New Life † ¤ †

Matthew 4:16-17 The people who sat (dwelt enveloped) in darkness have seen a great Light, and for those who sat in the land and shadow of death Light has dawned. From that time Jesus began to preach, crying out, Repent (change your mind for the better, heartily amend your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 18:2-4 And He called a little child to Himself and put him in the midst of them, And said, Truly I say to you, unless you repent (change, turn about) and become like little children [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving], you can never enter the kingdom of heaven [at all]. Whoever will humble himself therefore and become like this little child [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving] is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand! God's voice is calling out upon the land- "Come unto Me all who are weary and overburdened and I will give you rest!" All of us were created with a desire to not only be loved, but to love others! Some of us have hidden this desire in order to protect ourselves! What do I mean by this?

When a baby is born it is has two needs to be fed and then to be loved! Without love, this child will grow up disconnected from the rest of the world. This child will have a hard time forming lasting relationships, holding down a job, and plainly functioning in society! He will be lonely and feel forgotten! Which is why a lot of people who lack love in their lives will turn to crime in order to "create" a false sense of love! Or a teenage girl will get pregnant before they are married!!! Love and acceptance is such a strong need in our lives that many people without thinking will reach to the far ends of the earth in order to find it!

A child-like faith is all that God asks of us!! Why??? A baby has faith that it will walk-- right? If the child did not think that he could he would never attempt to walk! Would it? Faith is much like this baby walking! It is seeing the unseen even before it is manifested in our lives! It reaches far beyond what our physical eyes can see. God our Father wants us to take hold of His hand and walk- not looking back, not hesitating for a moment! It's sometimes easier said then done- especially when we can look around our world at all the struggles; wars, famines, pestilences, crimes against humanity... the list goes on and on!

Many of us question how a loving God could allow such atrocities... When we do not choose to live by faith then we choose to live by our selfish desires! This is what allows for the ugliness of our world to prevail! No one wants to seek out the truth and turn from their wicked ways! New life begins the moment we surrender our desires, our dreams, our fears to the One who can make difference. When we are truly willing to let go of the boat and walk on water, then we are truly ready to surrender to God's will in our lives!!!

Father, help me to look at life and this world through Your vision! Help me to receive the blessings that can only come through Your grace. Draw me close to You and help my heart to beat as one with Yours. Lord, for those who do not know You, I pray that salvation will come to their home this day! Help them to put aside the cares of this world and to turn 100% towards YOu. In Jesus name amen!