Sharing My Story . . .

In a few days, I’m going to post a story—my story. It’s something I should have done a long time ago.

What has held me back? —Wondering what people might think. Concern that some would doubt the truth of it, would believe I just made it up, that I just want attention. 

My motivation for posting my story is to obey God. He has been speaking to me for months, saying, “Tell the story.” At first I was truly unsure what He was referring to, but as time went on it became clear. —Oh, that story!

My story is a testimony of God’s delivering power. I have been a Christian since I was nine years old, but I desperately needed help with something that had troubled me since I was a child. And God came through for me when I was 27 years old.  

I am now in my 60s and have shared this testimony with only a few people. So now I am obeying God. I am in the process of writing my story. 

I actually began to type it this past Sunday evening. The next morning, I went to a friend’s page that I visit often. Her Monday post began this way: “Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story…” — Psalm 107:2. I highly recommend her writings. You can find her on Facebook: Crystal Gilpin Jones.

After reading her post I am even more convinced that it's time to tell what happened and how God delivered me. 

I will be sharing my story soon…

God Our Deliverer

I will live among the people of Israel and be their God, and they will know that I am the Lord their God. I am the one who brought them out of Egypt so that I could live among them. I am the Lord their God (Exodus 29:45 NLT). 

In the above scripture we are reminded of the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt—and that God lived among them. This is not a fairy tale. This happened to real people. The accounts in the Bible are there to encourage us that what God did for His people then, He will still do for us today.

Egypt was a place where the Israelites were in bondage. They were enslaved. God wanted them to have freedom, and He provided it for them! 

They followed God’s plan. He set them free! And they walked out of bondage!

If you will invite Him into your life, He can bring you out of the “Egypt” you are living in. His desire is to deliver you from every sin and weight that is making your life miserable. 

Satan is the ruler of the darkness, and he has so many people bound there. God is light, and in Him there is no darkness (1 John 1:5). He wants to deliver you from the power of darkness and transfer you into His Kingdom of light—the Kingdom of His dear Son!

How is this accomplished? You simply talk to God. You tell Jesus you believe in the sacrifice of His life on the cross and in His resurrection. You repent, which means you make a decision to go the opposite direction from the way you are walking now. Submit your will to His, asking Him to take control of every aspect of Your life. 

If you sincerely ask Him to do that, He will transform you! How do I know this? Because His Word says that He will. And I know this personally. He did it for me! 

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For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. (Colossians 1:13-14 NLT)

Tabernacles of His Presence

"I want the people of Israel to build me a sacred residence where I can live among them” (Exodus 25:8 NLT).

God didn’t call out a people to make them His own so He could just leave them alone. His purpose was that He would live among them. His desire was for the nation of Israel to build a tabernacle for His presence and to become a witness to the other nations of the power and glory of His name. 

The same is true of God’s church today. As members of the body of Christ, we are called to be His dwelling place, housing the very presence of the Holy Spirit and being witnesses to the world of His grace and power.  

Upon receiving the gift of the indwelling Spirit, He teaches us how to be Christ’s representatives on the earth. As we obey His voice we become more like Christ. We learn to be witnesses to those who don’t know Him, introducing them to Jesus so that He can transform their lives. 

I’m not talking about religion. There are many religious paths in the world, but having a relationship with Jesus is the only way to the one true God.

God our Creator wants to have a loving relationship with each one of us. That is the reason He sent His Son to die for all. He will dwell within those who are willing to submit their lives to Him!

My desire is to continually live a life of obedience to the One who has taken up residence within me, and to be a witness to the world of the love and power of Christ!

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In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit (Ephesians 2:22 ESV). 

Audience of One

As children of God, we live to please an audience of One. It doesn’t matter whether or not we receive accolades from people. The One we live to please is above all. And His opinion is the most important. 

Sometimes when we don’t receive the attention our flesh longs for, we feel slighted. We believe others think we are unimportant. But we serve a God who sent His Son to die for us. We are not unimportant! 

My friend, if you have made Jesus the Lord of your life and you are living in obedience to Him, then go forward doing His will without worrying about the opinions of those around you. 

Immerse yourself in God’s Word. Listen for His Voice. Obey Him! Do His will as He reveals it to you! 

After our time here is done and we hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” the negative words and opinions spoken over us on this earth will be forgotten! (See Matthew 25:21.)

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I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart. (Psalm 40:8)

Altars Pleasing to God

In the Old Testament, God instructed the Israelites to make simple altars of earth or uncut stone. He told them to build altars in the places He reminded them of who He is, and He promised to come and bless them there (see Exodus 20:24-25). 

Not elaborate altars. Simple altars. Altars acknowledging who God is. Not the intricate work of our hands. Not altars beautiful to look upon. Simple altars where God is acknowledged and worshiped. That is the kind of altar He blesses. 

Under the new covenant, how do I build an altar? I present my body, my life, as a living sacrifice. I don’t offer a dead sacrifice. I offer a living one. The Lord makes it holy and acceptable. Not me. My righteous deeds are as filthy rags in His sight (Isaiah 64:6). 

God makes me holy by the sacrifice of His Son on the cross. I humbly present myself, submit to Him, and ask Him to transform me. He does the work—not because of me, in spite of me. 

We are unable to save ourselves. It is the work of Christ! 

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Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. (1 Timothy 1:15)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. (Romans 12:1)

Follow Me To Become Fishers of Men

Then He [Jesus] said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19).

 

The Holy Spirit has brought this verse to my attention many times in recent months. I see it in a different way than I ever have before. 

 

Jesus didn’t say, “Follow Me and immediately go out and win people to Christ.” He didn’t say, “Follow Me and frantically try to figure out how to win souls.” He didn’t say, “Follow Me and take a course on how to win sinners to the Lord.”

 

He said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” It’s a simple instruction. Follow Me. I will then make you a fisher of men. 

 

I follow. He changes me into a fisher of people. He makes me a person who loves the lost and lives the Christ-life so they can see—so that they will want to live the same kind of life. 

 

Jesus called us to be salt and light. Salt makes people thirsty for Him. Light shows people the way to Him. 

 

Lord, here I am. I am following You. According to Your Word, please make me a fisher of lost humanity. 

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“You are the salt of the earth . . . You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-14).

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Our Motivation: Love

I don't normally discuss politics or mention much about what is going on in our government, but I believe the Lord wants me to say some things....

I understand the anger. I am angry too.

But outbursts of anger don't help anyone. It doesn't change anything. The Word tells us it is the kindness of God that draws men to repentance. We must be compelled by the love of God.

Let's redirect our anger. Let's be angry with the enemy of our souls who spreads lies. Let's be angry at the one who has blinded the eyes of people so they can't see and understand how much God loves them.

Let's show them God's love. We must pray for them. Pray for their eyes to be opened.

Yes, we can take authority. But that must be done in prayer. In the spirit realm, we can take authority over the enemy. Just five minutes of true intercession and Holy Spirit inspired spiritual warfare will do more than five months or five years of ranting on the internet.

We have this war of words going on. And no one is convincing anyone else. Yes, we have freedom of speech. I understand that. But let's allow the Holy Spirit to check what comes out of our mouths or out of our fingers flying across the keyboard.

God help us to remember that everything believers do and everything we say must be done from the motivation of love!

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Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance. (Romans 2:4)