Lilly: Hello again. It's been a really long time. I'm sorry I haven't been able to make it for a while. Dodger said he'd be here...he must be running la-
Dodger: Hi! I'm here! Sorry I'm late! I was getting some homework done when I realized the time. I feel really bad since it's been so long since we've been together...
Lilly: Well, don't feel too bad. We all make mistakes at times. I've been late at least once in my life.
Dodger: Uh-huh. I guess so.
Lilly: Say, are you okay? You look kind of, well, beat up. Not like someone beat you up, but just like you're kinda beat.
Dodger: Try exhausted and discouraged...
Lilly: Wait, discouraged? Why?
Dodger: It's a long story.
Lilly: I don't mind hearing it.
Dodger: Well then I'll at least shorten it. I've been buried under homework; I have a zillion errands to run this week; I had a friend at school go gossiping about me and spreading rumors that aren't true; and my dog died. I've done such a poor job handling all of it that I even hurt members of my family with the lousy things I said in my frustration. Worst of all, I can't focus when I pray or read the Bible or even a little devotional book. I've fallen behind on my journaling, and I lost my prayer list. I'm exhausted, and I simply don't know what to do. It's happened, too much, too fast, and I feel like I've let everyone, God included, down.
Lilly: Wow. Sounds like a really rough week.
Dodger: It's even rougher when I feel like the pattern may just continue. Why is it that when I need God most I have the hardest time connecting with Him?
Lilly: Whoa, now hold on a moment. You've let your eyes wander away from Jesus, and you've fixed them on yourself.
Dodger: I know. I'm just so tired I don't think I can lift them up again.
Lilly: That statement is nothing more than bogus that the devil's telling you, or that you're telling yourself. God's character is way too holy and consistent and loving to let go of you because you've had a hard week. Your circumstances do not dictate how close or far away you are from God, Dodger. He is always right alongside you, even when you feel it least. He doesn't stand at a distance, but daily empowers you with His Holy Spirit, including when you don't realize it.
Dodger: But I'm still tired! I'm still worn out! I need God to empower me a little more than He is right now.
Lilly: But Dodger, the Holy Spirit isn't a source of "life caffeine", just something that keeps you going when you can't do it on you own. God is empowering you all the time, and He's waiting for you to call on Him. Life is hard sometimes, but that never, ever means that God isn't close by! The action that lies with you is to ask Him to help you in your weakness. You decide that you'll follow Him through thick and thin, no matter what, because He can bring you through the worst.
Dodger: Yeah...I see. I'm not sure I'd make very pleasant company for God just now, though.
Lilly: Dodger, I need to tell you a story. It's in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 23:39-43. Jesus is in the middle of hanging on the cross, undergoing the punishment for the sins of every single person: you, me, our friend here, the neighbor's, and the friend who betrayed you at school. He's taking the blame, punishment, and trouble for all of it. Plus, He's being hung next to two criminals, who have both committed crimes deserving the suffering they are undergoing. Look at Luke:
"Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43, NKJV, boldface added)
Dodger, do you think Jesus felt good? He was enduring horrible physical pain, and enduring the punishment for every sin, ever, while being mocked. His two companions were criminals, and who knows what they did? Yet when one asked Jesus to "remember me", Jesus promised Him salvation.
Dodger: Wow.
Lilly: Life is never going to be perfect, and we will all hit rock bottom. This criminal had ruined his life, and was going to die. He was hours away from the end, yet he looked at Jesus. He put His gaze on the One Person Who he knew could give him hope, and was rewarded with paradise. He did nothing to deserve it. He was nobody super-special. He was a man on a cross, a condemned criminal, daring to ask the Holy Son of God undergoing the worst torment that any man can undergo to remember him! Jesus didn't have to say anything to him. Yet even this example of sinners, this person who didn't deserve God, was precious enough to Jesus to be saved.
Dodger: That's actually really amazing.
Lilly: It is, and the reason is because each of us has been, in a way, just like that criminal. We've messed up terribly, and we can't claim any rights from God. Nonetheless, He loves us so much that He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins! No matter what condition of life we're in, still the promise of salvation to all who believe remains. It doesn't matter if you're a criminal, a poor person, a rich person, an unpopular person, a celebrity, king, emperor...or just someone having a rough week. God is so much bigger than us, and it is He that we can derive our strength from as Christians. The Bible makes it clear that God works everything out for the good of those who love Him, and God is passionate about us, and our well-being. He's interested in all that happens to us, He forgives our every mistake, and He gives us the strength to move on. There's no situation bigger than God, and you can forget about being able to do anything that will make Him stop loving you.
Dodger: You're right...You're right. Nothing can overcome God's love for me. In fact, I should have remembered Romans 8:38-39, where Paul writes "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (ESV)
Lilly: Everyone needs a little reminder at times, Dodger. It's just important that we remember how amazing God is, and fix our eyes on Him. Life's not likely to be a bowl of cherries, but God will be with us through the pits.
Dodger: Thanks Lilly.
Lilly: Thank God, Dodger. You know, maybe our friend here has had a week like yours. What do you say? Are you feeling downcast, beat-up, or discouraged? God can, and wants, to help. Maybe you already know Him personally, and if so, that's great. You already have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you. Ask God to help you, and believe that He will. It may not always feel easy, but if you trust in God, if you rely on Him to pull you through whatever it is that's hurting you, I promise, He'll never give up on or forget you.
Dodger: Maybe you don't know God. That means you have a great opportunity right now. Whether life is hard right now or not, trust me when I tell you that you need Jesus. He can save you from all the wrong things you've done, get you through hard situations without you having to do it all on your own strength, and grant you the gift of a life forever with Him. It's not too good to be true, and it's a free gift to anyone who asks. Romans 10:9 says "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved". (NKJV) Now's the time to know God. If you want His gift to you, and a relationship with Him who gave it all so He could personally save you, you could say a prayer like this:
Dear God, I know I've sinned. I've done what's wrong, and the truth is that I don't deserve You. But I believe that You sent your Son, Jesus Christ, as fully man and fully God, and that He died on the cross to take my punishment so that I could live forever with You and for You. I also believe that You raised Him on the third day from the dead, and that He sits now at Your right hand in heaven. I confess You, Jesus, as my Savior and the Ruler now on of my life. I am Yours, and You are mine. Please come into my heart, in Jesus Name, Amen.
Lilly: Wow. A lot can happen in a short time, huh, Dodger?
Dodger: Yes it can. But you know what? God is good, all the time.
Lilly: Yes, He is.
Dodger: Well, we had better get ready for school tomorrow. Thank you for coming by today! Always remember, Jesus loves you, and that's never, ever, ever going to change!
Lilly: Farewell!
(NKJV Means New King James Version)
(ESV Means English Standard Version)
Dodger: Hi! I'm here! Sorry I'm late! I was getting some homework done when I realized the time. I feel really bad since it's been so long since we've been together...
Lilly: Well, don't feel too bad. We all make mistakes at times. I've been late at least once in my life.
Dodger: Uh-huh. I guess so.
Lilly: Say, are you okay? You look kind of, well, beat up. Not like someone beat you up, but just like you're kinda beat.
Dodger: Try exhausted and discouraged...
Lilly: Wait, discouraged? Why?
Dodger: It's a long story.
Lilly: I don't mind hearing it.
Dodger: Well then I'll at least shorten it. I've been buried under homework; I have a zillion errands to run this week; I had a friend at school go gossiping about me and spreading rumors that aren't true; and my dog died. I've done such a poor job handling all of it that I even hurt members of my family with the lousy things I said in my frustration. Worst of all, I can't focus when I pray or read the Bible or even a little devotional book. I've fallen behind on my journaling, and I lost my prayer list. I'm exhausted, and I simply don't know what to do. It's happened, too much, too fast, and I feel like I've let everyone, God included, down.
Lilly: Wow. Sounds like a really rough week.
Dodger: It's even rougher when I feel like the pattern may just continue. Why is it that when I need God most I have the hardest time connecting with Him?
Lilly: Whoa, now hold on a moment. You've let your eyes wander away from Jesus, and you've fixed them on yourself.
Dodger: I know. I'm just so tired I don't think I can lift them up again.
Lilly: That statement is nothing more than bogus that the devil's telling you, or that you're telling yourself. God's character is way too holy and consistent and loving to let go of you because you've had a hard week. Your circumstances do not dictate how close or far away you are from God, Dodger. He is always right alongside you, even when you feel it least. He doesn't stand at a distance, but daily empowers you with His Holy Spirit, including when you don't realize it.
Dodger: But I'm still tired! I'm still worn out! I need God to empower me a little more than He is right now.
Lilly: But Dodger, the Holy Spirit isn't a source of "life caffeine", just something that keeps you going when you can't do it on you own. God is empowering you all the time, and He's waiting for you to call on Him. Life is hard sometimes, but that never, ever means that God isn't close by! The action that lies with you is to ask Him to help you in your weakness. You decide that you'll follow Him through thick and thin, no matter what, because He can bring you through the worst.
Dodger: Yeah...I see. I'm not sure I'd make very pleasant company for God just now, though.
Lilly: Dodger, I need to tell you a story. It's in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 23:39-43. Jesus is in the middle of hanging on the cross, undergoing the punishment for the sins of every single person: you, me, our friend here, the neighbor's, and the friend who betrayed you at school. He's taking the blame, punishment, and trouble for all of it. Plus, He's being hung next to two criminals, who have both committed crimes deserving the suffering they are undergoing. Look at Luke:
"Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43, NKJV, boldface added)
Dodger, do you think Jesus felt good? He was enduring horrible physical pain, and enduring the punishment for every sin, ever, while being mocked. His two companions were criminals, and who knows what they did? Yet when one asked Jesus to "remember me", Jesus promised Him salvation.
Dodger: Wow.
Lilly: Life is never going to be perfect, and we will all hit rock bottom. This criminal had ruined his life, and was going to die. He was hours away from the end, yet he looked at Jesus. He put His gaze on the One Person Who he knew could give him hope, and was rewarded with paradise. He did nothing to deserve it. He was nobody super-special. He was a man on a cross, a condemned criminal, daring to ask the Holy Son of God undergoing the worst torment that any man can undergo to remember him! Jesus didn't have to say anything to him. Yet even this example of sinners, this person who didn't deserve God, was precious enough to Jesus to be saved.
Dodger: That's actually really amazing.
Lilly: It is, and the reason is because each of us has been, in a way, just like that criminal. We've messed up terribly, and we can't claim any rights from God. Nonetheless, He loves us so much that He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins! No matter what condition of life we're in, still the promise of salvation to all who believe remains. It doesn't matter if you're a criminal, a poor person, a rich person, an unpopular person, a celebrity, king, emperor...or just someone having a rough week. God is so much bigger than us, and it is He that we can derive our strength from as Christians. The Bible makes it clear that God works everything out for the good of those who love Him, and God is passionate about us, and our well-being. He's interested in all that happens to us, He forgives our every mistake, and He gives us the strength to move on. There's no situation bigger than God, and you can forget about being able to do anything that will make Him stop loving you.
Dodger: You're right...You're right. Nothing can overcome God's love for me. In fact, I should have remembered Romans 8:38-39, where Paul writes "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (ESV)
Lilly: Everyone needs a little reminder at times, Dodger. It's just important that we remember how amazing God is, and fix our eyes on Him. Life's not likely to be a bowl of cherries, but God will be with us through the pits.
Dodger: Thanks Lilly.
Lilly: Thank God, Dodger. You know, maybe our friend here has had a week like yours. What do you say? Are you feeling downcast, beat-up, or discouraged? God can, and wants, to help. Maybe you already know Him personally, and if so, that's great. You already have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you. Ask God to help you, and believe that He will. It may not always feel easy, but if you trust in God, if you rely on Him to pull you through whatever it is that's hurting you, I promise, He'll never give up on or forget you.
Dodger: Maybe you don't know God. That means you have a great opportunity right now. Whether life is hard right now or not, trust me when I tell you that you need Jesus. He can save you from all the wrong things you've done, get you through hard situations without you having to do it all on your own strength, and grant you the gift of a life forever with Him. It's not too good to be true, and it's a free gift to anyone who asks. Romans 10:9 says "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved". (NKJV) Now's the time to know God. If you want His gift to you, and a relationship with Him who gave it all so He could personally save you, you could say a prayer like this:
Dear God, I know I've sinned. I've done what's wrong, and the truth is that I don't deserve You. But I believe that You sent your Son, Jesus Christ, as fully man and fully God, and that He died on the cross to take my punishment so that I could live forever with You and for You. I also believe that You raised Him on the third day from the dead, and that He sits now at Your right hand in heaven. I confess You, Jesus, as my Savior and the Ruler now on of my life. I am Yours, and You are mine. Please come into my heart, in Jesus Name, Amen.
Lilly: Wow. A lot can happen in a short time, huh, Dodger?
Dodger: Yes it can. But you know what? God is good, all the time.
Lilly: Yes, He is.
Dodger: Well, we had better get ready for school tomorrow. Thank you for coming by today! Always remember, Jesus loves you, and that's never, ever, ever going to change!
Lilly: Farewell!
(NKJV Means New King James Version)
(ESV Means English Standard Version)
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