I mention depending on God in most every one of my posts. If I didn’t know God there is no way I would still be surviving this journey. I do not have the strength to do this on my own. None of us do even though sometimes we think we can try.
Recently two people I know have died. One was an 84 year old man who was the husband of a lady I met at church. He knew Jesus and so when he died his wife and family now have the peace he is in heaven with his Savior.
Then my grandmother passed away this morning at the age of 97. I am not close to my family and I had not even seen her in 7 years. When I read of her passing in an email I felt sad, but not for the reasons you would think when losing a grandmother. I was sad because I know she is not in a better place. I know she did not have a relationship with God unless something changed these past seven years, and so I know her eternity will be in hell.
As harsh as that sounds to some of you, yes there is a hell. It is a real place. The penalty for sin is death. That is what we deserve. Praise God He sent Jesus to die on a cross for our sins. God did this so we can have a relationship with Him and spend our eternity in heaven. Jesus paid the price for OUR sins. He was tortured and crucified on a cross for everything we have and will ever do wrong. As a bridge to be with God.
What we must do is ask God for forgiveness of our sins. I don’t believe there’s one exact prayer you have to pray or you won’t be saved. I believe it’s completely individual. Scripture clearly tells us that:
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-13
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
My moment came at the age of 17 ½ in the dorm room at summer camp when I woke up after a long night of fighting God and I said, “No more fighting God. I want to follow you.” It wasn’t a fancy prayer. I believe even if I hadn’t prayed anything else and had died I would have gone to heaven right then. God knows your heart. Just trust in Him.
His longing is to have a deep love relationship with each one of us. I am still searching the love part out. Relationships are a struggle for me as they might be for you after the loss of trust from sexual assault. God understands this the most. So trust Him. Open your heart to Him today because He more than any human being will be the One to be here for You.
If you don’t know Him today. Just reach out and simply ask Him to come into your life and forgive you of your sins. He’s waiting with His arms open wide.
And for those of you who already know Him and are still struggling to know Him deeper like me, hang on to Him even when it feels He isn’t there. He is. He will not let us go. God is going to get each of us through this one step at a time. Depend on Him today and every day.
Always remember you are not alone. Trust Jesus today.
© 2019 Susan M. Clabaugh. All Rights Reserved.
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