Enduring Life Through A Promise

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I would think that if you are reading today's blog, you have probably read most if not all of my previous blogs. Today as I submit blog #90, I realize most of you have read what stories I've shared about myself -- what I call my testimony. I realize some of the context could be deemed as raw and possibly dark, but all have been written with honesty as I wanted you to see what had occurred in my life and how I was able to cope with each stage. It is my strong belief that I could have not done or come through on the other side on my own, but that God always has His hand on my life through His son Jesus and that Holy Spirit has guided me and will continue until my last breath or if I am Raptured. I can't emphasize enough how Restoration is real. My life is proof of what God can accomplish through just one person's life.

Today as I listened to Pastor Greg Laurie on line, he said something that triggered me to write about my belief. The simple words he said were, "Live on promises, not explanations." -- This got me thinking about this past weekend as I spent time with my two youngest boys. It is like clockwork that when we get together we always have these deep discussions about life in general and then the topic of what I believe in always comes up. When it does, I always wished I could have the charisma that Pastor Greg Laurie has -- Pastor Greg is so anointed -- he just speaks and the simple message of the gospel that he shares and why he believes is just so moving. Every time he shares this message and invitation, the Holy Spirit moves me to want to recommit my life to Jesus EVERY SINGLE TIME. Today, Pastor Greg took his invitation a step further, he invited those who already believe in Jesus to rededicate their lives in living their purpose fully by letting Jesus use us and make ourselves available wherever and whenever He needs us to move the gospel forward. So, again, I stood up and rededicated my life for His purpose. (Yes, I stood up by myself in my own house -- God sees!!)

However, again when I'm asked by my boys about my beliefs, one of my boys is of few words and usually by the end of the conversation, he will tell me he believes in the same message as I do. However, I just can't seem to move my other son fully into my belief system with my message (I know it isn't up to me or my delivery) -- I want him to be moved by Holy Spirit and no matter how desperate my message becomes, he cannot accept my belief entirely -- you see, he identifies as an agnostic. And I can't tell you how much his saying that there could be a God or simply there can be more than one God, just crushes my soul. My joy this past conversation is that he definitely doesn't believe in the Big Bang theory. He is so well read and always provides me information about many of the similarities of Greek Mythology, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Muslim, Etc. My prayer is that he will have a curiosity to read the Bible and learn what is contained in it -- so he can have a better understanding of what it contains and understand why I believe how I do. So the message for me, myself -- I live on promises, not explanations. 

I usually end our conversations with that I believe how I believe, because I stand on the promises of the Bible (I believe it's authors were inspired by God) and the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the plan of salvation. And because I love my boys, I always tell them I'm always praying for you and my hope is that one day, you will be moved to a total surrender and a belief to assure you will continue your lives in heaven. My son asked if "my God" will turn away good people from heaven -- I responded the Bible is clear that the only way to enter heaven is only through the belief and acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Savior. I told him ultimately all who enter will be up to God -- so I can only share with him what I know, but God is the ultimate decision maker. He also asked about people who haven't heard the gospel message, I told him that those people can only be held accountable for what they know. I am not forceful in my message. I don't feel I have to debate. I just share how I believe. And I reiterate, ultimately it is your decision of how you want to believe. You are the one to make the choice, I can't force or make that choice for you. He responded, that is what I've always loved about you is that you let us be free thinkers and have not forced your beliefs on us. It's always been my fear to be a stumbling block to my children or anyone. I'm not a fire and brimstone deliverer, I prefer to take the more gentler approach to sharing the gospel.

So bottom line John 3:16 summarizes what my belief and what I hold true to as the foundation of my purpose. I believe Jesus's written in New Testament ministry was over a period of three years.  I also have the belief that Jesus died on the cross for my sins (all of our sins) and that He rose (resurrected) on the third day. I believe that He ascended to heaven and sits on the right side of God's throne. I believe He is our intercessor and ambassador when we speak our prayers to God -- that only through Jesus those prayers are heard. I believe that one day a pre tribulation rapture will occur, no one knows the day or time -- only God the Father knows. (Those alive will be caught up and go to heaven.) I also believe in the Second Coming of Christ where all those who have gone through the tribulation and accepted Jesus as their Savior will ascend to heaven for eternity. Also, if I should experience the process of death in this life, my body dies, but my spirit returns to God in heaven where I will live for eternity, because of what Jesus did on the cross by removing the blemishes of my sinful condition and because I'm covered by His sacrifice and His blood. -- God will only see Jesus when He looks upon me. Ultimately, sin and death will be no more and the earth will be destroyed and be made new and we will dwell in the House of the Lord forever. The song Surely Goodness and Mercy comes to mind.

(There is a Hell as well, but I don't want to focus on that topic. It is my belief that God doesn't throw us there -- we throw ourselves there.)

Because this is my testimonial blog, I want to share the following prayer that has been part of the invitation that Pastor Greg Laurie and other pastors always offer to anyone who may be moved to accept Jesus into their lives. I've heard it referred to as the "Sinner's Prayer".  I've said it more than once in my life even after I was baptized at the age of 12 years old.

Dear Lord Jesus:  I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. In Jesus's Name -- Amen.

If you are ever moved to say this prayer. It doesn't stop there. Get a Bible. Find a church -- where you can network with other Christians who will be more than happy to help you in your further understanding of biblical principles and encourage you as you move forward on your Christian journey.

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."



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