Who Is Jesus? I AM Part 3

I AM the Way....

One night at Bible Study, our group of women were answering the question from our study, "Briefly describe when you first accepted Christ. How sure were you of what you believed at that moment?" Christine brought up the discussion on this topic. She shared that she never had a "moment." She always knew God and loved God, but didn't have a time she could answer the question. A wise woman at our study encouraged Christine to take that "moment." As she explained, we can grow up knowing about God, even professing love, but we want to commit our lives to Him. We want to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We want to make that profession of ourselves to Him.

I shared that I grew up in the Church. I was baptized and confirmed (this is an act in the Lutheran faith that 8th grade students make after going through 2-3 years of religious training- it is "confirming your infant baptism and proclaiming faith in Jesus"). I said my prayers. I knew about God. I loved God. But, it wasn't until I was about 30 that I made Jesus Christ the Lord of my life. It was through a Bible Study that talked about having a relationship with Jesus and freedom from strongholds that introduced me to Jesus Christ- my PERSONAL Savior, Redeemer, Lord.

For me, this was my "moment." And, how sure was I of what I believed? I knew that I knew that I knew that I knew Jesus Christ died for me, set me free from the bondage of sin and death, gave me a new life, a new hope, an inheritance yet to come in Heaven and abundant LIFE here on earth.

I knew that my life was FOREVER changed.

We encouraged Christine to have a "chat" with God on her 20 minute car ride home. Through the course of the conversation, I had likened our "moment" to a wedding- when we make a commitment to Jesus, giving our lives to Him. This was Christine's email the next morning:

For those of you who were not at the study last night, we talked about knowing when we first had a relationship with Jesus. I had a hard time figuring it out, because I never really had "a day" when I knew like others have had.

Those of you there last night, thank you so much for your encouragement.

I HAD THAT CHAT WITH GOD! Praise Jesus!

All the way home in my car. I cried almost the whole way, I was so moved by simply saying out loud to God that I want to commit my life to Him. I had no idea I would feel that way. Tracy, your analogy to a wedding day says it all.

I was almost nervous starting out, like having cold feet or something. But by the end I knew I was entering the best relationship of my life. As I started praying and talking to God, the words just flowed. I just knew He was there, in my car, in my heart, surrounding me. And you know what else? It was as if I could feel you all praying for me.

I am so blessed for all of you, really, really, really! You all were so non-judgmental last night and I am so blessed to have you all in my life. Thank you for your encouragement! How awesome of a gift is that??!! I couldn't ask for better people to take this journey with.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

In Christ's presence,
Christine
Isn't God AMAZING, AWESOME, INCREDIBLE??? And, the most wonderful thing is Christine's signature: In Christ's presence. She is EXPERIENCING His presence so much so that she felt compelled to put it as her signature! Praise God!

Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." A relationship with Christ Jesus is the only WAY to have a relationship with God. Through His Blood, by His sacrifice, and in the power of His Name, we come into the presence of the Living God. There is no other way. Jesus is the Truth. There is no other Truth. Jesus is LIFE. There are no words to explain the LIFE you experience when you make Jesus the Lord of your life. Even the words in "Amazing Grace"are inadequate, but the best I can do- I was lost, but now found, blind, but now I see.

There is nothing you can do to earn your way to the Father. Jesus has done it for you already.

Have you had your "moment?" It is never too late. Have a moment right now. It is simple. It is easy. Jesus is waiting for you with arms open wide. Simply talk to Him. Tell Him that you love Him. Tell Him that you desire a relationship with Him. Tell Him that you know you need Him- that you are desperate for Him. Tell Him that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Tell Him that want a relationship with Him. He loves you.

He wants a relationship with you even more. He wants a moment with you.

(This is series of "I AM" posts republished from 2008.)

Angels are having a PARTY!

WOWOWOWOWOWEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

God is so GOOD! Thank You, Lord!

I had the most amazing experience this weekend! I was speaking at a ladies' retreat where the most beautiful, precious young lady accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior! What an HONOR and PRIVILEGE it was to witness this!

Please pray for "C" as she experiences her New Life as a child of the Most High God! Pray for her protection. Pray for PASSION as she gets to know her beautiful Savior. Pray that she would fall IN LOVE with Jesus!

Do I really NEED Jesus?

Easter is 3 days away. This is the time of year when the world seems to take an interest in Jesus, the Christ. We will begin to get bombarded with shows on the Discovery Channel and History Channel claiming many different "truths" about Him. What is true? Who is this Jesus?

Is Jesus really needed for our eternal salvation? A dear one asked me the other day, "But, what if a person has been "good" for most of his life"?.........The implication being, if a person is basically good, but hasn't accepted Jesus as Savior, will that be enough? Would God really deny that "good" person into the Kingdom of Heaven?


We don't want to think God "would do that."

Isn't that mean?

Isn't that cruel?

Well, first of all, we have GOT to get a clearer picture of God. HE is Creator. HE sets the "rules." He is KING- King of the universe, King of all creation, KING of the KINGdom of Heaven! When has our vision of God become so small, or our perception of ourselves so big that we would deny God His right to "make the rules"? He created us- He is Sovereign- He is all-knowing! Do I set the stars out one by one and call them each by name? Do I "spread the snow like wool and scatter the frost like ashes"? Who am I to question God? (see Job 38-42; Isaiah 40) God is perfect. God is Holy. God resides in Heaven- it is HIS Kingdom.

For us to join Him there, in Heaven, for eternity, we too must be holy, perfect, sinless. It is NOT enough to "be good" to be in His presence- to be a part of this perfect place. Because He is Holy, His very nature is Holy, we need to be righteous. We must remember that Heaven is NOT earth. There is no sin in Heaven. There is only righteousness. So, how can I, a sinner, enter Heaven, a perfect place that has no sin?

"But, I am good"........................


What we think is "good" is not righteous. Isaiah tells us that our righteousness is "like filthy rags to the Lord." I may be good, but I am not sinless. Think of the 10 commandments. Have I ever lied? Ever stolen anything? Ever wanted something that was someone else's? Have I lived my whole life with NEVER committing a sin? The bible tells us "ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3) I have seen the wretchedness of my soul and fall down crying out for a Savior! I have fallen short! I have seen the blackness of my heart- unkindness, a critical spirit, anger, hurtful, unwholesome words out of my mouth, selfish ambition, wrong motives, gossip, lying lips, pride, oh pride........... I NEED a Savior!


So, what am I to do? How could God set such high standards if I will fail?

Praise God! I don't have to DO it! God knew that we would never be able to DO it. God is love. He is compassionate. In His mercy, He has made a way for us. "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions...For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this is not from yourselves, it the gift of God- not by WORKS" (Ephesians 2) God knew that our WORK would never be good enough, never be enough, so HE provided a way! It is His "will that not ONE would perish..." God, in His mercy and love for us provided the righteousness we need in the blood of His Son.

"For God so loved the world, that He sent His One and Only Son, Jesus, Christ, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16.) "The righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood." (Romans 3).

Jesus is THE only way to the Father. Jesus said Himself, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)

Think about this sacrifice! Would God have given His Son as a sacrifice if it weren't necessary?????? Have you seen the movie, "The Passion of the Christ"? Before the crucifixion, Jesus sweat drops of blood! This is no small thing! Jesus paid the price for us. Think on that! Jesus took the penalty of our sin. What we deserve- the punishment for all the wrongdoing for our whole lives is not carried out against us because Jesus took the sin upon Himself- He BECAME sin.

So, His blood is needed to make us righteous. We are washed in the blood of the Lamb and He forgives ALL of our sins- past, present, and future and makes us righteousness. "...the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1John 1)

This gift is FREELY given...I don't have to DO anything to earn it...accept believe and receive it!
 
I do need Jesus!

But, if you have not experienced this forgiveness of sin, you don't understand this FREEDOM! To know that I am clean.....to experience the freedom from a guilty conscience....to know that I can walk in victory from sin, to experience this liberty, this victory....THIS is TRUE LIVING, TRUE life! Hallelujah! I once was lost, but now am found! I once was blind, and now I see! Oh, how I thank God that I did not need to DO it on my own! Oh, how I thank my precious God that He sent a Savior! Praise Him! Thank you, Jesus!


If you have not accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please make that decision right now! God loves you so much! He has made a way- He has provided everything you need.


All you need to do is believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that He is Lord and Savior. Pray, "Father God, thank you! Thank you that my salvation does not depend on my good works or that I am "good" enough. Thank you that you provided your Son, Jesus Christ, as an atoning sacrifice for my sin. I do confess that I am a sinner. I have sinned against you in my thoughts, in my words, and in my actions. I need you, Jesus! Jesus, I accept your sacrifice. I accept your love. I receive your sacrifice. I am washed by your blood, made clean by it. Jesus, you said, 'It is finished.' Everything that is needed you have accomplished. I make you my Lord and Savior. I ask that you come into my heart. I want to make you Lord of my life. In Jesus' Name I pray. Thank you, Jesus."


If you accepted Jesus Christ as Lord of your life, please comment and tell me! I would to pray with and for you.


For further study, read the book of John, and Romans 1-8.

"What is a Christian"?

Have you ever thought about what a Christian is? Christians are people who have shuddered at the awfulness of their sin. They have seen sin for what it is : willful rebellion against the rulership of God in their lives. And, in turning from their sin, they have embraced God's only means of dealing with sin: Jesus."

-Kay Arthur
This was first published March 02, 08. I am reposting several of my Jesus devotions in celebration/preparation of the Easter season:

Where will YOU go?

Where will YOU go when you die?

Do you know?

I'll be talking about this at Laced with Grace today....please join me!

Word-filled Wednesday

Today is "Ash Wednesday" or the beginning of the Lenten season in the Christian church. It marks the 40 days before Easter when we prepare our hearts for the Passion and the Resurrection of our Christ. At our church, we receive ashes on our forehead to remind us that we came from dust and to dust we will return....but we need a Savior to redeem us. The ashes are used from the preceding year's palm branches from Palm Sunday.


It has been a tradition in churches to "give up" something for Lent....an act of sacrifice to remind us of the sacrifice Jesus endured.

Like chocolate or TV or smoking could ever compare to the painful, torturous, humiliation Jesus endured for us. That He became sin. That for a moment He was separated from Father.

But, it is a way to deny our flesh....an act of willful dying to self. A time to set our hearts and minds on Jesus.

Thankfully, Jesus dying on the cross is NOT the end...but the beginning. The "story" doesn't end with His death. If that was it, that was all....there would be.....no hope.



But Jesus did not stay dead. He was resurrected. He is the Resurrection. He can bring to life any dead thing in your life. Dead relationships. Dead hopes. Dead dreams.



Please join me for this 40 day journey...making a commitment to get to know this beautiful Jesus. Consider fasting. But always remember Jesus is the ONLY answer.


Please visit Amydeanne for more WFW.

In Other Words..

“Is it possible we could experience the joy of our salvation if we mourned [over our sin] as if someone had died? We cannot experience joy without mourning.”
by Pastor Robert Morris,from Sermon: “Those who mourn are happy”

I needed some input to write about this, so I went to the actual sermon by Pastor Morris. I would recommend you take the time (28 minutes) to watch it. It is great!

How can I be thankful for my redemption if I don't realize the full cost of my redemption? How can I be thankful (and joyful for my salvation) if I don't see my sin for what it is?

One of my favorite psalms, Psalm 51, written by David after he FINALLY sees his sin with Bathsheba and his murder of her husband, says this so beautifully:

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.......Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me......The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. verses 1-2, 10-12, 17

Lord, how I have said to You, break me, Lord. I want to be broken before You. I think of Isaiah in Isaiah 6, "Woe to me! I am undone! I am ruined!". Isaiah sees God's glory and how much HE falls short and cries out to God.

How can I be sorry, truly SORROWFUL, truly repentant if I don't honestly SEE myself?

Do I say "sorry" because I am truly repentant, or that I don't want to be punished?

I think of my kids.....when they are bickering and mom makes them apologize...are they really "sorry?" If not, I know we will be dealing with the SAME BEHAVIOR again.

When I am "caught", do I come to God, confessing and asking for forgiveness because I am full of SORROW, or that I don't want to deal with consequences for my sin?

Is it just a flippant "sor-rrrrry"???????

It made me think of the woman in Luke 7. She is so full of PRAISE and THANKSGIVING for her forgiveness BECAUSE she sees the depth of her sin.

I wrote about this in one of my talks, "FREEDOM IN CHRIST":

There is another story of Jesus meeting a sinful woman that begins in Luke 7:36. The story says that Jesus was having dinner at a Pharisee’s house named Simon. When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was there, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume to Him.

Now, we may not understand the significance of this, but it is really important. When a woman would become of marrying age, as part of her dowry, her family would purchase a marble, or alabaster box or jar. It would be filled with expensive perfume, sometimes costing as much as one year’s wages. This would be the woman’s most precious possession, a priceless treasure. When a man came to ask for her in marriage, she would break the jar at his feet, anointing him with the expensive oil as a sign of great honor.

So, this woman brings her alabaster box, her most precious possession intended for her earthly bridegroom, to the house where Jesus is.

Can you imagine what everyone all around is saying?

"What is she doing here, and with her alabaster box?! What is she going to do? WHO would marry HER?"

She walks in and stands behind Jesus. Notice her body language. She is standing BEHIND Jesus, maybe ashamed to look into his face. She is weeping at His feet. She wipes His feet with her hair. She kisses His feet, anointing them with her perfume. We don’t know what her sin was, but we know how thankful she was feeling- she was washing Jesus’ feet with her hair and her tears.

Maybe you understand her shame all too well- maybe you feel like because of what you have done, or because what has been done to you, you could never come to Jesus. You feel unworthy of His forgiveness.

Ladies, whatever her sin was, however dirty or terrible it was, it led her to Jesus. There she is with her most precious possession, her alabaster jar, reserved to pour out honor upon a bridegroom, pouring it out upon Jesus, mixing the expensive perfume with her tears, washing the feet of Jesus. Her heart, completely abandoned to Him, not caring about what others thought, only there full of praise and thankfulness for her Savior.

I wonder if words similar to Psalm 30 were on her lips? “I will exalt you, O Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. O Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. O Lord, you brought me up from the grave, you spared me from going down into the pit.” No matter how "bad" her sin had been, it brought her to Jesus.

But, of course, there is always someone there to judge us. And, in this story, it is Simon the Pharisee. He says to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of a woman she is.”

But, ladies, that is just it- Jesus does know who is touching Him, who we are and what "kind" of women we are and IT DOESN’T MATTER.

Jesus answers Simon with a parable. He says, “Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One man owed him 500 denari and the other 50 denari. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now, which of them will love the man more?”

Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had a bigger debt canceled.”

Jesus agrees. And, while He is still speaking to Simon, Jesus turns and looks at the woman. Even though He is talking to Simon, Jesus turns to look full in her face. He says, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You didn’t give me any water for my feet, but SHE wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins are forgiven, so she has shown much love.” Jesus tells the woman, “Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Ladies, those of us who have sinned much are forgiven much! Jesus wants us to come to Him, no matter how great our sin, to be forgiven. He wants us to go in PEACE. He wants us to experience the peace that passes all understanding. He wants us to not worry about what others will think of us, but to be completely abandoned, head over heals in love with Him, pouring out on Him all the things of our alabaster jar which we think are so precious. To come, so thankful, full of praise to our Savior, pouring out on His feet all of our sins, all of the things we have felt guilt and shame over, to pour on Him. He will turn our sadness to joy, our mourning to gladness, our ashes to beauty.


Dear, sweet sisters, come now to the feet of Jesus where you will find mercy and forgiveness. Whatever you have kept in your alabaster jar, pour out on His feet. If you have sinned much, you have been forgiven much. Don’t worry about what others will think of you, but instead give Him everything you have. Fall head over heals in love with your Savior. Pour out your praises on Him, He who forgives and loves and offers peace.

Lord, may I come to You honestly, seeking TRUE forgiveness. It is when I am truly sorry, truly repentant, truly full of Godly sorrow that I can experience the JOY of being forgiven...the JOY of Your salvation. Lord, give me eyes to see my sin the way You see it. May I never look a blind eye to it. Thank You for Your forgiveness. Thank You, Jesus.

Please visit Michelle to participate in more In Other Words...

Is Oprah a Christian? What is this "New Earth" and it's "Secret?"

I have been asked several times in the last few weeks, "Do you think Oprah is a Christian?" This question is often asked with a hint of disappointment in the person's voice. Oprah has such a large following and many are Christian women, so I am feeling compelled to speak His Truth.

If you haven't yet viewed the youtube video on "Oprah's Church", please take a minute and watch this eye opening video at:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=QgKIkruHZko&feature=related

Some of the things she says:

talking about how to "get to God"/salvation, she says a woman on the show being "loving, kindness, generosity brings her to the same point" as a Christian.

She also says, "there couldn't possibly be one way," but there are "many paths to God."

I think part of the confusion in our culture is that we are mixing up "Christianity" with "religion" or "spirituality." We read in our bibles about other religions, other "gods" and we mistakenly think this is only happening in Bible times. Well, there are religions out there, New Age being one of them, and it is finding itself in the Church of Jesus Christ. Believers are being deceived and following after other "ways" instead of The Way. This is not something new and Paul addresses it many times in 1Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Galatians.

So we are confusing being spiritual, having a form of religion, with Christianity. Being a Christian means that you are a CHRIST FOLLOWER. It means you have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord of your life. Christ gave His life for us. I'm sorry, if someone says that there are many ways to God, not just Jesus Christ, then they aren't a "Christian."

CHRIST makes it clear.

"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

Is Oprah religious? yes! Is Oprah kind hearted? yes! Does Oprah do many kind, generous things? yes! Does she love children? yes! Does she try to help women? yes!

But, does Oprah accept Jesus Christ as her Savior, the Risen Lord, the only Way to salvation?

We have gotten sloppy as Christians and we are unclear and unsure about God's Truth. When we continue to mix our faith in Jesus Christ with other things, things that sound "good", sound "reasonable", things that popular people are embracing, we have lost our true faith.

We can't get to the Father, to God by our good works. We can't be kind enough. We can't love enough. We can't give enough. We CAN'T DO IT! If we could, why would God send His one and only Son to die for us? To BECOME SIN for us? To suffer for us?

What would that say about God? Would that mean it is hopeless for those who could never be kind enough, give enough money, do enough???? And, can anyone be GOOD enough to earn salvation? Even Oprah?

If there are many ways, then why would God make a way- a way of SUFFERING for His Son, and then allow other ways. What would that say about our God? Wouldn't that make Him the most cruel of all? To make a way, a way so horrendous, then to accept other ways?

Did I die on a cross? Did I pay the penalty for my sin? No, Christ did. He made the way for me.

I could never be GOOD enough, give enough, love enough to earn my way to the Father. Thank God that I don't HAVE to! He has done it all for me! Christ died on the cross for me. If you deny the CROSS, then you aren't a Christian! The CROSS defines Christianity.

"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."

Grace is a gift of God! It is NOT something we earn!

Thankful Thursday

I am so thankful for my friend, Christine's new relationship with Jesus that I had to post it under Thankful Thursday! I have already posted the complete story in "Who Is Jesus- I Am Part 3" under this link: http://tracyberta.blogspot.com/2008/03/who-is-jesus-i-am-part-3.html if you would like to read it. Here is Christine's email after she made Jesus the Lord of her life Monday night. I hope her story blesses you like it has me! I rejoice in you, Jesus! I am so thankful for your love! I am so thankful that you woo us relentlessly...........

For those of you who were not at the study last night, we talked about knowing when we first had a relationship with Jesus. I had a hard time figuring it out, because I never really had "a day" when I knew like others have had. Those of you there last night, thank you so much for your encouragement. I HAD THAT CHAT WITH GOD! Praise Jesus! All the way home in my car. I cried almost the whole way, I was so moved by simply saying out loud to God that I want to commit my life to Him. I had no idea I would feel that way. Tracy, your analogy to a wedding day says it all. I was almost nervous starting out, like having cold feet or something. But by the end I knew I was entering the best relationship of my life. As I started praying and talking to God, the words just flowed. I just knew He was there, in my car, in my heart, surrounding me. And you know what else? It was as if I could feel you all praying for me. I am so blessed for all of you, really, really, really! I don't have Maria's email, but will you forward this to her for me? You all were so non-judgemental last night and I am so blessed to have you all in my life. Thank you for your encouragement! How awesome of a gift is that??!! I couldn't ask for better people to take this journey with. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

In Christ's presence,
Christine