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God’s love is a love that initiates. God initiates a loving relationship between us and Him: He pursues us even when we ignore Him and want nothing to do with Him. Romans 5:8 says that "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." As a man who extends gifts to win the affection of a woman, God extended the gift of Redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Don't just view Salvation as going to Heaven, view Salvation as spending Eternity with Someone Who has loved you with an everlasting love. So, to speak in the stead of God, He is asking, "Will you spend Eternity with me?" I never thought I'd make it this far in God... It was such a struggle when I first got Saved that I inwardly asked, "Can I be Saved?" It seemed as if Salvation was working for everyone, EXCEPT me. I even used to pray defeated prayers like, "Well, God, if I don't make it to Heaven, I still thank you for giving me the chance." But if I could minister to the younger me, I'd say 3 things...
[1] Jesus "is able to save COMPLETELY those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them" (Hebrews 7:25). You're not irreparable as the devil is misleading you to believe. You are loved with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). God is patient toward you, not wishing that you should perish, but that you should reach repentance (2 Peter 3:9). YOU CAN LIVE SAVED! [2] Salvation is instant, but Sanctification is a process. Stop beating yourself up for your mistakes. "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). When Jesus paid the penalty for your sins, He also made atonement for your FUTURE sins. "For the righteous man falls seven times and rises again" (Proverbs 24:16). What makes him righteous is the fact that he rises again. Don't stay down and waddle in self-pity; repent, get up and keep moving forward! "He who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6). You're not fighting alone, "God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him" (Philippians 2:13). YOU CAN MAKE IT! [3] Take it one day at a time. This is not a speed race, but an endurance race (Hebrews 12:1-2). Don't be intimidated by how advanced others may be around you. Salvation is not a competition with the next man. Salvation is simply accepting Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior, learning of Him, adoring Him and drawing closer to Him each day until we are received in Heaven. God's grace is sufficient for you: for His strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Whatever you do, just stay in the fight. YOU CAN SUCCEED! Sincerely, The Future You QUESTION: "If someone asked you the meaning of life, how would you explain?"
ANSWER: Luke 12:15 says, "Life is not measured by how much you own." ..... 1 John 5:12 says, "Whoever has the Son [Jesus] has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life." ..... and John 10:10 says, "The thief [satan] comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I [Jesus] came that they may have life and have it abundantly." To define life, I would say that it is a journey of experiencing the LORD's love and His goodness. In fact, King David said in Psalm 63:3 that God's lovingkindness is better than life itself! The full Scripture says, "Because your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you." ..... The purpose of life is to experience God's love, and to praise Him out of appreciation and gratitude.  Here's my philosophy when it comes to marriage: "One and done!" I refuse to be one who has multiple marriages under his belt due to uncertainties, impatience, poor judgement, and simply not hearing from God. Now this is not to condemn anyone who has married multiple times, but I've been advised by individuals, who have married multiple times, to wait on God and I'd be a fool to not heed their warnings.
Not only am I waiting on the perfect spouse, I'm waiting to BECOME the perfect spouse. I believe that marriage is 50/50. It's foolishness to expect my future wife to be the total packet, yet I'm lacking in so many areas. So my waiting period is also my preparation period; allowing God's Word to guide me into holiness, purity and integrity. The people of Israel were 'cut' and made 'whole' BEFORE entering Canaan (Joshua 5-6). BEFORE entering marriage, we should allow God to 'cut' some excess stuff out of our lives, such as: anger, resentment, bitterness, unforgiveness, pride, greed, lust, etc. And then we should allow time to be made 'whole'; being healed from any past relationship hurts, scars, broken promises, etc. The only way to ensure longevity, happiness and stability in marriage is to choose to enter in BAGGAGE FREE! So, as aforementioned, my marriage philosophy is "One and done!" If you also ascribe to this philosophy, type "ONE AND DONE" below..... God bless. |
About MeAs a writer, my objective is to provoke thought. As a minister, my objective is to encourage you to Christ. As a disciple, my objective is to do these things in love. Archives
July 2017
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