The world believes that conversion is bad, Jesus believes that conversion is the only way to make me good.
One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus. LUKE 5:1-11 NLT
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. ISAIAH 55:8-9 ESV
“I am the LORD, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed. Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. MALACHI 3:6-7 NLT
Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. 2 CORINTHIANS 7:9 NLT
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. ROMANS 3:23 NLT
And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. JOHN 3:19 NLT
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. EPHESIANS 3:20-21 NLT
This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace. COLOSSIANS 1:6 NLT
Find a quiet place where you can be alone with God. As you think about meeting with Jesus, how do you feel about spending time with him (e.g. excited, nervous, apathetic, etc.)? As you think about colliding with Jesus, is there an aspect that tends to make you want to avoid him altogether? Sit and share your thoughts and feelings with God, asking him to help you understand more about yourself in relationship to him. What does it look like for God to be with you in this? Now, ask God to fill you with his truth for you as it relates to your relationship with him. Choose again to follow Jesus, both for what you love about following him, and what you don’t. As you move through your week, share your experience with someone you trust.