Romans 10:9, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

Think

"We can't swing into Heaven on the coattails of another's faith." In Genesis, we find the story of Jacob - an unlikely patriarch of faith. Much of his life was defined by scheming and lying to acquire what he wanted. All while trying to ride the coattails of his father and grandfather, Isaac and Abraham, to gain God's favor. But through a personal encounter with God - in a literal wrestling match - he learned that being pinned by God and submitting to him is really the only way to find peace and freedom. Many of us are like Jacob.  We are going through life following our own plan, doing things our own way. We're fighting to keep control of our own lives. We're even hoping that God will credit our account with the faith of our grandma, uncle, or mom.  That their prayers, their faithfulness, their obedience will keep us in God's good graces. But God wants more for you! He loves you personally, individually. He wants to have a relationship with you because he knows that it is only through trusting and following him that you will experience all that he has planned for you. Do you have a relationship with Jesus? Stop wrestling and submit. He loves you and has an incredible plan and purpose for your life!

Act

If you are already a Christ-follower, are there areas of your life where you're depending on other people's faith instead of your own personal relationship with Jesus? Make your faith your own by spending time reading the Bible and praying. Get to know him firsthand. If you want to have a relationship with Jesus, all you have to do is ask. Start by making the prayer below your own. And, we'd love to celebrate your decision with you. Let us know by clicking the Contact button below.

Pray

Dear God, I admit that I am a sinner and that I have messed up. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and that God raised Him from the dead. I choose to follow You.  Thank you for loving me enough to continue to wrestle with me.  I know that submitting to you will provide the strength and courage I need.  Help me to focus on you in every aspect of my life.  In Jesus' name, Amen!