Haha! I was trying to think of a good title for this post and that is what I came up with. Before my last blog, things got pretty crazy spiritually. Without getting into detail, I'll just say that I let my flesh have it. Again, it was a hard lesson learned but God just keeps opening up my eyes to all these realities. I was encouraged when watching this video by Tim Conway called "What does it mean to live in habitual sin?". A friend of mine suggested I watch some of his vids and all that I've seen so far are really good. I came upon this one and it spoke to me so much. It is so easy to grab something we want so bad when it is within arms reach when typically we'd run from it when we know the path it leads to. Even though I can't live in habitual sin, there were some good points that have helped me to get passed this predicament I find myself in from time to time. Through it I am learning that each day I need to hit the floor and pray that my flesh be crucified. I still haven't been doing that but I know it is something I should make a habit of, if anything.
There are some people out there that say they are Christians. I'm not judging but I am just saying that I don't think all people truly know what it means to be a Christ follower. I accepted Christ Jesus' offer of salvation back on Good Friday 2006. I have not been able to continue in sin that I have fallen into. I've fallen, yes! We all do. Read Romans 7. We do what we hate and even though we know it's wrong though we want to do what is right. We have the tendency to get back into it though but it is not "fun!". I have realized why this keeps happening to me and it is because I am in a fragile position as a Christian single mother. It also has a lot to do with obedience. We need to pick up our crosses and follow daily. The war is always raging but we can be better prepared if we do as the Bible says. This road is not easy and that is why it is called the narrow way. Unfortunately, the enemy knows our weaknesses. That doesn't mean we give him the victory. The victory has been won, thanks to Jesus our Lord! If I didn't have the fellowship I have with other Christians, it would be a lot harder to get back up after I fall. In that vid I mentioned, this verse spoke to me: (Proverbs 24:16) The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked. That put relief on my heart as far as I am concerned. When the godly fall, they rise. When they rise they fight! The wicked diminish. That is sad. They scatter from the light because they don't want their deeds to be exposed. It happens every time!
I also really liked Tim's analogy since it is along side another Bible verse is: The pig: you thrown him in the mud and he stays there. When a lamb gets thrown in the mud, he scrambles out. He wants get the mud off him because it is not natural anymore. That is how I feel when I get entangled into sin as it should to us to have been born-again and find ourselves in sin. We desire to be clean so we take it to God. We don't lolly back into sin just because God's grace covers us. It's very hard and humbling to face God after sinning but it is so much easier to move on when the cleansing power takes action.
Like David says in Psalm 32:3 When I kept silent my bones wasted away.
It is very difficult to bring sinful man humbly to accept free mercy, with a full confession of his sins and self-condemnation. But the true and only way to peace of conscience, is, to confess our sins, that they may be forgiven; to declare them that we may be justified. Although repentance and confession do not merit the pardon of transgression, they are needful to the real enjoyment of forgiving mercy. And what tongue can tell the happiness of that hour, when the soul, oppressed by sin, is enabled freely to pour forth its sorrows before God, and to take hold of his covenanted mercy in Christ Jesus! Those that would speed in prayer, must seek the Lord, when, by his providence, he calls them to seek him, and, by his Spirit, stirs them up to seek him. In a time of finding, when the heart is softened with grief, and burdened with guilt; when all human refuge fails; when no rest can be found to the troubled mind, then it is that God applies the healing balm by his Spirit. (Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary of Psalm 32:3-7) So beautifully put!
Other good points of Tim Conway's with a couple of my own personal notes:
There wasn't a battle with sin before salvation. I know I am saved because this has become something I wrestle with a lot. That is why we must watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41). Our eyes are very much open when the Light of Life dwells within. Apart from Christ, we can do nothing! (John 15:5)
There is a godly sorrow in God's children, they have sorrow they have offended God. Though they fall 7 times, they rise out of it. They love God. I love God and I desire to trust and obey. I am sad for others who don't seem to have the Lord's hand of discipline upon them. What a terrible place to be. God sealed us with His covenant blood. He disciplines us as a loving Father would and we will feel it. It won't be pleasant for the time, but it's for our own good.
We fall, but there is grief. If there is a pattern of sin, God disciplines His children. If you can toy with sin and there is no discipline, you are a bastard and God is not your Father. That is a scary thought! Is this you?
This is a battle, not perfection. We will not be made completely perfect till the day of Jesus' return. God will use times like these for the good. He knows who are His and He calls them by name.
Set your mind on the things of the Spirit, there you will find life. The flesh and its deeds bring death.
If you don't war with sin, you should be concerned. If a radical change did not take place in your life, where old things are passed away and all things become new, and your view of sin has not changed, you should be gravely concerned. I know the change that occurred in my life. We can't expect to be perfect, but we can expect a heart that will want to willingly obey what the Spirit wants of us.
I am not only grieved for going against truth, which all sin is. I also grieved for the way sin in my life has hurt others. We also have to keep in mind that we don't battle against flesh and blood. It goes much more deeper, spiritually than that. We have to stand guard in God's word prepared for the days are dark and evil. Sin breeds chaos. Oh does it ever!
How to pick back up?! Confess your sins to the Lord for He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us all ALL unrighteousness.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
What Do I Stand For?
Do you ever stop and wonder what you stand for? I am going through this book with a friend called What Singles Need To Know About Sex and Dating by Laura B. Gallier. Her husband has shared this quote with her many times: Until you know what you stand for, you will fall for anything. That quote is so powerful that we had to repeat it and we thought it would be good to think about what that means to us. I thought it would be a neat challenge for all of us, so if you're up for it...take some time to consider it too.
When I think about who I am, I think about who I am to God. I'm His daughter and in His sight I am precious regardless of the things I have done in the past even up to now. Even though I mess up, God still sees me as clean. What a loving God I serve that He would see me in such a way! I already know the trouble of putting too much effort into what the world thinks. Where am I today? I am alive and for whatever reason, I believe God is going to use me somehow. You are here reading this blog and maybe God wants to speak to you through it and I pray you will leave encouraged. That again is my prayer for any blog I write. That God would use me to speak whatever it is He wants to speak through me. You are alive too. God has a purpose for you as well. How great a purpose God has for us and may we be willing servants that He may paint the picture of Christ in our lives so that others may taste and see just how good He is!
Our choices today are going to impact our lives tomorrow and even more so in the long run. We all are in such different places in our lives. Some of you may not know God and therefore aren't walking with Him, namely you don't have a relationship with Him. Some of you are backsliders who just don't care anymore and are going through life with the "Woe is me!" attitude because I get screwed over all the time. Some are professed believers who think they got it right, but still the truth needs to be made manifest to them and if that's you, deep down you know it, that something just isn't right. There are so many out there in different places but that doesn't change the love God has for each of us that He was willing to die on our behalf that we may receive eternal life. My prayer for each of you is that wherever you are at, you would allow God to speak to you. He wants to speak to you regardless, no matter where you are in life. Even if you are born-again and just happen to be in a sticky situation and are having a hard time digging your way out (That was me recently.) God will make things clear again and remove the fog. I'm getting out of the mind set that "I messed up so many times, what does is matter?" That is a lie Satan wants us to believe. It does matter. It matters to God and it should matter to me. His mercies are new every morning, and I want to walk in them! Everyday we make the choice whether or not we are going to obey and follow. Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery, today is a gift, that is why we called it the present. I love that quote! :o)
I make bad choices from time to time, don't we all? I am not proud of it. My desire is to do right and to do otherwise just isn't who I am. The battle is so strong and it will be hard. Wherever you are at though and if you happen to feel alone... you're not! There is someone else and many others that are in that very same place as you. After my latest downfall, God brought someone into my life who had recently gone through pretty much the same thing. I kept wondering how God would use this for His glory and then He brought this person to talk to me and it became clear when that person was thankful for having talked to me. He uses all things for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose. And He will do the same for you. Think about your life. Does it matter to you that things aren't going so well? I think for any believer, it does matter and we need to be willing to take the first step in admitting it. I think about God a lot, even though I do dumb things at times, my thoughts are still on Him. But know one thing, that His love for you and I will never change. Make today a day of change. A day to let Him take over and give you the life He so much desires for you to have. The world will never be able to offer what He can!
My prayer:
Lord God, I just thank You so much that You are so mindful of us that You would adopt us into Your family. My heart breaks when I think about those in my life who are hurting and are damaged because of the hurt of others and that of the world. I'm sorry Lord for those I have hurt. Help me to love them with Your heart. I pray for much protection upon all Your precious sons and daughters as they tread through this dark and deceitful world filled with lies. Open their eyes to see You for who You are (truth) and that Your desires would be placed in their hearts. Reveal Your fingerprints in our lives that we may recognize Your works. Help us to perceive the love You have for us in such a personal way and that we would be reminded of Your grace that has covered all our sins. Help us to turn to You this day and the many days that follow till the day of Your return. Remind us who we are, Your anointed, Your redeemed. In Your name, Jesus...amen!
When I think about who I am, I think about who I am to God. I'm His daughter and in His sight I am precious regardless of the things I have done in the past even up to now. Even though I mess up, God still sees me as clean. What a loving God I serve that He would see me in such a way! I already know the trouble of putting too much effort into what the world thinks. Where am I today? I am alive and for whatever reason, I believe God is going to use me somehow. You are here reading this blog and maybe God wants to speak to you through it and I pray you will leave encouraged. That again is my prayer for any blog I write. That God would use me to speak whatever it is He wants to speak through me. You are alive too. God has a purpose for you as well. How great a purpose God has for us and may we be willing servants that He may paint the picture of Christ in our lives so that others may taste and see just how good He is!
Our choices today are going to impact our lives tomorrow and even more so in the long run. We all are in such different places in our lives. Some of you may not know God and therefore aren't walking with Him, namely you don't have a relationship with Him. Some of you are backsliders who just don't care anymore and are going through life with the "Woe is me!" attitude because I get screwed over all the time. Some are professed believers who think they got it right, but still the truth needs to be made manifest to them and if that's you, deep down you know it, that something just isn't right. There are so many out there in different places but that doesn't change the love God has for each of us that He was willing to die on our behalf that we may receive eternal life. My prayer for each of you is that wherever you are at, you would allow God to speak to you. He wants to speak to you regardless, no matter where you are in life. Even if you are born-again and just happen to be in a sticky situation and are having a hard time digging your way out (That was me recently.) God will make things clear again and remove the fog. I'm getting out of the mind set that "I messed up so many times, what does is matter?" That is a lie Satan wants us to believe. It does matter. It matters to God and it should matter to me. His mercies are new every morning, and I want to walk in them! Everyday we make the choice whether or not we are going to obey and follow. Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery, today is a gift, that is why we called it the present. I love that quote! :o)
I make bad choices from time to time, don't we all? I am not proud of it. My desire is to do right and to do otherwise just isn't who I am. The battle is so strong and it will be hard. Wherever you are at though and if you happen to feel alone... you're not! There is someone else and many others that are in that very same place as you. After my latest downfall, God brought someone into my life who had recently gone through pretty much the same thing. I kept wondering how God would use this for His glory and then He brought this person to talk to me and it became clear when that person was thankful for having talked to me. He uses all things for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose. And He will do the same for you. Think about your life. Does it matter to you that things aren't going so well? I think for any believer, it does matter and we need to be willing to take the first step in admitting it. I think about God a lot, even though I do dumb things at times, my thoughts are still on Him. But know one thing, that His love for you and I will never change. Make today a day of change. A day to let Him take over and give you the life He so much desires for you to have. The world will never be able to offer what He can!
My prayer:
Lord God, I just thank You so much that You are so mindful of us that You would adopt us into Your family. My heart breaks when I think about those in my life who are hurting and are damaged because of the hurt of others and that of the world. I'm sorry Lord for those I have hurt. Help me to love them with Your heart. I pray for much protection upon all Your precious sons and daughters as they tread through this dark and deceitful world filled with lies. Open their eyes to see You for who You are (truth) and that Your desires would be placed in their hearts. Reveal Your fingerprints in our lives that we may recognize Your works. Help us to perceive the love You have for us in such a personal way and that we would be reminded of Your grace that has covered all our sins. Help us to turn to You this day and the many days that follow till the day of Your return. Remind us who we are, Your anointed, Your redeemed. In Your name, Jesus...amen!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
My Story Continues!
Lately, I have been reflecting on how I would like to keep on sharing my testimony because really...it never ends. A lot of times people just share it and leave it at that as though we all just live happily ever after. So much time has passed and I think about how there is so much more I can share like what God has done in my life since my conversion and what He is currently doing. Looking back over the past few years of my walk with God, I have hit many highs and lows and sometimes it is hard to get back on level ground after so many lows. Maybe you're thinking, "Oh goodness, same here!" Let me tell you what helps in breaking away from that heavy load. First off, Jesus forgives. He foresaw all our days even before He created the world. Read Psalm 139! I can't tell you the amount of time I spent hitting myself over the head for the things I have done but I look back and realize that it's all about learning and growing. I am alive in Christ! I am unable to continue on in the sinful life. Sure my flesh wages war within me but my desire is to obey! We are going to mess up time and time again and God sees it. It is nothing to take light of, but we are in a battle. Another thing to know here is that God sees us for who we are becoming, not for who we are or were. He sees us in His righteousness because we who have been forgiven are covered by His blood. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns (Phip. 1:6). Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise (Hebrews 10:23). There is so much I could say on what I know to be true. But I can sum it up by Psalm 33:4 For all God's words are right, and everything He does is worthy of our trust. His Word is full of light and truth. It is the truth that frees us and I encourage you to dig in.
Another thing I consider when growing in the knowledge of God is that we must rely on God's Word, not devotional books only. Some people think they can get by just doing their morning and evening devotionals by today's biggest author but that isn't going to hold you over. Sure, there are some good ones out there, I agree. I just encourage you to be in the Word and let your trust be in God alone and on His wisdom alone! We can all talk about what we think and our opinions can be so easy to share but know this: (1 Corinthians 4:20) The Kingdom of God is not just talking: it is living by God's power. I have run into professed Christians who have an awful lot to say about pretty much nothing because it is not backed up by God's Word. I will not even go there but again, I could back this up by tons of scripture. Let God speak! I have also had a lot of people suggest book after book to me but I desire to hear from God through prayer and through His Word. There is an intimacy that takes place in our relationship with God when we read the Bible.
Okay, so what does this blog really have to do with my story? These are just some things that have helped me through my growth spurts over the years. I have been up and down many roads and I have personally seen the Lord restore the years the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25). There have been times my vision was blurred but God removed the blinders. I would walk in a way I thought was harmless but then I was reminded that every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart (Proverbs 21:2). These are some deep things that I have learned and instead of looking at them as some big terrible mistake, to me they are simply times of growth. There is pain in the growth. I just wanted to share this because as of late, these are the things that have helped me through the most difficult of times. There are plenty more things that I'd like to share but I just wanted to encourage you that you can get past that stump you are in if you're in one. I have hit many roadblocks because I wasn't thinking about the simplicity of faith. Faith can move mountains and I can say that from experience.
Be blessed dear readers! It is late and I am super tired. My ending verse tonight is Proverbs 20:24 Since the Lord is directing our steps, why try to understand everything that happens along the way? How true is that. Lets quit trying to pick things apart all the time. God wants to meet us where we are at. Time to commit ourselves to looking ahead and forgetting what lies behind. Time to turn over a new leaf!
Good night!
Another thing I consider when growing in the knowledge of God is that we must rely on God's Word, not devotional books only. Some people think they can get by just doing their morning and evening devotionals by today's biggest author but that isn't going to hold you over. Sure, there are some good ones out there, I agree. I just encourage you to be in the Word and let your trust be in God alone and on His wisdom alone! We can all talk about what we think and our opinions can be so easy to share but know this: (1 Corinthians 4:20) The Kingdom of God is not just talking: it is living by God's power. I have run into professed Christians who have an awful lot to say about pretty much nothing because it is not backed up by God's Word. I will not even go there but again, I could back this up by tons of scripture. Let God speak! I have also had a lot of people suggest book after book to me but I desire to hear from God through prayer and through His Word. There is an intimacy that takes place in our relationship with God when we read the Bible.
Okay, so what does this blog really have to do with my story? These are just some things that have helped me through my growth spurts over the years. I have been up and down many roads and I have personally seen the Lord restore the years the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25). There have been times my vision was blurred but God removed the blinders. I would walk in a way I thought was harmless but then I was reminded that every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart (Proverbs 21:2). These are some deep things that I have learned and instead of looking at them as some big terrible mistake, to me they are simply times of growth. There is pain in the growth. I just wanted to share this because as of late, these are the things that have helped me through the most difficult of times. There are plenty more things that I'd like to share but I just wanted to encourage you that you can get past that stump you are in if you're in one. I have hit many roadblocks because I wasn't thinking about the simplicity of faith. Faith can move mountains and I can say that from experience.
Be blessed dear readers! It is late and I am super tired. My ending verse tonight is Proverbs 20:24 Since the Lord is directing our steps, why try to understand everything that happens along the way? How true is that. Lets quit trying to pick things apart all the time. God wants to meet us where we are at. Time to commit ourselves to looking ahead and forgetting what lies behind. Time to turn over a new leaf!
Good night!
"Saved In A Hot Tub!" Evie's Testimony
Current mood: thankful
Category: Life
I am extremely blessed to have this opportunity to share my testimony and I thank you for taking the time to read it. This may be long but please keep reading. I am so excited to be able to share this with you.
It all really began when my sister Holly came to know the Lord. I could see the transformation that had happened in her life but I would do nothing more than scoff at her and ridicule her. There was a time I told her to "Save it for Sunday School." I remember the empty days as they passed one by one. I would do different things to see if there would be any fulfillment but after each attempt, I would see more of my need for something I never knew existed. And that was...purpose.
It wasn't so much that I was bored and needed a new trend to pull me through another chapter of my life. Deep down, I always knew there was a God and thought I had already been given eternal life because Jesus died for my sins. I remember thinking "Well, the only reason I feel doing these things is wrong is because my sister pointed her finger at me and told me it was wrong". What a poor excuse to continue living the way I did. I would drink, swear, lie, smoke, put myself before anything else in my life and didn't care how it impacted me. In reality it was God that convicted me of my sins...not Holly.
I remember when we had the Bird Flu scare in 2006. I worried so much about what would happen if it got here. What would happen to my son? What about my family? What about me? I would spend sleepless nights pondering the thoughts of death and what happens after this life. That's all I could think about. My sister tried telling me about God even then and I refused to listen. There were many mishaps between my sister and I and to this day I regret being the way I was. However, I can't change the past but I can warn you so that you no longer make the same mistake I did. It's refusing to listen to those who share faith in Jesus.
One day, my sister called and told me that she would be visiting the upcoming weekend with her friend Angie and her 6 month old son, Abe. Holly met Angie at the Church of Acts in Waukesha, Wi. I was happy to meet Angie also. I remember the day they arrived and pulled into my driveway in Angie's van. They made plans to stay at the Holiday Inn in Neenah which is also where my wedding reception was held when it was called the Valley Inn. It was a gorgeous day on April 14th, 2006 (Good Friday). We first stopped at the hotel to unpack and then we decided to go to a waterfront park nearby. I remember that day so vividly. It was sunny, warm and breezy. Holly, Christian (our little bro), Brandon and Abe went off to play as Angie and I sat on the swings, chatting away. I was so comfortable and happy just being away from the house. Angie marveled at how cool and collected I was that day. Was rare! After the park, we went to the hotel to eat and then got ready to go swimming. It was mainly us 6 in the pool. I remember Holly and Angie talking amongst themselves about Jesus and how they anxiously await His return. We were in the big pool at this time and I was circling around them being strangely tuned into what they were discussing. I wanted to feel whatever it was they were feeling because I could sense the excitement as they spoke of Jesus' return. Christian was pretending to be a shark chasing after me, but that didn't stop me from listening to Holly and Angie. That was also quite rare for me.
When we all decided to go in to the hot tub, Angie started asking me if I thought I would go to heaven and I said I wasn't sure, probably not. I then opened up about myself, and shared concerns and questions that were brewing up inside of me. Not only that but something had clicked. I just spilled myself out basically. I mean, I have been prayed with at churches growing up and thinking I was already saved, but didn't know too much about what it meant to actually be saved (born-again). I told Angie how badly I wanted to change. I didn't want to be bitter or selfish anymore. I didn't want to fear death. I wanted to clean up my mouth and my life. I needed help! My heart was upside down.
First, I am like a fish slowly circling around some bait. Soon, I am caught and being reeled in, fighting, struggling but can't break away no matter how I tried. Suddenly, I give up and my tail flaps, flaps...stops. You can picture a fish after you catch one when you go fishing. That is how this was for me at that very moment.
Angie offered to pray with me. At this point, we are just about to get the hook out of my mouth. Angie grabbed my hands and began praying with me. The words she spoke were beautiful. Little did I know, it was God, the Holy Spirit. I remember sinking into the thick mucky dirt and the feeling of strong sturdy hands taking mine and pulling me free. I was in tears! I was calm and was feeling something deep, real, an unexplainable joy. I was saved! You may be wondering how I knew I was saved, but when you surrender your all to the Lord and accept Him as your Savior...you just know! However, it may take others longer to really see things as clearly as I did. My tears were the symbol of rain being poured onto my soul. Who knew, but our Lord Jesus, that I would be saved while in a hot tub? Brandon and I ended up staying that night at the hotel so we could visit more and we all had such a great time.
I remember going home and everything being different which was really strange to me at the time. I received a card in the mail from Angie the following week. I remember questioning things, perhaps the enemy was trying to get at me but he lost. I was won over by the grace of God. It took prayer and patience to understand the Bible. I went through trials to discover where God wanted me but I grew through it all. I was baptised in the Bark River in Waukesha through the Church of Acts on June 11th 2006. I am so blessed to be where I am in life and thank God daily for all the blessings He has given to me.
Here are some Bible verses I find to be very special and close to my heart along with all of God's Holy and precious Word:
Jesus says in Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them". The three that were gathered that day were Holly, Angie and I. God's presence was made known. How faithful His word is!
In Matthew 4:19 And Jesus saith unto them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men". Just how real is this verse? Just like a fish I was caught and slowly reeled in putting up a struggle but finally giving in.
John 8:12 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." I love this verse and wanted to share it.
Also, I was seeking for purpose in this world. When I was faced with Jesus through the conversation Holly and Angie were having, I wanted to know more. Luke 11:9-10 says "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."
I was scared of death during the Bird Flu scare. Proverbs 1:33 says But whoever listens to Me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil. I came home no longer having that fear of the Bird Flu and the fear of death.
When I went home, everything was different to me. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are made new.
Some people say that Holly and I have no peace in our lives because of the ways we can be sometimes. Jesus says in John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives do I give to you." The Bible speaks clearly and I can testify to that. We have a peace and joy that those who have not accepted Christ, do not know.
The Bible isn't just some book you can pick up and read. It is a tool that God uses to show us our wrong and He gently helps us and corrects us. Hebrews 4:12 states For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Into verse 13, And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we will give an account to.
The Bible is even more than that because it also warns us of things to come. The Bible is God's way to communicate with us. God's Word stands forever!
If you want to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, take a moment to review the 10 Commandments.
"And God spoke all these words, saying: 'I am the LORD your God…
ONE: 'You shall have no other gods before Me.'
TWO: 'You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.'
THREE: 'You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.' Have you ever used God's name to express anger or filth? God says he will hold no one guiltless who mis-uses His name.
FOUR: 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.'
FIVE: 'Honor your father and your mother.'
SIX: 'You shall not murder.' God says that hate and anger are equivalent to murder.
SEVEN: 'You shall not commit adultery.' Lusting after someone is considered adultery - in the heart.
EIGHT: 'You shall not steal.' It doesn't matter how long ago you stole something (regardless of it's value), you are considered a thief before God.
NINE: 'You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.'
TEN: 'You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.
Be honest with yourself and before God. You most likely broken one or all of these commandments, but even so, if you break even one, you are guilty of breaking them all. You will stand before a Holy God and give an account for these things and if you don't receive God's forgiveness and accept Him as your Savior, there is no hope for you and your blood remains on your own hands. If you died right now in your sins, God talks about a place for those who rejected Him and it is called Hell (a place of eternal darkness and torment). Jesus died on the cross for you so that you can be forgiven. Now that you know the truth, don't let another day go by without accepting it. "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32. If you accept the truth and surrender your life to God, you can have that blessed assurance of entering His kingdom in Heaven. Your time on earth will eventually come to an end. What we do now is making an impact on eternity.
Pray this prayer to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior right now, but know this:
Saying the sinner's prayer is simply a way of declaring to God that you are relying on Jesus Christ as your Savior. There are no "magical" words that result in salvation. It is only faith in Jesus' death and resurrection that can save us. If you understand that you are a sinner and in need of salvation through Jesus Christ, here is a sinner's prayer you can pray to God: "God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve the consequences of my sin. However, I am trusting in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I believe that His death and resurrection provided for my forgiveness. I trust in Jesus and Jesus alone as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you Lord, for saving me and forgiving me! Amen!"
Category: Life
I am extremely blessed to have this opportunity to share my testimony and I thank you for taking the time to read it. This may be long but please keep reading. I am so excited to be able to share this with you.
It all really began when my sister Holly came to know the Lord. I could see the transformation that had happened in her life but I would do nothing more than scoff at her and ridicule her. There was a time I told her to "Save it for Sunday School." I remember the empty days as they passed one by one. I would do different things to see if there would be any fulfillment but after each attempt, I would see more of my need for something I never knew existed. And that was...purpose.
It wasn't so much that I was bored and needed a new trend to pull me through another chapter of my life. Deep down, I always knew there was a God and thought I had already been given eternal life because Jesus died for my sins. I remember thinking "Well, the only reason I feel doing these things is wrong is because my sister pointed her finger at me and told me it was wrong". What a poor excuse to continue living the way I did. I would drink, swear, lie, smoke, put myself before anything else in my life and didn't care how it impacted me. In reality it was God that convicted me of my sins...not Holly.
I remember when we had the Bird Flu scare in 2006. I worried so much about what would happen if it got here. What would happen to my son? What about my family? What about me? I would spend sleepless nights pondering the thoughts of death and what happens after this life. That's all I could think about. My sister tried telling me about God even then and I refused to listen. There were many mishaps between my sister and I and to this day I regret being the way I was. However, I can't change the past but I can warn you so that you no longer make the same mistake I did. It's refusing to listen to those who share faith in Jesus.
One day, my sister called and told me that she would be visiting the upcoming weekend with her friend Angie and her 6 month old son, Abe. Holly met Angie at the Church of Acts in Waukesha, Wi. I was happy to meet Angie also. I remember the day they arrived and pulled into my driveway in Angie's van. They made plans to stay at the Holiday Inn in Neenah which is also where my wedding reception was held when it was called the Valley Inn. It was a gorgeous day on April 14th, 2006 (Good Friday). We first stopped at the hotel to unpack and then we decided to go to a waterfront park nearby. I remember that day so vividly. It was sunny, warm and breezy. Holly, Christian (our little bro), Brandon and Abe went off to play as Angie and I sat on the swings, chatting away. I was so comfortable and happy just being away from the house. Angie marveled at how cool and collected I was that day. Was rare! After the park, we went to the hotel to eat and then got ready to go swimming. It was mainly us 6 in the pool. I remember Holly and Angie talking amongst themselves about Jesus and how they anxiously await His return. We were in the big pool at this time and I was circling around them being strangely tuned into what they were discussing. I wanted to feel whatever it was they were feeling because I could sense the excitement as they spoke of Jesus' return. Christian was pretending to be a shark chasing after me, but that didn't stop me from listening to Holly and Angie. That was also quite rare for me.
When we all decided to go in to the hot tub, Angie started asking me if I thought I would go to heaven and I said I wasn't sure, probably not. I then opened up about myself, and shared concerns and questions that were brewing up inside of me. Not only that but something had clicked. I just spilled myself out basically. I mean, I have been prayed with at churches growing up and thinking I was already saved, but didn't know too much about what it meant to actually be saved (born-again). I told Angie how badly I wanted to change. I didn't want to be bitter or selfish anymore. I didn't want to fear death. I wanted to clean up my mouth and my life. I needed help! My heart was upside down.
First, I am like a fish slowly circling around some bait. Soon, I am caught and being reeled in, fighting, struggling but can't break away no matter how I tried. Suddenly, I give up and my tail flaps, flaps...stops. You can picture a fish after you catch one when you go fishing. That is how this was for me at that very moment.
Angie offered to pray with me. At this point, we are just about to get the hook out of my mouth. Angie grabbed my hands and began praying with me. The words she spoke were beautiful. Little did I know, it was God, the Holy Spirit. I remember sinking into the thick mucky dirt and the feeling of strong sturdy hands taking mine and pulling me free. I was in tears! I was calm and was feeling something deep, real, an unexplainable joy. I was saved! You may be wondering how I knew I was saved, but when you surrender your all to the Lord and accept Him as your Savior...you just know! However, it may take others longer to really see things as clearly as I did. My tears were the symbol of rain being poured onto my soul. Who knew, but our Lord Jesus, that I would be saved while in a hot tub? Brandon and I ended up staying that night at the hotel so we could visit more and we all had such a great time.
I remember going home and everything being different which was really strange to me at the time. I received a card in the mail from Angie the following week. I remember questioning things, perhaps the enemy was trying to get at me but he lost. I was won over by the grace of God. It took prayer and patience to understand the Bible. I went through trials to discover where God wanted me but I grew through it all. I was baptised in the Bark River in Waukesha through the Church of Acts on June 11th 2006. I am so blessed to be where I am in life and thank God daily for all the blessings He has given to me.
Here are some Bible verses I find to be very special and close to my heart along with all of God's Holy and precious Word:
Jesus says in Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them". The three that were gathered that day were Holly, Angie and I. God's presence was made known. How faithful His word is!
In Matthew 4:19 And Jesus saith unto them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men". Just how real is this verse? Just like a fish I was caught and slowly reeled in putting up a struggle but finally giving in.
John 8:12 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." I love this verse and wanted to share it.
Also, I was seeking for purpose in this world. When I was faced with Jesus through the conversation Holly and Angie were having, I wanted to know more. Luke 11:9-10 says "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."
I was scared of death during the Bird Flu scare. Proverbs 1:33 says But whoever listens to Me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil. I came home no longer having that fear of the Bird Flu and the fear of death.
When I went home, everything was different to me. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are made new.
Some people say that Holly and I have no peace in our lives because of the ways we can be sometimes. Jesus says in John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives do I give to you." The Bible speaks clearly and I can testify to that. We have a peace and joy that those who have not accepted Christ, do not know.
The Bible isn't just some book you can pick up and read. It is a tool that God uses to show us our wrong and He gently helps us and corrects us. Hebrews 4:12 states For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Into verse 13, And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we will give an account to.
The Bible is even more than that because it also warns us of things to come. The Bible is God's way to communicate with us. God's Word stands forever!
If you want to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, take a moment to review the 10 Commandments.
"And God spoke all these words, saying: 'I am the LORD your God…
ONE: 'You shall have no other gods before Me.'
TWO: 'You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.'
THREE: 'You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.' Have you ever used God's name to express anger or filth? God says he will hold no one guiltless who mis-uses His name.
FOUR: 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.'
FIVE: 'Honor your father and your mother.'
SIX: 'You shall not murder.' God says that hate and anger are equivalent to murder.
SEVEN: 'You shall not commit adultery.' Lusting after someone is considered adultery - in the heart.
EIGHT: 'You shall not steal.' It doesn't matter how long ago you stole something (regardless of it's value), you are considered a thief before God.
NINE: 'You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.'
TEN: 'You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.
Be honest with yourself and before God. You most likely broken one or all of these commandments, but even so, if you break even one, you are guilty of breaking them all. You will stand before a Holy God and give an account for these things and if you don't receive God's forgiveness and accept Him as your Savior, there is no hope for you and your blood remains on your own hands. If you died right now in your sins, God talks about a place for those who rejected Him and it is called Hell (a place of eternal darkness and torment). Jesus died on the cross for you so that you can be forgiven. Now that you know the truth, don't let another day go by without accepting it. "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32. If you accept the truth and surrender your life to God, you can have that blessed assurance of entering His kingdom in Heaven. Your time on earth will eventually come to an end. What we do now is making an impact on eternity.
Pray this prayer to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior right now, but know this:
Saying the sinner's prayer is simply a way of declaring to God that you are relying on Jesus Christ as your Savior. There are no "magical" words that result in salvation. It is only faith in Jesus' death and resurrection that can save us. If you understand that you are a sinner and in need of salvation through Jesus Christ, here is a sinner's prayer you can pray to God: "God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve the consequences of my sin. However, I am trusting in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I believe that His death and resurrection provided for my forgiveness. I trust in Jesus and Jesus alone as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you Lord, for saving me and forgiving me! Amen!"
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
The Art of Chaos
I am sitting here in my extremely warm apartment, pondering how to get started on today's projects. Actually, we are moving in a month and I am committing myself to getting rid of all the junk and clutter beforehand. I prayed for a fresh start, for change, and it is happening! The Lord has truly answered some of my biggest long time prayers. I think about His timing and how things fall into place at just the right time. It took a lot of maneuvering to get to this place but it has been really cool to see God work. It's like I'm in one place and then I move over a bit and make room in this one area and then soon everything starts to fall into place. The Lord has truly revealed His faithfulness time and time again and for so long I sat in this pool of frustration wondering if things will ever change. I happen to enjoy a nice change every so often and this is just the kind of change I need right now. This transition includes me working out of the home again. Even before my divorce, I have been able to be home with my son and home school (which has all been a blessing!) but now I am ready to step back out into the work world. We are also trying a new kind of schooling at home - online! It was cool how God worked that out also because a good Christian curriculum is ridiculously expensive. We have been able to get by on what we have but at our new apartment, I can't receive the same help I have been getting here. My son is finally at the age too where he can start to be a bit more independent, so I'd like to give him a new set of responsibilities.
Anyway, school starts in a month for my son. I'll be working soon and in the meantime, there is a lot that needs to be done. Every day that I let the Lord lead me and as I continue to follow, I am one step closer to Him revealing even more to me. Things I often times miss when I am off in my own world. There is a lot of chaos in life right now but the art of it is just letting go and watching God unravel each new blessing.
Anyway, school starts in a month for my son. I'll be working soon and in the meantime, there is a lot that needs to be done. Every day that I let the Lord lead me and as I continue to follow, I am one step closer to Him revealing even more to me. Things I often times miss when I am off in my own world. There is a lot of chaos in life right now but the art of it is just letting go and watching God unravel each new blessing.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Welcome
Thank you for visiting my new blog! I love sharing what God is doing in my life and I hope to encourage you by it. Please be sure to stop in occassionally to read my latest posts. :o)
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