I am currently enrolled in the last trimester of the International School of Ministry (ISOM) program at my church and in tonight’s class something stood out to me.  The speaker , T.L. Osborn, stated “The most difficult thing to get unbelievers to understand is, God lives in us.”  This statement resonated with me because so many people are blind to the fact that Christ can dwell within each of us.

Often when you tell someone you’re a Christian, they think you are religious and judgmental. We get a bad rap because so many who claim to be Christians are condemning and judging everyone around them. As Christians, our job is not to convince anyone who Christ is and it surely is not our job to judge others.  We are called to love and share the unconditional love of Jesus Christ with the world.  Everything beyond that will be done by the Holy Spirit.

Don’t enter into the business of condemning or judging yourself or others. We live in a sinful world and all fall short of chasing what we desire rather than traveling down the roads God intended for us to travel down.

To the unbelievers:  Becoming a Christian does not mean that one must strive to be religious or try to behave as a Christian behaves.  Becoming a Christian means that you are opening your heart to receiving Christ and inviting him to dwell within.

¹⁹ Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me.Because I live, you also will live. ²⁰ On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. (John 14:19-20)

So often we think that we have to be perfect in order to follow Jesus.  But the truth is, Jesus loves us all, and desires to be close to us even in our brokenness.

Jesus knows our past

He knows all our broken pieces

He knows our deepest struggles

And feels our aching pain

When we feel alone and worthless, he is not asking for perfection

He seeks a willing heart

And he awaits our invitation to be let in

He sees what we can’t see

And stands by as our protector

Call on him in your time of weakness

For he specializes in being our strength

When he dwells within us, there is nothing we can’t overcome

Jesus is love. He is powerful and mighty. He understands every situation and his grace has no limits. Turn to him when you are in a storm and he will keep you anchored. Turn to him when you feel alone and he will love you with a mighty force of love. Turn to him when you make mistakes and fall short and he will love you still. Redirect your heart to seek God above all.

 

Father,

I lift up all who currently do not have a personal relationship with you. I pray that their hearts would be open to allowing you to enter. Father, have your way in all of our lives. We repent for all our mistakes and ask that you forgive us for anything we have done or will do that is not in line with the life you created us to live. May we continue to seek your face and wisdom in all our circumstances. Father, you are mighty and powerful. Thank you for being our strength in times of weakness. Father, show yourself mighty within us and give us the strength to seek your face rather than run from you when we fall short. With Christ as our strength we can do all things. Help us to trust in your will.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Growing with you,

Sandy