Why do I do this?
We live in a society where just about anything you can dream of ,you can have or do. Yet so many of us are depressed , lonely, scared and hurting. We look to Google, Siri for answers and Facebook for love, encouragement and peace.
It's just not working and the truth of the matter is it can't work…. You see Love and Peace are fruits of the Holy Spirit and guidance and encouragement is The Holy Spirit's purpose.
Galatians 5:22 -But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives : love, joy ,peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.
Man will never be able to truly replicate the works of God.
Man will never be able to enjoy the works of God apart of God .
Sin separates us from God.
Isaiah 59:2 It is your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins He has turned away …..
Anxiety , addiction, depression, loneliness are all just symptoms of a much greater problem and that problem is sin .
But there is HOPE and His name is Jesus Christ , Yeshua -The Messiah
He wants to restore the relationship that has been broken by sin
Romans 5:1 - We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
1 Timothy 2:5 -for there is one God and one mediator between God and man his name is Jesus Christ
*****Here is how this Blessed Hope can be yours************
If you confess with your mouth that you have sinned and that Jesus is Lord (simply say it out loud in prayer )
and believe in your heart that he died for your sins and God raised him from the dead, you will be saved . This is what John 3:16 is all about.
For God so loved the world the he gave his one and only son so that anyone who believes in him will not perish but will have eternal life.
Romans 10 :9 -For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you will be saved.
If you have just done the things listed above CONGRATULATIONS and welcome to the family! You are probably wondering what do I do next?
In my very humble opinion the first step is spending time with the one you have been apart from.
Get yourself a Bible and read a chapter a day ( 5 days a week, if more days are possible great, but life can be very demanding of your time ) - don't speed read it consistency is what will make the difference . I suggest starting with the gospel of Luke followed by the book of Acts and then Proverbs.
The New Living Translation and The Message are my go to's. I also study both the Moody Bible Commentary, and J. Vernon McGee's Thru The Bible series commentaries. I have found both to be a great resource. I read a chapter and a commentary one day and come back the very next day and read the same chapter and it's commentary from a different set of books.
I would also suggest waiting about six months before you start looking for a church home. My reason for this is, knowing who you worship and what is important to him will help you find the church that is right for you. After six months of reading the word of God 5 days a week and a chapter a day you will start to find yourself meditating upon it and you will not be so easily shaken by false teachings. Finding the right church home is a big step and nothing to rush into, but when you do the friendships you make there will last a lifetime
Psalm 1:1-3
Oh the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners or join in with mockers. (2) But they delight in the law of the Lord meditating on it day and night. (3) They are like trees planted along the riverbank bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither and they prosper in all they do.
God bless you,
Leon