All through life we approach cross roads that take us down paths that lead to a life of turmoil, heartache, and pain or a life with "real purpose and real spiritual power". As we're tested at the cross roads we're forced to make an immediate choice on whether we seek immediate satisfaction, or "long term" spiritual and mental happiness. We choose which direction we want to go and no amount of wealth or power can buy that.
Let's examine our current lives differently than what is normally taught by our spiritual leaders and society. This applies to believers as well as non-believers. We all know the difference between right and wrong especially as society insists that right is wrong and wrong is right.
Isaiah 5: 20-21
" Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!".
You can see this every day in society and in the political world we live in.
As we take that sincere and meaningful step to give our life to Jesus Christ and accept his gift of eternal life, we become a "new person."
We often hear the phrase that we are "Born Again. For a moment put aside the first feeling you felt making that sincere confession of faith and trust in God. "My first question, do you really feel born again or are you now living a Christian life full of fear and apprehension? Are you living a passive life where the power of God is subdued and suppressed? I can tell you as I get to know God and Jesus Christ, I face this constant struggle between doing what's right and what is wrong.
Romans 7:15 NIV "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do "I do not do," but what I hate "I" do."
I am no different than you. I have failed at times to see what God has been teaching me, because I have completely relied on others to tell me what God's word means. God has guided me to what I believe to be honest Men of God but relying on them solely is where I have failed. God's word is there for (US) to explore and to (use) to open our eyes to the deep truths of God. Those truths show us the "real power" in Gods word(s). And If we want "real power" in these last days, we need to focus on each word God has given us. As you read God's word ask yourself which word speaks power to you. This will allow you utilize the "power" God has given us. You'll notice throughout this post I've put in bold certain words to help you understand how this works.
There is POWER in God's word. We must use it. It is very important that we prepare ourselves right now, because the rapture is imminent.
As we all come to the cross roads be it a sinful act, word, or deed, we must examine our life and measure at that very moment where we stand. If you don't believe in Jesus and the sacrifice he made for us, you may be numb to where you are in your life. Many, live life with a daily expectation of dying or of having no consequences for their actions. So much so, that they're numb to that fact. They don't fear death or consequences and have come to accept the fate that whatever happens, happens.
You could be involved in a gang, you could be in a situation where war is all around you, you could be facing starvation or homelessness. I can go on and on about desperate situations. There is no one safe, not even the wealthy. I know this sounds strong and may come across as fear mongering but we know deep in our heart that this is true. Death and calamity have no preference on who it effects.
Romans 3:23 "For ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."
Romans 3:10 "There is no one righteous, no, not one."
Please understand that only one person has ever been righteous, and without sin. Jesus Christ alone, has conquered sin and death and without him we are destined for a life of failure, with no hope of ever being happy, of ever being safe, of ever being without pain and suffering. It affects us all!
Romans 6:12-14
12 "Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.
13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin but present yourselves to God as being "alive" from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace."
By "reign in our mortal bodies" I believe God means that we, through Him, have the power to prevent sin from holding us hostage. We are no longer slaves to sin, but slaves to righteousness. Let's not forget with God leading our lives we hold the power. Does this mean we will no longer sin, of course not, but as God's Holy Spirit works in us, He (Jesus Christ) having the power over sin makes us more than conquerors.
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." We see that God has not put any limits on what we can accomplish through Jesus Christ who strengthens us.
Romans 8:31-39
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[a]
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This should empower each of us to step outside of our bubbles, out of our Christian comfort zone, and BOLDLY proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ! We are the salt of the earth and without that seasoning the world would be in the tribulation period. Just like salt preserving meat, Christians who obey God and do his will serve as a preservative of the human race and the earth by slowing down the moral and spiritual decay of the world around them. If that salt loses its flavor it is no good for anything and should be thrown out. When true believers mix into themselves things like false doctrines, they lose their purity and their originally intended goal. This will eventually lead to them becoming worthless and hollow. In today's society salt is used in many different ways, as flavoring and for preserving food, tanning, dyeing and bleaching, and the production of pottery, soap, and chlorine. It's also used to break through the hardest of ice.
I believe God wants us to be useful as well and to not just go through the motions of looking like a Christian but also understanding our role of spreading the gospel and being a disciple.
Many churches today preach what I call feel good theology. In that, we can be good neighbors and good friends ect. but they lack the conviction to tell their congregation the truth about the peril of missing the rapture and their subsequent future in the tribulation period.
Many so called leaders avoid getting into the nitty gritty details for fear of losing members of their congregation and the potential financial income that comes with it. The woke society we live in today doesn't have room for the truth unless it's "Their truth." That truth is far from reality in Gods' eyes.
We need to realize that we need to be BOLD about our relationship with God and with the sharing of His gospel. No longer do we need to wait for that perfect opportunity to share our faith. No longer do we need to stand at the cross roads in weakness but with God we can stand with power and with a boldness that is uncommon in man today. Proclaim to the world, the gospel, and the power of God to change lives. We are no longer slaves to sin, but slaves to the will of God.
As you read this, If you are tired of life or if you feel like giving up on life all together, God is speaking to you. He is speaking in a strong and powerful way. Realize you are at the cross roads, don't deny him again, but pray this prayer right now and mean it in your heart...
God I know that I am a sinner, and I know that my sin has separated me from you. But I believe you love me, and I believe that you sent your son Jesus Christ to die for my sins. I believe that with His death all of my sins are have been forgiven, past, present, and future. I believe that after Jesus paid the price for my sins and all the sins of the world, You raised Him from the dead and He now sits with you on your right. I sincerely ask Jesus to come into my heart, To be my Lord and Savior and to forgive me for all of my sins. Amen
Welcome to the family of God, your relationship with God and Jesus is just beginning. Today, you have been changed and you start a new life, that old life has passed away behold ALL things are new!