My pastor says that the greatest question ever asked is found in the book of Acts: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Here’s how he answers the question:
The Apostle Paul outlines the answer to the question in his letter to the Romans. Chapter 3 verse 23 says, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” None of us are in good standing with God. We have broken his Commandments, we have taken his name in vain, we have done things against his precious holiness. We're all guilty and we stand before God that way: Guilty!
If we do not accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our payment for our sins, then we'll have to pay the penalty. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death…” That word, death, means that we will be eternally separated in a place that wasn't even prepared for mankind; a place of torment called Hell.
In that verse, God says that the wages of our sin is death BUT the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. I've often thought, “Why would a loving God send his precious son to this earth to die in such an inhumane way?”
The answer is found in Romans 5:8, “For God commendeth his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” God loves us so much that his Son willingly “for the joy that was set before him” went to the cross and volunteered to shed his blood on our behalf - the sinless blood of God!
Again, the question, “What must we do to be saved?” is answered in Romans 10:9. “That if Thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved." Then in verse 13, he says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
So you see, God didn't make the Plan of Salvation like an Einstein formula. It is as simple as
a. I accept Christ as my savior.
b. I believe on him as my Savior.
c. I accept him as my Savior.
When we do those things, the Bible says we are saved. So I pray that if you haven't made that commitment that you bow your heart before God and you pray this simple prayer of salvation. Just say to the Lord,
“Dear Lord Jesus, forgive me of my sin. Come into my life and save me. Thank you for dying on the cross in my place. Now help me from this day forward to live for you. In Jesus name I pray, amen.”
For years I believed the lies I told myself: I wasn’t good enough. I didn’t know enough. I didn’t have enough talent and skill. Someone else could do it better, so mine wasn’t needed.
But God kept nudging me though His Word and His people. He directed me to Bible passages that spoke to my very soul.
Luke 12:48 ends with this admonition, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”
I knew I SHOULD be doing more to further God’s Kingdom, but continued to hold back, waiting for all the pieces to fit together. I wasn't even sure what those pieces were!
List the thoughts that pop up frequently when thinking about following a dream, making a change, or otherwise stepping outside your comfort zone. Before we can correct a problem, we must see and acknowledge the problem. Included on my list was that I didn't have any formal education. I had married right out of highschool, but secretly wanted a college degree. By then all of my four children were in school, so I stepped way outside my comfort and enrolled in college. I became a licensed Biology and Art teacher the year our oldest son graduated high school.
Tip # -2 Keep a Journal
As part of a creative writing class in college, I was required to journal. Although at first it seemed there simply wasn't time in my day for yet one more thing, my journal was therapeutic and saw me through some dark days. Journaling became a habit that continues to facilitate introspection, tracking progress, and planning.
Tip #3 - Use Positive Affirmations Effectively
I taught for seventeen years. When I started, I loved teaching so much I would have done it free! It didn't take long for that opinion to change, but I enjoyed it on most days. Until I didn't.
Knowing that I wouldn't continue long enough to retire from teaching, I got a business license and started working as a professional photographer on the side. Before every portrait session I looked in the mirror and stated positive affirmations: I am ready. I know enough. I have the right equipment.
Was I nervous? Absolutely! Was I scared? For sure!! Did I make mistakes? Mercy yes! But each time it was easier. And each mistake taught me something I needed to know.
