Our world teaches us that victory comes from human power, after all, the most powerful people are those who are strong and in control or so it seems...
IT SEEMS LIKE A LONG, LONG TIME AGO IN THIS VERY GALAXY MY LIFE WAS TURNED UPSIDE DOWN.
I grew up in a good home with a family that taught me a hard work ethic, integrity, and gratitude. I remember those early Christmas mornings finding Star Wars figures in my stocking and watching the Star Wars movies. Later in my life, at nineteen, my Dad passed away at only fifty-one years old. At that time, I was trying to move out and make it on my own. I took what my Dad taught me and tried to make the best of it.
Several years later, I found myself at the end of my rope- I lost my job, my wife at that time, my four year old daughter, my family's trust, my finances which put me into bankruptcy, and I pretty much lost myself. I always had dreams as a kid that someday I would start a business---I was far from that and instead of living my dreams, I was living my nightmares-lost and alone.
Just like Luke in Star Wars, I was always looking in the distance-the horizon-- instead of what was right in front of me. It wasn't until I lost it all that I was drawn to a local church for answers. A new hope began.
God put a sort of Obi Wan into my path. He taught me wisdom and the Truth from the Bible. It made sense, and the dots connected in my life. I knew I had to change, but change would not come until I surrendered to God (much like the Force but more personal) and allowed Him to change me. I had tried it on my own and had failed.
God then brought a Master Yoda into my life that taught me more and now that I was surrendered I could grow more, especially in learning how to love like God loves. Yoda says, "To unlearn what you have learned." Our world teaches us that victory comes from human power, after all, the most powerful people are those who are strong and in control. In God’s world, we must unlearn about power and victory, in His world lads can slay a giant, outcasts can turn out to be savior, and shepherd boys can turn into kings. In God's story, heroes don't have to be powerful; they simply have to be available. God has done a work in my life. He allowed me eventually to start my own business, to meet my new wife, to be the dad I needed to be, and to become debt free. And I have the privilege to share what He has taught me and tell my testimony. - Jon Clowers
THE BIBLE WAY TO HEAVEN
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FIRST RECOGNIZE YOUR CONDITION.
"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
No one is good enough to go to Heaven on his own merit. No matter how much good we do, we still fall short. -
REALIZE THE PENALTY FOR SIN.
"For the wages of sin is death ... " Romans 6:23
Just as there are wages for good, there is punishment for wrong. The penalty for our sin is eternal death in a place called Hell. -
BELlEVE CHRIST DIED FOR YOU.
"But God commendeth his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."Romans 5:8a
Christ's great love for us was shown when he died on the cross to pay our sin debt. -
TRUST CHRIST ALONE AS YOUR SAVIOUR.
"But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23b
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13
Everlasting life is a gift purchased and paid by the blood of Jesus and offered freely to those who call upon Him by faith.
What to do now?
Call upon Him in prayer and surrender and repent of your way and trust Him alone
as your only means to satisfy your sin debt and as your hope for heaven.
