Please pray that I delight in the Lord, that I be meek, that I repent of my sins as soon as I possibly can with the goal of sinning less, and that God make any necessary changes in my heart that He Himself will count me among the righteous. In the meantime, please pray He provide me with sustenance, rental assistance/shelter as winter comes, and protection from those where I live, which is a decidedly unGodly place (the most unchurched area in the United States since Billy Graham had offices there). Pray I bless those who persecute me and forgive those who trespass against me as He first forgave me. I find this last bit difficult sometimes. Pray that He account my earnest but flawed service to Him for decades as righteousness. I require His gentle healing touch and encouragement as lately my troubles have driven me to utter despair. Please pray He change me so that I qualify for His help. I have tried so hard to serve Him, but sometimes I lose hope. I feel like Elijah when he lost heart. Thank you for praying.
Dear Derek, we are all sinners, even the born-again are sinners saved by grace. Romans 3:23,24 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
There's nothing we can do to EARN righteousness. Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." The only righteousness God sees in you is the blood of Jesus.
However, when we are born again, Jesus calls us to do the works of His will. James 2:17
"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."
What are those works? Jesus said in John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments." Do what he did on earth such as is possible for a person to do. That is, minister unto others when God points out someone's need. Pray for yourself, and for others. Read and study your Bible, and heed whatever the Holy Spirit tells you to do.
There's nothing we can do to EARN righteousness. Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." The only righteousness God sees in you is the blood of Jesus.
However, when we are born again, Jesus calls us to do the works of His will. James 2:17
"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."
What are those works? Jesus said in John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments." Do what he did on earth such as is possible for a person to do. That is, minister unto others when God points out someone's need. Pray for yourself, and for others. Read and study your Bible, and heed whatever the Holy Spirit tells you to do.
God Bless!
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