He still wants me

 It's a new beginning. A fresh start. I hope that even though this blog post is short that you would know that Jesus has also given you a fresh start. It could be a year of forgiveness, devotion, reconciliation, or whatever you need it to be to bring you back to the Lord. I pray that this new year brings you joy, hope, prosperity, and love. 

If you have ever heard of the story of Hosea and Gomer you know that it isn't a pretty one. The story says that God told Hosea to marry a promiscuous woman by the name of Gomer. They had three children together and then she left him to go and be with other men. Hosea knew that she was his wife, so despite betraying him and his children he goes after her. Many people who have studied the Bible way more in depth than I have have said that she found herself in slavery which is why Hosea had to buy her back from her promiscuous lifestyle. Imagine having to buy your own wife back so she can be the mother of your children, how terrible would that feel to try and love someone again who wasn’t faithful to you. This is what Jesus did for us. We were unfaithful we didn’t care what happened to us, yet, he asked “how much?”. It didn’t matter what the cost was, He was willing to give up everything so that way we could be with Him. But what are we willing to give up in return.

I was thinking about this on my ride home the other day. Am I willing to die for my faith? Could I be a martyr? We always hear about this in other countries that people are killed for their faith, but it is making it’a way to the United States and we have to be ready. As Christians we have to be armed with the power and knowledge of God to defend our faith. This is what we believe so why wouldn’t we be willing to die for it. 

We’re not perfect and we never will be, that’s why we need a savior. You are going to mess up and you are going to need to do better most days but listen to this “Jesus still loves you”. He was willing to die for you. I know you hear this often but think of how sad it is to lose a loved one and imagine the pain and suffering that God went through to give up His own Son for you and me. I'm dirty and I'm messed up but Jesus still wants me. I am still useful to Him because I’m still here. Don’t waste your time left, fight the good fight. Defend your faith and bring others to Christ because you wouldn’t have known Christ yourself if someone hadn’t told you about Him.  Something that I have tried to pray recently is “empty me Lord so You can fill me, make me hungry to have only You as my fulfillment”. Now don't pray this prayer if you are not willing to get rid of something you're not ready to give up. I say this within reason because you will never be ready to give up everything, but know what you're giving up, everything. 

May the peace and love of God be with you always,

Leah Carpenter