Another wonderful week comes to an end, seven fantastic days spent glorifying the Lord! Through Calvary Chapel, this ministry and the help of my wife Elizabeth, I was able to continue my walk with Jesus and help a few fellow believers along the way. I am truly blessed to be a blessing!
How great it is to look in the mirror each day and love the person I have become through faith in Christ. However, it wasn’t always so…
Born a Roman Catholic, I grew up in a somewhat dysfunctional family where I was showered with profanity, exposed to pornography, illegal drugs, alcohol abuse and dishonesty. As a result, I ended up a controlling, ungodly man with poor values and little self respect. My life was so pathetic I planned on killing myself on my thirtieth birthday in an attempt to be “forever young”.
I never imagined life after 30 could be this challenging, or this rewarding! I am a proud father of a one year old toddler and true gift from God, a husband joined to an extraordinary woman of faith and, a humble servant of the Lord. Looking back, I can honestly qualify my life before my rebirth as “garbage” and wish I had known then what I know now…
That the only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
That peace of mind comes through faith in Christ: “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Mt. 11:28-30)
That we are not to rely on each other but to count on the Lord to help us in troubling times and save us from evil: “Why, we felt that we had received the sentence of death; but that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.” (2 Corinthians 1:9)
That we are commanded to obey the laws of the land: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” (Romans 13:1-3)
But most importantly, that God’s grace is available to all of us no matter where we come from or what we’ve done. A simple prayer of acceptance and repentance is all we need to be saved from the fiery pit of hell. If you have struggled as I did and hear God knocking, I invite you to pray this simple prayer:
God, I come to you in the name of Jesus Christ, I may not know you personally, but I want to know you. I believe that your word the Bible is true. I repent for hardening my heart toward you and for delighting myself in things you hate. I don’t want to go to hell; I really want to be free of my sin. I ask you Jesus to come into my heart and cleanse me of the guilt of my sins and give me the power to overcome those sins. I want to be Your child and learn of Your ways. Keep me from evil and save my soul. I am asking to receive you Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord so that I can experience your love and execute your plan for my life. I pray this prayer in your name, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Continue to believe in the Lord, keep seeking Him and allow God to shine His light bright upon you and those around you. Keep praying for “Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14: 13-15)
Let’s pray.
Father God;
We thank you for all that surrounds us and for your love.
We pray that you will lead us to follow your plan for our lives
And ask you to put us to work for you in the days ahead
Living according to your ways knowing you know what’s best for us.
Lord we pray you will inspire us to serve you
Knowing you are always watching,
And we ask you Lord to help us be more like You
Each time we are given the opportunity to share your Gospel.
God we ask that you forgive our sins
And cleanse us of Evil like only you can
So that we may rejoice in your ever loving grace.
Thank you all mighty God for all that you’ve given us!
Praise God,
Amen
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: DanielStPierre@ThriveThroughChrist.com
