When an eighth-grader's simple act of kindness intersected with my secular interests, it set in motion a transformative journey I couldn't have anticipated. I found myself grappling with teenage crushes, social dynamics, and family complexities, all while a Living Bible lay quietly in the background of my life. It’s about navigating the treacherous waters of unforgiveness and the subtle growth of bitterness—a cautionary tale underscored by Hebrews 12:15.
This conversation is an open invitation—an exploration of the soul that speaks to believers and non-believers alike. I delve into the essence of being a spiritual being, with a gentle nudge for those who follow Christ to cherish that divine relationship. For the curious souls still pondering their stance on faith, I extend a warm, non-judgemental hand, offering an opportunity to discover the transformative impact of inviting Jesus into one's life. Join me as I share resources that can illuminate paths for spiritual seeking, grounding our discourse in love, hope, and the pursuit of peace for every listener.
Hey friends, ms Jaws is here and welcome to Scripture. Time to Feed your Soul. Hey there. In the last episode of my story, part 5, I shared with you how an eighth grade classmate shared the Gospel message with me and then she gave me a brand new paperback Bible the Living Bible. Unbeknown to me at that time, god was trying to get my attention through an eighth grade classmate and I also shared with you how a certain part of this new Bible sparked my interest. But my interest in the Bible didn't last. Back then my interests and desires were more worldly. Naturally I wanted to have fun with my friends or go shopping or learn more about the boys that I liked, that liked me.
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During my earlier years and through my teens I had a great relationship with my mother and from time to time she would remind me of the commitment I made to Christ at 12 years old. Of course I was thankful to God for having spared my life at eight years old from a fatal car accident. I guess I saw him more as a guardian angel. Little did I know he is way more than that. As far as other relationships go, my relationship with my dad didn't feel secure, but sometimes he would come around and take my sister and me to a carnival, an amusement park or the racetrack. He also attended my graduations at school. My conversations with him were usually limited to whatever activity we were engaged in at the time, and so we did not talk about personal issues or feelings or problems as I did with my mother. My divorced parents would be cordial toward each other, at least in front of my sister and myself, but I knew there was resentment on both sides. Even though my mom spoke negatively about my dad, she would still encourage me to have a relationship with him, but she would also recount the troublesome times of their marriage. I had empathy for what she went through, and over time I believed that seeds of unforgiveness and bitterness were sewn into my heart toward my father. In the Bible, scripture warns us against a root of bitterness in the book of Hebrews 12.15. It reads Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root grows up to trouble you or corrupt you. And so this very thing had begun to happen to me.
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I will pause my story right here for now, but before we go I would like to encourage the believers in Christ, and I would like to encourage those who are not believers in Christ To all the believers in Christ cultivate your relationship with Jesus, maintain your relationship with Jesus, never give it up. I'm sure that you know that you are a spiritual being, and so I would like to leave you with a Scripture from the book of Romans 8.9. It reads but you are not controlled or ruled by your sinful self. You are ruled by the spirit of the living God, if the spirit of God lives in you. So read the entire chapter of Romans 8 and let the Holy Spirit speak to you Now.
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For those of you who do not believe in Jesus, I certainly hope that you would like to. It's your choice, and if you want to, right now, just say Jesus, come into my life, or Jesus help me, or Jesus, make yourself known to me, and he will do that. In fact, scripture tells us in the book of Romans 10.9 that if we confess with our mouths the Lord Jesus and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead, we shall be saved. We will be saved, and when God saves you, he also grants you eternal life, and not only will you have life with him in heaven, but you will have life with him on earth right now, in real time. And once you become a believer, the Bible says that you should grow in the grace and knowledge of your Lord and Savior, jesus Christ.
Speaker 1:
So if you would like more information about your new faith and about Jesus and how you fit into his plan, check out Internet resources in my show notes. And for those of you who are still undecided about Jesus, I would encourage you to check out the Internet resources in my show notes as well, since I'm sure they will help you with your decision. Peace and love to you, my friends. Talk to you soon. Music.