REACHING A TURNING POINT IN YOUR FAITH

There comes a time in everyone’s walk that they reach a turning point of faith. Some may go along for years before they come up against a crossroad. Others may face it fairly quickly. Regardless, your thoughts and attitudes may sound something like this:

You have reached a point in your life that you've said, "ENOUGH"?
You are tired of being tossed to and fro by your doubting emotions.
You have reached your limit of wanting to believe but never quite letting yourself get there.
You aren't sure what the future holds but you hope you will walk with Jesus (if he will have you with all your mess-ups).
You don't want to be like this anymore and something is rising up inside of you.
You want to take a stand and just. simply. believe.
You've had it and this is it! You have drawn a line in the sand and you won't be crossing it. Not anymore.

I’VE BEEN THERE TOO

I've wasted too many days standing at that line in the sand carefully scooting my feet forward until "suddenly" I was over the line. I justified it by thinking "That line is subjective. I may have crossed it but the line is still in my eyesight so I'm not really straying THAT far over the line! Besides, God knows my heart!"

For a while, I even straddled the line.

TAKING A STAND

But no more. Now when I envision the line in the sand, it's not made of burnt wood dust from a long-dead beach fire but from the blood of my Savior. He shed that blood for me for a reason and it wasn't so I could spend my time with worldly pleasures.

Now when I think of that line in the sand, the cry of my heart is that God would create in me a new heart, a pure heart, a heart that burns for him in a way that blows my mind.

With that revelation, I realized I have moved past the turning point. I am no longer satisfied with my spiritual life the way it is. I want to know God better. I want to hear his voice so clearly that when I hear his instructions I can confidently walk up to someone knowing exactly what they need prayer for. I want to believe so strongly that God heals that I can pray and it happens. No doubt, no question. No more double-mindedness.

I want everyone to see Christ in me. I don't care if someone sees my life isn't perfect. Because it's not and never will be. But what I do want is for everyone to see my life and wonder what is happening; why I'm so joyful regardless, why I'm peaceful, why I'm so "lucky" that they can't help but stop me and ask my “secret”.

I'm tired of feeling, hearing, and participating in half-hearted praise for our King. I'm tired of hearing that my God is not enough and things of this world are stronger, better, or all that we need. I'm fed up with sermons about social issues and how bad we are or how to get rich quick using God in 5 easy steps. I'm fed up that my fellow Christians don't seem to believe what they are saying, and the pastors don't seem to believe what they are preaching.

I'm sick of hearing everything except God's glory, undying love, and majesty. God's overcoming power and love beats any social service program out there, hands down. I've had enough of hearing how I, as a Christian, need to just hang my head and get through the day anyway I possibly can...God understands and will look the other way...just make it through then everything will be better tomorrow.... No!

I want to focus on God’s truth and stop obsessing over the enemy’s lies.

MY GOD SPEAKS TRUTH

My God says I am MORE than a conqueror. (Romans 8:37)

My God says I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

My God says he will do EXCEEDINGLY, ABUNDANTLY above all that I ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20)

My God is able to supply ALL my needs. (Philippians 4:19)

My God says he will bless me ABUNDANTLY. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

My God says if I abide in him he will KEEP ME FROM STUMBLING! (Jude 1:24)

My God says those things and so much more.

YOU ARE INVITED

So why do we listen to the lukewarm preaching, the half-hearted praise, the lies of the devil? If you ask God to shake up your world and draw you closer to him, I promise you he will meet you right where you are. He will not condemn or berate you for asking. He will grab a hold of you with a mighty hug and invite you to walk beside him instead of hanging back in the shadows afraid someone might see you.

I don't know about you but I want to know God in a way I have never before. I want to know him in a way I can't even comprehend. I'm put on this earth for a reason and it's not to sit and play church so I look good to my neighbors. If I only want social service programs to meet my needs what's the point of praying? If I only want to know God in a superficial, light-hearted way, why bother going to church or opening a Bible at all? Because no matter what we think of God, he has a sense of humor but is NOT lighthearted and He is never, ever superficial.

Nope. Those things aren’t enough anymore. I can't speak for you but I can say 100% that I want more. More of Him and less of me. No doubt. No question. No holding back.

And I want you to join me. It doesn’t matter if you have gone your own way. We all know the story of the prodigal son…our Father will welcome you back with open arms and an open heart.

IN CONCLUSION

It's time for you to my friend. It's time to draw that line in the sand. It’s time to move forward from the crossroads you have been standing at. It’s time to say to God, "I’ve had enough! I don't want to settle for that downtrodden life anymore! Everything you have is good and right and true. I want you more than I want the world, Lord."

More of him, less of you. No doubt, no question. No holding back. It’s time for you to step forward and claim your confident faith!

"For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13)

YOUR TURN

Have you reached a crossroads in your life have had made you turn more fully toward Jesus Christ? What did your experience look like? Let us know in the comments below. There is power in our testimonies and yours could be the words God uses to touch someone today.