What do I need from God?

The Lord is a wonderful Father; He is the type of Father that is warm and caring, that listens to my problems and my needs, and guides me when I feel lost or lonely. I cannot image being without Him in my life.

There was a time when I didn't know God all that well; I went to church and listened to sermons, and sang songs, and did all the things that churchgoers do, but that doesn't mean I really knew Him. I didn't come to have a relationship with Him until I became an adult. Before this, I did believe in Him, but I was also afraid of Him. I was afraid of dying, and I didn't feel worthy of His love, because I did not feel worthy as a person.

I lived everyday growing up in my home with a spirit of fear and rejection. My mother did the best she could, but she was a lady living and dealing with this life the best way she knew how, and I believe she had deep pain and hurt inside. I reminded her every day of one of those hurts, and she could not be close to me. I survived by withdrawing into my own world, and my conviction to just survive and make do with what I had.

So, the idea of a God that loves me the way the Jesus loves me, is a mind blowing concept. The way He comforts me and nurtures me is like the Good Shepard:

John Ch10 1-10

“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

The Good Shepard knows that we are weak and needy, He knows that we suffer from sin, from our past mistakes, from the things that others say and do to us, and He is a compassionate Lover of our souls. He knows that He is the only answer to our hurts and needs; we are the ones that need to come to terms with this and accept His help. I needed the Lord to comfort me when things didn't go my way. I needed Him to reveal His purpose for my life, especially when I often felt alone and of no value. I needed to erase the negative thoughts and feelings I kept inside; I walked around like the walking wounded, just like you do and everybody else that is walking the earth today.

The world is changing in awesome and frightening ways, people are killing each other for no good reason, Violence is erupting in the most unlikely places, and people are trying to cope by putting on brave faces and spouting proud words of courage and vain reasonings , because facing the truth is too painful and confusing.

Isaiah Ch 26:3

You will keep me in perfect peace (completeness), Because my mind is stayed on You...

My Brothers and Sisters, there is a real need to put your focus on Jesus Christ, Our Savior, Our deliverer, Our comforter. Whatever you need today, whatever painful situation you are going through, whatever people say about your circumstances pales in comparison to what God says about you. He loves you and will never leave you or forsake you; trust in Him and He will never fail you.

Thank you Jesus, for your loving care and mercy, because you cared so much that you sacrificed yourself for me, your little light that shines in the dark..........

Now, if you don't have a relationship with Jesus, let me offer this word of encouragement: seek him out ask him to come into your life and He will change your circumstances from sorrow to happiness, from indifference to joy, from pain to peace. Praise Him for His everlasting Mercy and Grace........Hallelujah!

If you are not a christian, then your contact with God is limited. If you want to have a close intimate relationship with Him, then repeat the prayer of salvation:

Prayer of Salvation

Lord,

I repent for trying to be master of my own life. I change my mind about who I want to be in charge of my life. I turn from my useless and unproductive thoughts that I am the center of my universe and choose to believe in the living God who created everything, including me (Acts 14:15). I have lived without a purpose but now I will live to hear and obey You, God (Jn. 5:19, 20,30).

I confess with my lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead. I believe that God so loved the world He sent His only Son Jesus to shed His blood to wash away the barrier of sin (Jn. 3:16)

I receive You, Jesus as MY Lord and Savior (Jn. 1:11,12).

I welcome You, Holy Spirit, into my life to rescue and empower me and to restore me to intimacy with my heavenly Father (Acts 2:38).

If you just confessed this prayer, you are saved! I welcome you into the family my (brother/sister) I pray for peace, joy, and happiness in your life as you allow the Lord to love you and bless you and give you assurance of everlasting life with Him forever and ever......PRAISE GOD!

May the Lord keep you and Bless you this day....Amen