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The Long Journey Home

“He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me” (Psalm 23:2-4).

My Precious Child,

I know the journey has been hard. You have become weary and tired in the battle. Sometimes you even question where I am and whether or not I love you. I want you to know I am here always, even to the ends of the earth.

When you feel lost and can no longer see clearly ahead—when the darkness of the night wipes out your sight—when you feel that your choices have led you to a place of aimless wandering, know this: I will lead you out.

Imagine a child who is lost in a dense, dark forest at night with no light or sense of direction. He’s terrified that he may be devoured by the darkness or, worse yet, by the wild creatures of the night. Yet out of the darkness comes a beacon of hope—someone to pick him up and rush him back to the safety of his parents’ arms. 

I am that beacon of HOPE for you. No matter how you lost your way or how deep your level of panic, I will come and rescue you. Together we’ll begin the long journey out of the forest of confusion and affliction, out of the forest of poor choices to a place of restoration, stability and victory.

Can you see Me standing there with a lantern in My hand ready to guide you out? I will be that light to your path and lamp to your feet. I am your light! I am your beacon of hope! Put your hand in Mine, and let Me guide you to rest with Me awhile beside gentle streams, at the edge of lush, green meadows where My abiding presence flows. I will guide you out of the valley of death into the protective shelter of My love. I am your refuge and strength—and as you hide yourself in Me, My Spirit will bring you to a place of comfort and rest.

No one is so terribly lost that I, the Lord, cannot lead them out of the darkness into the light. No one is too far gone that I cannot rescue them. I see where you are even now and am gently pulling you into my arms. So call upon Me, for I will never fail to answer your call. You are Mine, and I will never let you go.

I Love You So Much My Beautiful Child,
Jesus 

Life or Death? The Choice is Yours!

When you lay this paper aside; when you contemplate the essence of its meaning, I pray that its central message of hope and reclamation will continue to reverberate and resonate in your spirit.

Ours is a generation unmatched in history. Catastrophic events are happening all around us and at breakneck speed. The vision of the prophets—the warnings of Jesus—the predictions of John the Revelator —literally scream their reality on the television, internet, and the news media. They’re inescapable.

In times like these we desperately need the hand of our Father—not only to survive, but to thrive. How absolutely vital it is to have His love and assurance and peace in our heart to maneuver through the difficult days that are coming. The “peace” I speak of is the kind only the Lord Jesus gives. Steadfast! Immovable! Enduring!

Precious reader, the moment of decision has arrived for you. Stretching before you are two roads. The one leads to reconciliation with the Father. And an awesome life adventure—culminating in a never-ending relationship with your Maker and Savior. A home and inheritance divinely prepared for you.

The other road plunges ever downward to eternal separation from God. A fiery conclusion for a life preordained for glory. If you opt to pursue the world, the flesh and the devil—the end thereof is the way of death.

Delay is dangerous! We have no guarantee of tomorrow. In the fifth chapter of the Gospel of John, Jesus says:

“Those who listen to My message and believe in God who sent Me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life” (John 5:24).

Will you believe? Repentance and confession are the ‘connectors’ to God’s mercy.

Are you a sinner? Is your life brimming with the false aspirations of a world entrenched in confusion and chaos? Has Satan shackled you with uncontrollable bondage? Through His Word and His Spirit, the Lord Jesus extends to you real freedom. Freedom in this life and eternal life in the hereafter!

“Whom the Son sets free is free indeed.”

Call out to God for Salvation

Pour out your heart to Him. It might sound something like this:

“Lord Jesus, thank You for dying on the cross for me. I don’t deserve Your love, but I believe right now that Your blood was shed for my sins. I believe Your Word that promises me Your resurrection life. I ask You to forgive me and help me live for You from this day forward. Thank You for reaching out to me, and for making Your everlasting love real to me. Amen.”

Are you halfhearted? Have you slipped away from the Lord and gone your own way? No longer listening to the Lord’s voice? Has the enemy convinced you God’s grace has run out? He’s a liar! You can be forgiven and restored to your first love.

Pray this sincerely (or in your own words):

“Lord, I once enjoyed Your presence and followed Your precepts, but I’ve since strayed away. Forgive me for my unfaithfulness. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I consecrate myself anew to Your will and Your way. Show me once again the right path to travel. And please dear Savior walk with me!” 

Mature Believer – Are you seeking deeper depths and higher heights in God? Are you striving to fulfill His call upon your life? Does He mean more to you than anyone or anything in this world? Then lift your heart to Him and tell the Lord in these words, or words of your own choosing:

Precious Savior, I want to be filled with your Spirit. I would bask in Your presence and power. Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me. Let my life reflect Your glory. I yield myself—everything I am and have—to Your purpose. Thank You Lord for infusing my life with Your life!

A New Beginning

Whatever your spiritual category, you can embrace a new beginning. But it’s imperative that you turn over the reins of your life to the God of the universe who created it. 

It is my humble prayer that those who have traveled with me through this special tract will be strengthened and encouraged and inspired to seek their own encounter with the sweet Master Jesus.

Please let us know so we can bathe you in prayer and share your joy. 

-Steve Porter

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