Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Persuasion (not about the book) (09/01/11)
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TITLE: The Message | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jill Free
09/08/11 -
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“You must have a relationship with him. He is very jealous and will not allow you to put your parents, children, or career before him. You are a worthless sinner anyway and will never be good enough to deserve what he has already done for you.
You don’t deserve his love, you deserve to die. You are a sinner and you must turn your life over to him. Fear him, for he will cast you into a lake of fire. Give him your life. Pray to him about everything. Read his word. Bow down before him. Worship him.
Become a new creature. Throw away the old person. Do not act the same as you have in the past. If you have bad habits, quit immediately. Do not hang around friends that don’t believe.
Go to his house twice a week and fellowship with others who confess to live this same lifestyle, and whatever you do, don’t miss. Make this commitment now before it’s too late. If you die and you have not given your life to him, he will send you to hell and allow you to burn for eternity.“
“I am just an Ole Sinner” was the title of the message that day. Was that exactly what the preacher said? No, but that is what the lost heard and were not persuaded.
She finally gave in and tried God, condemnation swallowed her as she sat on the back row.
A girl desperate for help, tormented for years by her own mind, stepped out in search of love and found this message.
Years of depression exhausted her; she could barely take a breath. Her spirit was heavy with bitterness, un-forgiveness, and hate. The people she hoped could help confirmed her guilt.
She walks away from church that day, “I know I am no good. I know I don’t deserve to be loved. Forgive, yeah right! I can’t do those things. Who wants to serve a mean ole god anyway? I don’t have to go to church for someone else to tell me how worthless I am. I know that! If I have to live like that to go to heaven with the saints, I will go on to hell with the sinners!”
Her life passed with years of open wounds festering on the inside of her. “Is this it? Is this what life is about? Why do we bother? She would ask herself these questions. There was a voice, “Give God another chance.”
She finds herself in the parking lot of a church, giving God another try. There is a desperate desire inside of her that has to know if God is real. As she musters up the courage to walk through the doors, the voice inside of her said, “It’s me and you, no one else.” Feet squared and head up, she pulls the door open.
“For God so loved the world, YOU, that He gave His one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Jesus said,” Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
He loves you. He created you on purpose, you are not an accident. He will give you peace. He will forgive you. He will take your mess and turn it into a message that will help others. He will heal your heart. He will wash away all your shame. He will cause you to smile again. He will fill your life with more joy than you can ever imagine. He will celebrate your progress every step of the way. He knows the thoughts and plans He has for you and they are great!
He loves you. He created you. You are His child; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Just ask Him and he will send His spirit to live on the inside of you. He will show you how to live, he will equip you.”
“Tell Them I Love Them” was the message that day and she was finally persuaded to give her heart to the Lord. She fell to her knees and cried out, “Jesus, I know you love me! Please forgive me!”
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