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!