Deep Calling to Deep, Book 2

Going deep with God means having the courage to look at yourself in the mirror and ask the question . . . how much of Jesus is looking back at me? And then to lay yourself on the altar to allow the Holy Spirit to sculpt you into the masterpiece God created you to be in Christ Jesus.

I am beloved of God. (1 Thessalonians 1:4)

I am loved with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3)

I am chosen of God. (1 Thessalonians 1:4)

I am God’s special creation, fearfully and wonderfully made in His image. (Psalm 139:14)

I have been justified, “just as if I” had never sinned, completely forgiven in God’s sight. (Romans 5:1)

I died with Christ and died to the power of sin over my life. (Romans 6:1-6)

I am free forever from condemnation for my sin. (Romans 8:1)

I have received the Spirit of God into my life that I might know the things freely given to me by God. (1 Corinthians 2:12)

I have been reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:18)

I am a son or daughter of God. (Romans 8:14–15)

I am the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

I have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16)

I am sealed in Christ by the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1:13)

I am a temple of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:19)

I have direct access to God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:18)

I am strong in the Lord. (Ephesians 6:10)

I am a victor in Christ Jesus. (Revelation 21:7)

I have overcome the world. (1 John 5:4)

The One who lives in me is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

I am more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:37)

I can do all things through Jesus Christ. (Philippians 4:13)

I can love others with His love. (1 John 4:7)

I am healed by the wounds of Jesus. (1 Peter 2:24)

I have the peace of God which passes understanding. (Philippians 4:7)

Making a conscious decision to follow Jesus Christ is the beginning of new spiritual life for you through the new relationship He established with us through His shed blood. This new relationship is found in the New Testament portion of the Bible. The Bible is clear in how it describes our human nature and what we need to do to be saved:

1.

God desires the best for us in this life. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster; to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” (Jeremiah 29:11–13, NLT)

2.

But there is a problem — our sin separates us from God. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23, NASB1995). We have a just God and therefore, there is a price we must pay for our sin: “For the wages of sin is [spiritual] death…” (Romans 6:23, NASB1995). Spiritual death refers to eternal separation from God when we die physically.

3.

In His great grace and mercy, God provided Jesus as a substitute for us so that we would be spared the punishment of eternal death. Jesus paid the penalty we should have paid for our sin.

4.

We cannot earn salvation through our own good works during our time on this earth. It is not a matter of our good deeds tipping a balance in our favor with God. Salvation is a free gift from God that we receive by faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

5.

It is important that we verbally confess what we believe and tell someone about it. “In fact, it says, ‘The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.’ And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” (Romans 10:8–10, NLT)

If you believe what I just shared, use your own words to pray to God along these lines:

Father-God, You are a good and merciful God. I realize and acknowledge now that I am a sinner and need You in my life. By faith, I accept Your Son Jesus as my Lord and the One who saves me from the penalty of my sin through His death and resurrection.

Thank you for washing me clean of all the times I have failed You. I ask You now to baptize me in Your Holy Spirit to empower me to live the abundant life You desire for me.

I ask this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.