I wanted to share something meaningfully with you as we usher in a new year. I was reading a devotional and the passage of scripture I read was from, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 19. What an awesome verse to start a new year…
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new. Namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation.”
Then I came across a quote from one of my favorite authors…
C.S.Lewis…”Nothing is yet in its true form.”
As I reflect upon these words and as I attempt to greet 2016 with hope and a desire to do God’s Will, it’s comforting and reassuring to know that I am saved by GRACE alone! There is absolutely nothing I can do to be worthy of God’s love, nothing that any of us can do in order to be worthy of His love and forgiveness. Jesus, the Son of God came down from Heaven to be born so that we could be freed from chains of sin and to have a relationship with God, our Creator. For anyone who has the personality trait of being a “people pleaser” or an “over-achiever” accepting God’s “free” gift of salvation and the forgiveness of sin…there’s a feeling or an idea that there will be a “catch” something possibly written in the fine print and difficult to read. That is so not true! Salvation is truly a gift, no hidden agendas and no “gotcha’s” A dear friend of mine explains salvation as “having ones eyes opened!” It’s true, the moment you realize that God is real, you begin to see the world differently, more vividly and quite possibly more colorful and lively. There’s no prerequisite to be saved, simple ask God to come into your heart and ask for forgiveness and then place your trust in Him. I’m quite sure that your transformation “Coming to Jesus” may be vastly different than my experience but no less exciting and invigorating. Being a Christian and believing in God is both wonderful and challenging, God does not promise that we will be free of life’s difficulties. God does promise to never leave us or forget about us. As I look back at my life and my journey so far, it’s comforting to know that God has been with me through it all. Did l always give God the praise and glory, I will have to say NO. Just because I believe and trust God, I am not immune from hurt, heartache, loss, pride, jealousy…all the things that happen in life and all the feelings and emotions we experience are part of each one of us, it’s called “being human“/“our humanity.” The human condition, we are all born into sin, from the original sin in the Garden of Eden. I want to make something crystal clear…No person is without sin, except Jesus Christ. You may be thinking “I’m not good enough, not smart enough, not pretty enough, not rich enough, I’m too old, I’ve wasted too much time”…whatever the reasons, it doesn’t matter because God loves you, loves you wherever you are in the world and whatever you might be doing or not doing. God is concerned about your heart, your soul. Did you know that God knew you before you were ever conceived in your mother’s womb? It’s true, check these verse out…Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…” and Psalm 139:13 “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.” God loves you! Here’s another great thing as a Christian we are able to start each day with. renewed spirit through the unconditional love that God has for us. God doesn’t simply want to save you, He wants a relationship…He wants to hear and share in your successes and your losses, give comfort and encouragement. It’s never too late to turn to God! I cannot even begin to explain how much God loves and cares for “Everything in the universe!”
In Hebrews 11:3, it says, “By faith we understand that the universe has been created by a word from God so that the visible came into existence from the invisible.” and in Genesis 1:1 it says, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Each and every day we can start our day by asking for God’s presence to be with us, to help us discern over our actions and words, to be mindful of who we are representing. Each night as we prepare for sleep, we can go to God with humble hearts, asking and seeking forgiveness and comfort and the ability to try and not repeat things we know are wrong and not pleasing to God. Find peace, rest and forgiveness. We do not have to carry the weight of the chains called sins around our necks, God’s forgiveness and grace has freed all who believe and truth in Jesus Christ.
It says in Romans 5:8 “But here is how God has shown his love for us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
I want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year! May you it be filled with love, joy and laughter the whole year through. If you are saved and trust and believe in God and in His grace and mercy, I pray for you to dig deeper in God’s Word and share God everyday through your words and actions. If you are unsure of your salvation or have questions please feel free to contact me through my blog page.
“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9) .
“The Prayer of Salvation”
God, I recognize that I have not lived my life for You up until now. I have been living for myself and that is wrong. I need You in my life; I want You in my life. I acknowledge the completed work of Your Son Jesus Christ in giving His life for me on the cross at Calvary, and I long to receive the forgiveness you have made freely available to me through this sacrifice. Come into my life now, Lord. Take up residence in my heart and be my king, my Lord, and my Savior. From this day forward, I will no longer be controlled by sin, or the desire to please myself, but I will follow You all the days of my life. Those days are in Your hands. I ask this in Jesus’ precious and holy name. Amen.”
~Loving, Growing, Learning…May the Peace of God surround you!
HOPE SEEKER 