Crossing over...

We had a wonderful small group tonight. I had never seen this before.....this is a very succinct version of the gospel.... it is all in this paragraph!

Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing Him to a cross. But God raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him. Acts 2:22-24

When the people heard this , they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:37-38

I relate to this being cut to the heart business....the dread. I too am cut to the heart because I have not honored His gift and I have not trusted it.... I need to believe the Word and I need to function as a believer .......a vessel of the Holy Spirit....and ignore the enemy's whispers telling me I am unworthy and I am inadequate. As a good friend reminded me, "we leak" and we need to seek the indwelling of the Spirit daily. Without this indwelling we are unable to proclaim the truths of God in a way that impacts the world. We believers are only as good as our ability to depend on the One who is able to empower us. I am inadequate and ineffective as long as I act like a two year old who cries out, "I can do it myself." Roaming around in the wilderness for 40 years is not my idea of a good time, but it is familiar. What makes me keep believing I can do anything of real value without Him?! I know in my heart I can't but I behave as if I can. Arrogance and ignorance....and maybe pride are at the root. Lord, have mercy on me. 22 years is long enough on the wrong side of the Jordon.