Four-Calendar Café

Scripture

Ephesians 1:4-6

4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. (NIV)

Observation

Do you remember when you first gave your life to Jesus? It was like God had given you a new pair of shoes for your soul. There was nothing that you couldn’t do if God said to do it. You walked and talked differently. You had a purpose. The sun shone, every day, with promise when you were born again. You were on the mountain with God and you never wanted to come down.

You were on fire for the Lord and nothing could put it out. Trials and tribulations came and went with barely any scars. More time passed, as it does, and things started to change. As the blessings of God flowed into your life you became busier and busier. Those Spirit-filled highs of being with God seem to be fewer and fewer. You were doing everything “right.” Going to church, reading your Bible every day, serving in ministry, and smiling. Oh, how you smiled back then. You were blessed and you knew it. What was there to not smile about? God was with you and everything was fine.

Weights of life,
weary to the soul,
cling, like briars,
prick, like thorns.
Bloodstained garments,
remind us-
we are too human.
Broken bodies,
fallen friends,
litter memories-
singing,
joy to the Lord.
Of raised hands, in fellowship,
days long passed,
every shielded smile,
wounds beneath,
festering.
Fractured dreams, on the altar of love,
give life to seeds of doubt,
willowy whispers,
God is near? God is near?

And you wonder, will I ever be holy again? Will I walk again along righteous paths in green pastures, His gentle arms around me, holding me? God of love. God of mercy. God of grace. Father? Do you hear me? And you remember. “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11 NIV). “No word from God will ever fail” (Luke 1:37 NIV). Nothing can snatch me from His hand (John 10:28). And the Word is opened to you, you who believe. You have eternal life and “I am with you, always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 22:13). “He who believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). I am His. “He is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV). The righteous will fall but God picks them back up (Proverbs 24:16).

And you breathe. Mountain air, so sweet, coming to you in the valley, this shadow of death, we all walk through it, the mountains are illusions, high points in this valley. We are high because He lifts us. We are holy because He is holy. We are His because He chose us before creation…

Do you know God? He loves you. He’s not mad at you and He wants you to know Him. He already knows you and He would rather die than not have you in His family. Jesus died for your sins and mine so that we could be free of guilt, be freed from death, and live eternally with Him.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation today:

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. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.