In 1999 my life was a mess. Oh, I looked good on the outside--a working artist, a husband and son, nice house, two cars in the driveway, a dog--all the trappings of success. Yet inside, in my mind and heart, I was frustrated, angry, resentful and miserable. I knew there was more to life than these things but I couldn't figure out what was missing.
Life changed completely when I heard about Jesus. I'm not talking about the religion where you go to church and be good. I'd done all that as a kid and all I saw were a bunch of hypocrites. I heard about something different: a relationship with the living God. I met some people that were "poor", by my standards, but they were deeply, truly happy at root in ways I could see but not reach. At their Bible study I came to meet this real Jesus and that's what began my transformation.
One thing you have to note is that I had to go to the Bible study to learn about Him. I had to become willing to listen. Once I did, the Lord began to change me. He used these people to get my attention, and once I was listening He used them to explain things to me in a way I understood.
And that's how I hope He will use me to speak to you. If you're miserable, feeling empty and frustrated, evn though you have everything you think should make you happy, maybe you have that same God-shaped hole in you that I had. The fact is, nothing else can fill that hole. I tried all kinds of stuff, but in the end I found that only Jesus Christ can do it. So, I hope you'll just read through this page and open your mind to something that may seem familiar, but might be brand new. For me the result has been life-changing. It can be for you, too.
If you have questions, or thoughts, or ideas, or just want to discuss what's said here, contact me. I'm open to listen, talk with you, and pray (yes, I know, that does sound so Christian, but prayer is only talking to God.)
So, remember that I'm praying for you!
Deborah
God’s Purpose: Peace and Life
God loves you and wants you to experience peace and life – abundant and eternal.
The Bible says…
“…we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
“…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10b
Since God planned for us to have peace and the abundant life right now, why are most people not having this experience?
Our Problem: Separation
God created us in His own image to have an abundant life. He did not make us as robots to automatically love and obey Him, but gave us a will and a freedom of choice.
We chose to disobey God and go our own willful way. We still make this choice today. This results in separation from God.
The Bible says…
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
Our choice results in separation from God.
Our Attempts
Through the ages, individuals have tried in many ways to bridge this gap… without success…
The Bible says…
“There is a way that seems right to man, but in the end it leads to death.” Proverbs 14:12
“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2
There is only one remedy for this problem of separation.
God’s Remedy: The Cross
Jesus Christ is the only answer to this problem. He died on the cross and rose from the grave, paying the penalty for our sin and bridging the gap between God and people.
The Bible says…
“…God is on one side and all the people on the other side, and Christ Jesus, Himself man, is between them to bring them together…” 1 Timothy 2:5
“For Christ also has suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God…” 1 Peter 3:18a
“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
God has provided the only way…
We must make the choice…
God's Provision: Jesus Christ
We must trust Jesus Christ and receive Him by personal invitation.
The Bible says…
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” John 1:12
“…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
Is there any good reason why you cannot receive Jesus Christ right now?
How to receive Christ:
Admit your need (I am a sinner).
Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).
Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.
Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as Lord and Savior.)
You could pray something like this:
Dear Lord Jesus,
I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as Lord and Savior.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Or you can say it to God any way you want to, using your own words. Just admit you sin, you want to change, that you believe and want Jesus Christ to take over.
God’s Assurance: His Word
If you prayed this prayer.
The Bible says…
“For ‘whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.’” Romans 10:13
Did you sincerely ask Jesus Christ to come into your life? Where is He right now? What has He given you?
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9
The Bible says…
“He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.” 1 John 5:12,13 (NKJV)
Receiving Christ , we are born into God’s family through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer… this is called regeneration or the “new birth.”
God's Plan: Get Started
This is just the beginning of a wonderful new life in Christ. To deepen this relationship you should:
Read your Bible every day to know Christ better.
Talk to God in prayer every day.
Tell others about Christ.
Worship, fellowship, and serve with other Christians in a church where Christ is preached.
As Christ's representative in a needy world, demonstrate your new life by your love and concern for others.
