God is Always With You

I used to feel wrong when I cried, like I wasn’t being as strong as I should be if I did. In more recent times, I would let my tears fall without sobbing. My face and my clothes would get wet, but I wouldn’t really cry, I would spend the entire time trying to steady myself enough inside so I could stop.

God showed me His mercy recently when He let me know that crying, really crying would help me if I would just do it the whole way. After so many years of half crying, trying to end it as soon as possible, really breaking down and letting it out was foreign to me.

After I cry, I have a headache and red eyes. But I do feel better. A weight does get lifted. Now that I don’t fight crying, I can see the benefit of it.

Crying isn’t weakness. It isn’t masculine or feminine. Simply put, all people, male and female have the God given ability to cry. Crying is a release valve that helps us move through, not around, what hurts us.

It can be hard to believe that God loves you unconditionally. All of us have done (or thought about doing) things we are ashamed of. To other people, we present a facade of being a “good” or “nice” person. We want people to like us, and we care about what they think. We know there are limits, even with the people who are closest to us–what they will accept about us, whether they will forgive us when we know we’re wrong and we’re sorry.

We keep secrets. We delete the parts of our histories that we wish weren’t there. Sometimes I cringe when I look back at my younger self. I did some pretty heartless things without realizing how bad they were at the time. From the perspective I have now, I can see the ways I hurt and failed people who loved me.

Those memories feel very raw to me. The regret is painful. There are things I wish I could do over. I am a “nice” person. I am helpful whenever I can be. I like to compliment (sincerely) people and point out their talents and strengths. But I still have wrong thoughts regularly. I am still selfish. I still envy the success of other people.

So it’s absolutely required that Jesus sacrificed Himself for my sins, because I’ve sinned in the past, I still sin now, and I will sin in the future. If going to Heaven after I die depended on me doing a certain amount of right while simultaneously avoiding most wrongs, I wouldn’t make it.

That is why Jesus is key. We cannot make ourselves righteous enough to be worthy of an eternal life with God. We are made worthy by believing that Jesus is the Son of God and that He sacrificed Himself in our place so that all of our sins can be forgiven.

In Psalms 130, verses 3 and 4, it is written: If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness, therefore, You are feared. [NIV Bible]

If there are things you want to change about yourself, surrender control and ask God to help you. If you feel guilty about something, confess it to God. He already knows about it, so it’s no surprise. But He wants you to receive His forgiveness because He knows it helps you to forgive yourself and start again.

One of the most dramatic examples of a last minute conversion to Christianity is found in Luke Chapter 23, verses 32-43. It says:  Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with Him (Jesus) to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified Him, along with the criminals–one on His right, the other on His left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His clothes by casting lots.

The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at Him. They said, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”

The soldiers also came up and mocked Him. They offered Him wine vinegar and said, “If You are the king of the Jews, save Yourself.”

There was a written notice above Him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”

But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise.” [NIV Bible]

We have to make a choice to believe in God while we are still alive. As long as we are still alive, even if only moments from death, we can still be saved for all eternity.

You don’t have to have a certain amount of good deeds or have years of believing in God under your belt.

If you have rejected God because of bitterness about what you have gone through in your life, you can still decide, even at the last minute, to believe. Your eternal life with God in paradise is secured the moment you believe He is the One True God.

You may never have attended a church service. You may have scoffed at Christianity and thought it was a fairy tale. You may have put logic and hard evidence above the step out that faith requires, but you can still choose to believe.

Yes, even when you are on your death bed! And I say, what better time? The best time to choose God is ALWAYS now. And if that now time for you is the end of the line, then believe now in the God who is mighty to save!

Not believing God exists won’t change the fact that you have an eternal life to live. You need saving and Jesus is your Savior, the One and Only!

There is one way to an eternal life without burdens, without pain, without loss, without despair, without struggle! Eternal joy will be yours with God.

Don’t worry about looking like a hypocrite! Don’t let past unbelief or refusal to believe there is one specific God to hold you back from living forever in the paradise of believers with a God who loves you more than you can imagine!

Christmas marks the beginning of God’s plan to save us from eternal death and separation from Him. Jesus was born just as we are, as a baby. He was a full member of His earthly family, a human being. At the same time, He was also God. That’s an important distinction, because a holy, sinless sacrifice was required in order for our sins to be forgiven by believing in Jesus.

Jesus was born into this world to do what no human being is capable of doing. He lived a sinless life; He took the sins of all people upon Himself; He died willingly as a holy sacrifice to God the Father, and He rose from the dead.

In Romans Chapter 5, verse 17, it says:  For if, by the trespass of the one man [Adam], death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. [NIV Bible]

The new year is a clean slate and a fresh start. It’s a time for change and to start new habits that are good for us. Take this opportunity to start to believe in God!

It’s no secret that a lot of people find the holidays challenging. Paradoxes abound:  You want to be with family, but gatherings can be tense. You want to make your kids happy, but you can’t give them everything they want.

I don’t claim that I’m only overwhelmed during the holidays, but I can’t deny there is added stress. God understands the memories, the expectations, and the pressure that comes this time of year, and He wants to help us have peace.

Bring what is on your shoulders to God. Jesus Himself invites you to do this! He says, “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.” [Matthew Chapter 11, verses 28-30]

In Isaiah Chapter 43, verses 18 and 19, God says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”  [NIV Bible]

There is no better time to start believing in God than today. Maybe you’ve come this far believing there is no “God,” that you can manage your life on your own. Maybe you’ve been critical of Christianity in the past, rejecting the notion of a specific god. You may have believed that God is a higher power who can be found through any spiritual beliefs.

So maybe you have a history of not believing in God. God won’t hold this against you when you come to Him, looking for answers.

People of all ages, from all backgrounds, families and religions are saved every day by starting to believe in God the Father, Jesus His Son and our Savior, and the Holy Spirit.

You can change, you aren’t bound to your former beliefs. People who know you may be surprised or disturbed by you starting to seek and know God. You may very well encounter resistance or lack of support from friends and family. God will stand beside you during this, giving you the security of knowing He is authentic and true. Having faith in God will cause a seismic shift in the deepest parts of who you are, and that’s a good thing! 🙂

Don’t be held back by feeling hypocritical. God understands why people struggle with believing in Him. He’ll be your help, and when you start believing in Him, He will show Himself to you. You will know you are dealing with the One True God because He will be a presence you will recognize in your spirit.

Start to do a new thing!

If you suffer from an emotional or mental illness, you are not alone. Many people do, but it’s often unspoken and hidden. People with emotional or mental illnesses are often misunderstood–viewed as lazy, weak or unwilling to change. Perspective is vital, because mental illness can’t be fully understood by looking from the outside in.

God’s help with mental illness is unmatched, and His concern for you is certain. In Isaiah Chapter 30, verse 18, it says:  Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him. [NIV Bible]

God alone knows all the details. He knows about all of the situations, the hardships, the thoughts that torment. He understands the grip of the past, the relationships that damaged us, the bloodlines that pass down trouble.

He doesn’t condemn us for being sensitive, angry, sad and scared because He loves us so completely. We are not less in His eyes. His heart is tender toward us. He wants us to have peace, and He is willing to pick us up and put us back on our feet again over and over, as many times as it takes.

Isaiah Chapter 49, verse 13 says:  Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the Lord comforts His people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones. [NIV Bible]

God is not impatient. He doesn’t blame us. He soothes us and calms us. He is our loving Father, always ready to help us get through every day!