I came across this today (December 16, 2018) as I was working on the site. As you can see it was written 3 years ago. This word still excites and encourages me. Enjoy a blast from the past as we look forward to the New Year.
My word for this year is AWARENESS and how it will relate to the mission for Warrior Family Ministries, “An assignment of IMPACT and HOPE to families.” Over the next several weeks we will discover who we are in Christ and how that brings about healing for our souls, our mental state of being. Can you picture days where you aren’t feeling anxious, depressed or frustrated? How about learning how to enjoy your wife, husband and kids. To have joy and peace daily. Even if you don’t understand any of this right now it’s OK. We have weeks to get you on the road to recovery and getting the quality of life that you were meant to have.
I have been drawn to Ephesians the last several weeks, especially Ephesians chapter 1. I have read and re-read it and every time I do I have another understanding of God’s Word. At the beginning in verses 3-12, Paul speaks about us being predestined by God. I use to think that it meant that God chose who He saved and who He didn’t …. Somewhere growing up in the church I think someone taught me this but I didn’t quite get it so I stayed away from it.
But as I have read and re-read these verses in Ephesians the revelation that God, who created us, who knew me before I was formed in my mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5) predestined each and everyone of us to Himself through His son Jesus Christ. He didn’t just handpick a few. He handpicked us all. It is each of us because of our free will that chooses whether to walk toward Him or to walk away. Why would a God who created us to worship Him just pick a few? If that were the case then there is no reason for Jesus and His redeeming sacrifice. Grasping this from the beginning will enable you to start down that road of healing.
Think about this, where is the one area that satan can get to us? It’s in our identity… who we are. How many times has something from your past came into your thoughts and caused you to question the kind of person you are. Words of condemnation and unworthiness start playing in our head. Depression, anxiety, frustrations start playing in your emotions. But when you discover who you belong too, who you are and that “If God is for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8:31), then you learn how to put a stop to those thoughts. You walk in the confidence of knowing that you are a child of God, bought with a price, redeemed through the blood of Christ.
First things first… If you haven’t already accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior then let’s get this straight right now. Where are you? Will you receive Jesus Christ right now?
Here is how you can receive Christ:
- Admit your need (I am a sinner).
- Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).
- Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.
- Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as Lord and Savior.)
PRAYER
How to Pray:
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. In Your Name.
Amen.
God’s Assurance: His Word
If you prayed this prayer, the Bible says …
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. ”
—Romans 10:13
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
—Ephesians 2:8–9
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