“He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings utter darkness into the light.” (Job 12:22)

Before I had personally prayed to commit my life to Jesus I had been attending church on Sunday mornings with the family I was living with. I wasn't interested in religious things really, and was only going to church because I felt duty bound to do so because they were committed to it.

A simple prayer changed everything!

Then, one afternoon while driving, I prayed a simple heartfelt prayer and asked Jesus to come into my life and help me. I had been struggling with alcohol and prayed the simple prayer in a fit of desperation. Afterwards, I felt a great sense of relief.

A big difference

The following Sunday I was back in the same church as usual, but something was very different! The pastor seemed to be preaching much better and clearer than before! He was interesting! I could understand what he was talking about! I enjoyed it! Afterwards, I complimented him on his “new and improved” style of preaching. I told him I was glad he changed his preaching style and hoped he continued to preach this way instead of the boring way he usually did. He just looked at me and said, “Mike! I haven't changed! I spoke exactly the same way I always do! So, if it isn't me, something obviously must have changed with you!” I then remembered that I had prayed to invite Jesus into to my life.”

The light had come on with me!

Jesus is “the light of the world” and after I had received him, he brought his light into my life. That's why I was suddenly different. I was a new creation in Jesus! I had come to see the light!

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12 NIV)

Several times during his administration the past president of the United States gave a full pardon to some prisoners.Their criminal records were completely wiped clean as though their crimes had never existed. They were then set free to enjoy the benefits of their brand new beginnings.

This is a picture of what happens when a person becomes “born again” as stated in the Bible in John 3:3 and 1 Peter 1:23.

A new creation

The Bible says it very clearly this way: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17)

Declared righteous

At the moment a person becomes “born again,” God completely forgives their past! He no longer remembers their past sins as though they never happened! He then declares them to be a righteous person!

“Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 5:1)

“Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life! And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” (Rom. 5:9-11)

Benefits for the righteous

There are wonderful benefits for the righteous in the form of God’s promises! Look what the Bible says about the righteous person.

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.’” (Psalm 92:12-15)

They will

• Flourish like a palm tree

• Grow like a cedar of Lebanon

• Be planted in the house of the Lord

• Flourish in he courts of our God

• Bear fruit in old age

• Stay fresh

• Stay green

• Proclaim great truths about the Lord:

This is because

• "The Lord is upright”

• “He is my rock”

•   “There is no wickedness in Him”

Claim the above promises for yourself!

They are for those who are saved. For those who have believed and confessed Jesus as their savior.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Rom. 10:9-10)