Spiritual Birthday

“…I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly.”
John 10:10

Each year, I have private time to celebrate my spiritual birthday. On Wednesday, October 8, 2008, while waiting for lunch to be served in Chiaro’s Pizzeria, I opened my heart to receive the gift of salvation. I made the conscious decision to surrender my life and place all trust in Christ Jesus to be my personal savior. The owner of the company I worked for invited me out to lunch. What I thought would be a business lunch turned into a discussion about finding peace with God and starting a new life in Jesus. Instead of discussing financials or customer orders, my boss’s agenda was my eternal life, my relationship with Jesus, and a heartfelt decision to fully trust God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. My eternal salvation was at stake, and he longed for me to fully embrace Jesus into my heart and soul.

God planned for us to have peace and life with true meaning and purpose.  “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1

The original tract used and signed by my employer, who shared the message of salvation.

When we accept Jesus into our lives, it doesn't mean that everything will suddenly become perfect and easy. In fact, in many ways, it can become more challenging. However, I have come to understand that it is possible to experience a sense of peace even amid a crisis when we put our trust in God. Additionally, it is possible for God to call us to fulfill a purpose when we feel inadequate for the task or when the world or those who occupy it say we are not qualified. The enemy will poke at our weak areas and agitate our past habits. This is why we must stay in constant contact through prayer and relationship with Jesus.

WHO ARE WE?

We are God’s children, created of his workmanship with love, created in Jesus Christ for good works, which God prepared for us ahead of time. (Eph. 2:10; 1 John 3:1-2)

WHAT ARE WE CALLED TO DO?

Because everyone is called to belong to Christ Jesus and is loved by their creator, we are called to build up God's Spiritual House. We are called to offer ourselves through faith in Jesus, to do what my employer did, and to spread the teachings of Jesus to enable others to discover salvation and engage in mutual service with humility and love. (Matthew 5:16, 1 Peter 4:10; Micah 6:8)

WHY IS SALVATION IMPORTANT?

God gives us the gift of choice - the choice to be redeemed from all sin, to accept the gift of grace and forgiveness through the blood of Jesus. Through the profession of faith in Jesus Christ, we believe in our hearts we are saved and promised eternal life. We are made alive with Jesus Christ! (Ephesians 2:5-7, Acts 4:12, Romans 10:9-10)

Do you want others to spend time with you because they want to, not just because they have to? God desires the same from us. He wants us to choose to spend time with Him, welcome Jesus into our hearts, and trust that His ways are better than ours. He wants to give his children the gift of eternity in His presence. Everyone, including the drunks, adulterers, greedy, liars, murderers, prideful, slanderers, thieves, all sinners, are welcome to a spiritual birthday to receive the gift of forgiveness. The same life of peace and eternal joy awaits everyone.

First, we must desire to forgive even the most difficult enemies, the ones that have hurt us with a dagger to our innermost core. We must first forgive, to be forgiven, and no longer be enslaved by sin. Through prayer and petition, Jesus calls us to have a heart that desires the best for our enemies. Start anew and share your faith story with someone today. Tell your children, extended family, friends, neighbors, peers, co-workers, and even strangers about what Jesus has done in your life. Live a purposeful life to help grow God’s kingdom.

Is there any good reason you can't receive Jesus Christ right now? Already a believer? Be renewed and pray the following.

PRAY:

Dear God,

I acknowledge that I have made mistakes and sinned, I am in need of Your forgiveness.

I firmly believe that you, Lord Jesus Christ, sacrificed yourself to atone for my sins.

I am committed to turning away from my wrongdoings.

I wholeheartedly welcome you, Jesus Christ, into my heart and life as my personal Savior.

With God's help, I am determined to follow and obey you, Jesus Christ as the ultimate authority in my life.

You accept me as I am, with all my flaws and scars.

I come before you imperfect and a sinner ready to be made new by your blood with your help.

Jesus, I invite you into my heart.

May the PEACE of God surround you, and the whispers of His Holy Spirit be heard within you as the GRACE and FORGIVENESS of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ becomes your victory over sin.