“Lead me from the unreal to the real
Lead me from darkness to light…
Lead me from death to immortality.”
–B.A. Upanishad
Today’s Word:
You were created for personal relationship with God.
There is an inner need for His unselfish, unconditional love and that need cannot be met through any other person or thing. Christianity is not about religion, philosophy, or rituals. Through embracing Christ’s sacrifice for sins (which can never be earned, only humbly received) you begin on your journey of freedom and love. It is not about fear of punishment or hope of reward. These types of cycles only create spiritual striving and lead you nowhere. God’s intention is to enjoy restored fellowship with you, and the power of His love will enable you to walk in His ways.
One day, a man was sitting outside enjoying the sunrise when he saw the clouds form some words. The words said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” The man looked and said, “Who are YOU?” All day long, as he traveled about, he wondered WHO was this god? By evening, he happened to walk near a meeting that was in a big tent. As he was walking past, he heard a man inside say, “And Jesus said, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6) Through the words coming from the tent, this man came to know the power of Christ’s sacrifice and that he could be free by “the truth.” Not by a truth, but by Jesus, who is TRUTH itself.
There is a Bible term for this encounter called, “born again.” Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” (John 3:3) One day, a devout man named Nicodemus came to Jesus and asked, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?” But Jesus was not speaking of physical birth, He was talking about spiritual birth: “No one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:5) This spiritual rebirth can only occur through Jesus. Many people seek spiritual birth through a variety of things, but since Jesus is the LIFE, nothing deep and lasting can be transacted apart from Him. “Salvation can be found in on one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”(Acts 4:12)
Why do you need to receive Christ’s sacrifice?
Your sins and selfishness has created a separation between you and your Creator. The only way for this separation to be bridged, is through embracing His suffering on the Cross for you. The Scriptures record, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) No one is exempt from personal failure. The Lord is calling you to freedom.
You still may not feel sure about Jesus being the only true God, and that is okay. You can ask with an honest heart, “Lord, if it’s true, then I am looking to You to show me.”
However, there are some of you who feel more certain that Jesus has been calling you, and you are ready to come into His arms of love and care. You desire the peace that comes from the Prince of Peace. You already have searched in many places and have come out empty-handed, and sad with disappointment. Then please join me in this prayer right now:
Dear God, I know I have been selfish and lived my life according to my own ways in sin. I need You to cleanse me and free me from the grip of my disobedience. I am tired of living my life without You. I am sorry for all the wrong things I have done, and I want to be born again. I turn away form worshiping other people, other gods and other things. Please forgive me Lord. I ask that You help me to know You and Your love. Thank you for taking me into Your kingdom and calling me Your child. In Jesus name, Amen.
If you were ready to pray that prayer, you are now a believer and disciple of Jesus. This is good news because He is a good Master, and His peace will begin to settle over you like you’ve never known. It is important for you to find friendship with other believers so they can help you in your new walk with Jesus. Also, it’s important to find a life giving Church that believes in being born again, where you can grow. We are praying for you, and so are many others, that you will experience the full joy and fruitfulness of His destiny for you.
Scripture:
“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.” -Ezekiel 11:19
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” -2 Corinthians 5:17
Here are some helpful links in finding a good church to encourage you in your walk with Christ:
“How do I find a good Church” -Hank Hanegraaff
Recent Comments