Can you remember the last time when you messed up? Maybe you’re right in the middle of a mess up right now. It’s not hard to find yourself in the middle of sin. James 1:14 says, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” Satan studies each one of us. He knows exactly what area to tempt you in. He’s not going to come around and tempt you in areas that are not a weakness – he’ll strike where you are the weakest. Most of us mess up every – single – day. We are constantly having to bring our sin to God and ask Him to forgive us.

But what about when your “mess up” looks more like an exploded landmine? Or maybe it isn’t all that big, but your “mess up” is repetitive and here you are messing up again? Satan wants to keep us in our guilt so we are defeated in our sin. So, he fills our minds with lies that says, “God could never use me.” Or “I’ve done this too many times. God’s not even going to believe me when I say I’m sorry.” Or “God won’t forgive this one – it’s just too big of a sin.”

Let’s look at the nation of Israel and their really big “mess up” that lasted for generations and five things we need to know about God for the times when we mess things up.

What was Israel’s mess up?

In the book of Nehemiah, the children of Israel had spent 70 years in captivity under the Babylonians because they would not leave worshiping false gods and separate themselves to worship only Yahweh. Throughout many generations, God sent prophet after prophet to warn them over and over of His coming judgement. Periodically a king would take the throne who’s heart was for God and there would be a brief revival in the nation, but eventually, enough was enough and the land was invaded and the people were carried off into bondage – just as God had said would happen if they did not repent and turn back to Him.

God is a God who keeps his promises. Most of the time that knowledge brings us comfort. Because He keeps His promises we can trust in His gift of eternal life. We tend to think about God keeping his promises when they are good promises. However, God keeps all His promises – even the ones that warn of judgement when we refuse to repent. Israel discovered the hard way that when you mess up and stubbornly refuse to repent, God’s promises of judgement does come.

The Returning Exiles

Now, as Nehemiah, enters the stage of history, the 70 years of bondage has ended and the exiled Israelites are returning to Jerusalem. The first group was led back by Zerubbabel around 538 BC when Cyrus was king. The second group was led by Ezra around 458 BC when Artaxerxes was king. Then Nehemiah brought the third group back around 444 BC and Artaxerxes was still king.

A Penitent Prayer for the Mess up

The long penitent prayer found in Nehemiah chapter 9 shows that the Jews understood that their persistent rebellion against God is what led them to be taken captive. Their rebellion was their mess up. And their motto must have been “If you’re going to do something, do it well,” ’cause they messed up real good! But do you know the good news about that? It shows that no matter how big our mess up, no matter how far we stray from God, a repentant and contrite heart always leads us back toa loving God who is ready to forgive.

The group of returning exiles recognized that it was the grace of God that allowed them to return to the Promised Land. Their response to God’s goodness and grace was a recognition of just how bad their mess up was and they mourn and weep over their sin as they repent and confess it to God.

The Jews understood their persistent rebellion against God led them into captivity for 70 years. They also knew it was the grace of God that allowed them back into the Promised Land. As a result, the mourn and weep over their sin as they confess their sin to God.

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Five Things to Know About God When You’ve Messed Up

In verse 17, we find attributes of God that is good news for us today because we, like the Jews, have strayed from God and go our own way. We too are guilty of trying to do life our way, rather than God’s way. And just like the Jews found a merciful God ready to forgive, so can we when we repent and turn back to God. We can find the same God that they found. Verse 17 says, “But You are God, Ready to pardon, Gracious and merciful, slow to anger; abundant in kindness, and did not forsake them.”

We, like the Jews, stray from God. We try to do life our way, rather than God’s way. When we repent, we will find the same God they found: a God ready to pardon, gracious & merciful, slow to anger, abundant in kindness, & will not forsake us.

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1. No Other God

Israel’s biggest sin was not acknowledging God as the One, and only, True and Living God. They preferred carved images over a God who continually had provided for them, cared for them, delivered them. and revealed Himself to them time and time again. When we come to God in repentance, we need to recognize that God is God. There is no other God. Isaiah 45:5 says, “I am the Lord, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God.”

While we may not bow down and worship golden or stone images, we are all guilty of making something a god in our life. It could be our children, careers, or hobbies. Anything that we make more important in our life than God becomes an idol that we worship. As we repent, we return God to the place He deserves in our lives and get our priorities in the right order.

2. God stand ready to pardon your mess up

The second thing we learn, is that God is ready to pardon. To pardon is the action of forgiving or being forgiven for an error, offense, or sin. He is waiting for us to come to Him, asking for forgiveness and as soon as our heart is repentant and contrite, He is ready to pronounce our pardon. The only thing standing in the way of our pardon, is our own hard-heartedness and rebellion that refuses to ask God to forgive us.

3. God is gracious, merciful, and slow to anger

We also learn that God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger. Almost all of us know someone we might call a “hothead,” meaning they lose their temper quickly and lash out in anger. Thankfully for us, God is not like that. When you look through the books of 1 & 2 Kings and the generation after generation of forsaking God, you can understand that God is indeed gracious and merciful. If God were not gracious and merciful, none of us would have any hope. But God does give us chance after chance to repent before judgement comes. And if we refuse to repent and stubbornly stay in our sin, just as Israel experienced – there comes a day God says, “Enough!” And then, judgement comes.

Ultimately we see God’s graciousness and mercy towards us poured out through the sacrifice of His only son in our place as he hung on a cross, paying our sin debt. If you want to see the extent of God’s grace and mercy towards us, you only need to look to the cross.

Ultimately we see God’s graciousness & mercy towards us poured out through the sacrifice of His only son in our place as he hung on a cross, paying our sin debt. If you want to see the extent of God’s grace and mercy towards us, you only need to look to the cross.

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4. God is abundant in kindness

Next we lean that God is abundant in kindness. In all the years of Israel, God had shown his abundant kindness towards them. It is because of His kindness that He provides for us, protects us, and empathizes with us. When Jesus lived on earth, we saw the kindness of God over and over as Jesus healed, fed, and forgave the people He encountered. God is still abundant in kindness towards us today. He still provides for us, empathizes with us, comforts us, guides us, encourages us, and forgives us.

5. God never forsakes His people – not even in the middle of a mess up

Lastly we see that God never forsook His people. Even when they were in bondage, God was at work, drawing them back to Him and preparing them for the day when they would return to the promised land. Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us that God will go with us and then He will never leave us or forsake us. The people may have spent 70 years in captivity as a result of their rebellion against God, yet God never forsook them and He will never forsake us.

It’s Time to Come Back To God

If you have strayed away from God, it’s time to come back. Like the Jews, we return as we acknowledge that God is God and there is no other. When we do, we’ll find He is ready to pardon and we will understand and realize the full extent of his grace and mercy. We’ll see that because He is slow to anger that He gave us chance after chance to return to Him. We’ll be able to recognize His abundant kindness in our lives and that even when we strayed from Him, He never strayed from us but kept calling us back to Him. Listen. He’s calling you now.

If you have strayed away from God, it’s time to come back. Even when we stray from Him, He never strays from us but keeps calling us back to Him. Listen! He’s calling you now.

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#readytoforgive #notforsaken #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 black print.

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.

Need a speaker for your next church or ministry event? We’re booking!

(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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Expectations. We all have them. Sometimes, our expectations end up leaving us disappointed. Usually, because our expectations are unrealistic, humanly speaking. But for one lame man who encountered Peter and John at the temple, he is about to receive something far beyond any expectation he could have imagined.

Some lame expectations

If you had spoken to him that morning and he said to you, “I woke up this morning knowing that by the end of the day I will be walking,” you would say his expectations for his day were unrealistic. You might even feel pity for this man who not only was lame, but also seemed to have some mental issues too.

This man had been born lame. He had never walked a day in his life. His expectations for his life would be to beg for alms and hope each day he would receive enough to feed himself for the day. He didn’t have grand expectations. In fact, you might could say his expectations were rather – well – lame. There was no “fair labor laws” that would allow him to have an occupation even though he was lame. There were no government assistance programs where he could claim “disability” and receive money. He earned money by swallowing his pride begging others to give him a coin or two.

Because he was lame, he was carried to the temple gate called, “the Beautiful Gate,” and he begged people for money. He probably was there so often that he became an expectation of people as they came to pray at the temple. This day started out no different for him. He was carried to the gate and they sat him down and he began asking for alms.

A day like any other

He watched as the rich walked by without a care or concern. They simply walked by as if He wasn’t there. His stomach grumbled. He watch a young boy who stared at him while his mother grabbed his hand and steered him far away as if his “lameness” watch catching. He looked in his container. One small coin. Not enough for even a piece of bread. Gathering both his pride and courage, he held the container out and called, “Alms? Alms for the poor.”

Two men came walking towards him. They’re just ordinary men and from the looks of them, they probably don’t have much to spare. He lowered the container, not expecting anything from them. But the look in their eyes was different. The man looked at him – not with sympathy or pity, but with kindness and compassion. He changed his direction and walked towards him. As he got closer, the lame man, with his eyes looking towards the ground, again begs, “Could you spare a coin, sir?”

Disappointing Expectations

The Bible tells us that Peter fastened his eyes on the lame man and said to him, “Look on us.” The man looks, expecting them to give him a coin – or maybe, if he were lucky, they each would give him a coin. Two coins would let him buy bread. Can you imagine him looking at them, hope in his eyes, but yet there had also been others who had given him hope for a coin and then laughed and walked away. Would these men be like that? His stomach growled again, so he held his container stretched out for them to drop a coin in.

The encounter started out positive, but Peter’s next words probably were very disappointing. Peter said, “Silver and gold have I none.” Can you imagine the thoughts going through the lame man’s mind? Thoughts like, “Then why did you want me to look at you?” or “Just another person making fun of me. He was never going to help me anyway.”

Confused, but hopeful expectations

But then Peter continued, “but such as I have give I thee.” Perhaps now the lame man is feeling a little perplexed and thinking to himself he says, “you just said you had no silver or gold.” Then he thinks that maybe the man was going to give him some food or an extra coat to keep him warm. People had offered food before, but it was usually bread with mold. He had picked off the spots of mold and ate the rest. Something to eat was better than nothing to eat. But, little did he know that through Peter’s next words he would encounter the power of God and it would change His life forever.

Expectations. We all have them, but for one lame man who encountered Peter and John, he is about to receive something far beyond any expectation he could have imagined. He asked for alms but encountered the power of God working through Peter – and it changed His life forever!

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The Power of the One Who Defies All Expectations

Peter said, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Peter takes him by his hand and pulls him up. The Bible tells us that instantly the man’s feet and ankle bones received strength – not just to stand on, but a man who had never taken a step in his life went walking and leaping, and praising God!

When the lame man encountered Peter, his feet and ankle bones immediately received strength. He came to the temple lame and had never walked a day in his life – but he left the temple walking and leaping and praise God!

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Notice who he gave praise to. He didn’t praise Peter and John. He recognized the healing came from God and he rightly gave God the praise. Peter and John were both just ordinary men. In fact, they were fishermen when Jesus found them and said, “Follow me.” They had no power to heal anyone. Which is why Peter said, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.” That was where the power came from – not from Peter. Yet Peter was willing for the power of God to be given to the lame man through him and the lame man was lame no more.

When you have no expectations left

More than likely this lame man had reached a point of having no expectations left in life. You may be in the same place. You’ve been let down so often until you just stop expecting anything from anyone. The people who should have been there for you, were not. Those who should have cheered you on, looked down on you. You may even be ready to give up and walk away from that dream God placed in your heart. But can I tell you that our God is a God of the impossibles? In fact, He likes doing the impossible because then He get the glory and not us. And in those moments where we have absolutely no expectations left, God shows up and when he does, He works so that your grandest expectations look rather lame compared to what He does.

Have you reached a point of having no expectations left? It in those moments where God likes to show up and when he does, He works so that your grandest expectations look rather lame compared to what He does.

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Knowing and experiencing are not the same

Maybe you have a specific prayer request and you’ve been praying and praying – for years. And it seems as if God walks by without even noticing you. The Bible doesn’t tell us if the lame man ever prayed for God to heal him. Perhaps he was just sitting outside the temple because people who go to church are supposed to be kind, giving, and helpful. Or maybe he had prayed for God to heal him so many times that he gave up and stopped asking. We really don’t know because the Bible doesn’t tell us. But since he did recognize that his healing came from God, he knew God how the power to heal him. But knowing God has the power to answer your prayer and experiencing God’s power are two different things.

Are you shortchanging God in your expectations?

Maybe the lame man had even heard of Jesus and how he had healed many people – some lame, just like him. But they had crucified him. Maybe he had moments of jealousy and bitterness that others had been healed and he had not. Again, we don’t know. All we do know is he was there, asking for money but received something far beyond his wildest expectations. What if what we are asking for so shortchanges what God wants to do in our lives because we don’t have the faith to ask the impossible? Or what if we ask the impossible so many times and then give up but we were just one prayer away from receiving the impossible?

Why? or How?

When we are waiting on God, it can often feel like God is not at work. However, we can trust that He is working all things out for our good (Romans 8:28). His answer will come and will come at just the right moment. He’s never late and His answer is always the very best one.

This lame man’s story would become part of the story of the early church growing and thriving and spreading. God choose for this man to encounter Peter and John on this day, in that moment and his story would be a testimony for what God had done for him. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” I can only imagine how many times in his life the lame man asked, “Why me God? Why was I born lame?” What if instead of asking God “why?” we asked, “God, how can you use this experience?” If we truly trust Him, then we can know that every experience we face in life has a purpose and when given to God, He can do something far beyond our wildest expectations.

I can only imagine how many times in his life the lame man asked, “Why me God? Why was I born lame?” What if instead of asking God “why?” we asked, “God, how can you use this experience?” If we truly trust Him, then we can know that every experience we face in life has a purpose and when given to God, He can do something far beyond our wildest expectations.

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Encountering the Power of God

The lame man came to the temple with the expectations of receiving enough coins just to feed himself for that day. He had no expectations of leaving the temple on his own two feet, much less walking and leaping and praising God. But the moment he encountered the power of God working through Peter he was instantly changed. He asked for alms – he received a miraculous healing.

We can trust God that even if he doesn’t give us what we are asking for, that He has something so much better in mind or that while we think something we are asking for is what we really need, God sees something we don’t and what we are asking for is not for our good – so He doesn’t give it to us. Or the time is not right, so He waits. Perhaps, God has an expectation of you that you’ve not met and He’s waiting on you. Even when things come our way that we don’t understand, we can trust that God will only do what is for our best interests.

What are your expectations?

What expectations do you have today? Have they left you feeling let down and disappointed? Are you ready to give up on that dream God placed in your heart? Surrender your expectations to God and trust Him for His plans for you – whatever they are – and when you encounter the power of God at work, your greatest expectations will be nowhere near anything you can imagine. In fact, your greatest expectations will look “lame” in comparison to what God will do in your life.

What expectations do you have today? Surrender them to God and trust His plans for you – whatever they are –  and when you encounter the power of God at work, your greatest expectations will be nowhere near anything you can imagine. In fact, they will look “lame” in comparison to what God will do in your life.

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#expectations #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)

Click here for Face My Giants in black script. (also available in white script)

Click here for Unstoppable God in black print.

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.

Need a speaker for your next church or ministry event? We’re booking!

(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.

Check out this week’s featured affiliate products from Christianbook Distributors. We receive 8% commission (without any increase cost to you) for every item you purchase through our affiliate links. Thank you for supporting us.

904.239.8937
A non-profit ministry located in Jacksonville, FL 
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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)

Click here for Face My Giants in black script. (also available in white script)

Click here for Unstoppable God in black print.

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.

Need a speaker for your next church or ministry event? We’re booking!

(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.

Check out this week’s featured affiliate products from Christianbook Distributors. We receive 8% commission (without any increase cost to you) for every item you purchase through our affiliate links. Thank you for supporting us.

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