I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation [from His wrath and punishment] to everyone who believes [in Christ as Savior], to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed in a way that awakens more faith]. As it is written and forever remains written, “The just and upright shall live by faith.”
Romans 1:16-17 AMP
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV
I don’t know about you, but lately the Scriptures are coming alive to me in a way they never have before. The veil has been lifted and the Holy Spirit is making the written Word of God make perfect sense to my mind and my heart.
When we read the Word, inspired by the Living Word and recorded by man’s hand, we see into the mind and heart of God. What a gift it is to have this freely available to anyone who wants to know God more.
Of course, there are still places that do not have the written Word of God available in their heart language, or native tongue. There are also places where having a Bible is criminal and you would be persecuted for possessing one. Shall we say we are blessed beyond measure in the free world?
Yet, what do we do? Our Bibles often gather dust instead of helping us gather souls from the dust of the earth. If I have one encouragement for you today, it would be to feast on the Word of God daily. This is one area in life where overindulgence really has no negative consequences.
Reading God’s Word renews our minds. I call it reverse brainwashing. The world uses repetition of messaging to brainwash you into thinking how the world wants you to think. Think commercials, jingles, entertainment, public education. Everything has an ulterior motive behind it. Give us your money. We’ll trick you into thinking you want to. That’s the way of the world.
God works the exact opposite way. He gives us everything freely. It’s so surprisingly easy that many doubt something so good could be true. God gives us life. He gives us everything we need to survive. He gives us freedom to choose. Choose life or choose death. The choice is yours.
By no good thinking on my part, I came to the conclusion that apart from God, life is not worth living. Thankfully, at my lowest point, before I knew God personally, He intervened and spared me from making the ultimate mistake, dying without repenting.
Now, I cannot keep quiet about what the Lord has done. My evangelism is deeply rooted in my own testimony of coming to faith and the miracles that quickly ensued and have come to define my walk with God. I can’t make this stuff up. I bear witness to the truth of God’s Word and the experiences I’ve been a part of. Not by my power, not by my wisdom, simply by the grace of God.
I don’t deserve His favor. I was a miserable sinner for 25 years before my life got turned upside down by a private encounter with God. I’ve been sharing my testimony frequently lately. It’s my life. I lived it. God’s goodness rescued me from the pit of despair countless times. He must really love me.
The Good News is that God doesn’t play favorites. If He loved me that much, He loves you that much too. That’s my message for everyone. God can reveal Himself to your heart. He can baptize you in the Holy Spirit. He can heal you. He can deliver you from the demons that torment your mind and body. He can clean up your life and make you useful for the advancement of His Kingdom. If He did it for me, He can do it for you.
Thankfully, there are many excellent resources available for free online to help you learn how to know God and walk in the power of His Spirit.
God is bringing His people into holy alignment with His will as revealed in His Word. I like to say that God’s will will be done in your life. You can go about it in one of two ways. Willingly or kicking and screaming. I’ve tried both and prefer willingly submitting to God’s will. You, of course, are free to make your own decisions. I just like to help people make informed decisions.
God’s Word is true. It is reliable. You can build your life on its principles and be blessed. There is nothing better than knowing God personally, having a living, breathing relationship with the loving Creator of the Universe. He wants to walk with you, talk with you, every moment of every day. His Word is true. His promises are true. He is not a man who would lie. He is perfect. He is holy. He is righteous. And He’s for you. Not against you. He laid down His life so that you could live His.
This is your moment. Decide once and for all and never look back. Leave the world as we know it behind. Enter God’s Kingdom by faith.
Father, I believe. Thank You for giving me faith that Jesus is the Son of God. I rejoice in You. I rejoice in my salvation. Not by my works, in spite of them. Your grace was freely poured out at the Cross of Calvary. Now I know You. Help me to know You more until I am complete in You, lacking nothing. Perfect me in Your grace. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV