Thats right - it's not "A crutch" - it's two crutches! It's a wheelchair! It's a full body cast! It's a hospital bed with wires and tubes and every medical gadget imaginable!
I NEED ALL OF IT!
I'm not shouting at you specifically - I'm shouting to the world. The lost and the saved world. If that includes you, then I am shouting to you too. The world is sick and EVERY SINGLE PERSON needs all of the above.
Jesus tells us in Mark 2:16–17 (NLT) "But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum?” When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call NOT those who think they are righteous, BUT those who KNOW they are sinners.”
If that's not you - well, I hope you keep reading anyways - I think there's a message in here you for you too. Maybe you need confirmation - or a reminder. Read on...
Romans 3:23 NLT makes it clear that everyone has sinned - we have all fallen short of God’s standard. But at the same time, He - God - made a way for us to come into right standing with Him. His son. Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:24 (NLT) states "Yet God, in his grace, FREELY makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins".
How can you do this you wonder?
Romans 10:9–10 (NLT): "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved."
Can I have that to, you ask? Does it apply to everyone?
Romans 3:22 (NLT): We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for EVERYONE who believes, NO MATTER WHO WE ARE"!
So there you have it! Its available to everyone - no matter who you are. You just have to CHOOSE to believe.
Now you may ask, how can you know you've been freed from your sin - from your past? How can you have confidence that God heard you and that He saved you? Romans 8:16 (NLT) tells us "For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children."
Jesus tells also us in Matthew 7:7–8 (NLT), “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for (salvation). Keep on seeking, and you will find (the mystery of the good news). Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you (a new reality) For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened."
Let me be clear - this is so much more than a ticket to heaven. Jesus is a change agent. He won't leave you where He picked you up. Actually - He doesn't leave you at all! But He will change you - if you let Him.
He's a life changer - for the better. If you were sincere in your committment to God, then you have an amazing journey ahead of you. And if you aren't sure you are committed, then pray and ask God, "help me in my unbelief" (Mark 9:24).
I won't lie. It won't always be easy. Giving up past beliefs can be painful. People around you will likely make fun of you and reject you. You may be tempted to throw your hands up and quit. But understand, they're not rejecting you - they're rejecting Christ in you. Press in to God all the more.
2 Timothy 3:12–14 (NLT): "...everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.
But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you."
1 Peter 5:10–11 (NLT): "In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen."
You wont be alone. There are many of us walking the journey and will come along side you. Galatians 6:2 tells us to carry each others burdens. I pray for you - you pray for me. I catch your tears - you catch mine. I laugh with you - you laugh with me or at me!
You'll mess up from time to time. I admit, I do! Like Peter, I often have the foot in the mouth disease. We are human and will never be perfect. This flesh gets in the way. But we serve a good, good God. He is there, ready to forgive and not condemn, but helps us to learn to follow His ways and lead us in the way of His righteousness. Over time - as we grow closer to God - He makes the burden lighter.
God's way is peace. God's way is love.
I hope to spend eternity with you. Journey on...
God bless,
Allison Pelphrey
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