Personal Contact With Jesus Alters Everything. -Oswald Chambers

Personal contact with Jesus alters everything, because when we encounter Him; we are never the same again. That’s because Jesus is in the business of changing people and transforming lives.

This is a guest post by Beth Harris. She is a wife, mother, Bible study leader and volunteer editor for markalanwilliams.net. 

I grew up in the Catholic Church and my family never talked about how Jesus alters everything. We attended a mission where the priest spoke Latin and I learned from a young age about the separation between Catholics and Protestants. I am grateful for my catechism instruction about God, confession and forgiveness.

I was taught that the Priests prayed to Jesus and honestly, I felt more comfortable praying to Maryand the saints, because they seemed more approachable. If I lost something, I prayed to St. Anthony and for hopeless situations, I prayed to St. Jude. I had various prayer cards to remind me who to pray to and for what reason. Later, I understood that they were human beings as we are and in need of forgiveness as well.

I reserved prayer to God only for extreme emergencies. I was too afraid to address Jesus directly and I had a large wooden crucifix in my room that was scary.

Before I became a Christian, I was too afraid to have personal contact with Jesus because of my sins. I didn’t understand that He died on the cross so that I could approach Him, based not on my goodness, but on His atonement for my sins.

Everything changed when I became an adult and I understood the message of the Gospel. This led me to pray and accept Him as my Lord and Savior.

Here are 4 of many ways that I and others have experienced the reality that personal contact with Jesus alters everything:

1. We understand our need for forgiveness.

Jesus alters everything because, we see clearly and understand that God is holy and we have offended Him.

I don’t know if you have given much thought to the subject of sin before, but personal contact with Jesus alters everything because we recognize His holiness and standard of perfection. As a result, we have to admit that we have broken both God’s and man’s laws.

The realization that we are sinful leads to a change of mind and heart about Jesus.

Personal contact with Jesus alters everything, because it’s only through His perfect life and death on the cross for our sins that we can be reconciled to God. This truth leads us to acknowledge that we need Him to be our Savior. When we comprehend His love and suffering on our behalf; we want to follow Him as our Lord, and with His help, live differently.

For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 (NLT)

Godly sorrow is genuine remorse that we have offended God; versus worldly sorrow that can be summarized as self-pity with no intention of changing.

2. We find grace and mercy.

Personal contact with Jesus alters everything, because through the Gospel instead of receiving condemnation, we find grace and mercy. We see Jesus waiting, not to condemn us, but with open arms, to forgive us because of the cross.

We recognize that we are dependent on Him for His grace and mercy.

• 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (ESV)

• Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (ESV)

Not only do we receive forgiveness through Jesus, but God gives us the free gift of eternal life as well.

Jesus took our place on the cross and received the punishment and death that we deserved, so in exchange we can receive His righteousness.

3. We become born again.

Personal contact with Jesus alters everything, because when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior; we become born again, (John 3:3-8).

Ezekiel 36:26 says, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” (NIV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)

Through Jesus we receive a new heart and a new Spirit. God gives us new life through Christ. He transforms us!

4. We receive the Holy Spirit.

Personal contact with Jesus alters everything, because when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, we receive the Holy Spirit and we become empowered to live for Him.

Luke 24:49 says, “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (NIV)

John 14:16-17 says, “16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[a] in you.”(NIV)

In Christ, we have access to His power to live. He gives us new desires and thoughts. He sets us free from bad habits and things that once enslaved us. He gives us power to resist temptation.

Jesus gives us love for Him and others. In addition, we’re no longer comfortable with sin. He helps us to confess our sins and bring them into the light to receive His forgiveness, (1 John 1:9).

How have you discovered that personal contact with Jesus alters everything?

Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Please click here if you would like to do so now.

Your thoughts are welcome! You can leave a comment below.

Help Spread the Word! If you found this article helpful, we’d love for you to share it with others on social media or otherwise. This will help get the Word in front of more people who need biblical guidance. Thanks for your help!

Personal contact with Jesus alters everything. Oswald Chambers | CLICK TO TWEET

Additional resources about related subjects on this site:

• Why 500 Years of Catholic and Protestant Church Separation?

• Podcast: Is it right to worship or pray to Mary?

• How to Rely More on the Spirit for Life and Ministry

• 3 Steps to Get the Help You Need Today

• Quick Video — The Wilderness Gardens Mill, the Scriptures and the Spirit

• How to Conquer a Horrible Habit You Hate

• Who Needs Jesus, I’m a Good Person

• What is the Worst Sin in the World?

• Six Reasons all Roads DON’T Lead to Heaven

NOTE: Facebook is random. Email is reliable. Subscribe via email and you won’t miss any of my articles, podcasts or videos. You’ll also get my eBook: 10 Prayers to Unlock Heaven on Earth

Never Be Afraid To Trust An Unknown Future To A Known God. -Corrie Ten Boom

We all face an unknown future, but we do not have to be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.

Corrie Ten Boom and her family faced an unknown future as they were arrested for hiding Jews and sent to Nazi concentration camps during World War II. Corrie was the sole survivor of her family and her powerful story recorded in the book, The Hiding place; is one of courage, sacrifice and forgiveness.

This is a guest post by Beth Harris. She is a wife, mother, Bible study leader and volunteer editor for markalanwilliams.net. 

The thought of an unknown future is terrifying to me, because I tend to crave security and stability. I don’t like surprises, but we live in very uncertain times. The other night as I watched the news I became so afraid by the threat of North Korea sending a nuclear bomb. So, I asked my husband what he thought would happen and he reassured me with the reminder that this action wouldn’t serve the leader of North Korea or his country very well.

I sure hope my husband is right. But, afterwards I realized that no matter what happens, I don’t need to be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.

We all face an unknown future because even our best laid plans can change at any time. We all have unexpected situations and circumstances that happen sometimes.

I don’t know what kind of trouble you may be facing right now. You may be dealing with the loss of a loved one, an illness or another type of tragedy. But, I do know that those who know the Lord can trust Him with an unknown future.

And while the future is unknown as the Bible says:

Since no one knows the future, who can tell someone else what is to come? Ecclesiastes 8:7 (NIV)

We can find security and stability for life when we know the Lord.

Psalm 121:3 says, “He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber;” (NIV)

In addition, the Bible has many reassuring verses that remind us not to be afraid.

• Psalm 112:7 says of the righteous, “They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them.” (NIV)

• Psalm 27:1 says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” (NIV)

• Psalm 56:3 says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” (NIV)

• Psalm 118:6 says, “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (NIV)

If you are struggling with worry about an unknown future as I was; take comfort with the truth that God knows everything ahead of time and He is never surprised.

Isaiah 46:10 says, “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.”(NIV)

13 Who can fathom the Spirit[a] of the Lord, or instruct the Lord as his counselor? 14 Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding? Isaiah 40:13-14 (NIV)

We face an unknown future, but God is in control and His purpose will prevail. He has perfect knowledge and understanding. He has no equal and He is good.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV)

We don’t know every detail of what will happen in the future or even in the next 5 minutes, but God’s plans are to give us hope and a future.

Also, we can look to the Bible to read about some future events that will take place. God has revealed many prophecies that have been fulfilled or future prophecies that have yet to be fulfilled through His Word.

We don’t know everything that’s going to happen, but God has told us what we need to know.

Our part is to trust Him as Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (NIV)

We don’t have to be afraid to trust a known God with an unknown future.

Are you going through an uncertain time and feeling afraid?

Please click here if you would like to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Your thoughts are welcome! You can leave a comment below.

Help Spread the Word! If you found this article helpful, we’d love for you to share it with others on social media or otherwise. This will help get the Word in front of more people who need biblical guidance. Thanks for your help!

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. | CLICK TO TWEET

Additional resources about related subjects on this site:

• How to Handle the Death of a Loved One and Other Losses

• How to Predict the Future

• How to Win Over the Sin of Worry

• Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows…,

• All our fret and worry is caused by…

• 4 Ways to Find Contentment Now

• How to Renew Your Mind and Think More Positively

• 7 Biblical Christian Mantras I Find Helpful

• How Biblical Thought Replacement Creates Time and Energy

NOTE: Facebook is random. Email is reliable. Subscribe via email and you won’t miss any of my articles, podcasts or videos. You’ll also get my eBook: 10 Prayers to Unlock Heaven on Earth

Those Who Loved You And Were Helped By You Will Remember You.

…So carve your name on hearts and not on marble.

We can leave a legacy of love that others will remember because they loved us and were helped by us. We can make a lasting impression on others as if we are carving our name on hearts and not on marble.

This is a guest post by Beth Harris. She is a wife, mother, Bible study leader and volunteer editor for markalanwilliams.net. 

In the past year, I’ve attended two Celebration of Life ceremonies to remember dearly loved individuals from my church. Each service was God honoring, uplifting and touching. I was especially moved by loving tributes given by grown children for parents, as well as kind comments made by relatives and friends.

I couldn’t help but ask myself, how will my children, husband, family and friends remember me? I thought about the kind of legacy I want to leave.

It’s important to me that family and friends remember me as a committed Christian. I want them to be able to say that I loved Jesus and them well. I hope they say that I was a woman of integrity and someone who helped others. Of course, it’s only by the grace and power of God that people will remember me well.

Somber occasions to remember others give us a chance to examine our own lives as well. These gatherings remind us of the reality that one day others will gather to remember us. This self-reflection is helpful, because we can make necessary changes to ensure we leave a good legacy.

It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart. Ecclesiastes 7:2 (NIV)

People will remember us fondly, if we have been intentional about loving and helping them. This is the essence of carving our name on hearts and not just marble.

Our main focus should be to love the Lord and others.

• John 13:34 says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (NIV)

• Luke 10:27 says, “He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” (NIV)

A life lived for Jesus and that is others centered is the best legacy to leave.

Leaving a good legacy doesn’t happen without self-reflection and planning.

Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (NIV)

Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:40 NIV)

We can ask the Lord for the wisdom to know how fleeting life is and for His help to leave a good legacy. We can ask our loved ones and friends for their honest and kind feedback.

In addition to the wisdom of the Bible, another great resource and guide is the Don’t Miss Your Life eBook. This book offers steps to live a life that people will remember.

Leaving a good legacy begins when we understand that God created us to live life with a purpose.

Knowing our purpose and core values  can help us to create a life vision and set goals. Then, we can monitor our goals to ensure we stay on track.

Have you thought about how you want people to remember you?

Please click here if you would like to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Your thoughts are welcome! You can leave a comment below.

Help Spread the Word! If you found this article helpful, we’d love for you to share it with others on social media or otherwise. This will help get the Word in front of more people who need biblical guidance. Thanks for your help!

Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you. So carve your name on hearts and not on marble. –Charles Spurgeon | CLICK TO TWEET

Additional resources about related subjects on this site:

• Four Kinds of People — Which One Are You?

• Feedback is the Breakfast of Champions

• Who Needs a Vision Retreat?

• What is the Meaning of Life?

• 4 Steps to Identify Core Values and Make the Best Decisions

• How a Life Vision Helps You Reduce Stress and Accomplish More

• 4 Easy Steps to Set Goals and Become Far More Productive

NOTE: Facebook is random. Email is reliable. Subscribe via email and you won’t miss any of my articles, podcasts or videos. You’ll also get my eBook: 10 Prayers to Unlock Heaven on Earth