comfort I gain is immeasurable.