What do you ACTUALLY know about Jesus?

Not what someone told you or you heard in church or some “religious” person told you, what do YOU actually KNOW? Have you read the Bible? Have you done your own research?

I grew up in a church that basically told me if I screwed up, poof! That’s it, donezo... then I started attending a church at 14 that told a different message... but I was hurt by that church so I didn’t go back. For 15 years I was a Christmas Eve and Easter attender... yea, I know some of ya feel me.

Then almost 4 years ago my girl Leanna told me about a new pastor at my old church that I had to hear. He was saved in prison, he’s an addict and alcoholic... whoa, wait, what?

I listened. I keep listening. And the message seemed different, I needed more. So two years ago I got my Bible out and decided to read it for myself, wow. This guy shares Jesus, not religion, true scripture in a way I can understand it. The first chapter talks about God’s FIRST creation screwing things up, yea! Then His most trusted servant Abram & his wife, trying to do it alone... then incest & sex & scandal after scandal, murder for another man’s wife, prostitutes, drunks, the worst of the worst...making history for Him. I started to wonder if everything I’d ever been taught was real...this seemed so different, something that didn’t make me feel like a big fat, drunken loser.

I kept reading. Asking questions. Doing research. Turns out, God’s grace & mercy extends to the least of us, to the most broken down sinner, He loves us all the same. No judgment, no fire & brimstone, just love. I ask for forgiveness, He wipes my slate clean, never to be thought of again...even I don’t give myself that kind of grace, but He does.

Then He sent Jesus, God in a bod, as Ben says, who walked with us, as a real dude, healing & loving people, hanging out with sinners, in bars and hookers at the local watering hole, I think that’s pretty cool. Then He did something amazing, He lived perfectly for 33 years. He lead a ministry for only 3, but in that time he recruited a wiley group of dudes to follow Him and share His TRUTH, not the law that had been talked about forever, much like the laws men have placed on us today, but love. That’s it friends, God is love. He sent Jesus to hang on a cross to wipe out every sin that you and I have or will commit. He felt every one of our transgressions in those last moments. He did it so we could live blameless, loved and in heaven.

There are a whole lot of people out there ‘preaching’ without telling the truth of the One true God; no good deed will get you to heaven, no acts of service, no law. The ONLY thing that’ll get you to heaven is this; God, I know I’m a sinner, I know you sent your Son to die for me and raise again. I want to live better.’ That’s it. Say it to yourself, He hears you, no man can save you, only that simple prayer. You’ll never be perfect, or sinless, but there’s peace just knowing you won’t do it alone. God forgives your sins, not a man or a religion, God alone. No works or good deeds, God alone. Isn’t that freeing?! I think so, He is literally all you need. Love God, Love your neighbor, THAT IS IT. Religion is rules. God IS LOVE. Get your Bible out, READ IT FOR YOURSELF. Don’t have one? The YouVersion Bible app has it all right there. I recommend starting in Romans, in the New Testament, then start at Matthew, read the New Testament then start in Genesis. Don’t be afraid of God, He loves you. If anyone told you different, they are WRONG, read it, learn it, know it for yourself. I wanna see you in heaven and if you don’t ask Jesus in to your heart, I won’t. And hell ain’t no place for nobody, it ain’t sun tans and margs, it’s eternal fire with a never-ending thirst. Easter is coming, know what it means, it isn’t bunnies and candy, while I do love those things, learn the true meaning. The greatest gift you’ll ever receive is Jesus in your heart. Life doesn’t get easier, honestly for a new believer it often gets harder. The devil hates that and he hates you. He comes at us hard, he’s been coming at me for three years. But I pray, have faith and have been more blessed in my three year less than ever in my life before. Do your own research. If anyone made you feel unlovable by God, I’m sorry. I’ve been there, I know that hurt. It’s a big friggin lie my friend. He loves you, KNOW THAT!