By David Brenneman
On more than one occasion I have had dreams about being in either conversations with someone or was talking to someone who, by all appearances in the dream wasn't listening, but God still used the conversations in real life.
Last night there was such a conversation with someone. I highly doubt that I will see them again in my lifetime, but for whatever reason, I do believe that the Spirit of God had me talk boldly with them in this dream.
Having seen God work through those earlier dreams, there's little room for doubt concerning this one.
In this dream the person's name is Jerry. He was asking me why his life still was troubled.
I was telling him that the troubles, though real, have been there because God's been trying to get his attention. That it's time to stop running from God and start moving towards Him. That was pretty much the extent of the conversation as I can remember it.
Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He came to fulfill the Father's purpose for Him.
Jesus is that Shepherd who will go to any lengths to bring back the one of the 99 sheep that's not in the fold, that's not where it's supposed to be.
Jesus exemplifies the love of God towards mankind, yet many keep thinking there's a different, better, easier way to get to Heaven than through the cross of Christ Jesus.
I know of others who hold grudges against God on various levels. Really? Consider the greatness of that level of foolishness! People with grudges against God for either allowing things to happen or not allowing them are being foolish. You would hold your breath waiting for Him to change? Being angry with God avails nothing good. When it's in the life of a Believer it puts a wall up between them and God.
Sometimes God uses unusual things and methods to reach people where they are.
The Bible says that He's unwilling that any should perish but that all would come to repentance and salvation in Christ Jesus. Yet in all that, He will not force salvation on anyone. It was the will of man, Adam, that began a life of sin. It's to be the willful choice of men and women to come and receive the free gift of salvation in Christ Jesus. It will not be forced, but will be offered until such a time that He knows there's no path towards acceptance.
I do know a Jerry in real life. I do know of others with anger issues towards God. I once read that it's entirely intentional on the part of God in regards to the people with whom we cross paths with in this life. Whomever said it or wrote it possibly was thinking of the passage where it says to be ready to give a defense for the hope we have within us.
It's a burden of my heart concerning many people who have crossed my path in my life.
I constantly find my prayers including them even if I never see them again. With as bad as my memory is about people’s names and faces, to have them constantly before me I attribute to an act of God.
If you are reading this, somewhere across this world or maybe even in space, God's still wanting a relationship with you. The Creator God of this universe really does want a relationship with you. So much so that when the sentence of death was written against you on account of your sin, He died in your place so that you wouldn't have to. Not only did He die in your place, He arose from the dead, bringing eternal life in Christ Jesus with Him. All that is on you is to ask Jesus to save you. Romans 10:9 NASB "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved".
It's not complicated. Was never meant to be. Read what it says in Luke 18:16-17 NASB "But Jesus called for the little ones, saying, “Allow the children to come to Me, and do not forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”
Satan has muddled with the salvation message for at least 2 centuries. Trying to over complicate it so as to turn people away. Using things such as losing out on what people desire in life. With making them believe lies about what life would be like. About all they would have to give up. Perhaps you are reluctant to come to Christ for salvation because of something like this?
My Dear Reader, you don't need to try to clean up your life before coming to Christ for salvation. That's His job and the job of the Spirit after you are saved.
You don't need to believe your life is so messed up or so complicated that He can't do anything with it. He's God. He can work with anyone. Read back through the Bible. That's His resume on working with all kinds of people.
You don't need to believe the lie that you need to live your life your way first in order to enjoy it before coming to Christ for salvation. You will find true enjoyment after coming to Christ for salvation. You cannot know nor understand what kinds of good things await you until after you come to Jesus to be saved. Right now, if you aren't saved, you're literally living in darkness. Jesus lights up the world both to show people His desire to save and to enable those who fo believe to live rich full lives.
Maybe indeed you're stressed and worried about your life. Been there done that. Trust me, Jesus can deal with all you are going through. He's done it with me.
Take the chance on Jesus. What have you really got to lose but possibly all that is burdensome to your heart? All that's been worrisome to you? Worry is a prayer with no direction. In Christ you can give it a direction and place it in His hands to deal with.
If you were the only person on this planet, Jesus still would have died for you. You mean that much to Him.
This message was written for someone out there. I don't know who. I just know that I woke up early and it was urgent that it be written soon.
Jesus loves you. He has a plan for your life that is far greater than you can possibly imagine.
You might indeed believe you are enjoying your life now without Christ Jesus. It can still be far greater than even that which you like so much now.
The Apostle Paul wrote that he considered it all, that is anything the world wants to offer, loss in comparison to knowing Jesus. Jesus said what does it benefit a person to gain the whole world and lose their soul? You die without Jesus as your Savior, you lose your soul.
But again, Jesus isn't going to force you. He's earnestly hoping that you indeed would want Him in your life as your Savior.
Look not at what you might lose. Look at all you will gain.
I honestly haven't had many close friends in my life. But in Christ I indeed, as the Bible says, have a friend that sticks closer than a brother with my relationship with Jesus. I might not be able to find someone to talk to about what concerns my life with people, but Jesus eagerly anticipates my coming to Him with what weighs on my heart. Many times people will take what bothering me the wrong way or they are too burdened themselves. Jesus just says "bring it on, I am here for you."
It's time for you to realize that Jesus is waiting at the door of your life. He's knocking. Won't you let Him in?
No comments:
Post a Comment