It’s not about you.
It’s not about
- your accomplishments,
- your possessions,
- your heritage,
- your education,
- or your connections.
It’s about grace.
Grace is one of those “Bible” words that is hard to explain, but here it goes…All of us have done things, said things, and thought things that are wrong. (Romans 3:23) Things that make God sick to His stomach. Things that God can’t stand to see or hear. Because of that we are too “dirty” to be in His presence. (Romans 6:23) Even if we think we’ve been pretty good, God says our righteousness is like filthy rags. (Isaiah 53:6)
How can we be made clean?
We are so filthy that there is nothing capable of cleaning us except…
The blood of Jesus. (Hebrews 9:22)
God said, “Sin must be punished.”
Jesus said, “Punish me instead.”
So God did. (Isaiah 53:3-5)
That’s grace. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Now that Jesus was punished for our sins does that mean we are free to go about our own business?
Not a chance!
Just like a Christmas or birthday present must be accepted and received before it belongs to you, so must this free gift of grace be accepted and received.
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…” John 1:12
How? How can we receive Jesus? Here’s how:
1. Admit – admit you are a sinner in need of a savior. Come to the place where you realize you can’t live life or gain eternity on your own.
2. Believe – truly believe and accept in your heart that Jesus is the Son of God and died for your sins.
3. Confess – confess it; say it; share it; you are a sinner in need of God’s grace. Call upon the name of Jesus. “…for 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'" ~ Romans 10:13
“That if you confess 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 our heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” ~ Romans 10:9-10
Here’s a short prayer you can pray. It is not a magic spell or quick fix. Only you and God know if you mean it when you pray it. But if you sincerely mean it; on-you-face-crying-out-for-mercy mean it, then God will hear and answer you. (Jeremiah 33:3)
Dear Lord,
I am a sinner. I’ve done plenty of wrong things and I don’t deserve to be in Your presence. But I believe Jesus is Your Son. I believe He was punished in my place. I believe He died so that I can live, and that You brought Him back to life again so I can live abundantly. (John 10:10) Right now, I cry out to You: Please, Jesus, forgive me. Come in and create in me a clean heart, O God. Put Your Spirit inside of me. (Psalm 51:9-11) I die to myself and want to live for You now and forever. Thank you.
I am a sinner. I’ve done plenty of wrong things and I don’t deserve to be in Your presence. But I believe Jesus is Your Son. I believe He was punished in my place. I believe He died so that I can live, and that You brought Him back to life again so I can live abundantly. (John 10:10) Right now, I cry out to You: Please, Jesus, forgive me. Come in and create in me a clean heart, O God. Put Your Spirit inside of me. (Psalm 51:9-11) I die to myself and want to live for You now and forever. Thank you.
Amen
If you have sincerely prayed that prayer, then you are a new creature in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17). Welcome to the family. Please leave me a comment to let me know of your decision or if you have any questions.
I want to encourage your walk with the Lord.
4 comments:
What does it mean to "be broken?" I have heard that expression many times. What does it look like? How do I get my head to connect with my heart? I know God loves me in my head, but not in my heart. It means nothing. I feel so disconnected and empty inside. I have read the scriptures, John 3:16 and nothing. Why can't I get this?
"Broken" simply means to be at the place you know you have nothing left and nowhere to turn but to God. When your life and everything in it seems to have fallen to pieces and you have hit bottom and cry out to God for strength because you have none and mercy because you know you are doomed without it, then you are broken. The fact that you are searching and wanting to feel something would say to me you are on the right path. Satan doesn't want you to "get it". He is trying to confuse you. If you have a Bible read it daily. Begin in the book of John. Every day ask God to show you truth. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you. Claim James 1:5 as a promise: "If any of you lacks wisdom he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him." (If you don't have a Bible I will send you one if you will leave me a comment with your address. The entire Bible can be read in a variety of versions at www.biblegateway.com)He also says in Deuteronomy 4:29 "But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul."
I will be praying on your behalf...asking God to give you clarity of thought, enough faith to keep seeking, and victory. He does love you more than you can imagine.
Let me leave you with another word of Truth which comes from Ephesians 3:
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
Amen
You may e-mail me at
www(dot)palmsofhishands(dot)blogspot(dot)com
God bless.
I am still so stuck in this. After all this time I am feeling even more lost, empty, and hopeless. There isn't another ounce in me to fight with. I have given up on God, and myself. I have prayed to Him soooooo many times and my heart is still so empty. In my head I know what God says about Suicide, so that isn't an option. I'll take my slim chances here, so I just sit and pray that God will take me out. I'm so sorry if I'm such a downer. In other places and in real life I'm not like that, because I hide it all. Thank You for this blog which allows me a safe place to vent. Thanks for your prayers as well.
I am soooo lost in life. Please keep praying I find my way.
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