Julia Melatis – Author

I was very pleasantly surprised and excited today that the “books recommended for you” list on Amazon actually contained books of relevance to me, for a change, including Bibles, books by Charlie Kirk, Phil Robertson, and many other Christian authors. I’d like to think that this is a response to the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk and the effect it is having on America and the world.

Genesis 50:20 BSB
[20] As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.

Romans 8:28 BSB
[28] And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

This may well be the last opportunity this country has for revival before Jesus returns. If you’ve read this far, I hope and pray that you will follow God’s leading in how you personally can reach others for Jesus. We must not fear the intentions of evil, instead stand firm in our faith knowing that God is the One in control and works everything for the good, for His will and purposes, even death. If death could stop our testimonies and influence on the world around us, Christianity would have died out in the first century. BUT GOD ‘s plan cannot be thwarted by the evil one. Let us rise up and take the Word of God everywhere we go.

One of the things Charlie Kirk was criticized for was being hateful and intolerant. But the truth is that Charlie told the truth, biblical truth, and those walking in darkness don’t want to hear the truth. They instead demand we accept their sinful delusions as truth. Let us stay prayed up and in the Word.

Matthew 5:14-16 BSB
[14] You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. [16] In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

May we let our lights so shine, so others cannot mistake that the Spirit of Jesus resides within us. Many will be drawn to Jesus because of it, but don’t be discouraged when others become enraged by the light, because they love the darkness and its deceptions. It makes you want to keep talking, to make them see the truth, but there comes a point we must move on and let God work with the seeds we tried to plant and pray a harvest will come.

Sadly, I’ve only ever met just a few people in my life that truly exude the light of Christ in their countenance, words, and deeds. It truly made me want to have that kind of relationship with Jesus. May we spend the time we need with the Lord to soak in His presence and be transformed into His likeness, so that everyone can see His light in and through us.

John 3:19-21 BSB
[19] And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. [20] Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
[21] But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God.”

John 8:12 BSB
[12] Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 1:5 BSB
[5] The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

I know it seems as though evil is winning at times, but we know who really wins, Jesus and all who follow Him. Evil seems to have the louder voice in our society, the proverbial squeaky wheel.

When Jesus was on earth He didn’t shout and scream to get His message heard. He simply spoke the truth and many followed. Others who were hard of heart from selfishness, would walk away. And some plotted His death. But that did not stop Him, and it can’t stop us either.

John 15:18-21 BSB
[18] If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. [19] If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. [20] Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master. ’If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well. [21] But they will treat you like this because of My name, since they do not know the One who sent Me.

2 Corinthians 4:7-9 BSB
[7] Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us. [8] We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; [9] persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

James 1:2-4 BSB
[2] Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, [3] because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. [4] Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Many times when the Lord gives us direction to go and do, it doesn’t always make sense to our minds. BUT GOD knows what He’s doing and the best way to accomplish it. Our job is to hear and obey His voice. There is a channel on YouTube of God stories. It never ceases to amaze me how the simplest act of obedience, even when it doesn’t seem to make sense at the time, can truly change someone else’s life and ours, too.

The past few years my mobility has taken a downward turn. I rarely get out of the apartment these days, because of all the exterior stairs we have to get to the parking lot. It’s hard enough walking around the apartment out of breath. I admit that I have become very discouraged at times, feeling helpless and hopeless.

I wonder what the point of my life is when I am so isolated. BUT GOD never lets me stay in those places of doubt and despair. If I don’t pray or get into the Word because of it, He brings it to me as I’m scrolling through social media. I realize i still have my social media presence and my very neglected website to impact community. Even messages with my Doordash drivers. BUT GOD never gives up on me or you. Twenty-one years ago God gave me verses 1-9 of Joshua 1 as my life verses. I’m sure you’re familiar with at least a verse or two. He knew the highs and lows I’d be going through and He encouraged me with these verses and often reminds me of them, too. I’ll leave you here with the last verse of the passage He gave me all those years ago. Be encouraged and never give up!

Joshua 1:9 BSB
[9] Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

The ABCs of Salvation and Christian Living
• Admit you have sinned and cannot save yourself from the consequences of that sin (John 3:16-17, Romans 3:23, 6:23; 1 John 1:8-10)…eternal separation from God in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14-15).
• Believe in Jesus and that He died to make the ultimate sacrifice, once for all, for the sins of the world (Romans 6:10, Hebrews 10:10).
• Choose to accept His gift of salvation,  confessing with your mouth that Jesus is Lord of your life and commit every part of your life to serving Him (Joshua 24:15, Luke 9:23 Matthew 33, 16:24; John 2:3-4, 8:31-32, 23:26, 14:6,15:5-8; Acts 2:38-39; Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 5:1-21).
• Dedicate your life to the Lord Jesus. Determine to live your life for and in Him. 
• Edify/encourage yourself and other believers with the Word of God, with love and compassion, pursuing peace among you (Romans 12:1814:19; Ephesians 4:29-32; 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 15; 1 John 4:21).p n
•  Follow Jesus’ commands in Word and deed with the power of the Holy Spirit, who now dwells within you.
• Give thanks in all circumstances (Philippians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:18).
• Hide God’s Word in your heart. Read, study, meditate upon it, and memorize key verses (Joshua 1:8, Psalms 1:2,  19:14. 119:1-6, 11, 15, 78, 105, 148; Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:8).
• (Be) Kind to one another (Ephesians 4:32).
• Love God above all else and love people as yourself (Matthew 5:43-48, 22:37-40).
• Pray (fervently) without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
• Quiet times spent in God’s presence, let His peace rule in your heart (Psalm 46:10, Mark 1:35, 6:31; Luke 4:42; Colossians 3:15).
•Rejoice always   (Philippians 4:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:16).

With Blessings of Hope and Joy,

Julia

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