Come as You Are

So often in life we feel like we have to be completely ready before starting something that we feel is important to us.

Whether it's starting a blog, writing a book, starting a weight loss journey, learning a new talent.

We often think we have to be completely ready, have the top-of-the-line equipment, absorb all the knowledge before starting, and somehow we think " tomorrow will be that day, the day I'll be ready to start."

But then tomorrow gets here and there's yet another reason you have to wait

It also applies to a lot of people waiting to turn to God.

"But I (insert vice here), I have to give that up before God will accept me."

That's not in the least bit true.

While God may eventually want you to change your life. He will accept you as you are and help you make the changes He wants made in your life.

I'll be honest this post is not coming out as eloquently as I would like. I do not feel like I have a lot to say, but I feel such an importance on what I have to say

Tomorrow is not guaranteed.

James 4:13-15 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

"But I believe in God , Isn't that enough?"

No

James 2:19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

"But I'm a good person."

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

"So how do I get saved?"

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

"So I have to do is have faith?"

That's a tough question. Here are some other key verses that talk about salvation.

Luke 13:1-5 13 About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple. 2 “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered? 3 Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God. 4 And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? 5 No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.”

"Repent??? What does that mean?"

Dictionary.com says: 1. feel sorry, self-reproachful, or contrite for past conduct; regret or be conscience-stricken about a past action, attitude, etc. -He repented after his thoughtless act. 2. to feel such sorrow for sin or fault as to be disposed to change one's life for the better; be penitent.

It's that second verse I want you to pay attention to the most.

Repentance is recognizing that you are a sinner, that you can't earn your way to heaven. that no matter what you DO you will still fall short unless you completely give your life to God.

Ask His forgiveness.

You know there are things in your life that don't please God, that may be what's holding you back from coming to Him.

Rest assured there are no secrets, He already knows.

Don't let pride get in your way.

Don't let fear get in your way.

"But what if he wants me to change (insert something important to you)?"

When you truly repent and truly come to God he will fill your heart with His desires, His convictions.

Things that you never thought were a problem you will WANT to change. I'm not saying sometimes it won't be a struggle. But in Him ALL things are possible.

Now pray with me.

Lord, I come before you to ask you something important. I recognize that I'm a sinner, that I've done things in my life that aren't pleasing to you. And I ask for your forgiveness. I ask for your help. I ask you to come into my heart and show me how to live for you. I ask you to cleanse me of my sin. Show me what I'm doing wrong and help me to fix it. Lord I want to serve you. I want to live for you. Amen

If you prayed that prayer. Connect with me. If you need help to figure out what comes next reach out. I'm here.