Yesterday morning in church, we sang a medley of songs about heaven and grace. While singing, I pondered how freeing it is to live a life indelibly marked by God’s grace.

None of us deserves God’s grace. As a believer in Jesus, you may have wondered where you would be if it had not been for the Lord. I often do. Then, other times, when aware of my sinful nature, the idea of God’s grace made known to me causes me to want to weep, and sometimes I do. If you believe in Jesus, surely you know and experience the grace of God daily!

He cares so deeply for His children; His love is boundless, inexhaustible, and unfathomable.

With all the uncertainty in this world, the lack of peace has caused many who don’t know Jesus to wonder how to make sense of it all. Surely, observing the events would shake one’s soul and cause questions to swirl. I’m wondering, if you are in that state now, would you be looking for peace?

The One that lives inside me is the only One that’s been able to give my life

peace,

purpose,

and a plan.

He is my stability, my Rock, and my Home. This all-encompassing God also has a place reserved for me in Heaven. I know this for sure, and it’s not because of anything I’ve done. It’s because of everything He did for me when He died on the cross. Then, when I chose to receive His gift of salvation, certainty and assurance became my eternal hope.

 I don’t deserve this one bit.

It certainly isn’t because I’m a good person or because of any good works I’ve done. I am not a good person, nor do I do good works to earn salvation.
Any good coming from me is Christ in me, the hope of glory. And the good works are done only because I love Him.
Earning my salvation is not needed.
My faith is in the person of Jesus, not a religion. This keeps me from becoming callous to the world and its troubles.

In fact, my heart is more tender to this world, and prayer is my response.

Certainly, I’ve decided to follow Jesus, which means my life is directed to being part of the solution to the world’s ills. But my hope and peace are not found in this world. So how does one find this peace?

These verses explain how to find peace with God.

John 3:16&17- “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.

John 14:6- Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Romans 3:23-for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…

Romans 6:23- For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is
eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 2:8-9 – I mean that you have been saved by grace through believing. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God. 9 It was not the result of your own efforts, so you cannot brag about it.

Acts 2:21 – And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

I Corinthians 3:16 – Do you not know that you are God’s temple and the Spirit of God dwells in you?

If you believe what you’ve just read, then you can ask Jesus to live in your heart, and He will. It is the best decision you will ever make. You can pray something like the prayer below, and Jesus will hear you and, by His Spirit, come to live in your heart.

Dear God, I know through your son Jesus, I can have forgiveness of my sin. I know I need you. I believe Jesus is God’s son. I believe Jesus died on the cross for my sin. I believe God raised Jesus from the dead. Because He lives, I can live too. I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior now. Please forgive my sin, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, help me to follow you faithfully all the days of my life. Amen.

If you just decided to follow Jesus, here’s a few first steps:

• Begin reading the Bible. Ask God’s Holy Spirit to give you understanding and begin to obey what you read.
• Pray, talk to Jesus, and tell Him about your life and your needs. Praise Him.
• Contact another Christian and share your decision.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you to a church that believes the Bible is God’s Holy Word, and worships the triune God, who values the spiritual growth of every Christian, and promotes the Great Commission.

©Valerie Rumfelt