The Cry Of Desperation

As I begin this post let me give you the definition of the word "desperation". Desperation: a state of despair, typically one that results in rash or extreme behavior." From this I get that a cry of desperation is a cry to Jesus from a state of despair resulting in rash or extreme behavior. It is the kind of cry to Jesus that most folks, even believers, would think rash or extreme behavior. The truth is though, Jesus listens intently for this cry. When He hears it He always responds. It happened to me once. That's all it took. Jesus heard my cry. I've never been the same.

Before I surrendered my life over to Jesus several years back, I was super independent. I mean the idea of needing some "higher power" to get me through life was a cop-out to me. To me those who were actually serious about Jesus, were those who could not handle life on their own. In my own opinion they needed a crutch to make it through life. Not me. I could handle it just fine.

I was young, independent, and had all the smarts I needed to be successful in life. Religion to me was a personal thing, and no one had the right to force Jesus, or any other religion on me! I believed like I believed and you didn't mess with that. After all, I was not interested in messing with what you believed. Little did I know (at the time) I was naive, very needy, and well...stupid. (I can say that about me because I am me.) Looking back from this side of the cross of Jesus I can see things from a very different perspective. I was wrong back then! Thank God I know Jesus now!

This post is not meant to be about my personal testimony. But since Jesus so drastically changed my life, there's some of my personal testimony in most of my posts!

This is the crux of my post: If Jesus can do what He did for me...He can also do it for you. What did Jesus do for me? He answered my cry! It was a cry of desperation. My life had fallen apart. He had called me numerous times before. It got my attention. But it was not enough for me to surrender my life to Him. Eventually my life crumbled as did my marriage. God was not punishing me. In His mercy and grace I was being shown that I truly cannot live without Him. I quickly learned it was not a crutch I needed, it was a new life! And the only way I could experience this new life was to surrender my life to Jesus. That's why He came.

Let me say it again: If Jesus can do what He did for me, He can and will do it for you. Most people have great needs. You may be experiencing the worst of times in your life. You may feel there is no hope. Not so. If He can do it for me, He will do it for you!

Many folks who knew me before I surrendered my life to Jesus would think even He could not change my life. As a matter of fact, after coming back to my home town after about 37 years of absence, some are surprised to know that I am now a minister of the Gospel of Jesus, let alone an avid follower of Him. But that is Jesus! If He can do it for me...He will do it for you. He answered my cry of desperation.

When Jesus began to answer my cry of desperation the first thing that happened is that He came into my life. My cry of desperation was more than just an earnest cry for my marriage. It was total and complete surrender of my life to Him. The life of Steve Hutto - up to this point - ceased to exist! I was now completely His. Jesus began to heal our marriage through a new creation! His creation. It is the only way it would happen.

Many people follow Jesus until they get what they want. Then they go back to their former manner of life. Not me! He restored my soul, hence my marriage. Jesus never ignores the cry of desperation. It is what moves Him. If you need a major, miraculous break-through in your life, cry out to Jesus right now. Let Him know how you feel. Be prepared to give it all over to Him. He gave it all for you on the cross for this very moment in your life. If He can do it for me...He WILL do it for you. He will answer your cry of desperation.

"In my trouble I cried to the LORD, And He answered me." (Psalm 120:1)

Do You Rationalize Your Sin?

"I know the Bible says it is wrong, but I'm going through a tough time and God understands." Question: Does God understand our sin? My Bible says Jesus died to sin, once and for all. How could He understand it? He died to it, so that now we are dead to it. What Jesus does understand is a broken, repentant heart of surrender...not rationalized sin and disobedience. "Well...we've got to have at least one or two vices...right?" I've not seen nor heard of that one from the Bible either. Why? Because it's not there! "God knows I'm lonely...so it's OK for me to sleep with my girlfriend. Besides we will eventually get married." If God knows you are lonely, and that you've had a tough time with relationships - surrender to Him. It is still NOT OK to willfully sin! "God makes a home for the lonely; He leads out the prisoners into prosperity, Only the rebellious dwell in a parched land." (Psalm 68:6)

You know what I think? I think it's time for we Christians to STOP rationalizing our sin. Too many Christian peeps are making excuses for doing exactly what they want to do, not what He wants. Why should a believer need to rationalize their sin? The truth is, I know it is wrong when I sin. And so do you! To rationalize your sin is to proclaim that you do not believe the Word of God. It is to proclaim that you don't really trust God!

None of us is perfect. We will mess up. We will at times willfully sin. But I just can't see the validity in making excuses for it. It's just not in God's Word. So what do we do? We stop it! We stop it by confessing our sin to God. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

Too many Christians are stuck way back in the past because of the rationalization of sin. Sin rationalization is a symptom. It is a symptom of a lack of surrender to God. Understand that when one commits their life to Jesus, one must surrender their life to Him. To make a commitment without surrender means there will be no change. Jesus came to change your life. But you must surrender to Him. Instead of fighting day in and day out to "do the right thing", surrender it all to Jesus at this very moment. Admit to Him you are lost without Him, and that you cannot walk free of sin without Him. Admit to Him that He is your everything...your all in all. That is surrender. A life totally surrendered to Jesus is a life in which there is no need to rationalize sin.