Do you know of someone that desperately needs Jesus, but is stubborn? Any attempt made to share the Gospel, or any Scripture for that matter, results in disregard. You become desperate. You pray. And pray. You try again. And you get the same results. Nothing. So you back off for awhile. Then you feel guilty in not trying again. So everything repeats itself.
I have a dear loved one who is on my heart... has been for awhile. She knows what the Bible has to say. She's heard it all. But there is something about her that is waving a red flag.... big time. I have been praying for her, and she knows that. Any attempt I make to talk to her about her relationship with Jesus fails. I sense that He is not foremost in her life now, and that concerns me.
Yes, I have given her to the Lord. I know He loves her more than I do, and sees all that is in her heart. I know I shouldn't assume, by her actions, how much Jesus means to her, but what else can I glean from her? I'm not seeing in her the fruit of the Spirit... you know what they are...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Being sensitive to the Holy Spirit, I'm not able to recognize any of these when we communicate... which is now very little. What I am seeing is unforgiveness and hatred. So very sad.
I am so very thankful that there is a loving God who can take care of these situations. He is mighty to save, and more powerful than the enemy who seeks to destroy. We do not only live in a physical world, but there is very much a spiritual realm that is livid now. Satan knows his timing is coming to an end, and he is roaming around like a lion, messing with people... especially those who were brought up in the Lord. It's called a spiritual war, and a lot of people are oblivious to it. He can cause confusion and doubt, depression and hopelessness, which is contrary to what a relationship with God provides. People can forget what they formally believed!
God knew this would happen, so He sent His Son, Jesus, to pay for our sins on the cross. Though He was perfect and did not sin, He bore ours in our place, once and for all. His resurrection completed the task, and no longer are we held under bondage! Through faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are now free to live for Him and experience all that He has for us.
'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord,
'plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.' - Jeremiah 29:11
I love the story of Saul, who on the road to Damascus, had a personal encounter with Jesus. Now, Saul was the one who hated Jesus and who persecuted Him. But God had big plans for him, and even though Saul's heart was hard like a rock, that didn't stop God! Saul became Paul, and his life and ministry glorified the One who he had hated before. What a tremendous transformation! This shows to us that absolutely NOTHING is impossible with God! He hears our prayers. He knows our heart. He is able to heal and deliver those who find themselves in deep despair. It isn't over until God says it's over!
I will continue to pray for her. And love her. And believe that God is working behind the scenes. He does not wish for anyone to perish, but to have everlasting life. Praying for her reconciliation to Jesus, resulting in a reconciled relationship with me, is in God's will.
This is the assurance we have in approaching God:
that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
And if we know that He hears us - whatever we ask -
we know that we have what we asked of Him. - 1 John 5:14-15
Yes, I believe that God can open the doors of even the most hardened of hearts. He opened Saul's, and He can open anyone's! Nothing is impossible with Him! Thank you, Jesus!
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