Although I am secure in Christ Jesus, I know that there are many other people that are also found within Him also.
Romans 10:9,10 (KJV)
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Once Jesus becomes the Lord of your life, your thoughts and desires will start to be conformed to His ways and not your own.
Only those that believe in and follow Jesus are saved. Not those that live their own lives outside of Jesus leading them.
Oh Lord, I love You and only want to do as You would have me live this life. Even when people have hurt me over these many years, all I desire is that they receive my forgiveness, as You have forgiven me. Surely, how can I receive Your forgiveness freely, when I cannot forgive others? I would be a hypocrite of wanting something that I am unwilling to do myself. So cast out all anger, evil intentions, and resentment from every person’s heart that are having a hard time forgiving there neighbor now. I ask this especially for those that call themselves Christians. These are the people who desire forgiveness from You and need to learn how to forgive others now, and not later. So come into their lives, as You have come into mine, and break down every wall that is up. Help these people see the good in all people, including those that have hurt them, while showing love to their enemies. Surely, it is so good to have Your mercy and compassion fall down upon me when I have wronged You. Therefore, all I wish is that people would receive the forgiveness and mercy that I have towards them. There are no more hard feelings towards anyone who has done me unjustly in this life, but only love as You love them, oh Lord. Thank You for teaching me this lesson on forgiveness and mercy. I am so grateful to be on the receiving grounds of Your mercy in my life. And because of my faith in You, God, who saves, I am moved to forgive and love as you do. It is a pleasure to love You and my neighbor as myself. Amen.
Matthew 5:43-45 (KJV)
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
When the Lord says it is time, then forgive and show mercy unto those people that have hurt you. Listen and do as He says.
It is important that we learn to forgive as God forgives us. And in doing this, we will learn to love as God loves us, for this is doing as Jesus taught us.
Oh Lord, may this new year be in your favor and not mine. Liken my life even more so to Your will and not my own. Help me to be more loving towards others, as you are so loving towards me. May I learn to forgive others, as You have forgiven me of my sins. Allow my thoughts to be upon You at all times, that I may not slip and fall into willful sin. My desire is to live my life entirely for You, and I need the Holy Spirit with me to do so. I am not strong on my own, but Your strength is what builds me up when I seek You. Keep me far from temptation, that I may serve You with a clean conscience and not having been stained through worldly pleasures. And Lord, as I read the Bible daily, teach me. Give me counsel, and help me apply Your teachings to my everyday life. I hope to get so much more out of scripture this year, so open my eyes to see the value of not only every chapter but every verse and words that are written. For in You is life eternal, and I wish that I may learn and grow in the faith. My own thinking is skewed by the ways of the world, but Your Words help take all the nonsense and false teachings out of the equation and push them aside. It is my desire to be in line with Your correct teachings, that I may walk in the good works that You have ordained for my life. Surely, Lord, You have given me eyes to see the truths of the gospel and I hope to be a better minister of it to the world. So shine down upon me, that all the world will know that Jesus saves. I love You, Lord. I am so happy that I gave my life to You those many years ago. This new life has brought so much joy, happiness, and love in my life, and I give You thanks. I praise You. Thank You, God. Amen.
Matthew 16:25,26 (KJV)
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Live every day for Jesus. Don’t let a day go by without calling upon His Name and reading the Bible.
In these last four years my passion to read the Bible daily has been burning inside of me. It is no longer a chore to do, but a part of who I am now.