Do you ever feel like you are a long way from God?
You wake up one day and you wonder, ... How in the world did I ever get this far away from Him. How did I ever get here?
Deep within your heart, when you hear truth, you know it.
When you hear someone utter the words of Jesus, you hear a confirming voice within you that screams, "YES, THAT'S TRUTH!" And you know it.
It makes you wish but for a moment that you could get back to where you know you ought to be ... but in disappointment, you hang your head and quickly give up the idea, because you know ... You Can't Live The Christian Life.
Well, that's me, over and over and over in my life.
Friend of mine, I have learned most things the hard way. It seemed I just lived to test things out so I could hit my thumb with every swing of the hammer. I have failed God in so many ways, everyday when I tried to live Churchianity. Slowly, I have learned that I was never supposed to try to live the "Christian Life". Rather, I was to yield my life to Him so that He might live it through me. The Bible teaches this VERY CLEARLY ... but Oh NO, I had other ideas.
Yielding your life to Christ really does change everything. But that's not what I set out to say to you this morning.
I want to get back to that voice you may hear inside you. Perhaps that voice hears the truth of Christ and you are quietly saying YES, THAT'S TRUTH. I mean, you don't want anyone to hear you and totally think your fruit loops. Actually, I don't even care about that any more. It is a foregone conclusion!
Perhaps you have accepted Christ as your Savior and you know your life isn't what it ought to be ... but you keep hearing the voice inside confirming you when you do something RIGHT, something GOOD or when you hear TRUTH. You will also hear that voice speaking to you in a VERY different way when you do things you shouldn't.
Did you ever think of thanking God that you can even hear that voice? That is the Holy Spirit living inside you as proof that you already HAVE eternal life with Christ ... OR it is the Holy Spirit convicting you of sin and calling you to accept Christ so that you CAN HAVE eternal life with Christ.
Either way, God is trying to talk to YOU! That's right! The God of the Universe isn't trying to hide. God is trying to get to you.
The effort of man trying to get to God is called "religion".
The effort of God trying to get to man is called "Christmas".
Would it surprise you to know that I don't believe in religion, at all? I believe in a person. Christ alone.
Listen to Lord Have Mercy and read the words. Is that you? Have you built other gods in your life? Have you avoided Him? Call on Him! He is there and He WILL rush to you.
Back to the voice! I know I have eternal life (John 3:16, 1 John 5:13). So, I know exactly what that voice is in my life. That is the Holy Spirit guiding me when I am off track. It is proof positive I am going to heaven (Hebrews 13:5). And I am NOT kiding myself. I know VERY WELL that I don't deserve it. It is only because of Christ (Ephesians 2:8,9).
So today, I just want to encourage you. If you hear that voice, ... if you do nothing else, THANK GOD that you hear it. Most people do not appear to hear it.
To those of you who have never heard that voice ... I am aware that you may think I am from the undiscovered planet of Zinnon and that they may have held me under the water too long during swimming lessons ... but I challenge you to earnestly pray ... "God ... IF ... you are really out there ... help me to find you." Revelation 3:20.
Also, remember, ... the road back to God can begin for you right now. God isn't trying to hide from you. He is calling you to Him. No matter how many times you fall flat on your face ... He's there. How do I know? Let's just say my face is fairly flat and well covered with egg. Jesus is calling you. Will you come?
Read Luke 15:11-32 and have a great day.
NikonSniper Steve
