by Joao Cruzue*
Ten steps
The first step to be close to God is Faith. We live in a World that rationalizes things, “veerything you see or feel is real”. Faith is not so, it is an exception: Faith comes by hearing the God’s word. For example: a person with an advanced cancer, reason says: he/she is going to die. Then, someome comes, prays, and he/she becomes healled. There is no explanation, so is faith. We could not explain, see, touch, feel, but faith exists and works.
The Gospel of Christ is accepted by faith.
Impossible things can be possible. Closed doors can be openned. Pain can be changed for days of joy, by mean of faith. The Bible also says that faith is not for all. Faith is like a seed dropped in your heart. While you expect what you need for, it may grow up. But if you have all things under control, may be you guess faith is an idiot thing. On the other side, if you are feeling empty, sad, worthless, sick, please continue to read and go ahead.
Impossible things can be possible. Closed doors can be openned. Pain can be changed for days of joy, by mean of faith. The Bible also says that faith is not for all. Faith is like a seed dropped in your heart. While you expect what you need for, it may grow up. But if you have all things under control, may be you guess faith is an idiot thing. On the other side, if you are feeling empty, sad, worthless, sick, please continue to read and go ahead.
If you are thirsty, this message was written to you. Remember: by faith in Christ you can win the war, even though you can loss some batles. As Martin Luther King said: Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.
The second step is to reconcile with God. It seems to be quite simple but it is not so. There are some details you need to understand. To reconcile with God means: to accept Christ in your heart.
How could it be?
Find a place to be alone, and speak to Christ as if He be aside you. Speak to Him. Say, something like that: "Jesus Christ, if you do exist, please come and dwell in my heart, from today on". Talk to him, invite Him. He is very polite, He will only come to you, if you ask Him for. Jesus Christ is a spirit but be sure, he is also a real person like you. The way He will speak to you is a little bit differente that you are accostumed to comprehend. He speak to our own spirit. It seems a voice that talk to your mind or to your heart, like a thought.
How could it be?
Find a place to be alone, and speak to Christ as if He be aside you. Speak to Him. Say, something like that: "Jesus Christ, if you do exist, please come and dwell in my heart, from today on". Talk to him, invite Him. He is very polite, He will only come to you, if you ask Him for. Jesus Christ is a spirit but be sure, he is also a real person like you. The way He will speak to you is a little bit differente that you are accostumed to comprehend. He speak to our own spirit. It seems a voice that talk to your mind or to your heart, like a thought.
The third step is repentance. Look for a quiet place and talk to Him again. This time, you have to confess to Jesus Christ your sims, all bad things you have done during all you life. See this case. Certain woman go down to the river to wash dirty clothes wrapped in a sheet. For her clothes were very dirty, she became ashamed and did not unwrap that sheet. She, simply, went to the middle of the river, sank the sheet of clothes and went away home. She only wet her clothes. Therefore they were still dirty.
To wash your sims and clean your heart you have to wash every piece of clothe. One by one. To do it correctly, make a list of all and confess them to Jesus. All of them at once. Confess and stop to do them. When you get out of that place be sure: all things you spoke to Jesus, He , in fact, already forgave you. The Forgiving brings peace in your soul and joy to your heart.
The fourth step: abandon your "old" friends, because they should make all things for you give up. I mean: change your friends for new friends. Cut old and bad friendship. I don't mean a absolute abandon, for sure. But that friends you are acostume to do bad and awful things together. Let them behind, and when God have made a miracle in your live, you may go back to offer your hands to help them. But only after Jesus had made a change in your own life.
The fifth step. - Ask Jesus (The Lord ) things what you need for, and by faith, believe and await. All basic things you will receive. Healing, emploiement, peace, safeness. “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him” Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
The sixth step - forgive bad things people did against you. You must forgive to be forgiven. Forgive yourself, pray to Lord Jesus to help you to forget the past. In Bible there are these words: "...But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus". Let all your failures for behind. Dream about the future.
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The seventh step is : read the Bible everyday and join to a good protestant church, where people live what they preach, without hypocrisy. Learn as much as you can about the God's Word. My suggestion for books: All from Watchman Nee.
The eight step is: be saint. Leave sins away from your life. God has a compromisse with holiness. If you do so, the Lord will be your close friend.
The nineth step - whenever you go to a service at your Church, dond't forget to offer part of your income. And be carefull to those pastors that care not about you, but about your money.
The tenth step - Find the will of God for your life and work to please Him. Don't be a useless and a lazy person. Work to Lord Jesus.
The nineth step - whenever you go to a service at your Church, dond't forget to offer part of your income. And be carefull to those pastors that care not about you, but about your money.
The tenth step - Find the will of God for your life and work to please Him. Don't be a useless and a lazy person. Work to Lord Jesus.
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus,
My name is John Cruzue, 58, pastor, and an agent of Sao Paulo State Controller Office. I live in Sao Paulo City, Brazil. I am a believer for almost 40 years and great things I have got from my Lord Jesus Christ. English is not my native language, that is why you have found some mistakes in this text, but I am sure, you have understood what I meant. Mailto me if you want: cruzue@gmail.com I will appreciate to hear about your progress.
