Painful Realization

T.D. Jake’s Ministries post “Stop weeping over the people that left you. They must decrease from your life that Christ may increase in your life! ”

Once again God has given me what I need to hear to today.

As many of you know, the majority of my family has not accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

God has called each one of us to witness the love of Jesus Christ and I have obeyed that call.  “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”  1 Peter 3:15 ESV.

A family member has been coming to me for prayer, she asks that submit her prayer requests to the Gift of the Home group.  I have been slowly bringing my love of Jesus to her.  After much prayer, I believed in my heart the time had come to reach out to her.  I prayed for the Holy Spirit to speak the words so that He would touch her heart.  I have followed Peter’s advice regarding reaching out with “gentleness and respect”.

I was told that Jesus is a religion, not a relationship with God.  I was told that no God would be against homosexuals if they loved.  I was told that everyone deserves the same rights.  I was told that good deeds means you go to heaven.  I was told that there is not only one way.  I was told that prayers are answered when you are a good person.  I was told that the Word of God is just a book and doesn’t mean anything.

I was told she is done speaking about “religion” with me because I was crazy and obsessed with “this Jesus”.

Since then she has blocked me from her news feed which as you all know is the ultimate slap in the face.

This, for me, is the most painful part of following Jesus.

When you tell someone how much you love Jesus and Jesus is rejected.

 When you tell someone the changes Jesus has made in your life and though the truth is there, Jesus is rejected.

 When Jesus is rejected my heart aches.

 When you are rejected, cut out so you are unable to shine your light to them by your example.

I’m learning, though God calls each of us to witness, not all with come.

It’s a painful realization of just how much the devil has infected minds.

It’s a painful realization the state of our world today reflects that infection.

Yet, I will continue to follow Paul’s words, 

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians 4:2-6 ESV

Practical Steps – Jesus

 

Do you desire to grow in your journey with God?

Growing in a relationship will take work… If you think just to believe there is a God  is enough then are traveling down a scary road!

Paul tells us the first step we must take in Romans 10:9-10 ESV, “Because, if you confess with your that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

Choosing to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is the most important decision you’ll ever make in your life!

Many people acknowledge that Jesus was a good man, a great teacher but that doesn’t really tell who He truly is.  John 1:1-14 ESV tells us, ” In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. …”

Jesus is the greatest gift God has given us.  He is the ultimate example of the unconditional love of God.

 Jesus came to earth to lead us to the truth.  Jesus came to save us from the consequences of our own sins.  We all have sins and as a result of these sins we deserve God’s anger, His judgment.   “As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;” Romans 3:10 ESV.

The penalty for sins we are guilty of is death… separated from God for eternity.  “And if anyone’s name is not found written in the book of lie, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15 ESV.

Jesus gave His life to pay my debt, your debt.  His death enables us to have a relationship with God.

Jesus tells us exactly how to begin a relationship with God, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 ESV.

By His grace, God has already everything to provide salvation to you.  The first part of your journey is to believe and receive Jesus’s gift to you… the forgiveness of your sins, so you may become a new creation in Him. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”  2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV.

We all need a second chance, a new start, a clean slate…Do you desire to grow?

If you are ready to enter into all God has for you, here and eternity, please pray with me:

Lord Jesus,

I believe You are the son of God as You say You are.

I believe You laid Your life down on the cross and were resurrected from the dead so that I may have eternal life with You.

I confess all my sins, all my failings, and I repent of any time I have not lived Your way.

Thank You for forgiving me.

Come into my heart and fill me with Your Spirit so that I can become all You created me to be and I can spend eternity with You.

Help me to live my life Your way now.