I was reading through 1 John today and came to Chapter 4 where it talks about God's Love. What better way to explain it than God's word. So if you will allow me to share his word with you today. 1 John 4:7-12 NIV.
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love, does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us."
That sounds familiar doesn't it? Remember John 3:16 that we all memorized growing up? "For God so loved the world He gave His one and only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Do you know that kind of Love. The kind that can only come from God. It comes unconditionally.
When I first started this devotion, I guess I took for granted that most who would read this would be born again Christians and understand what the above verses mean. Maybe you are a church goer and a good person. But do you really know this God and what he did for you and me? Do you have this Jesus living in your heart?
We know we were born sinners and the bible tells us the wages of sin is death. But it does not have to stop there in your life. You can have life eternal with Jesus. All you have to do is admit you are a sinner.
Romans 10:9-10 says "If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved". (NIV)
Ephesians 2:8 says "We are saved by grace through faith, not of works". It is a free gift from God for you to take. Faith is trusting in Jesus. Do you ever stop and think before you sit in a chair? No, most of us just take for granted that chair is going to hold us up and we just sit down. Well, my friend, what you just did was have faith and trust that the chair was going to hold you up. That is the kind of Faith you need in trusting in God and accepting that He gave His only son, Jesus, to pay for our sins.
Romans 10:13 says,"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
So the last step is asking Jesus to save you by praying the sinner's prayer. It is simple and should come from your heart. You simply acknowledge Jesus is God's son and that he died on the cross and was raised 3 days later. Acknowledge you have sinned and need forgiveness and be willing to turn from your sins and ask Jesus to come into your heart to liveas your Savior and Lord. Thank Him for saving you in Jesus' name. Amen. You then will receive the Holy Spirit to empower you and guide you in the direction you are to go. To encourage you, help you make the right decisions. To live in every area of your life and comfort you.
When I started today's devotion, my intentions were not ending with the plan of salvation. But God laid on my heart that this needs to be addressed first, or my devotions could be meaningless to some who read if you do not know this Jesus. If you would like to know more I would be glad to mail you a witness tract and talk with you if you feel God tugging at your heart. He loves you more than you can ever imagine and I could not live each day without Him. Message me if you are reading this on FaceBook or e-mail at justcats@eplus.net and I'll be glad to mail you the booklet. It is be the best thing you could ever do for yourself. Securing an eternal life with Jesus.
God Bless,
Beth
Great devo!!!!!
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