the hope of Christmas

My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory rest; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah. Psalm 62:5-8

On this cyber Monday, you may catch yourself glancing at all the sale messages in your inbox or on Facebook and for just a moment think that your hope is in finding the perfect gift at an unbelievable price and that securing it will give you and others the ultimate gift of hope for a cheery season. Be not mislead. While the ads promise all these things, in our hearts we know that the only real hope we have is in Christ.

 

Christ is the perfect gift. He is all knowing, all understanding, all sufficient, all powerful, and

full of hope!

 

The psalmist says to wait in silence for God only; and reminds us that our hope is in Him. No matter what the Christmas season brings, we are not shaken if we hope in Him. He is our rest, strength, salvation, refuge and more. As we pour out our hearts to Him, He meets us at our point of need.

 

Amy Grant's song, I need a little silent night, really speaks to me. http://www.metrolyrics.com/i-need-a-silent-night-lyrics-amy-grant.html#startvideo

Take a moment and listen. Let's live the hope we know we have. Let's share it with others so they too may have the hope of Christ this Christmas.

 

Hope in Christ is the first chapter in our new work, HeartCall New Heart: What it Means to Believe. Find it in the shop. Bless someone this Christmas with our Fresh Start Kit: this book, the Bible, the journal and our new devotional book. www.jayemartin.com/shop.

 

 

Looking Forward

"For the grace of God has appeared with salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:11-13, HCSB). 

What motivates you? Lately, pictures of Corpus Christi have been motivating me keep up my runs, since I will be running in a long distance race there soon. There is this feeling within me that can emerge, though - a feeling that routine runs will wear away at me and drain my energy. When I remember why I am excited about that run in the future, my mind shifts. My heart lifts. I remember why I love to run, and even what may seem like a purely mechanic routine is a good time as I remember the end goal with its purpose and meaning.

As believers, we have this future hope that Jesus will return one day. This hope comes from God's promises. He is an unchanging promise keeper. God is Lord over all and Jesus, our Redeemer. With help from the Holy Spirit, we can seek to live our lives as His people, representatives for Him until He comes again to restore His kingdom on earth. My hope is that as we seek to follow God, we shift our eyes from obedience that can look like routine and see the underlying love for our Savior that can drive all of that.

Kelli Martin

Let's be a people who love Him from the inside out. Let's share with others and pray that they see that our obedience is a work of the Holy Spirit. Let's pray that God renews our hearts daily so we can reflect Him more.

"So we must not grow tired of doing good" (Galatians 6:9a, HCSB). 

"God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit in me" (Psalm 51:10, HCSB). 

Recommended song: "Absent from Flesh" performed by Sojourn Music. You can see a YouTube video here or listen to the audio version here. This song was inspired by the hymn written by Isaac Watts, and you can find the words to that here.

A lasting promise

"We have this hope as an anchor for our lives, safe and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain." -Hebrews 6:19

Have you been in a boat before? Quite a few years ago, I remember sailing with some friends and my friend's grandfather near Kemah, Texas. We left the shore mid-afternoon, planning to come back to land in time to eat dinner. It was a beautiful day, but as the sun started to set, we realized something may be wrong. We had drifted into waters that seemed too deep for an anchor, and the wind seemed to have stopped. After a while of searching, we found a way back and my friend's grandfather was able to find a spot to anchor the boat. We were hungry and tired, so we were relieved to have a spot to eat and rest before nightfall.

There is this rock solid, anchor-like hope we find in God's promise, when we come to Him by faith in Christ. When we believe in His sacrifice, ask for forgiveness and turn to Him for guidance, we are forgiven and considered a part of His family. We are able to be a part of God's family because of His great love for us.

Christ is our intermediary high priest. He is the way we can have a mended relationship with the holy God the Father, because Jesus has paid the price for our sins. Let us praise God that He has forgiven us like that, as if

Kelli Martin

we are white as snow.

Let us praise God in light of this promise, and let us walk by faith because of it. Let's look for ways to share this hope that we find in Him, our rock, and pray that others come to embrace Him as Savior and Lord.

A great song: "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" by Hillsong United (a YouTube lyric video link)

Hope and Hide

For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You. When I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them. Psalm 139: 13-16

Read that last line again. God has all of your days planned out for you. That means that you still have choices with your life but that He has your direction planned. He even knew you before you were born, because He decided how He would fashion you. It is no wonder that there is hope for you. The Creator of the universe not only made you, but also He knows what will make you happy and desires that you have a wonderful, hope-filled life.

Hope is found in God

Hope can come from a lot of different places. Hope can come from just anticipating an event or even from something much more important like finding hope in what your job will be.

My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory rest; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah. Psalm 62:5-8

When you acknowledge Him alone as your salvation, the Word of God says that He will be your hope and that you cannot be shaken. You may feel shaken and bounced around a bit, but the good news is that it won't have a lasting effect. You can depend on Him as your secure and mighty rock, your very foundation for all that this life on earth holds, as well as the life to come. The Bible says to pour out your heart to Him and trust in Him. When you do, He is your refuge and you can hide in Him.

Some days I have so many choices that I would like to crawl back in my mother's womb and hide. Anyone with me? God hears and understands. Let's pour our hearts out to God. We can hope and hide in Him.
 

Part of today's post comes from HeartCall New Heart. It will be available for shipping at the end of the week! www.jayemartin.com/shop. Order one for yourself, one to give and a case for your church.

According to His Mercy

"So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous." Romans 6:18-19

Kari Beougher

My Dad is a pastor and professor and loves to use stories about his children as illustrations. Unfortunately, over the years I have frequently been used as his illustration for sin. When I was 15 months old, I was playing outside and walking toward the road. Concerned, my parents said, "Kari Michelle, don't you dare put one foot in that street." So I walked over to the road, bent down and put my two hands in the street. Though I obviously don't remember this, I have heard the story enough times to feel as though I do. My Dad's point is that they did not have to teach me how to sin or choose disobedience. Integral to our human nature is the propensity toward sin and the inability to choose righteousness. Left to ourselves, we are absolutely unable to live in a way that is pleasing to God.

The good news of the Gospel is "although you were formerly ALIENATED and HOSTILE in mind, ENGAGED in EVIL deeds, yet He has now RECONCILED you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him HOLY and BLAMELESS and BEYOND REPROACH- if indeed you CONTINUE in the faith firmly ESTABLISHED and STEADFAST, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel..." (Colossians 1:21-23).

While we were still ENGAGED in evil deeds, God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins and thus reconcile us to God. Now, we who were formerly unable to choose obedience are made righteous through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Titus 3:5 says, "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but ACCORDING TO HIS MERCY."

Today, may we thank God for His incredible mercy and grace toward us. May we continue in our faith, not shifting from the hope of the Gospel.

HeartCall Tract

"HeartCall Tract"
www.jayemartin.com/shop

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

When God calls to your heart, answer Him. He loves you, cares for you and wants the best for you. He sent His only son, Jesus Christ, to die so that you might have life. God wants to forgive you of all sin, but you have to let Him. He can give you a new start.

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." 2 Corinthians 5:17

Jaye Martin

The "HeartCall Tract" walks the reader through the gospel message using a heart for HOPE, a cross for BELIEVE, an arrow for TURN, and the word HeartCall for CALL. It is God's plan that you can hope in Him, believe He sent Jesus to die on the cross for you, turn to Him and away from Him, and call on Christ to be your Lord and Savior. These simple truths can and will change your life. Will you trust Him? He is calling from His heart to yours?

Order a package of 50 of the "HeartCall Tract" to give your friends and to use at your church. If you want to know more about being a new believer, download the new believers guide, HeartCall New Heart: What it Means to Believe. You can find both these resources at www.jayemartin.com/shop.

By Faith

"In hope against hope, he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, "SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE." Without becoming weak in his faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. Therefore "IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." Romans 4:18-22

Kari Beougher

Waiting is a reality in the Christian life. People wait for jobs, husbands, children, the salvation of a loved one, health. In Genesis 15, God specifically promises Abraham that He will give him a son and yet Abraham doesn't see the fulfillment of that promise for years. Instead of doubting God, this passage shows that while waiting, Abraham did not "waver in unbelief" but instead was strengthened in his faith, trusting in God's character and faithfulness.

Unlike Abraham, we may not have a specific promise from God for a job, husband, children, someone's salvation, or health. But we do have the promise that "ALL the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies" (Psalm 25:10). Not some. Not most. All. God has promised that He "causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).

What is it you are waiting for? It is so easy in the midst of waiting to doubt the promises and ultimately the goodness of the Lord. Yet, the type of faith He delights in is walking by faith and not by sight. Trust in the promises of God. Pray that you may exemplify faith that pleases God. Ask Him to help you walk by faith and not by sight, trusting in His character and goodness and fully convinced that what God has promised, He is able also to perform.

Sharing God's Heart: Hope

"But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to anyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence" (1 Peter 3:15, NASB).

Ready. I remember sitting at a table in a high school photojournalism class when a friend asked me a genuine question about my faith in Christ. I froze for a second. My face flushed red. It was an unexpected question, but I was glad she asked it. We can rest assured that God will give us the words to say at the right time. We can pray and prepare now for the next time someone asks about our trust in Him.

Account for the hope that is in you. What has God done in your life? When did you believe in Jesus and His message? In case you are having trouble putting your faith into words, it may help to reflect on your testimony, remember how you came to know Christ, search the Bible and ask God questions (your questions aren't too tough for Him). The Apologetics Bible and HeartCall resources have helped me personally in this area. The core elements of HeartCall are:

• Hope - God has a plan for you
• Believe - God sent Jesus to die on the cross for you
• Turn - Turn to God and away from sin
• Call - Call on God to be your Lord and Savior

Gentleness and reverence. The big idea that I see from that part of the verse is to treat others with consideration and respect as we share. We don't know everything about them, and they are God's creation. In a way, we have been in the same shoes they have - we all have done things against God, and we all need Him.

Father God, You have made such a difference in our lives. Prepare our hearts and give us the words to say when someone asks why we trust in You. Amen.

Study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo from a HeartCall workshop.

Lights, Camera...

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, 'YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY'" (1 Peter 1:13-16).

Did you get to see any movies over the holiday break? I admire how much action and work happens before the making of a movie. God asks us to be prepared for action, too. However, what sort of action does God want us to do?

With Christ's work on the cross and the Holy Spirit's work within us, we are able to be obedient to God's lead. Will we follow it? Have we confessed our sins before our holy God? Will we let the Holy Spirit work in us and give us the power to follow Him? Christ came to earth to die in our place for our sins, but He also showed us how to live for God out of love for Him and for others.

As believers, we know that God is the source of light. We are given light from God that comes from being a part of His family and having the Spirit working in us. The camera is ready, as there is a world of people who don't know the Messiah yet. What is left? Action. Will we obey and follow God's lead, to live for Him and to reach a world in need?

Do you have the light? Do you see the camera? If yes, then let us move forward to action, following our Savior's footsteps.

Lord, thank You for helping us come to know You. Thank You for developing a relationship with us. Help us honor You in our resolutions and in this upcoming year. Guide us in how to bring Your light to the world through our actions. Amen.

Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo from www.lovelyandcompany.co.uk.

Stronger than Fear

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13, New American Standard Bible).

"Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear," said the character President Snow in the movie The Hunger Games. He said this as he was trying to convince someone to reduce the hope of a people, a people who had rebelled against him in the past. Even though this is a fictional character, I see truth in what the writers had him say about hope - it is stronger than the sort of fear that the character sought to elicit on people.

In contrast to this character, God is real, and just, and He brings hope instead of aiming to crush it. Even though we cannot see the nail marks in Christ's hands and feet like Thomas did (see John 20:24-29), we can have faith in who God is and what He did through Christ, His Son. There is this pattern that the Bible takes in revealing God's identity and how He's worked to free us from the slavery of sin.

We can have a healthy fear of Him, in regards to knowing He is just and in having respect, honor, and trust in Him (Exodus 18:21, Psalm 115:11, Revelation 14:7). This mighty God is also our Counselor (Isaiah 9:6). We can fully trust in God for who says He is through His Word and how He's been faithful to fulfill His promises.

As we put our faith and trust in Him, we put our hope in Him. We can have full confidence in Him, and He will not leave us empty. In His nature, He can make this hope within us flourish.

Lord, thank You for being our hope. Help us increase our hope in You, and help us share the hope we have with others who need You, too. Amen.

"For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline" (2 Timothy 1:7, NASB).

Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo from hungergamesmovie.org.

The Best

"'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search with all your heart'" (Jeremiah 29:11-13, New American Standard Bible). 

God's unconditional love is something that reveals His divinity and His unmatchable, pure heart. He encourages us to receive His love. He invites us to trust in Him and talk to Him through prayer.

In Isaiah 46:4-5, God spoke to His people through the prophet Isaiah and said,

"Even to your old age I will be the same and even to your graying years I will be with you! 

I have done it, and I will carry you; and I will bear you and I will deliver you. 

To whom would you liken Me and make Me equal and compare me, that we would be alike?"

The God of all time - past, present, and future (a.k.a. the "I AM") - has a divine plan to save His people. He sent Jesus Christ to show us His love on earth, as He came to speak and live God's Word, as well as sacrifice for our sins.  He did all of that so He could bring us out of the sin that threatens to damage us and into His family, where we are forgiven for our sins, are given the Holy Spirit, and can grow in our relationship with Him.

In Jesus, we can see even more how God loves us and wants the best for us and His kingdom. What's our response to God? Do we trust Him? Have we asked for forgiveness and leadership from Him? Are there ways we can share who He is with others today?

Lord, thank You for Your incomparable love and for wanting the best for us. Help us love You more and to trust in Your plans. Help us share where our hope comes from with others today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo is a print by Kyle Steed found at steedagrams.com.

A Day of Remembrance

"'Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful'" (John 14:27, New American Standard Bible).

As you probably heard, years ago a tragedy happened in downtown New York City on this day. Later, in the mix of saddening and shocking reports, my favorite stories were ones about heroes of the day. One story I remember was actually recorded in a running book called Going Long that is edited by Runner's World (you can find the book here). In that story, a seasoned long distance runner worked in the Twin Towers. His story stood out to me, because he took time to lead his office out of danger. He seemed gifted to be calm and to keep going under pressure, and he used those skills to help others around him during a time of crisis.

God sent Jesus to die for the world and our sins against Him and others. When we embrace this great grace that He offers, He sends the Holy Spirit to help guide believers through whatever happens in this life on earth. Through Christ's sacrifice for us, we have a great hero in Him.  In tough times, God can give us peace and hope as we trust in Him.

Lord, we know Your Holy Spirit is the divine Comforter. Please bring healing for the families of those who passed away that day. We pray others come to know You, because we have seen how You can transform lives for the better. Thank You for Your grace in sending Jesus to sacrifice in our place. Let Your Holy Spirit renew our hearts with a love for You and who You are. Help us share with others how You offer peace and hope. Please be with our country during this time of reflection. Amen.

suggested reading:  John 14
photo from www.bumperstickermagnet.com

First Seat, First Row

An inspiring story from Mrs. Tracy Jones yesterday:

"Today, I had the privilege of reporting to jury duty - serving our community. Even though I was not chosen for this specific trial, God always has a Gifted2Go opportunity right where you are. Please pray for a fellow jury person, I will call him 'first seat, first row." One of the attorneys was asking us potential jury participants questions about their client. When the attorney asked, 'My client is a strong Christian. Would her being a strong Christian cause any of you to have a bias towards her?' The one sitting in the 'first seat, first row' raised his hand and said, 'I would have trouble with this, because I have never been able to believe in God or understand how to believe in God. I do not believe in Him.'

"Thank God for a ten minute break, because God graciously opened up an opportunity for me to share a witnessing booklet (please keep a witnessing booklet in your purse or wallet to share with others) with 'first seat, first row.' He gladly received it. My heart was humbled and bursting with an urgency inside me at the same time! Thank God for the seeds of truth that were planted into the heart of 'first seat, first row!'

"Would you please join me in PRAYING that these seeds of salvation will be watered and produce SALVATION for 'first seat, first row?' God is faithful, and He has a plan and purpose for EVERYONE! 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 says it best, 'I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth' (New American Standard Bible). 2 Peter 3:9 also says it well, 'The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance' (New American Standard Bible). You are Gifted2Go. Share Jesus!"

Hope - Jeremiah 29:11-13
Believe - John 3:16
Turn - Acts 3:19
Call - Romans 10:9-10, 13

Hold On! God's Help Is On The Way!

As I serve and share ministry with women all across our nation, I have met so many precious ones that love the Lord with all their heart, are being used in many gifted ways for God, but still have times in their lives when they need encouragement.  I thank God for the privilege of having His Gift of Encouragement and having the privilege of sharing God's Love and God's Word with others because my life has been encouraged in the same loving ways from the Lord!!  As you are encouraged by the Lord, He reminds you of the calling and purpose upon your life to share Jesus with others.  As you are encouraged by the Lord, always remember that there are people that need the Lord that may not be receiving any love or encouragement in their lives.  They are looking for God's Love and Encouragement, and as a Christian, you have the privilege of sharing with them.  Let's reach out to someone that needs the Lord and share God's Hope today!!  "With the comfort you have been given, comfort others..." 2 Cor. 1:4
Today I would like to encourage you, no matter where you are in your life.  You may be in the middle of a storm, coming out of a storm, or about to go into the storms of life....no matter what there are times in our lives that we need to hear, "Hold On!  God's Help Is On The Way!!"  That is one of my favorite praise and worship songs by Michael W. Smith & Israel Houghton.  As I share the lyrics and actual song with you, my prayer is that you will read each word and be encouraged or encourage someone else with the truths you read.  My prayer is also that as you listen to the actual song, over and over, you will "turn it up" and let God encourage you, lift your chin, and most of all pass it onto someone that God lovingly places in your life that needs His encouragement!!!!  God Loves You!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH_CeU-JNW0

People say that time will heal


But you know, they just don't feel what you feel

Times are hard but God is so good

He's never failed you, and He said He never would



He see's your tears

He fights your fears



[Chorus]

Hold on, help is on the way

He said he'd never leave you or forsake you

Stay strong

Help is on the way

He'd said he'd help you

Just reach out and take his hand



He knows your heart, He lifts your head

He's always close enough to hear every word you said

When you're weak, He said He's so much more

His arm is long enough to reach you where you are



He see's your tears

He fights your fears



[Chorus: x2]



[Repeat: x10]

Help is on the way



Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

SMITH, MICHAEL W. / BLACK, CHRISTA / SMITH, DEBBIE / HOUGHTON, ISRAEL

Call

“That if you confess 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 confess and are saved…for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”  Romans 10:9-10, 13

Call on God.  Basically, it is a simple process.  To call on God is to talk to Him just like you would talk to anyone.  He is your very best friend.  He knows your needs.  He knows your struggles.  He knows your hearts.  He stands ready to open up the resources of heaven.  It all begins by you talking to him.

Confess with your mouth

Confess "Jesus is Lord"

As you talk to God, begin by confessing with your mouth and your voice that Jesus is Lord.  Acknowledge that He is the ruler of the universe and that you welcome Him as the boss of your life.

Lordship sounds so easy but sometimes it can be a hard thing to do.  God wants to be in the driver's seat.

Saved

The verses that you see above in Romans 10 also say that you call on God through Christ to be saved.  You must call on Him as the Lord of your life but you must also confess and acknowledge that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave for you.  He is your personal Savior.

Believe in your heart

Now saying all this is not enough.  These verses also say that you must believe in your heart.  The heart is the very core of your being.  It is the depth of your emotion.  The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is certainly based on fact, but it all begins in the heart.  In your inner being, you must believe.

Believe that God raised Christ from the dead

First, you must believe that God raised Jesus from the dead.  If Jesus is not alive and in heaven with the Father, then where would the hope be?  There is no hope without the resurrection of Christ.  Some have tried to explain it away but the fact remains that Jesus did live on this earth and did die for your sins and did rise from the dead.  People saw Him and even touched Him after the resurrection.  The Scriptures are clear and do not contradict historical evidence.  Jesus is alive and your faith is based on it.

Justified

After you believe that Jesus is with the Father in heaven, you need to understand justification.  It means, "just as if I'd never sinned".  To justify is to declare just or to declare righteous.  You can never be good enough and cannot be just in yourself.  You are condemned but with Christ; you are reconciled to God.  You access this reconciliation by faith and can therefore have hope.  Because Jesus was raised from the dead, you can now stand before God as if you were Christ, because Christ stood before God as if He were you.  That is a profound thought, that He actually took your place on the cross. 

He was delivered over to death for your sins and was raised to life for your justification.  Romans 4:25

For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18

Have you ever been in a relationship that has gone bad?  Maybe it was a family member or a spouse or even a boyfriend or a friend.  Something happened and your relationship was hurt by it.  Then, later, the relationship was restored.  Often, it is just not the same again.  Oh, it may seem okay on the outside but on the inside you know it will never really be the same again.  The trust and openness is just not there.  Without Jesus’ death on the cross, your relationship with God is severed and broken.  However, with His death and resurrection comes justification.  Not only is the relationship made whole, but it is just as if you had never sinned.  It is better than it ever could be.

There are many who think that they have a relationship with God.  They talk to Him and even confide in Him.  They pray when they have a need and are aware of His provision and protection in their lives.  Yet, if they don't come to God through the cross, then they never experience the life-changing relationship with Christ that they could have.   If you don't come to God through Jesus, then you are only fooling yourself.  You just know about God and don't know Him in an intimate and personal way.

Call on the Lord

Call on Jesus by name

Remember at the beginning of Session One when you looked at Jeremiah 29:11-13?  Let's look at it again:

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  Jeremiah 29:11-13

When you call upon Jesus as Lord, then you know that He will listen to you.  Many call upon God but not as Lord.  God hears you when you come to Him in total submission to Him as Lord and Savior.  That's when you can know and understand what He tells you and what He has planned for you.  When you call upon His personal name, Jesus, then you can know that you will find Him when you seek Him with all of your heart.

Confess and believe Jesus is Lord

Look at Romans 10:9-10, 13 again.

“That if you confess 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 confess and are saved…for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”  Romans 10:9-10, 13

These verses are a promise that if you confess or say that Jesus is Lord, and if you believe it in your heart, you will be saved.  It is true for everyone.

Salvation by faith

When you accept Christ as Lord and Savior, you do it on faith.  Faith is an act of the heart, the mind, and the will.  You are saved by believing in your heart, knowing it in your mind, and acting on it with your will.  Salvation is not earned.  Salvation is by faith alone.

Holy Spirit makes a new heart!

Dear friends, since God so loved you, you also ought to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; but if you love one another, God lives in you and his love is made complete in you.  You know that you live in him and he in you, because he has given you of his Spirit.  And you have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.  If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.  And so you know and rely on the love God has for you. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.  1 John 4:11-16

God gives you the Holy Spirit

You would have a hard time trying to live up to God’s standard alone.  That’s why He gives you the Holy Spirit.  When you invite Christ to come into your life, He sends the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit lives inside you and helps you understand scripture and what God is trying to say to you.  The Holy Spirit wants all glory to be given to the Father God.  He becomes your Counselor and teaches you.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17

To know that the Holy Spirit is there for you is wonderful news!

The Holy Spirit will teach you

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:26-27

Not only does the Holy Spirit become your Counselor, but the Holy Spirit teaches you and reminds you of what the Scriptures say.  He is your ever-present guide.  You do not need to be troubled or afraid because He is the constant companion who is always there for you.

LOOK:

You have looked at what it means to hope, believe, turn, and call on Christ.  Review the prayer below.  If you have not yet prayed the prayer and meant it, now would be a great time to commit your life to Christ. 

                        Dear God,

Hope:             I know You have great plans for me and I want to

place my hope in You.

            Believe:         I believe You love me and sent Jesus to die on the

                                    cross for me.

            Turn:              Please forgive me and help me turn from my

                                    wrongdoings.

            Call:                I want You to lead my life.

                                    Amen.

If you have just prayed this prayer, congratulations!  You have a new heart!  If you are still thinking about it, ask God to make Himself known to you.  He will!

Turn

“…Turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord…" Acts 3:19

What does it mean to turn?  You know the answer to that.  It means to go in the other direction.  In Acts 3:19, the Bible says to turn to God.  That must mean that you are to go another direction.  In fact, if you are turning, it often means that you are headed in the wrong direction.  Life without Christ is the wrong direction.  Paul, who wrote Acts, was speaking here and telling the people that they needed to turn to God or to go toward Him.  Isn't it wonderful that God never makes you accept Him but stands ready to receive you when you turn to Him?  Look at the rest of the verse.  When you turn to God, it says that your sins are wiped away and that refreshment is waiting for you.  He forgives.  He makes it easy.  He just wants you to turn your face to His.

When you were a child, you may remember your parents or other adults wanting you to look at them when they spoke to you.  God wants you to look His way.  When you do, you see Him in all His glory.  You see His heart and how much compassion He has and how much He loves and cares for you.  He stands ready to make it all better.  God wants to give you a new start by removing all the ugliness of wrongdoing.  He wants you to be renewed, refreshed, and recreated if you will.  He wants to give you a fresh start!

Everyone does wrong things

If God wants to give you a new start, you need to let Him.  Remember the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3?  Eve and Adam both do exactly what they were told not to do; they eat of the fruit of the one tree that they were not supposed to eat from.  And then they hid.  They hid because they were ashamed of what they had done.  When you do wrong things (everyone does), you don't want to turn to God because you know you are guilty.  Look at Proverbs 14:12 below.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.  Proverbs 14:12

           

You might think you know what's good for you and your family.  You might wonder how God could possibly have the whole picture.  It is awesome that God knows you so well that He knew that He needed to add this verse to the Bible.  There is a way that you think is right, but without God, it is not. 

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  Romans 3:23

Everyone has sinned and no one lives up to God's standard of perfection.  All of you have turned the wrong way and need to make an about-face.  God knows when you are running from Him and yet still stands patiently waiting, willing to forgive you and give you hope and meaning in this life and in the life to come.

Some may think they are leading good and moral lives.  The Bible says that you have still done wrong things.  No one is perfect.  If you are living your life without a growing relationship with Christ, then you are living in the sin of not allowing Him to be the Lord of your life.

If you claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.  1 John 1:8, 10

The payment for wrongdoing is death

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 6:23

What happens when you don't turn to God?  The answer is clear.  The answer is death.  The payment for wrongdoing is death or eternal separation from God.  However, the free gift from God is everlasting life through Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.  Someone had to pay for your sins.  It is only through the grace of God that He sent Jesus to pay the penalty.

Death separates you from God

Your sins separate you from God.  If each sin you commit is like a brick, then when you put these sins together, it is like building a brick wall between yourself and God.  The more bricks or sins there are, the more you may feel separated from God.  Even one brick or one sin separates you from God but the more sins you have in your life, the farther you feel from God.  So, sin leads you to eternal death and eternal separation from God but even on this earth, the separation is there.

But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.  Isaiah 59:2

In the verse above, the Bible says that your sins keep you from Him and that He will not even hear you.  However, read the following great news:

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." John 3:17-18

This is why God sent Jesus - not to condemn you but to save you.  If you believe, you are not condemned.  If you don't believe, then you are condemned already.

The brick wall of sin is removed by accepting the fact that Jesus died on the cross for you.  You make it a personal decision.  Yes, He died for all but you must ask Him personally to come into your life.  You accept the forgiveness that has already been provided.  When the wall is removed, that openness with God is there.  You have been forgiven!

When you turn to God and away from sin,

God cleanses you and wipes out your sin

When God wipes out your sin, He wipes it out for good.

As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.  Psalm 103:12

He removes your wrongdoing and all that is separating you from Him.  Just think, the east and the west never meet.  You may remember your sin but it is still gone.  You may live with the consequences of your sin, but it has been forgiven and removed!

"For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."  Hebrews 8:12

Not only are your sins removed and forgiven, but Hebrews 8:12 above says that God will not even remember them. God will never hold them against you. You have been forgiven and your sins have been wiped away.  When you turn to God in repentance, He is faithful and just to forgive you and to cleanse you.

God sends refreshment

When you are faithful to tell or confess to God what you have done wrong, He is faithful and will do what He says.  In the verse below, God clearly says that He is just or fair and will not only forgive you of your sins but will purify or cleanse you from anything that is unrighteous or unholy.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9

When He does this, you are refreshed.  Look at Acts 3:19-20 printed below:

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you-- even Jesus.  Acts 3:19-20

Refreshment comes when you are in a right relationship with God!  So, repent, or be sorry to the point that you turn your life around, and give God your life so that you may experience the fullness of life with Christ on this earth and in the life to come.

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."  John 10:10b

God stands ready to bring you a full and meaningful life with purpose.  The decision is up to you.

Believe

"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

Believe.  It is a simple word; however, the subject is complex.  To believe means to place confidence in, to entrust, or to place your faith in.  And that's where it gets complex.  It is easy to say that you believe in something yet harder to actually do it.  To believe in God is to entrust Him with your very life.  When you read John 3:16 above and it says to believe in Him (meaning Jesus Christ), it means that you believe with every part of your being by placing your complete faith in Him alone.  When you know that Jesus died on the cross for you so that you could be forgiven and experience everlasting life in heaven, then it gets a little easier.  Many will tell you that it is too simple.  That one must work or earn her way to heaven.  God loves you more than to think you could ever get there on your own.  Only those who are perfect can get to heaven…except for the death of Christ on the cross.  God loved you so much that He sent His one and only Son to pay the penalty that you would owe.

God loves you

           

But because of his great love for you, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-- it is by grace you have been saved.  Ephesians 2:4-5

It is only by God's grace that you can enter heaven.  It's because He loves you so very much.  Perfect love is hard to understand.  Most people don't come close to experiencing it on this earth, because all are sinners.  None is perfect.  So you cannot show perfect love to another.  God's love and mercy is so great that He forgave you and gave you a new life.  God is just and fair.  God is also full of mercy.  It is a balance that no one fully understands.  He knew that He would have to judge you and that you could not enter heaven because of your sin and wrongdoings.  Because of His mercy, He provided a way.  It is by grace that you are saved through Christ.  What is grace?  It is what is given when you don't deserve it.  That's how much He loved you.

God sent Jesus to die for you

           

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.  You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:5-8

Of all the religions in the world, Christianity is the only one that involved the death of a righteous man.  Who else died for you?  No one.  Oh, there may have been some good men with lots of great thoughts but there are none that gave up heaven and stepped onto earth to die just for you.  That's what hope is all about.  That's what love is all about.  That's what grace is all about.  Hope does not disappoint you because God poured out His love into your heart by allowing Christ to die for you.  Then, God sent the Holy Spirit to be your guide and to help each day.  Without God's help, you are powerless.  Christ died for the powerless.  God knew that you would never gain access to Him.  God showed His love to you by sending Christ to die for you.

God wants you to believe in Jesus

What is believing in Jesus?  It is putting your trust completely in Him.  Look at it another way.

Believing is not…

You believe that there is one God.  Good!  Even the demons believe that - and shudder.  James 2:19

Believing is not just knowing something.  James 2:19 says that even the demons know and believe that there is only one God.  Think about it.  Satan knows there is only one God and He knows the true God.  Does that mean that He is in heaven with Christ?  Certainly not.  Believing is not just knowing something; it is placing faith in something.  The demons have not placed their faith in God and God alone. 

Knowing about God is not enough.  Knowing that Jesus died on the cross for you is not enough.  What is enough is placing your faith in Jesus to the extent that you are willing to turn from your wrongdoing and trust Him with your life.

Believing is…

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become the children of God.  John 1:12

To those who believe and place their trust in God, the Bible promises that God gave them the right to become children of God.  It is the highest honor one can have, to be called a child of the most high God.  You must receive Him by allowing Him to be a part of your life and trusting Him in every area.  You must believe in Jesus to the extent that you allow Him to change your life through the work of the Holy Spirit.

God promises eternal life through Christ

           

God wants you to believe and place your faith in Him through Christ, but He also wants to grant to you the promise of a better life to come.  Jesus was the only one who could do this because people are sinful and God is holy.   You could not enter heaven if it were not for Christ.

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus...  1 Timothy 2:5

Only Jesus can be the go between.  No one else.  Not a mother.  Not a priest.  No one.  Yes, the fact remains that Jesus is the only mediator between God and man.  So no one can come to the Father except through Him.

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, For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for you to do.  Ephesians 2:8-10

When you really believe in Jesus, you understand more that you could never have done what He did.  It is God's gift to you.  You cannot take the credit for it.  You cannot do enough good works to ever earn your salvation.  It is just a gift from God.  And it is a gift that each person decides whether he or she will accept or reject. 

If someone were to offer you a gift of an ink pen, you could decide if you wanted to take it or not.  It you took it, you might appreciate it and therefore want to do something in return for the gift-giver.  With God, He offers Jesus as a free gift.  You either take it or you don't.  And with many more consequences than accepting an ink pen or not.  If you accept His free gift, you would hopefully appreciate it so much that you would want to serve God.  You don't do things for God to earn your place in heaven; you do things to say thank you for allowing your Son Jesus to die on the cross for you.

Simply put, it is God's grace.  It is not you.  You are God's precious workmanship and you are recreated to live your life by honoring Christ.  It is simple faith.  It is simple trust.  It is the blessed hope you have that not only will God be here to help you through this life, but that when you leave this earth, you can go to heaven and live eternally with Him.

Believe In Him.  He sent Jesus to die for you.

They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-- you and your household."  Acts 16:31

Acts says that when you believe in the Lord Jesus, you will be saved.  It goes on to say that your whole household will be saved.  What this is saying is that salvation will be brought to the house (see Luke 19:9) because the same light of Christ will be given to all in that home.  Anyone who believes will be saved in the same way.   When Christ is in your life, others in the household will certainly see it.   They too, will have the same opportunity to make a personal commitment to Jesus.

Believe

So, how do you believe?  You believe with all your being.  You say it with your mouth, you believe it on the inside (in your heart) and you show it on the outside by everything you say and do.  If you say you believe and do not live it out, then the question is, do you really believe?  You believe to the point that you put your whole trust in Christ and place your faith in Him and in Him alone.  He desires to give you hope and help in every area.  He desires that you believe.