Loved + Accepted

Luke 5:32 (TPT) I have not come to call the ‘righteous,’ but to call those who know they are sinners and bring them to repentance.

As I minister to people, I realize a sad reality. Most think they need to change in order to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior. Since they are incapable of making this happen by their own effort they have remained lost, living in pain and darkness. Perhaps they committed too many sins and anger and bitterness has consumed their thoughts and hearts, or maybe they've always been told they didn't measure up...they just aren't good enough. These scenarios replay in their minds, causing them to draw back from the only one who has the power to change their hearts and lives.

The fact is, Jesus didn't limit His ability to love and forgive to those who are deserving of it. No one is righteous enough to merit the sacrifice of the cross anyway! It was made as much for the vilest sinner as it was for "good people". Actually, God's Word says that our righteousness are as filthy rags. On our very best day we we have nothing to offer without the work of the cross.

Let's take it a step further. I also speak to Christians who know the Word of God, but do not feel that it applies to them. Healing? A God-given destiny? The love of God? Power and authority? All too wonderful for them to accept. Yes, they have given their hearts and lives to Jesus, but somehow feel like they are second class citizens in God's kingdom. Even as He calls them to fulfill great exploits...they fear He has the wrong number... yeah...I've felt that way before.

It simply comes down to understanding that you really are worthless without Him, but priceless in Him!! You're strong, powerful, and unstoppable with God's Spirit abiding within you! By His Spirit you are filled with unlimited potential! You are a force to be reckoned with and the enemy knows it! So, he does everything in his power to keep you from realizing it!

Wherever you are in your walk with Christ... whatever you've been told or think about yourself, other than what God's Word says about you, is a lie from the pit of hell!! Stop entertaining those thoughts and begin to read, understand, and digest His Word! It's filled with His love for you and a desire for you to come closer... close enough for Him to wrap His arms around and completely transform you into the godly man or woman He desires you to be. It's not something you can do on your own, but it's the natural process of time spent in His presence. You'll reflect the image of what you spend the most time looking upon. If it's fear, anger or insecurity, that is what the world will see, but if you remain focused on Jesus, His love, peace, and strength will shine through you. As you get to know Him better, you'll have no doubt of just how special He thinks you are and the sins that once controlled you will become repulsive.

Don't wait any longer, today's the day to accept everything He paid for on that cross! You are loved and accepted!!

Ephesians 2:10 (KJV) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT) So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

Psalm 17:8(KJV) Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings.

Romans 5:6-9 (NLT) When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.

Isaiah 64:6 (NLT) We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.

Isaiah 53:3-6 (NLT) He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on Him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses He carried; it was our sorrows that weighed Him down. And we thought His troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for His own sins! But He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on Him the sins of us all.