Lately, I have been watching, hearing and reading a lot of material with one main theme: Make a change, or make a u-turn. Simply put, the theme is one of repentance. People in the Bible such as King David and the Apostle Paul made some pretty huge changes in their life. David sinned with Bathsheba, then killed her husband. The Apostle Paul made a lifestyle out of killing Christians in the early church. Every one of us has a main area or several areas in our life, in which it is necessary for us to Make a u-turn. God is ready for us on the other side, waiting for His grace, to welcome us back or even welcome us for the first time!
The Apostle Paul persecuted many Christians in the early church. Acts 9 speaks of his conversion story. He was on the way to Damascus when a great light flashed in his eyes. He was blind for 3 days. But God asked him specifically, “Why do you persecute me?” He then realized that persecuting the church, was persecuting Christ. Paul became the main author in the New Testament, where he wrote and sent letters to churches that he visited. He was even thrown in prison many times himself. The book of Philippians was written from a prison cell, in fact.
David sinned with Bathsheba and in other areas in his life. In Psalms 73 David states that his heart was bitter and he was foolish and arrogant. He states though, “Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. David knew how wrong his sin was. He knew how wrong others around him were. Here, he speaks of this “slippery path.” They are destroyed.
Make a U-Turn After You Compromise
A local pastor spoke at our church this last week. He spoke of how easy it is to make one compromise after another, like James says in James 1:14-15. Each person is tempted, then we are dragged away with our evil desire and enticed(teased). Then after the evil desire finishes its course, the next step is sin, then full-grown sin leads to spiritual death. What we have to do, is turn around, head back in the other direction, back towards Christ.
One thing after another, leads us to where we sin, but we need to turn around, and turn back to Christ who gives us SO much! Grace is the biggest and best thing he gives us when we turn around and make true life change! I love the song that I included today at the beginning of this post. He welcomes me(and all of us) when we make a u-turn or sometimes a first turn to Him. The quote below caught my attention recently. Satan wants to ruin our life and reminds us of how terrible we are. “He calls me by my sin.” God knows exactly what I do wrong, but He calls me by my name. He loves each one of us and wants us to come back home to Him.
The Devil Knows Your Name
But Calls You By Your Sin.
God Knows Your Sin
But Calls You By Your Name
Ricardo Sanchez
Good U-Turns Are Not Boring
Scripture was not written to make our lives less fun, and dull, boring and difficult to attain. It was written so to teach us. When we make the right decisions, we will be grateful, we will be rewarded and live a life that is better. It won’t be perfect because we will still have trials and temptations. But we know where to turn for direction. When we make the wrong decisions and return to Him in true repentance(change of direction), we see His grace is amazing! We don’t deserve grace at all! Our change of direction brings better consequences as well. We can’t do this without accepting Him first though.
A Famous Man Who Made A U-Turn
John Newton, the author of the hymn, Amazing Grace, knew how wrong he was and “what a wretch he was”, to hold, torture and trade slaves who were going to the West Indies from England. William Wilberforce actively was instrumental in abolishing slavery. John Newton turned his life around and understood what he did was wrong and made that “U-Turn” to come to God and change his ways. He knew that “once he was lost, but now am found.” He was blind but then he could see. Christ changed his life.
Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind but now I see
John Newton
Quite clear. Thanks for the insight.
You’re welcome, I’m glad it helped
Thanks for the post. One question I have is who makes the U turn? Do I make the change myself, do I allow God to make the U turn for me, or is it some combination of the two?
You make the decision to change. You make the decision to change and surrender, then rely on the Lord to lead you in more decisions you need to make. Other believers can help too. Be accountable, pray and read the Word! If I can help more, let me know!
Was that clear?
Rebecca, Lewis wrote In Mere Christianity, ““Progress means getting nearer to the place you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turning, then to go forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man.”
I pray that Yernasia will make such a turn and get her mind into the Word of God instead of her fantasies and imaginations of what she thinks it says.
I agree! She doesn’t know the Word of God and doesn’t seem to want to know it either. She defends her positions every time.
Just keep her in prayer. Her comments and ‘style’ suggest she may have mental problems.
Praying for sure
Thank you for the CS Lewis quote too! Very much like what I am trying to say!
Amen and amen! Thank for this post! It gave me a sermon idea!!
Awesome!!!! Glad that others can benefit when you share the Word!
REALLY GOOD STUFF!
Thank you!
💜 Basically a “U-Turn” is a “Return To The Past” EveryOne, it’s SAFE!!! and Comfortable but NOT!!! for Long because Brother Jesus Knew what was coming when He Entered Jerusalem; do a “U-Turn” To The Past and Experience Going Around in Circles like ‘Groundhog Day’ and Other Movies that Explore The Repetition of Behaviour that Gets Us NoWhere
…💛💚💙…
💜 Nuthin’ wrong with Returning To Our Past EveryOne; the Foggy Future is Very Scary
…💛💚💙…
Not when we turn to Christ! He gives us what we need!
💜 What “Christ” Said is “Oh Ye of Little Faith…The Kingdom of God is InSide YOU!!” meaning YOU!!! Don’t Trust YOURSELF!!! EveryOne…like Peter FAILING!!! to Walk on Water then Denying, Judas Betraying and Thomas Doubting; an EndLess List of Male Failure…but There is Hope with Multiple Mary who Took His Body Down from The Cross arranged His Burial and were The First to Discover His Resurrection; also what He Said is “YOU!!! Have Healed ThySelf.” so Focus On and Interpret The Words of “Christ” as YOU!!! Will EveryOne, LifeTime is The Great Teacher about what’s InSide YOU!!! and WHY!!!
…💛💚💙…
Yernasia, again, you are mistaken in your quote of Scripture. Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is in the midst of you,” (Luke 17:25) referring to Himself that He is ushering in God’s rulership in our lives. His reference to “you of little faith” only appears in four places and has nothing to do with this subject nor your claim to put it with the Kingdom quote.
Further, He NEVER!!! said, “You have healed thyself.” Please read the Bible before continuing to claim quotes that are NOT!! in!! IT!!! (to borrow from your absurd punctuation.)
Praying for you that you will meet Jesus in prayer and the Word, and leave your foolish human philosophy behind.
Praise the Lord.Thank you very much for sharing such spiritually uplifting post .Take care🌹🙏
I’m glad that it is encouraging! You’re welcome and God bless you!
Amen.Hallelujah.🌹🙏