MEN’S FISH FRY, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2024, 6:30
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
A great deal of importance is placed upon the word “receive” in the New Testament.
You might ask, What does it mean to receive Christ?
When do I receive Him?
At what point can I say I have received Him?
In the above verse, the answer to these questions does not mention joining a church or merely subscribing to doctrinal statements; neither does it require us to go through a religious ritual.
It simply says–“as many as received Him.”
Then it says, “to them He gave authority to become children of God.”
The word “become” implies that we were not children of God, but by the act of receiving, an authority is imparted to us by Christ Himself to become children of God.
It is by receiving Him that I become a child of God.
At this point may I ask, Have you received Him?
Do you have the assurance that Christ is in you?
If not, you can receive Him now.
You can receive Him at any time and in any place.
You can receive Him by yourself or with others.
While you are reading this daily selection, you can take the step to receive Him.
It is as simple as receiving a gift.
For example, someone may offer a pen to you.
They can say, “This pen is for you. It is a gift.”
They can offer the pen to you all day long, but for the pen to become yours, you need to receive it.
Then it actually becomes yours.
In a similar way the Lord Jesus offers Himself to us through the gospel.
But He is like a gentleman.
He waits for our act of receiving.
Whenever anyone receives Him, He instantly comes into them.
It is a momentous thing to receive the Lord Jesus.
You receive by confessing with your mouth, “Lord Jesus, I receive You.”
At that moment He gives you the authority to become His child.
There is more authority in simply saying, “Jesus, right now I open to You, come into me,” than in all the form prayers you have ever prayed and all the rituals you have ever practiced.
The authority to become a child of God is yours by the act of receiving Him.
You can do it now, if you have not already.
Until Tomorrow
With A Shepherd’s Love,
Pastor Jackson
TUESDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Junior Stephens
Amy Garner
Amy Garner’s Mom & Dad
Andrew Halevi & Daughter
Ashely Burn’s Sisters
Coly/Connor – Allison’s G’sons
Dan Haines
Darlene Wiggins
David Burnette
David Harrison – Riverside
Deanna Fowler
Denise Hulsey – Jordan’s G’mother
Donnie Butler’s Dad
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Drew
Easton Fielder
Ed Mays
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Faith Burnette
Freddie May’s Mom
George & Linda Alexander
James Burnette
James Garner’s Friend
Joanie/Jeanie Mom
Jodi Bateman
John Austin
June Cronan’s Sister
Kailey Bateman
Kim McClain’s Mother
Krista Hilscher
Larry Barker
Lee Cronan
Lillanna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Linda Hodges’ Sister
Lonzo Christin
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary Sims
Marynell Ford
Maureen Brown
Michael Stanley
Miles Bradshaw
Nora Allison
Pastor & Mrs. Driskell
Ricky Gipson
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Roseleigh Osborn
Sandra Graham
Scott Lanier
Soso Nzolo – 17 Yr. Old South African Pastor’s Daughter
Susan & Alexis Tesone
Susan Mosley
Tom Witcher