A Message For You?
(by Steve & Michelle Thrash)

The following is taken from a letter to a dear friend. Maybe you will find hope in it as well..."

We know in your present situation you feel very alone, maybe even abandoned by God. The reality is, though, that God may be somewhat different than you realize. The Lord is not someone who lives in churches or who responds to "hail mary's" or any such works of men. The Lord is altogether holy and righteous. It is actually the sinner who abandons God by failing to follow His laws and realize His hand in all that a person has. All who have sinned fall short of God's glory, and therefore deserve eternal punishment. The Bible says that the Lord turns a deaf ear to the prayers of sinners - they are an abomination to Him.

"When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear." (Isaiah 1:15)

God often uses hardship as a means to test one's soul. People are either driven away from God or toward Him. God brought me (Michelle) to the edge of despair almost 5 years ago, in order to bring me to a point of surrender, submission, and repentance. At my lowest point, while I was feeling very weak in spirit and crying with a friend, she said to me that she was happy for me because God was knocking at my door and I just needed to let Him in. I honestly believe that through these hardships God is knocking on your door right now. He is holding out His hand to you if you will accept Him.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20)

Jesus died on the cross to save sinners who will accept Him. His death on the cross is a free gift. There is nothing you can do to earn it. You do not receive it by infant baptism. You do not receive it by communion. You can not receive it by doing any good deeds or going to church every Sunday. You do not receive it by any work of man. Nobody can justify themselves before God. His standards are beyond our reach.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

The Bible is very clear in saying that there are few people who will by saved from eternal punishment (hell). Only those who, in total humility and all sincerity confess they are sinners and accept Jesus as their savior will be saved. God will wipe out the record of their sins - past, present, and future. The Holy Spirit will then dwell within them and nothing can take that away from them. They will never be alone again.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

We can't promise that salvation will take away your problems in this life - the Lord made it clear that we must suffer now on Earth - but it will transform your mind and help you see things from His point of view. And after death, you can be assured that you will spend eternity with the Lord.

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3)

We can tell you that in the 4 or so years since we have been saved, the Lord has changed us in ways that we never could have imagined. We can't say that His ways are always easy, but we wouldn't trade where we are now for anything in the world!

"God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

Please know that we will continue to pray for you. If there is any other way we can help you please let us know.

May you come to know God's grace during this difficult time...

Love,

Steve & Michelle

 

Page created 2/18/03 by Steve & Michelle Thrash