People have many reasons for rejecting God. Some choose to believe that He doesn’t exist. Some choose to see and believe only what they want to about God. For example, some see how God judged sin in the Old Testament and think God is cruel, but never see the mercy He shows. They refuse to see all the times that God called the people to repentance and they rejected Him. But for some people, they look at their life and say, “I’m too far gone. God would never accept me.” If that’s you – then there is one of the most exciting words for you found in Acts 2:21. That word is “Whosoever.”
Some people look at their life and say, “I’m too far gone. God would never accept me.” If that’s you – then there is one of the most exciting words for you found in Acts 2:21. That word is “Whosoever.”
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Who is a “Whosoever”? — You!
Whosoever is for any age!
Whosoever. It doesn’t matter what your age. If you are breathing and of an age to understand you’re a sinner who needs a Savior, then “Whosoever” means you. It is for the child, the teen, the adult, the senior adult, and the person soon to die.
Whosoever is for any career!
Whosoever. It doesn’t matter what your job. Whosoever is for the President, the politician, the judge. It for law enforcement, doctors, teachers, social workers, psychologists, nurses, managers, retail clerks, waitress/waiter, day care worker, postman, garbage man, military, engineer, construction worker, web designer, copywriter, and those looking for a job. It’s for the person who’s been a deacon for years or small group leader or church ministry staff…and even a pastor or two, but just realized they are lost.
Whosoever is for any socioeconomic statue!
Whosoever. It doesn’t matter your socioeconomic status. It’s for the billionaire, the millionaire, the upper class, the “new money” class, the middle class, the working class, the working poor, and those who live in poverty and it’s for the homeless.
Whosoever is for any race!
Whosoever. It doesn’t matter what color your skin. Red or yellow, black, or white – we are all precious in Jesus’ sight and He loves everyone of us. We are all uniquely and creatively made. Every single one of us is a masterpiece designed by the hand of God. You are exquisite – just the way you are.
Whosoever is for any any one with a past (or present or future)!
Whosoever. It means that no matter who you are or what’s in your past, Jesus is waiting for you.
#Whosoever. That means you! It doesn’t matter your age, your job, your socioeconomic status. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, who you are, or what’s in your past. Dear Whosoever, Jesus is waiting for you!
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Whosoever. It means that if you had been the only person that ever lived, Jesus would have still come to earth to die for you. To pay the price for your sin. That’s how much He loves you. All you have to do is call on the name of the Lord. But what does calling on the name of the Lord mean? At one time, doctors would make “house calls.” He wasn’t just stopping in to say, “Hello. How are you today. Have a nice day.” He was going to tend to the needs of his patient. At one time, a gentleman would “call” on a lady. His intentions were to get to know her, court her. Similarly, calling on the name of the Lord involves more than just calling out the name of Jesus. Calling on the name of the Lord involves several steps.
Whosoever. It means that if you had been the only person that ever lived, Jesus would have still come to earth to die for you. To pay the price for your sin. That’s how much He loves you. All you have to do is call on the name of the Lord and you will be saved.
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Steps to “Calling on the name of the Lord”
Step 1: Recognizing yourself as a sinner
Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” So “whosoever” means you – but so does “all” in Romans 3:23. Every single one of us a stickin’ rotten sinner! And there is nothing you can do on your own to get yourself out of sin. When we realize the depth and hopelessness that we are in because of our own sin, we then understand our need of someone to save us from our sin. “Calling on the name of the Lord” is saying, “God, I’m a sinner and hopelessly lost without You. Save me!”
Step 2: Recognizing Christ as the Savior that paid your sin debt
I do quite a bit of driving and in areas that I’ve never been to before. I can recognize and understand that I’ve made a wrong turn and have no idea where I am, but if I don’t do something about it, I will stay lost. The same is true about recognizing ourselves as sinners. If we don’t do something about our “lostness,” then we will stay lost in our sins. I am quite depended on my GPS to get me to all the places I need to go.
Spiritually, we are dependent on Christ to get us to Heaven. He is the only way. God sent Jesus to earth to pay the debt for our sin. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The price for our sin is a spiritual death that leaves us separated from God and an eternity in Hell. But God’s gracious gift of allowing His only Son, Jesus, to pay the price for us through His death on the cross, gives us eternal life in Heaven.
Each one of us have to settle for ourselves who Jesus is and what we are going to do with Him – reject Him and continue living in our sin or to call on His name and repent of our sin. “Calling on the name of the Lord” is saying, “I believe Jesus is the only Son of God who paid the price for my sin and there is nothing I can do on my own to save me from my sin. Jesus is the only way.”
Step 3: Recognizing the need to change your direction by repenting of your sins
Repenting means that there is a change of your heart and mind. It is a regret or remorse that accompanies the realization of your sinful self. Repentance is saying, “God, I’m sorry for my sins.” When true repentance has occurred, there will be evidence of it by a person’s reversal of thought so that the person makes a complete change from their sin to turning to God. It is like driving somewhere and realizing you missed your turn, so you do a U-turn and go back the other way.
Repentance occurs when a person is following the path of sin, realizing that path leads to destruction and death and surrendering their heart to God, they make a U-turn and begin following the path that leads to God and eternal life. When we make the change of direction, we begin to align our heart and will to the heart and will of God.
Step 4: Recognizing your need for forgiveness of sin
With a heart that has acknowledge your sinfulness and you have begun to align your heart and will to God, you need to ask Him to forgive you of your sin. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” “Calling on the name of the Lord” then is a broken and contrite heart that says, “God, I’m sorry, please forgive me.”
Step 5: Recognizing your are now a new creation in Christ Jesus
2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.” As a new creation, saved by God’s grace, we experience a total and complete surrender and willing submission of our lives to Him. Our old “sinful self” is dead and we now have a new life in Christ.
An emphatic promise – it’s a guarantee!
How can we know that God will save us – no matter who we are or what we’ve done? Acts 4:21 says, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” It didn’t say “might be saved.” It doesn’t say “will be saved, if your good enough.” It is an emphatic promise. If we call on Jesus, recognizing ourselves as a sinner, that Jesus took our place to pay our sin debt for us, repent of our sins, ask Him for forgiveness of our sins and to make us a new creation, then we can know without a doubt that we will be saved.
Whosoever. It means you! Jesus is waiting for you to call on Him now.
“Calling on the name of the Lord” means that we recognize: 1) we are a sinner; 2) that Jesus, God’s son, took our place and paid our sin debt for us; 3) we need to change our direction by repenting of our sin; 4) we need forgiveness of our sin; 5) we become a new creation.
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#whosoever #prayingforAmerica
Will you pray and fast with us and lead your
church to pray for God to send a revival to America?
This week, we are preparing for a day of fasting and prayer by focusing on humbling ourselves before a holy God.
#revival #America #leadershipresponsibility #prayandfast
Do you have a daily Bible Reading plan?
If not, come join us as we read the Bible through in one year. Each day we post the scripture reading along with links to read it online.
Have you learned this week’s memory verse?
Isaiah 57:15
For the High and Exalted One
who lives forever, whose name is Holy says this: “I live in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and lowly of spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the oppressed.
Do you serve in ministry? Great! The self-care blogs are here for you.
In this series of blogs, we breakdown why people in ministry need to practice self care. We explain the differences between stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue. Drawing from both psychology and Biblical principles, we teach self-care to keep ministry servants living out God’s call as a missionary, small group leader, worship pastor, nursery worker, facility/maintenance staff, religious non-profit staff, or any other ministry staff, volunteer, or lay-leader. Regardless of the ministry service God called you to, self-care is crucial to continuing God’s work.
If you can relate to this, then take some time to read our self care blogs.
Test your Bible smarts and see if you can answer our trivia questions. We post a trivia question every other day and the correct answer on the next day. Stop by the trivia page and grab a question or two and see if your friends and family can answer it.
You can check out our Christian t-shirts for men, women, kids and infants in our Teespring and Spreadshop stores. Also available on mugs, bags, aprons, hats, and more. We also have some Christian themed canvas art available at Teespring. Browse the stores with the links below:
This week’s new designs available at spreadshop:
Click here for Face My Giants in black print. (also available in white print)
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Click here for Unstoppable God in white script. (also available in black script)
What’s Inside God, Love and Marshmallow Wars?
This book includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage. As you work through the various activities, you will strengthen your relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:
- Scripture to memorize and meditate on
- Conversation Starters
- Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages
- Romance Builders
- Relationship Builders
- Personal reflections
- Date ideas
- Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples
Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, and Barnes & Nobel. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.
Join the community of couples on Facebook who are intentionally growing their marriage. Discover together how to have a marriage that honors God. Here you can post photos of the different activities as you do them, ask questions of other couples, share how God is using this book to strengthen your marriage, and grow with other Christian couples. We’ll see you in the community.
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(Due to COVID-19, we are only tentatively booking speaking engagements for events after September 2020 based on the recommendations as issued by the CDC and our government officials.)
We are eager to be a part of your next church or ministry event – regardless of size. We can bring one of our ministry programs to your church, or we can tailor a message to your event theme. To request more information or schedule a booking, fill out the online form at the link below. Or call us at 904.239.8937.
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