30 Years Ago…Sums Up 2017

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement though faith in his blood. (Romans 3:23-25a NIV)

Thirty years ago…

One of the first Bible verses we may have heard, part of the Roman Road. We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. As we end 2017, a strong repetition became recognized in my life…30 years ago. Thirty years ago, I graduated from high school in May, my grandma passed away in July, I began college in August, and my mother passed away in November. The year 1987, 30 years ago when I began drifting away from church, falling into sinful situations. Thankfully, returning home after college, a repentive heart, God redeemed all lost time. He never left nor forsaken me, justified freely through redemption that came by Jesus Christ.

Purpose

If you or someone you know needs to hear this, God has not left or forsaked you or them. Life circumstances can throw us into detours, we do not want to stay lost. As we celebrated Jesus’ birth the past few days, He came to earth for one purpose. He came as the sacrificial lamb, sacrifice of atonement through faith in his blood. God is our Heavenly Father, He will discipline and correct His children. Have you asked Jesus into your heart, believed He died on the cross and rose three days later, while confessing Him as Lord over our lives? If we have and done so believing, we have the Holy Spirit living within. Jesus told His disciples, He had to go away, in order for the Helper/Advocate to come.

Heart to Heart

This is a heart to heart matter, because we all have been the person in need. There are people around us, in our families who have accepted sin, unrepentant. Scripture states in Romans 1:28- they will eventfully be turned over to a depraved mind- Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind to do what ought not to be done. Oh, the importance of retaining God’s knowledge in our minds and hearts.

Truth

God’s Word is Truth. Closing out the year 2017, let’s pray…God cleanse our hearts, minds, and souls; making the motives of our hearts pure before the Lord, Jesus Christ. While speaking truth in love, allowing God’s love to flow through our veins, the air we breathe and the paths we walk- being hands and feet of Jesus, bringing all glory back to God. I shun to think how different my life might be, if I had not repented and realigned my life with God’s purpose.

Be encouraged!