I shared with you last post, the scripture in Titus 2, that we are to teach our children in the things that make them a successful, Christian mother, wife, child, and even husband and father. It is up to us to be those examples, it is up to us to show them how to live a life pleasing to God. How do we do this, how do we know that we are doing it the right way?
First of all, the most important thing you need to do is to make sure that you know, that you know, that you know, that you are a Child of God. Not just that one day at church camp everyone went forward to pray a prayer and you followed along or that you prayed a prayer in fear of going to Hell, because the preacher scared you into it. You need to make sure that you are a true child of God. That you not only prayed a prayer asking Jesus to come into your heart as a child or teenager, but that you have committed your life to Christ. That you know beyond all shadow of doubt, that you are saved, that you know you are a sinner, because we are all sinners, Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." The bible says, "where by one man sinned, sin entered into the world." Scriptures are talking about the sin in the Garden, by Adam. He was told to stay away from the tree of knowledge of Good and Evil, but he was tempted and beguiled by the serpent and his wife, and ate of the fruit that they were forbidden to eat. Therefore, causing all of us to be sinners, by our own fleshly nature.
In Psalms, David said, "in sin did my mother conceive me..." which means that I was born into a sinful, carnal nature, that I didn't have to be taught to be sinful or rebellious, that is just a part of my natural state. The first word we have to teach a child is "NO" because they are always into things. We didn't have to teach them to be little busy bodies, in trouble all the time, that is their nature. We didn't have to train them for the terrible two's that is inherent in their own hearts. Thankfully, when God saw that there was no way to escape the sinful nature, not even by the shed blood of a little lamb in the flock, He knew He would have to find, ONE PERFECT SACRIFICE, and He gave us His only son, Jesus Christ, to be that sacrifice. To be a substitution for our own sins. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His ONLY SON, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not PERISH, but have EVERLASTING LIFE." He also shared with us that Christ came on this earth, the Son of God, part of the trinity, All God, but also all man, the scriptures said that God sent His son, who "knew no sin, to become sin for us." So that we could be saved.
How do we become saved? Romans 10:9 says that If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, and Romans 10:13 says for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. You see, you must acknowledge that you are a sinner, then you have to call upon the Lord, Jesus Christ, confess your sin, ask God for forgiveness of those sins and ask Christ to be the Lord of your life. Let Him come in and rule and reign in your life. I am not just talking about praying a prayer, Matthew 3:2 says, "Repent Ye..." Repentance is true change, you change your heart, change your mindset, change your lifestyle, change your priorities, and change your tongue. It is a true 180 degree turn around from where you are now. You can't just pray a prayer and go back to what you were doing. It is pray a prayer and change your life.
You see, the bible says in Romans 12:1-2 that "by the Mercies of God, present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God which is your reasonable service. Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed (changed) by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and perfect will of God." You see, God doesn't just want a prayer, and a simple sorry. How many times do you tell people you are sorry then go right back later and do it again? God wants your heart, life, and service.
Do you realize that Christianity is the ONLY belief system in the world where you do not have to do anything on a daily or regular basis to escape God's wrath in life. God is the only god, who Pursues His children for a REAL RELATIONSHIP. If you do not accept Christ as your Savior, He says you are not His, but once you are a child of God, He chases after you. You don't have to sit and wait for Him to show, God promises, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you." You see, when He created man in the garden of Eden, it was to fellowship, to spend time, to walk with him and talk with him. To build a relationship, to spend time day in and day out together. He loves His creation, He loves His children, and He wants more than just a "oops, sorry God" He wants YOU.
There is a way to have this relationship with Him. I hear people say, I prayed a prayer, but in my time of most need, God was no where in sight. You know, when I got to the root of the truth, they had heard a message of hellfire and brimstone, that they were damned for eternity to hell, it scared them, they prayed a prayer to go to Heaven, but no one told them, what that all really meant. That when you pray the prayer, it is just the beginning of it all. You don't just all of a sudden have perfection, have sinlessness and a wonderful happy life, marriage and perfect kids. That isn't how this works. You see, the Bible says, "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." We are also told, "study to shew thyself approved, a workman that needth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." In Luke, Christ says, "Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word, is truth." You see, you have to build a relationship with God.
Once you become a child of God the Holy Spirit takes up residence in your heart, but until you learn how to let the Holy Spirit take control of your life, come in and totally consume you, in your heart, mind, and soul, then you will still want to and will walk the way you have known. You do not have the knowledge or will to change on your own, God has sent the Holy Spirit to help you change. You will find that as you grow in grace and the knowledge of God through prayer, scripture and daily renewing your mind and setting yourself apart from the world as a holy instrument for God's service, that you will begin to see the real fruit of your obedience and growth in God. Galatians 5:22-23 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." When you let the Lord God touch your heart and life, and you begin to build that one on one relationship with God, praying, talking to Him, listening to His words of life through scripture, your faith becomes stronger, you begin to lean on God for everything and you begin to see His mighty hand in all you say and do. You will feel His blessings fall on your life, sometimes in little ways, but also in big ways too.
Does this mean your life will be perfect? OH, NO Way! Does it mean you will have a happy, go lucky life, where you never have a bad day and never have to question why? NOPE. Does it mean that Satan will leave you alone and you will never have a test or trial. Wow, not at all. This means, that when these tests and trials, when bad days and your strength and faith is wavering, you will have God to call on. You will have a comforter and a rock to hold on to when the storm is tossing you about. It is so you won't feel alone, because your heavenly father is right there when you call, holding you, telling you to hold on tight, you will get through it all together. We go through trials to build our character and to build our relationship with God. It is when you first, seek Him and His kingdom in those trials, in the suffering, in the times of lack, that God will take care of you, come through for you, and add all your needs to your life and CARRY you through. (Matthew 6:33)
Please know that life is never perfect, whether you are a Christian or not, but when you have God on your side, you are able to endure more, you are able to see the other side, you know that there will come an enormous testimony and blessing to share with others. You know that you can show your children and your spouse, that "with God all things are possible." Won't you do it today? Will you call on Him, ask God to be the Lord of your life? If you have never called on the Lord, please say these words below and call on God to be His Child forever.
Prayer:
Dear God, I know I am a sinner, I know that without you I can do nothing. Thank you for sending your son the Lord, Jesus Christ as our Savior, our provider of eternal life. I ask you Lord to forgive me of my sins, come into my heart and be my Lord, my God. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ that you would allow your Holy Spirit to come in and consume my life, teach me all things, that I may be a Child of God, Holy, sanctified, set apart for your use. Help me to be the mom or dad that you need me to be, that I can point my children toward Heaven, that they will learn about you and also accept you as Lord and Savior. Thank you Lord for all things you have done, are doing, and will do in my life starting today, right here, right now.
In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
Please, if you have prayed this prayer, email me, message me and let me know, so that I can pray for you, send you a special gift for a new child of God, that will help you grow in Grace and Knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. I want to be your partner in this new step in your life, to help you find strength to stand up each day in this decision you have made.
Suggested Scripture Reading for New Christians: the Gospel of John and Romans.
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