May 31, 2006

Receiving His Riches

Acts 10:34-48

"Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." Acts 10:43

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We have been thinking this month about the riches of having a relationship with God. Much more could still be said, but this much is clear: anyone who belongs to God is truly wealthy, and anyone who does not have a personal relationship with God is poor indeed. So it is of utmost urgency that you have a relationship with the Lord and receive his riches.

There's just one thing that keeps anyone from God: sin. And there's just one way to a relationship with God: Jesus. Christ paid the price for sin on the cross, and now he lives and brings blessing to his people. If the Holy Spirit has given you a desire for Jesus and the riches found in him, take these simple, life-changing steps:

Admit to God that you are a sinner. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

Believe that God forgives you for the sake of Jesus' blood shed on the cross. Your salvation depends 100 percent on Jesus.

Commit your life to following Jesus. Declare your faith publicly. Become an active member of a church that exalts Jesus and teaches the Bible. Obey God. Live in love.

Relish the amazing fact that all things "are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God" (1 Cor. 3:22-23). Discover and enjoy every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Father, I admit that I am a sinner. I believe that you have forgiven my sins for Jesus' sake. I commit my life to serving my Savior and relishing his riches. In Jesus, Amen.

About the author — David Feddes

Dr. David Feddes is pastor of Family of Faith Church and provost of Christian Leaders Institute, which supports mentor-based ministry training through online courses. David is also adjunct missiologist for Crossroad Bible Institute, which provides biblical distance education to more than 40,000 people in prison. Previously he served as broadcast minister for the Back to God radio program, reaching people in more than fifty countries. David earned his Ph.D. in intercultural studies from Trinity International University, Deerfield, IL. He and his wife, Wendy, have nine children (one in heaven).

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