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Astounding!

/ Vincent Chough / Leave a comment

WHAT DIFFERENCE does it make in my life whether Jesus is who he said he was? Why should we even ask the question? Is it really that important?

The truth is that Jesus made so many outlandish claims that his relevance – even today – urges us to look for answers. If you stop and think about it, Jesus’ claim that he was God’s Son is earth shattering. If God exists, and he sent his Son, doesn’t that make it the most important event in human history? Doesn’t that make it the most important event in your life and mine?

text image that says If Jesus really is God’s son… that makes me sit up and take notice. And if God’s Son died for me… that leaves me astounded.

Back in the time when the Gospel events took place, this kind of talk – saying that you were God’s son – was considered blasphemy. This meant that it was a statement directly against God. It was like throwing mud or something worse at him. What would drive a man – especially a wise and compassionate man – to make a claim that was punishable by death?

Why didn’t he just stop at saying we should be good, merciful, and kind? Why did Jesus have to say he was God’s Son? What purpose did it serve?

Many people are misled when it comes to what Christianity is all about. They mistakenly think it means that you must be good. This is what I call the “Good Guy Gospel” which really has nothing to do with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. While one of the results of being a Christian is improved behavior and attitudes, it’s not the central message. Instead, it has to do with Jesus’ identity and mission.

It’s not good conduct that makes you a Christian. You are a Christian when you believe that God forgives you and loves you – all perfectly revealed in God’s son Jesus Christ. The weight of this distinction is enormous.

Every great religion offers us some kind of liberation. They all seduce us with the chance of being happy and fulfilled. Each one suggests that we can find some meaning in our lives. But all of them, except one, start by giving us a list – large or small – of things we must do.

Only Jesus offers us what he did for us first. True Christianity is not belief in a set of rules or doctrine, but faith in a person instead.

Whether we admit it or not, part of us might think that we can buy our way into heaven with good conduct alone. We then insist that others accept this as the only way to salvation. I’ve adopted this attitude many times. I’ve offended myself, my family, and my God with this mistake. And every time he reminds me of the same thing.

He tells me, “Please stop. Please stop trying to be the one who decides who I accept, forgive, and love. Please stop trying to work your way into my good graces. It just doesn’t work that way. Don’t you understand? It is I who does the work. It’s my Son who paid the price. You can’t do it.”

“But God,” I reply. “I want to make it better. I want to do the right thing. I want to be good!”

And God answers: “Don’t worry but rest, my child. Rest in the fact that I am the one that will make it all better. Quit trying to buy your way into salvation. Once and for all, just let it go. Give all your pain, suffering, and sin up to me and my Son. Just accept, once and for all, that I love you as you are. And my loving Spirit will change you.”

And so, I remember that I’m human. I make mistakes. Just my thoughts are horrible sometimes. It means that I’m a sinner, as we all are. If anything, this makes us all equal.

When I came to Jesus, I was carrying a lot of psychological and emotional baggage. The burden of my mistakes was overwhelming. Yes, I tried to be better, but better wasn’t enough. Trying to make amends is not the same as being able to stand in God’s presence with confidence in his love. This confidence does not come from any good deeds on my part. Instead, I need his help.

Jesus, if he is really God’s son – that makes me sit up and take notice. And if God’s Son died for me… well, that leaves me astounded. And the full impact of this – if you let it reach your heart – can transform your entire existence.

. . . . . . .

Like what you read? 

This post is an excerpt from my latest book, LET HIM: Living life in tune with GOD.

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Sublime grace

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The spiritual life isn’t just about healing, carrying your cross, and confronting your inner demons. When seeking harmony with God in your life, there will be times when you actually feel like you’re floating on the clouds. I think you know what I mean.

Have you ever experienced moments of sublime grace where even the simplest actions seem supernatural somehow? Basic chores become effortless. Your work flows like a breeze, and even heading out to the corner store feels like an adventure somehow. The world around you comes vibrantly alive, and you appreciate nature and people with fresh eyes.

You find the perfect parking space exactly when you need it. You get everything done right on time. It’s kind of like being a superhero cruising effortlessly through life.

Maybe that’s how Adam and Eve experienced paradise. Everything is just right, and everything in its proper place. When you can, enjoy these moments to the fullest and praise God all along the way. He’s the one who makes everything pleasant in your life at that instant. These moments may not last long, but they should be savored. And don’t get sad when these states of higher bliss end – even if they end abruptly.

Keep in mind that a more profound truth is revealed to you during these experiences. Even when you face difficulty, even when you suffer and struggle, you are still on time if you genuinely seek and accept God’s will. The reality is, you enter into heavenly timing – since you are on God’s time. And on God’s time – even if you are hustling to get somewhere – it all seems to fall into place. This took me a long time to understand. And it’s not always obvious until you look back.

Living according to God’s time and in his will involves your:

• State of mind – You make a conscious effort to consider God throughout the day.
• Attitude – Your desire for contact with God is ingrained in you, but not as an obligation.
• Vision – You see things from a different perspective, a heavenly perspective.
• Spirit – This means your spirit communicates with the Spirit of God.

While none of this comes without some effort, it must be possible. The scriptures are very clear about this:

This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord:
I will put my laws into their minds,
and write them on their hearts,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
And they shall not teach every one his fellow
or every one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’
for all shall know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.

Hebrews 8:19-11

Nobody can do this perfectly, but we can all get closer to this state of being.

. . . . . . .

Like what you read? This post is an excerpt from my latest book, LET HIM: Living life in tune with GOD.

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We all need to heal our hurt

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We all need to heal our hurt. For me, it’s a non-negotiable part of spiritual growth.

No human being exists that hasn’t been wounded. Who hasn’t been hit, hurt, rejected, or shamed? We’ve all experienced these things. No one lives a pain free life. And it all began when you were a young child, an infant even. It happened to me too. But as a child, you didn’t have the resources to deal with the aggression and stress that appear in life. You didn’t know how to get help either. Instead, you may have felt panic or grief. It’s like asking a kid to fix a broken water pipe without any tools or experience.

Undoubtedly, painful experiences in your childhood left their mark. It’s an open wound you may have carried for years, maybe even your whole life. And as life continued, other trials and tribulations showed up at your door. That’s a lot for anyone to deal with. We’re all victims of past and present trauma.

For some people, this could explain your lack of motivation. It’s not that you are lazy and worthless.

Instead, it could be you have old, lasting wounds that need to be healed. Who can move forward when they are in pain? Without a doubt, healing is essential to achieve lasting, wholesome motivation.

Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t believe we are all just victims of circumstance. We must accept responsibility for our actions. But when you were just a kid, you were defenseless. Even when you didn’t do anything wrong, people hurt you. And that can still happen as an adult.

So, if we want to look forward with confidence and hope, if we want to achieve inner harmony with God, we must heal our history first.

We continue to get hurt as life goes on. Even hearing about someone else’s pain hurts us. Nobody can escape the news about other people’s problems. The digital age has made this even worse as we can see countless images of people getting injured or killed. Wound upon wound continues to pile up. Maybe we go through life acting as if it doesn’t affect us. But if that was true, there wouldn’t be so much hurt these days. We would all be at peace.

So, we hurt each other, withdraw, or even abuse our bodies trying to ease the pain. We are constantly being wounded, but we must live and carry on at the same time. The best way I have found to deal with this is to ask God to heal me. Sometimes, I just fall to my knees and ask for healing. It might not even be for anything specific. I just know I’m hurting. And I need God’s healing grace so very much.

BE HEALED

Do you have old wounds that still hurt you? Where does your anger come from? Could your lack of motivation or enthusiasm be due to old wounds? Have you asked God to heal you?

Maybe you don’t remember anything specific. But you can still ask the Lord for healing.
Find a quiet place to pray and ask him out loud,

“Heal me, O Lord. Heal me. Heal my wounds.”

Sometimes I say this tiny prayer out loud, over and over again.

I am so thankful for how God responds.

. . . . . . .

Like what you read?

I’d love it if you shared your honest thoughts about my writing on Amazon. You don’t have to buy anything. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other readers discover my work. You can leave a review here.

Thank you!

This post is an excerpt from my latest book, LET HIM: Living life in tune with GOD.

Prayer for tough times

/ Vincent Chough / 2 Comments

It seems like the whole world is a mess sometimes, doesn’t it? And on top of it all, you have your own personal problems to deal with. Widespread confusion, chaos, and anger make things harder for all of us.

Some of us turn to social media for answers. But TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram won’t solve your problems — especially the hardest ones in your life.

Or maybe you shut down and try to ignore it all. But when a crisis arrives at your doorstep, what then? While it’s important to ask for help, there comes a time where you feel completely alone in your struggles.

This is the season to get closer to God. He’s crying out to you to since he loves you. And even though it might be hard to accept, the toughest moments in life lead to the greatest growth. Your faith gets formed in the fire.

No, it’s not easy at all. It can even be painful. You don’t have to like it. But if you seek and trust in the Lord, he will deliver you. You might not understand it at first, but be patient and remain firm in your faith. And then you will see the glory of God at work.

But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion…

Jeremiah 20:11

. . . . . . .

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PRAYER FOR TOUGH TIMES

O merciful Lord,

There is trouble all around me!

I feel trapped and choked. No one comes to my side. I feel so helpless and alone.

Nobody understands me, not even friends and family. And I feel like the whole world is falling to pieces.

But you, O Lord, see clearly the deepest part of my soul, the secret desires of my heart.

Rise up, O Lord, rise up!

Cast out the evil one that tries to destroy all hope.

Make my faith strong as steel and my confidence in you unbreakable.

In my trust, you purify my heart. You draw me ever closer. 

My Lord is a mighty warrior.

And even though I worry, even though I suffer and hurt – I will not let go of my Lord.

I will hold tight. I will keep trusting. And I will wait upon my Savior.

Keep me focused. Keep me sharp.

Let me continue forward, as my Lord has prepared the way.

In Jesus name, Amen.

The 12 most popular prayers

/ Vincent Chough / Leave a comment

I’m offline this week, so I won’t be posting any new content. Instead, here the 12 most popular prayers on the site. These prayers have received the most visits over the years.

May the Lord bless you abundantly!

When you don’t know what to do

Prayer for my sister

Against bad thoughts

Prayer for my daughter

Prayer for anxiety & worry

Prayer for my family

For when you are overwhelmed

Prayer for my son

Prayer for healing a broken relationship

Panic attacks

Prayer against negativity

A loved one that hurts you

Prayer for abundant grace

/ Vincent Chough / 2 Comments

The grace of God is a supernatural gift. It makes you want to get closer to him while it heals and transforms you at the same time.

You don’t get God’s grace because you did something special. You get it since he loves you, since you are his beloved child. We can never fully understand the mystery of his grace, but we can experience it by faith.

God’s grace heals you. It purifies you. And it equips you to do the Lord’s good work in life.

The grace of God is his tenderness and love poured out abundantly over his sons and daughters.

Let the grace of God in. Let it move you to even higher levels of faith and trust in God.

image of text of prayer for abundant grace

Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:17-18

. . . . . . .

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Prayer for abundant grace

O merciful Lord,

I am not without my faults and weakness. I know who I am.

Here I am, O Lord. I seek your presence. I ask for your loving grace.

Show me where I must change. Give me courage and wisdom, O Lord.

Remove the obstacles in my mind that try to keep you out.

And may your grace come rushing into my life and into my heart.

Pour out over me, your blessings. Pour out over me, your mighty Spirit.

Grant me your protection & your peace.

Let it be abundant, O Lord. I do not deserve it, but you give it to your children freely.

May your grace saturate every part of my life and my soul.

Your grace has no limits, no boundaries. May it flow towards me, through me and from me, O Lord, like a living river.

The grace of Christ heals me and renews me. He alone transforms me.

God alone can set me free.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen.

Prayer for change

/ Vincent Chough / Leave a comment

Are you facing a complicated situation in your life right now? It might be a family issue or problems at work. Or maybe your church community is going through a crisis.

During these moments, you typically experience a wide range of emotions. You might feel anger, sadness, frustration, or even the desire to run away from it all. But what you want most of all is for things to change. You want things to get better.

How the situation will be resolved is anyone’s guess. It might take a long time for healing and reconciliation to occur — if ever. So what can you do? For starters, you can pray for everyone involved — even for those who frustrate you.

And you can change too.

It might not be your fault. It might not be anyone’s fault. Or maybe many are to blame. But when facing a complicated situation — if you feel confused and anguished — then the best thing to do is go to God.

Instead of getting tangled up in your feelings, lay it all at his feet. If needed, ask for forgiveness. Ask God to change you so you can see clearly. Then you can act if needed — and wait patiently if not. This doesn’t mean you don’t care. Instead, you seek and trust God to show you how to navigate the stormy waters.

Don’t let your feelings get the best of you. This only leads to actions you’ll regret later or feelings of depression and despair. Instead, find the healthiest perspective possible. Let the Lord show you how.

And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness in realizing the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 6:11-12

. . . . . . .

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Prayer for change

O blessed Lord,

 Contradiction and confusion surround me. Conflicts and petty rivalries rise up.

My heart aches to see all the hurt around me.

Won’t you send your help, O Lord?

Even though it doesn’t all depend on me, even though I can only do so much, I ask you, O Lord, change me first.

Open my mind and my heart. May your Spirit do his good work.

Let me let go of my selfish desires. Let me give up my preferences.

May I accept things as they are, and remain steadfast in the Lord.

I may not understand. I may not like it, but you can change me.

Clear away my confusion.

Covert my doubt into confidence.

Replace my anguish with your peace.

Reveal to me the clarity of Christ.

From there I will rest, as the Lord is my refuge.

From there I will act when you call me to serve.

From there I will go forward as the Lord prepares the way.

In Jesus name,

Amen.

Prayer for rest and strength

/ Vincent Chough / Leave a comment

Who doesn’t need a break these days? We’re all burdened by the responsibilities and trials of life. Everyone, sooner or later, faces a major personal crisis. And some of them may last a long time. Maybe you feel like you just can’t take it any more. You feel tired and drained.

Part of the reason we might feel exhausted is because we rely on people too much. We might expect too much of them. Then, when they disappoint us, it’s devastating. Yes, we should expect certain things from certain people, and some people deserve our trust. We need each other to survive and thrive in this world.

But if you expect too much from people — or if your deepest inner peace depends on individuals or situations — then you set yourself up for a major let down. Because anyone can fail or make a mistake, including you. And this can make you bitter or sad. It can make you feel tired. But maybe you need to seek the best place for rest to find strength.

Only God can give us true rest for our souls. If we depend too much on people or circumstances — or ourselves — sooner or later we’ll be let down. Don’t place anyone or anything on a pedestal. Don’t expect them to give you what only God can provide.

True rest and peace for your soul can only come from your Creator. So rest upon the Lord. Regain your energy. Regain strength in the love of God.

For we who have believed enter that rest…

Hebrews 4:3

. . . . . . .

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Prayer for rest and strength

O blessed Lord,

I’m weary, tired and drained. I seek rest. I seek your peace.

Come to me, O Lord. In your mercy, give me comfort.

Show me, O Lord, that my rest depends on you. Reveal to my heart that only you can give me what my soul desires.

Free me from the temptation to let people or circumstances determine my peace.

For nothing is perfect. And no other can restore my spirit, only my Savior, only my Lord.

Only Jesus, the Lamb of God, can save my  weary soul.

And even if I may still worry and get tired sometimes, may I return again to you.

May your Spirit lift me up. May your Word nourish me.

And may the Body and Blood of Christ make me whole again.

You are my rest, O Lord. You are my love, my life & my faith.

In you, I am made strong again.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen.