I have to confess, I love to write. I write every day. Although to share what I write becomes very hard for me. I am somewhat of a private person, and it becomes hard for me to put out my thoughts and circumstances to the whole world. Really, it’s hard for me to do that with a small group of people; much the less, the whole world. I am not one that loves to be on the stage. I love people and enjoy being around people, but not to be the center of attention. All that to say, I struggle to keep up with this blog, even though I KNOW God wants me to share more.
I teach youth Sunday school class and we’ve been talking about how as a Christian, we are ALL called to be evangelists – to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. That’s why I have sat down today to tell the world what He has done for me! Not about me – ALL about Him!
This past year, I celebrated my 18th birthday! Yes, I know, I look a little bit older than that! haha! I am not referring to my physical birth, I am talking about a new birth, a new life that started for me on July 22, 2001. It was the day that I realized that the One who created me, is the only One who can give me peace and fulfillment. Did you know this? God created you and me! We were born into a sin-filled world and inherited a sinful heart when we were born. The bad news is that there is a penalty for that sin and it is death on earth followed by eternity in hell. The good news is that Jesus Christ has given us an opportunity to be saved from eternity in hell. Jesus Christ came to earth being born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and later died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin. He was buried in a grave, but after 3 days, He rose again and now is in Heaven. Our responsibility in this, is to believe and accept what He did for us. We must pray: asking forgiveness of our sins, thank Him for dying on the cross paying the penalty of our sins, asking Him to be the Lord of our lives, to send His Holy Spirit to live in our hearts and change us, and telling Him that we are His. That He is our King and we give our hearts, our lives to Him to be used for whatever purpose He created us for.
When we pray this prayer sincerely from our hearts, we have a new life, a new birth, in Jesus Christ. We get rid of the old life and start new. It doesn’t mean we won’t fail or have troubles, but it does mean we now have a Savior. The One who knows all things, the One who created us, the One who will guide us as we seek Him, the One that we will live eternity with in Heaven when our time on earth is over. That is great news! It is the most important decision you will ever make on this earth. If you make this decision to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, your life on earth has already been the greatest success you could achieve. The victory has been won through Jesus! And we are now called to share it with the whole world so that they might be saved also!
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Matthew 28:19-20a “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
This week we celebrate Thanksgiving! I am thankful for so many things in my life, but the greatest thing I am thankful for is Jesus and that He has given me a new life in Him! Do you know Him? If so, don’t forget to give thanks for ALL He has done for you! And tell others about Him! If you don’t know Him, please make Him the Savior and Lord of your life today and enjoy the greatest gift we have been given!
With a thankful heart and by His grace,
+Linda
