Spiritual Practices: Breath Prayer
Overview
Romans was the only letter that Paul wrote to a church he had not yet visited or planted. Most of his other letters were written to address specific questions or concerns from the Jesus followers in those cities. Because he is not writing to one of these groups of Jesus followers, Paul goes into more detail about his theology, what he believes about God and Jesus, in this letter than in his others. In this passage, he specifically addresses how to sign up to be a Jesus follower. He breaks it down to two different things, believing in Jesus and declaring it. That is it. There isn't any special ceremony or process that you have to go through; there aren't any agreements to agree to or to sign. It is simply believing in Jesus and declaring it. That is what this breath prayer is about.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, I believe in you
Overview
Romans was the only letter that Paul wrote to a church he had not yet visited or planted. Most of his other letters were written to address specific questions or concerns from the Jesus followers in those cities. Because he is not writing to one of these groups of Jesus followers, Paul goes into more detail about his theology, what he believes about God and Jesus, in this letter than in his others. In this passage, he specifically addresses how to sign up to be a Jesus follower. He breaks it down to two different things, believing in Jesus and declaring it. That is it. There isn't any special ceremony or process that you have to go through; there aren't any agreements to agree to or to sign. It is simply believing in Jesus and declaring it. That is what this breath prayer is about.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, I believe in you
Exploring the Text: Becoming a Jesus follower
Have you ever applied for a job? (Most of us have.) Usually there are several steps to go through before actually getting the position. First of all, your application is screened. If you left something off, you are probably not getting the job. Once you have passed this part of the process, it is on to the interview; sometimes there are multiple interviews to complete. You are not to the finish line yet. If you have passed all of the interviews, now you are on to all the tests and screenings. Personality tests are often used, as well as drug tests and criminal background checks. In today's world there is sometimes an online check, just to see what you have been up to in the cyber world.
If you have successfully completed all of the steps, you may get the job, unless the company likes another applicant better than you! All of that work for a position that you may or may not get. If you didn’t get that position, now you get to start the whole process over. What a headache!
Thank God, that becoming a Jesus follower is not that difficult. There are only two expectations with guaranteed results. In order to receive Jesus as your personal savior, all you have to do is believe in Him in your heart, and confess with your mouth. THAT’S IT! There are no applications, no interviews or board meetings, or any other things that you have to do to be saved. It’s a relationship between two people: you and God. He actually writes your name in the “book of life” in Heaven.
Some people feel that if they are good enough, they can be saved. However, no amount of being good can save your soul. That is great news, because no matter what evil you have done, you can still be saved from your sin.
If you have accepted Jesus as your personal savior, it is time to grow as a Jesus follower. Begin to seek God through prayer and understand more about Him through reading the Bible. No matter how long ago you accepted Him, there is always a need to grow closer to Him. Salvation is simply the launching pad to the amazing adventure of serving Christ.
Rick Heinrich
Have you ever applied for a job? (Most of us have.) Usually there are several steps to go through before actually getting the position. First of all, your application is screened. If you left something off, you are probably not getting the job. Once you have passed this part of the process, it is on to the interview; sometimes there are multiple interviews to complete. You are not to the finish line yet. If you have passed all of the interviews, now you are on to all the tests and screenings. Personality tests are often used, as well as drug tests and criminal background checks. In today's world there is sometimes an online check, just to see what you have been up to in the cyber world.
If you have successfully completed all of the steps, you may get the job, unless the company likes another applicant better than you! All of that work for a position that you may or may not get. If you didn’t get that position, now you get to start the whole process over. What a headache!
Thank God, that becoming a Jesus follower is not that difficult. There are only two expectations with guaranteed results. In order to receive Jesus as your personal savior, all you have to do is believe in Him in your heart, and confess with your mouth. THAT’S IT! There are no applications, no interviews or board meetings, or any other things that you have to do to be saved. It’s a relationship between two people: you and God. He actually writes your name in the “book of life” in Heaven.
Some people feel that if they are good enough, they can be saved. However, no amount of being good can save your soul. That is great news, because no matter what evil you have done, you can still be saved from your sin.
If you have accepted Jesus as your personal savior, it is time to grow as a Jesus follower. Begin to seek God through prayer and understand more about Him through reading the Bible. No matter how long ago you accepted Him, there is always a need to grow closer to Him. Salvation is simply the launching pad to the amazing adventure of serving Christ.
Rick Heinrich