“I can’t think of a greater way to introduce you to my heart behind this topic than to tell you exactly what I know to be true. It’s a little thing commonly known as the Gospel; a story of love and pursuit.”

– Lauren Massengale on the topic of Faith

I believe that Abba, God, our Father, created the universe at the beginning of time. In just a handful of simple motions, over a few days, he crafted the sun, the heavens, & the earth, all of the plants and animals of the sky, land, & sea, and mankind. He also gave man free will, as he is a just and loving Father. For a time, humans dwelled in the literal presence of the Creator and had a one-of-a-kind relationship with Him.

This was so special that the fallen angel, also known as Lucifer/Satan, became jealous, he set out to tempt man. Sin entered the world when man fell into the deceit of the enemy. For generations, mankind rebelled against the Creator and thus began the Lord’s relentless pursuit after our hearts. For thousands of years the Lord pursued the heart of man, and again & again man chose riches, power, and lust.

Mankind, ruled by the power of sin,

attempted to live estranged from the guidance of the Lord, to go their own way and allow their lives to be controlled by worldly desires. All the while, God had been sending prophets to His people to speak truth to them, for He never has forsaken His people. These prophets were not only ignored but killed for speaking out. When the time came, He sent His one and only son to earth in the form of a sweet little baby named, Jesus. Jesus grew up to live a perfect life. In the face of all temptations, he turned away and prayed. He performed miracles because he is of God and also had the living spirit of God within him. He is pure, but not without temptation. And, he became an example to all of how to live the perfect life.

He is kind, loving, forgiving, unrelenting, and a friend to all. He is the lamb of God.

Eventually, he became the perfect sacrifice as prophesied. Jesus went to the cross out of love for all of the sins of people before him & all the people to come. He went to the cross for you and for me and was beaten and ridiculed for it, too. Jesus died and paid the debt of sin that unleashed havoc and devastation on a world that was bound to live in bondage without. He rose three days later and lifted a spiritual veil for us to have open communication with our heavenly Father again. His death has allowed us to be in fellowship with the Creator of the world, like in Eden. Jesus paid the debt of sin for all people, so that all may turn from the sin they’ve been living in and live by His teachings.

He faced hell for me, so I wouldn’t have to. That is love.

So, nearing the end of the story now is when I ask you a series of questions about the Lord’s love and pursuit.

Do you have a relationship with God, Abba? He already knows the deepest parts of your soul that no one else does. God loves you and cares for you because he intentionally knit together every part of your being in your mother’s womb. He created you for a purpose and longs for your heart. Don’t trust me? Ask him for yourself.

Is there a part of your life that you know is wrong and aren’t willing to give up? Then I’ll follow this up with, 1.) What is keeping you from giving it up? 2.) Do you feel whether it is keeping you from a relationship with the Lord, and are you being honest with yourself? These questions are ones that I went to bat with for at least a year in college, maybe more. Mainly, I would ask myself over and over again if I was being honest with myself. But I’m also here to tell you, if you desire to be in close communion with the Lord, if you truly want your heart in tune with his, pray for that alone, and don’t give up.

Thanks for reading along with me. I pray this post finds you when you need it and that the Lord speaks to your heart in a way that you hear and feel it! All the love,

– Lauren