Romans 12:1-2 - "Come As You Are"; "The Words I Would Say"

I woke up this morning to a song Crowder sings called "Come As You Are" and immediately started praying for some individuals. Doc has been preaching the last couples weeks about allowing the Lord to enable us to walk through open doors. It takes listening to His voice and being obedient. Yesterday he talked about how those doors can be scary yet when we are obedient we will be blessed. The words to this song are so encouraging when one thinks about them…

Come out of sadness
From wherever you’ve been
Come broken hearted
Let rescue begin
Come find your mercy
Oh sinner come kneel
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can’t heal
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can’t heal

So lay down your burdens
Lay down your shame
All who are broken
Lift up your face
Oh wanderer come home
You’re not too far
So lay down your hurt
Lay down your heart
Come as you are

There’s hope for the hopeless
And all those who’ve strayed
Come sit at the table
Come taste the grace
There’s rest for the weary
Rest that endures
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can’t cure

So lay down your burdens
Lay down your shame
All who are broken
Lift up your face
Oh wanderer come home
You’re not too far
So lay down your hurt
Lay down your heart
Come as you are
Come as you are
Fall in his arms
Come as you are
There’s joy for the morning
Oh sinner be still
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can’t heal
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can’t heal

The Lord wants to accept those who have never received Him. He also wants to restore those who taken their eyes off of Him. He is a saving God. He is a merciful God. No matter what we do, He is always there to accept us back into His graces. The road to restoration in our relationship with the Lord will not be an easy one. The enemy will be there fighting all the way to keep us from the Lord. But we must be strong in the knowledge the Lord is with us and eternity in heaven will be much better than eternity in hell. The enemy will tell us lies to make us feel guilty but the Lord is the Only One we need to listen to. We need to ponder on these words from the song…Earth has no sorrow; That heaven can’t cure.

We need to live out Romans 12:1-2 by being living sacrifices. The goal of our life should be to not conform to the world but to allow the Lord to transform us. When we do, we will hear from Him.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Sidewalk Prophets song, "The Words I Would Say" comes to my mind. Part of it goes like this...

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
Thank God for each day,
His love will find a way,
These are the words I would say

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the day You accepted me back from my wandering. Thank You for Your love, mercy and grace. I praise You Father for getting me through that dark time. Lord, I pray this morning for the ones You have brought to my mind who need encouragement. I pray for them to feel Your Spirit stir them this morning. Lord, give them Your strength when they feel weak. Heal their brokenness. Enable them, Lord, to stand up against the enemy when he comes knocking at their door. Father, I pray for miracles to happen in their lives. Open doors that need opened. Close doors that need closed. Lord, I know the way I am enabled is by having more of You in my life and less of me. Please put that desire on their hearts. Thank You Jesus for being My Open Door. Amen.