Friday, August 13, 2010
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Convinced But Not Converted?
C-FAITH Daily Devotion
By Ron Luce
When I was 16-years-old and ran into Jesus, I knew I would never be the same again. I felt the presence of God in the church, and when I gave my life to Him, I went totally fanatical after Jesus with all my heart. I knew I was changed.
I was different and I didn't care what anyone thought of me. I wasn't just convinced in my head, I knew in my heart He was real. I had given my life to Jesus and, as a result, He changed my heart and I've never been the same since.
What I just described does not happen to those who just mentally agree with everything that's in the Bible. They are convinced that being a Christian is really the right way to go because of what someone told them, maybe a preacher or a friend.
But are they converted? Although they agree with everything the preacher says or everything you would tell them the Bible says, you can't look in their eyes and see a radical, fanatical change.
Maybe they haven't really given their life completely over to Jesus.
"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder" (James 2:19).
Even demons believe that Jesus is alive and real! They're even scared of Him, but obviously they haven't given their lives to Jesus or been changed in any way.
So the question to ask yourself at the end of this week is this, "Do I just believe it in my head, or has Jesus really changed my life? Am I a mental Christian or a changed Christian? Am I cerebral or am I really saved? Am I convinced or converted?"
If you've been convinced because of some preacher, then someone else will come and convince you of something else. If a preacher convinces you to live for God, then the world or peer pressure can convince you not to live for God. The cycle continues on and on. Another revival or evangelist comes along and convinces you to live for God—until the world convinces you otherwise.
It's not a matter of logic. It's a matter of "Jesus is Lord" being so real that you give your life to Him and it totally changes. He changes you from the inside out. You get a brand new heart and a brand new life. You almost can't describe it in human words, because it's a miracle that happens inside of you when you are converted.
This is the idea of being converted: If you convert something electrical from 120 volts to 220 volts, you have converted it to a different power source. When you're converted to Jesus, your power source changes. You're changed on the inside and you have power from God to live your life.
Up to now you may have believed the Bible in your head, but you don't really think your life has been changed. Or maybe you once had that reality in your heart, but the fire has gone out. Now it's just a head trip.
If you know it's true in your head and you want Jesus to change your life, right now is the time to say, "I'm not gonna go one day further without being changed." Slam on the brakes of your life and say, "Jesus, I need You to be real to me. I need You to change my life."
Would you reach down to the deepest part of your heart and pray these words? Make them real between you and Jesus.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Cor. 5:17).
Pause for a second and realize what's just happened in your life. Write down the moment you felt changed and all the changes that have taken place since that time.
Source: Spiritual Shock Treatment by Ron Luce.
Excerpt permission granted by Teen Mania Ministries
By Ron Luce
When I was 16-years-old and ran into Jesus, I knew I would never be the same again. I felt the presence of God in the church, and when I gave my life to Him, I went totally fanatical after Jesus with all my heart. I knew I was changed.
I was different and I didn't care what anyone thought of me. I wasn't just convinced in my head, I knew in my heart He was real. I had given my life to Jesus and, as a result, He changed my heart and I've never been the same since.
What I just described does not happen to those who just mentally agree with everything that's in the Bible. They are convinced that being a Christian is really the right way to go because of what someone told them, maybe a preacher or a friend.
But are they converted? Although they agree with everything the preacher says or everything you would tell them the Bible says, you can't look in their eyes and see a radical, fanatical change.
Maybe they haven't really given their life completely over to Jesus.
"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder" (James 2:19).
Even demons believe that Jesus is alive and real! They're even scared of Him, but obviously they haven't given their lives to Jesus or been changed in any way.
So the question to ask yourself at the end of this week is this, "Do I just believe it in my head, or has Jesus really changed my life? Am I a mental Christian or a changed Christian? Am I cerebral or am I really saved? Am I convinced or converted?"
If you've been convinced because of some preacher, then someone else will come and convince you of something else. If a preacher convinces you to live for God, then the world or peer pressure can convince you not to live for God. The cycle continues on and on. Another revival or evangelist comes along and convinces you to live for God—until the world convinces you otherwise.
It's not a matter of logic. It's a matter of "Jesus is Lord" being so real that you give your life to Him and it totally changes. He changes you from the inside out. You get a brand new heart and a brand new life. You almost can't describe it in human words, because it's a miracle that happens inside of you when you are converted.
This is the idea of being converted: If you convert something electrical from 120 volts to 220 volts, you have converted it to a different power source. When you're converted to Jesus, your power source changes. You're changed on the inside and you have power from God to live your life.
Up to now you may have believed the Bible in your head, but you don't really think your life has been changed. Or maybe you once had that reality in your heart, but the fire has gone out. Now it's just a head trip.
If you know it's true in your head and you want Jesus to change your life, right now is the time to say, "I'm not gonna go one day further without being changed." Slam on the brakes of your life and say, "Jesus, I need You to be real to me. I need You to change my life."
Would you reach down to the deepest part of your heart and pray these words? Make them real between you and Jesus.
Lord Jesus, I'm tired of just knowing in my head that You're real. I need You to change my life. I ask You now to come and take control. I give You every part of my heart, every part of my soul, every part of my mind, and every part of my life.When you're changed forever you won't ever wonder, Did I really get saved? Am I really different? When you meet the living God, you know you are changed.
It's no longer me in charge, but You. Change me from the inside out. Give me a brand new heart. Do a miracle inside of me. I commit to passionately follow You every minute of every day for the rest of my life. You're the Lord, You're the King, You're my boss, and I want no one else. Change me right now. Make me a new person. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Cor. 5:17).
Pause for a second and realize what's just happened in your life. Write down the moment you felt changed and all the changes that have taken place since that time.
Excerpt permission granted by Teen Mania Ministries
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
LOVE
"If you want to know how much you matter to God, look at Christ with His arms outstretched on the cross, saying, 'I love you this much! I'd rather die than live without you.'"
~Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life
~Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Peace
Philippians 4:7
"Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
Peace.
Many people go around seeking peace. This search of peace is found everywhere: peace on Earth, peace on the streets, peace in the home. But a lot of people don't find that peace and that's because we aren't looking in the right places. God is peace and we can never experience true peace until we experience God. The verse says that God's peace "exceeds anything we can understand." I know personally, I ruin God's peace by trying to understand it. But when we just accept what God is doing and let the feeling of peace wash over us we are able to experience the supernatural. We might not understand it and it might not come at the right time but God is there, that is the perfect time to offer up praises to Him. When you don't understand, just say thank you. The second part of the verse makes me smile and shows a little touch love at the same time. "His peace will guard your hearts and minds..." Your heart and mind are very personal which the devil knows too well, causing him to attack your heart and mind more often. When something gets into your heart it is able to manifest itself within you BUT (I love that word) with God's peace, you are protected. All you have to do is live in Christ Jesus. Sounds simple doesn't it? It is simple but that doesn't mean it is easy. Just know that once you come into contact with God's word, His awesome ways, and truly experience Him, it is hard to go back. Yes, you may backslide but you can never leave the hands of the Lord. He will just be waiting for you with open arms to come back to Him. So if you are looking for peace, the first place you should look is with God. They always says KNOW GOD. KNOW PEACE. Well, this verse tells you exactly what you get when you know peace, God's peace.
"Yesterday is past. Tomorrow isn't promised. So live for today like the present it is."
Charnelle Evans
"Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
Peace.
Many people go around seeking peace. This search of peace is found everywhere: peace on Earth, peace on the streets, peace in the home. But a lot of people don't find that peace and that's because we aren't looking in the right places. God is peace and we can never experience true peace until we experience God. The verse says that God's peace "exceeds anything we can understand." I know personally, I ruin God's peace by trying to understand it. But when we just accept what God is doing and let the feeling of peace wash over us we are able to experience the supernatural. We might not understand it and it might not come at the right time but God is there, that is the perfect time to offer up praises to Him. When you don't understand, just say thank you. The second part of the verse makes me smile and shows a little touch love at the same time. "His peace will guard your hearts and minds..." Your heart and mind are very personal which the devil knows too well, causing him to attack your heart and mind more often. When something gets into your heart it is able to manifest itself within you BUT (I love that word) with God's peace, you are protected. All you have to do is live in Christ Jesus. Sounds simple doesn't it? It is simple but that doesn't mean it is easy. Just know that once you come into contact with God's word, His awesome ways, and truly experience Him, it is hard to go back. Yes, you may backslide but you can never leave the hands of the Lord. He will just be waiting for you with open arms to come back to Him. So if you are looking for peace, the first place you should look is with God. They always says KNOW GOD. KNOW PEACE. Well, this verse tells you exactly what you get when you know peace, God's peace.
"Yesterday is past. Tomorrow isn't promised. So live for today like the present it is."
Charnelle Evans
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