High Hopes

 

High Hopes

James 5: ⁷ Be patient, then, my friends, until the Lord comes. See how patient farmers are as they wait for their land to produce precious crops. They wait patiently for the autumn and spring rains. ⁸ You also must be patient. Keep your hopes high, for the day of the Lord's coming is near.

 

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Seeing the results of growing vegetables, I planted more the next year. I waited in anticipation, but noticed “everything” was not growing fast enough. I added water to the ungrown seeds. Nothing. Later, I found out I was adding too much water.

 

• I was impatient.
• My efforts to speed things up ended up killing everything.
• My high hopes were broken apart because of my impatience.

 

James gives an analogy, comparing hope to farming. He admires how patient farmers are as they tend to their crops, knowing they can’t make things happen in their time, rather they had to wait until the right time.

 

My Observations:

• GOD has extreme patience with me.
• GOD wants me to learn to have patience with HIS plans HE has for me.
• GOD has the power to handle all my circumstances as HE advances HIS plan for me.

 

“Be Patient” are words that are sometimes difficult to hear. I mean, what about “this” trouble or “that” problem? GOD sees everything that can make me scared, worried or doubtful and provides comfort.

 

HE knows all the things that can run through my mind and HE steps in to intervene. HE knows the plans HE has for me. Plans to prosper and not to harm me. I am so glad GOD is in control of my plans. This keeps my hopes high.

 

Challenge

• What is the result of patience mentioned by the writer?
• Has GOD ever promised something to you and you lost patience waiting?
• Will you not get weary and remain hopeful because GOD is in control of all your circumstances today?

Time for Faith

Time for Faith

Galatians 3: ²³ But before the time for faith came, the Law kept us all locked up as prisoners until this coming faith should be revealed. ²⁴ And so the Law was in charge of us until Christ came, in order that we might then be put right with God through faith. ²⁵ Now that the time for faith is here, the Law is no longer in charge of us.

 

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Tired of things going wrong in my life, I felt like giving up, but where was I to turn? Bars and hanging out had lost its luster. “There has got to be something more to life than this!” I said to myself. As I walked into my apartment building, a neighbor said “What church do you go to?” “Here we go again with that question” I thought. But I could not stop thinking about it.

 

• I had no place to put my hope.
• I had turned away from GOD and labeled everyone a hypocrite.
• I had tried to do things under my own power and sometimes it worked, but I still had troubles.

 

Paul gives everyone a short history lesson. Before JESUS was born as a human to die for our sins, the Law was given to govern the relationship with GOD. The Law was like giving a toddler a lit match with a choice to light an explosive or a candle. Rules made out of explosives were used to guide everyone to the candle. People failed at following the Law.

 

My Observations

• When I see myself falling into the trap of hopelessness, GOD wants me to have faith.
• When I am in a situation that seems like there is no way out, GOD wants me to see HIM as the answer.
• When I fail, fall down, or fall apart, GOD wants me to believe in JESUS as my Savior in this life and the next.

 

Seasons come and go. Sometimes high, sometimes low. BUT GOD wants me to be stable so I can face the highs and lows with confidence that I am not alone. JESUS changed everything. HE put all of humanity right with GOD as long as faith in HIM is placed above everything.

 

JESUS wants me to know it is time for me to place my faith in HIS way and let go of trying to be perfect as the Law says I should be. I am glad I am released from the Law so I can have hope in the middle of my failures.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer speak about different periods of time?
• Have you ever become exhausted by trying hard to “please” GOD?
• Will you accept HIS perfect gift for you and believe JESUS cares about your life on earth and eternity?

Keep Focused

Luke 22: ³⁹ Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. ⁴⁰ On reaching the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that you will not fall into temptation.’ ⁴¹ He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, ⁴² ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’ ⁴³ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. ⁴⁴ And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

⁴⁵ When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. ⁴⁶ ‘Why are you sleeping?’ he asked them. ‘Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.’

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Walking around in life, I wandered into some doors that seemed to be wide open. The temptations were amazing and once I found one, I couldn’t get my mind off of whatever new thing I wandered into.

• Many times I have been tempted to fall into sin.
• Many times I have wandered off the path and into temptation.
• Many times I have lost my focus only to wind up in sin.

JESUS faces being blamed for every sin, every human could ever commit. HIS humanity reaches out to pray to the FATHER, begging HIM to think of another way, but if JESUS had to be the way, “let YOUR will be done.” JESUS then told HIS sleeping disciples to pray that they will not fall into temptation.

• GOD wants me to practice not succumbing to sin.
• GOD wants me to pray for daily temptation removal because I would more than likely fall into the sin HE wants me to stay away from.
• GOD wants me to recognize that HE was tempted in every way and understands my predisposal towards sin.

Enormous grace is a gift  GOD has given me. HE sees the sins I easily fall into and lifts me out of each hole. While HE never gets tired of rescuing me, HE still desires that I not fall into the holes in the first place.

HE is excited to cleanse me of all unrighteousness, daily. HE gets more excited when I stay focused at HIS mighty power. GOD wants me to stay focused on HIM so that I will not get weary.

• Are you so focused on your problems that you have taken your eyes off of GOD?
• Do you feel sorry for yourself?
• Will you stop being weary and get filled up with GOD’s grace so you can stay on HIS path HE has for you?

Walking Away

Luke 15: ¹¹ Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. ¹² And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. ¹³ And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. ¹⁴ But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. ¹⁵ Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. ¹⁶ And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.

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Tired of the hypocrisy, I stopped going to church. I mean they tell me to “stop sinning” and “give money” yet their actions only pointed to sleeping around and sustaining their salaries, as if GOD were a business. When I left I decided that “sleeping around” and “sustaining my salary” was a good idea. Things did not go well.

• When blame is on my mind, sometimes it is actually a desire.
• When I get mad at what other people are doing, sometimes I’m seeing what I “want” to do.
• When leaving a good place is my first thought, I may have misread why I was there in the first place.

JESUS had just spoken about a lost sheep then a lost coin, now HE provides a parable of a son who saw his father as nothing more than money. In fact, he demanded an inheritance in a way to claim his father as being “dead” to him. He squandered everything and could not sustain himself when life became difficult.

• GOD sees my hurt and understands it.
• GOD sees my tantrums and puts up with it.
• GOD sees my blame, lust, gullibility and rage, yet HE allows me to keep going.

 

With no argument from the father, the son got what he wanted and needed. He received money and compassion. I do not see an argument from the father nor an attempt to explain the dangerous path the young man was going down. GOD allows me to decide the paths I travel. Walking away from GOD was not a good choice for me.

• Are you considering walking away from GOD because you think your life should be better?
• Is life difficult right now and you are tempted to pull away from those who follow GOD?
• Will you put your trust in GOD today in spite of what is going on in your life?

No choice but to keep going

Luke 14: ³⁴ “Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? ³⁵ It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

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When I left a place I shouldn’t have been in the first place, I was nervous of my surroundings. I could see thugs looking at me so I increased my pace towards the bus. When the bus pulled off without me, I ran shouting “wait.” I kept running at the disappearing target, but I felt like giving up. After the fourth attempt, I finally caught up to the bus. I had no choice.

• There have been many times when I felt like giving up.
• There have been many times when I felt defeated.
• There have been many times when I felt distressed, distracted and dejected.

JESUS doesn’t minimize HIS words when HE speaks to the crowd. HE spoke directly to those who felt like giving up. HE mentions the value of salt which preserves, penetrates and permeates. But when salt loses its power to do so, then what good is it?

• GOD wants me to keep going especially when I don’t feel like it.
• GOD wants me to stop looking at the situation and look only at HIM.
• GOD wants me to keep the salt HE gave me so I can multiply it amongst many.

Saltiness is a multitude of things in my relationship with GOD. It’s bold, overpowering, sometimes subtle, and only a little is needed. It penetrates, melts and keeps things whole. It corrodes, burns and scratches, yet it soothes. But when I give up my saltiness, I can do none of the above. What am I giving my saltiness up for? Nothing.

I mean what am I trading it in for? Nothing. Where else would I turn? Nowhere. GOD wants me to keep my mind focused beyond the current situation and set my eyes permanently on HIM. In spite of the latest sin I just committed, GOD is my forgiver. HE guides me to the truth and that truth is JESUS.

• Do you feel like giving up?
• Are you only focused on money or the lack thereof?
• Is GOD minimized in your life right now because you think HIS grace is insufficient?
• Will you stop believing in lies and know GOD’s grace is sufficient and you are special to HIM?

Plan of Restoration

Micah 4: ⁶ “In that day,” declares the Lord,

“I will gather the lame;
    I will assemble the exiles
    and those I have brought to grief.
⁷ I will make the lame my remnant,
    those driven away a strong nation.
The Lord will rule over them in Mount Zion
    from that day and forever.
⁸ As for you, watchtower of the flock,
    stronghold of Daughter Zion,
the former dominion will be restored to you;
    kingship will come to Daughter Jerusalem.”

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Subpar insurance was all I could get because I was young, had accidents and a pile of tickets. The insurance cost me a mint but the broker told me, “just hang in there for twelve months and you can switch.” I watched the calendar like it was a clock. The days seemed to drop ever so slowly. If felt like the day would never come.

• Sometimes it feels like an eternity before I am restored.
• Sometimes it seems like restoration will never come.
• Sometimes it appears that I will not make it to the end of the waiting period and everything will come crashing down on my head.

Six months into the wait, it felt like the day would never come, but when three months passed, the waiting period didn’t feel as harsh. In fact I could feel a weight lift off my shoulders even though I was still in the situation. I could actually see myself out of the trial!

• GOD wants me to know HE has a plan for me that is prosperous and will give me hope and a future.
• GOD wants me to know HE will gather me along with the lame and others HE has brought grief to.
• GOD wants me to know HE will restore me.

Hope is what I was missing when I went into the problem. I mean I had to cancel plans of getting out of debt only to go in deeper because of my sordid driving. Life is like that. When I lose hope then I lose my way and I cannot reach full restoration. GOD is kind enough to tell me HE has a plan to restore me. HE wants me to keep going until I reach the day of the LORD.

GOD wants full restoration of every human, including me. It’s when I stop fighting who HE is, then I can be accepting of HIS plan. HE seeks me daily and wants me to turn and accept what HE has in store for me.

• Have you lost hope?
• Do you think you are at the end of your rope?
• Will you allow GOD to restore you?
• Can you stop believing lies and see that GOD does in fact have a wonderful plan just for you?

Why Continue?

Ecclesiastes 6: ¹² For who knows what is good for a person in life, during the few and meaningless days they pass through like a shadow? Who can tell them what will happen under the sun after they are gone?

“Why continue?” I thought to myself. I don’t mean why continue with life, I meant school was tough and I was not doing very well. I did not have help and did not know how to seek it. I sat in my apartment and wondered if I should even finish.

• There were times when I felt like giving up.
• There were times where I felt like I had no help at all.
• There were times that I felt lost and had no one to guide me.

“Logic” sometimes lies. I mean logically, at the time, said to me, “quit” and I was leaning towards it more and more each day. Life was tough and sketchy and I had calculated the best route was probably to roll over and sit in the corner and just face failure like the rest of the crowd. BUT GOD said something different.

• GOD said to me “All power and glory are mine” and HE will gladly share it with me.
• GOD said to me “I will never leave you nor forsake you” and HE has never left me nor forsaken me.
• GOD said to me “If you would just follow my path I will make it straight” and HE has guided me to this day.

I decided not to give up and GOD blessed me thoroughly. HE guided me little by little and before I knew it, I graduated. HE showed me that I have to seek HIS face for peace and nothing I do would be too large. HIS power is infinite and wisdom the same. HE grants me guidance when I am lost.

• Are you feeling lost?
• Do you want to give up?
• Can you ask GOD to give you guidance?
• Will you follow GOD to gain HIS strength and stop relying on yours?

Giving Up

Proverbs 24:

Saying 25

¹⁰ If you falter in a time of trouble,
    how small is your strength!
¹¹ Rescue those being led away to death;
    hold back those staggering toward slaughter.
¹² If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,”
    does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who guards your life know it?
    Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?

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“This was the final straw” I said to myself. Tired of the nonsense that was happening around me, I decided that I had enough. I gave up on helping because I was making no headway at all. In fact it seemed quite the opposite.

• Sometimes it seems like difficulties can throw me off.
• There are times when trouble can feel overwhelming to me.
• Sometimes I just feel like giving up when I am making no headway.

Quarrels and blame were the mode of operation and I truly got tired of being the self-appointed mediator. I said “What good is my help and it certainly doesn’t seem like GOD cares.” How incredibly wrong I was.

• GOD said “I will be with you always” this means HE stays during times of trouble.
• GOD said “Trouble you will have but I send a COMFORTER to you” meaning HE knows I will got through things so HE gave me protection.
• GOD said “Have the faith of a mustard seed” meaning I must believe in HIM even if it is the tiniest belief.

Giving up is quite easy to do, BUT GOD says to me “stay in there and complete your work I have given to you.” HE wants me to continue what I’ve started and never give up.

• Are you in trouble?
• Do you feel like giving up?
• Can you look back on how GOD has rescued you in the past?
• Will you allow HIM to take you “through” the trouble instead of around it?

Angry at GOD

2 Chronicles 28: ²² In his time of trouble King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the Lord.

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Bills mounting and car broken down, I quickly said these words “I’m not going to serve YOU anymore!” I mean what’s the use? It seems like when I try “GOD” things get worse. I wasn’t serving GOD anyway but this one Sunday I went to church at the request of friends.

The next day the sheriff knocked on my apartment door with a summons to appear in court for a variety of tickets. “Why serve a GOD who brings on nothing but trouble” I pouted.

• When trouble comes I sometimes want to throw GOD out the window.
• When trouble comes I sometimes want to blame GOD for all my ills.
• When trouble comes I sometimes want to give up on GOD because I am not getting my way.

Trouble makes me irrational. When I see no way out and I use GOD as a “last resort” my mind cannot comprehend when HE doesn’t just swoop in and fix the situation to my liking. My doubting leads to pouting. BUT GOD understands.

• GOD knows when I am weak and encourages me to turn back to HIM.
• GOD knows when I feel like giving up and wants me to keep going with HIM.
• GOD knows when I am frustrated, HE came into the world and faced more scrutiny than any human.

GOD understands how difficult life can be. HE knew the depth and breadth of HIS curse on the heavens and the earth. When HE said to Adam “You will now work from the ground you came” HE knew just how difficult it would be to produce fruit where it was once easy. BUT HIS grace abounds.

Before the curse GOD developed a rescue plan for all humans. JESUS volunteered to take the blame I cast on HIM even before HE made humans. HE hears my blaming words as if I were saying “YOU didn’t do enough for me” and forgives me anyway with these words “Forgive them for they know not what they do.” GOD is there with me and wants me to know HE loves me dearly.

• Are you pouting at GOD?
• Is there an obstacle in your way that seems insurmountable?
• Can you trust GOD totally and allow HIM to take you through the trouble?
• Will you praise HIM today for being GOD who loves you and has a plan for you?

Is Service to GOD Temporary?

1 Chronicles: ³¹ As for the Hebronites, Jeriah was their chief according to the genealogical records of their families. In the fortieth year of David’s reign a search was made in the records, and capable men among the Hebronites were found at Jazer in Gilead. 

³² Jeriah had twenty-seven hundred relatives, who were able men and heads of families, and King David put them in charge of the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh for every matter pertaining to God and for the affairs of the king.

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After returning from the church convention, I felt I should be doing “something.” I mean shouldn’t I be going out and preaching and teaching? I had just publicly announced I was following GOD and I wanted to get started!

A few years later I ran into problems. I didn’t like the people who were supposed to be followers of GOD and I stopped going to church.

• Some circumstances make me question “Why do I follow GOD?”
• Some situations make me question “Does GOD really care?”
• Some lengthy trials make me ask “Why serve if all I get is punishment?”

Each of my questions had to be answered by “maturity” in GOD. HE never said life would be easy. In fact HE said there would be many trials. HE warned HIS disciples that the world would hate them and people who follow HIM would go through many trials and tribulations.

• GOD wants me to know HE loves me and strengthens me to handle trials.
• GOD wants me to understand HIS power even in the midst of chaos.
• GOD wants me to trust HIS ways and allow difficult situations to pass in order to see HIS perfect plan unfold.

Following GOD is not a temporary thing. Once I chose to follow HIM I became a new creation. The battle began. HE placed the HOLY SPIRIT in me and now my eyes are open to when I choose to do right and wrong. I still sin, but JESUS is my advocate and HE encourages me to get up and serve again.

• Are you trying to manipulate GOD by being good?
• Are you getting burnt out by serving GOD?
• Can you evaluate whether you are serving GOD or are you trying to get accolades from humans?
• Can you stop trying so hard and just “be” with GOD?

Powerful Faith

2 Kings 13: ¹⁵ Elisha said, “Get a bow and some arrows,” and he did so. ¹⁶ “Take the bow in your hands,” he said to the king of Israel. When he had taken it, Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands.

¹⁷ “Open the east window,” he said, and he opened it. “Shoot!” Elisha said, and he shot. “The Lord’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram!” Elisha declared. “You will completely destroy the Arameans at Aphek.”

¹⁸ Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and the king took them. Elisha told him, “Strike the ground.” He struck it three times and stopped. ¹⁹ The man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times.”

²⁰ Elisha died and was buried.

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Vague instructions and a mind of doubt made me call off the hunt early. I was running out of gas and the “down the road and turn left” directions left much to be desired. I panicked as the light had been on for a while. We were in the middle of nowhere so I looked for signs of life off in the distance.

As I changed course, I made it to civilization only to find everything closed! I drove twice as far as the person had instructed and eventually found gas. On the return trip I noticed the gas station the person had originally instructed me to go to was only a block away from where I turned around.

• Sometimes my doubt will make me change course.
• Sometimes my fear will make me take a wrong turn.
• Sometimes my worries will make me panic and come up with crazy plans.

There have been times where the level of my faith dictated the amount of success I achieved. I mean when I put my head down and stayed on the path, I was successful. When I was unsure of the path, questioning GOD every step of the way I wasn’t so successful. GOD wants my faith to be full.

• When I attack something with faith, GOD’s might takes me over the top.
• When I trust GOD, HE shows me just how powerful HE is.
• When I believe in GOD, I get rewarded beyond my wildest dreams.

GOD moves mountains daily. For some, HE shows HIS power blatantly, for others it’s more subtle. GOD has told me to open my eyes to HIS marvelous works daily and add a measure of faith to face the day.

• Are you full of doubt?
• Have you given up too early?
• Can you ask GOD to give you the right amount of strength to keep going on the course HE has you on even through difficulty?

Restoration

2 Samuel 14: ¹³ The woman said, “Why then have you devised a thing like this against the people of God? When the king says this, does he not convict himself, for the king has not brought back his banished son? ¹⁴ Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But that is not what God desires; rather, he devises ways so that a banished person does not remain banished from him.

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Sitting in my apartment, lonely, I thought to myself… “Is this it?”  “This is what all the hard work in college was for?” My heart ached for “fun” but something inside me felt like the “fun” I had before wasn’t really what I was supposed to be doing.

The tug was towards church, but when I got there, I felt no different. I was lonely in a building full of people. I went from church to church looking for something. Finally I stopped at one and the pastor gave me some great advice… “Seek GOD.”

• No matter how long I have been away from GOD, HE seeks me.
• No matter how long I have turned my back on GOD, HE still cares for me.
• No matter how long I have tried my own way instead of GOD’s way, HE loves me.

David had two sons one of which, Absalom, killed his brother and ran and hid from David. For years he was banished until David’s servant convinced him to bring his son back. GOD worked on David’s heart and treats me the same.

• GOD opens HIS arms wide and is ready to restore me when humans cannot do the same.
• GOD knocks at my heart and when I open the door HE comes in and sups with me.
• GOD pursues me constantly and seeks to restore me, HIS way.

Sometimes GOD has to burn off the rough edges and take me through trials to restore me. HE wants my walk to be focused on faith, love and trust. HE restore me to serve a purpose.

• Have you turned your back on GOD?
• Do you think HE no longer loves you?
• Can you seek HIS face today and turn to HIM with total trust?
• Won’t you turn to HIM for full restoration?

GOD won’t mind… Will HE?

1 Samuel 15:² This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. ³ Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”

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⁹ But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs—everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed.

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Bonus time was a great time of the year.  I thought of all the great things I was going to purchase. As I sat in church I heard the preacher say give a tenth of my “earnings.” So that meant my “salary” not my “bonus” I quickly convinced myself.  I quickly went and bought whatever I was looking at.

• Sometimes I twist the Bible in my favor.
• Sometimes I hear the words of GOD and ignore the parts where HE would discipline me.
• Sometimes I think that since I’m saved, I am spared from consequences.

Some of the “rules” and regulations listed in the Bible seem weird, limiting and just plain old crazy to me sometimes. So I pick and choose the ones I can follow easily and throw out the rest saying “those rules are too hard to follow.” BUT GOD wants something different.

• GOD wants me to view HIS word as protection rather than frustration.
• GOD wants me to listen to HIM for guidance rather than nagging.
• GOD wants me to hear HIS words of love rather than HIM being a party pooper.

I do remember hearing one preacher say “read the Bible with the view that GOD loves HIS humans and you will see a different GOD.” He was right. I mean in the Bible and in my life we turn away from GOD every chance we can. GOD simply wants me to recognize the need for HIS salvation because HE cursed the earth and the things I chase after.

HE says “seek ME and you will have treasure in heaven.”

• Are you constantly fretting over cash?
• Are your decisions driven by cash and fear and doubt and worry?
• Can you let go of your fears and allow GOD to lead you?
• Won’t you stand still and watch HIS deliverance?

Batteries that go forever

2 Peter 2: ²⁰ If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.

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Refreshed was the feeling I woke up to at the leadership retreat. Three days of being away from the grind had actually charged my batteries. We spoke about concepts that I was going to try and now I had a new way of thinking.

During my first day back we faced a crisis. It was all hands on deck and people were getting a little short tempered. I was cool and calm and we got through the storm. But the next day happened and the next week happened. Finally I was back to my fast paced, high stressed old self again.  What was that retreat about again? Hmm, I can’t seem to remember the concept I was going to implement.

• Knowing about JESUS isn’t a short term solution to an immediate problem.
• Knowing about JESUS isn’t a way for me to keep my sin and fool myself into thinking heaven is my home.
• Knowing about JESUS isn’t something I can just try to stop my trial and return to my old way when the situation clears up.

JESUS wants more than “knowledge” of HIM, HE wants belief. HIS death was a permanent act and so was HIS resurrection. HE will never die again and HE will remain raised forever. I can’t simply believe HE exists rather I should believe in HIS position as the only sinless human to ever walk the earth.

Now that HE has been raised, the FATHER has placed HIM back over everything. My belief needs to be directed on my need for a savior. My birth alone is reason to be sentenced to eternal separation from HIM.

• JESUS died for me to save me from eternal separation.
• JESUS was raised to build a special place for me to spend eternity with HIM.
• JESUS lives for me to eradicate every sin I have and will commit.

Will I still sin? Unfortunately yes. BUT GOD is slowly changing me to love others and to love myself, to show mercy the way HE shows mercy. I have not arrived, but I’m not the same.

• Are you living a lifestyle that is against GOD?
• Are you secretly or overtly sinning because you have given up on GOD?
• Can you allow GOD to give you “purpose” that will keep you from falling away from HIM?