Prior to my accepting Christ into my heart, I lived with such guilt, anger, depression, bitterness. The strange thing was until I accepted Christ I did not realize how much I lived with it or how it anchored me.
So if we do not know we are living with it how do we get to that point of wanting to rid ourselves of it.
I know for years I lived with a long feeling of loneliness. I wasn't physically alone but no matter how many friendships or relationships I entered into my heart was still heavy and lonely and despaired. Something was deeply missing.
I believed in God and just thought if I did the best that I could and believed in Him and heaven I would be okay. If this were true then why was I feeling so empty inside.
I have to tell you I was not going to become one of this ranting evangelists that was singing God's praises on the street corners or praying for everyone who came across my path. These people were just too crazy!
When I returned to going to church on a regular basis and learned more about this thing called salvation. I was amazed that all I needed to do to understand what I could not understand for years was to ask God into my heart and show me His ways. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. You see even though salvation is love by grace and freely given, the Lord wants us to ask Him for it.
Think about this for a second. If you offered something to someone, something that was the most special thing to you and meant everything to you, would you just give it to someone that you did not know wanted it for fear that they may abuse and destroy that precious thing? Or would you wait for that person to earnestly ask for it after you offered it to them, so that you would be reassured that they truly wanted it with all their heart and therefore would do their best to take care of it? Hmmmm.
I am overjoyed that I received God into my heart. He has changed my life so much. By my faith and love for Him, I have overcomed the despair, anger, and bitterness in my life and continue to overcome these enemies in my life.
You see by Jesus' death we have received a very special gift. His blood has saved our lives. He died so that we may be full of life. What does Jesus' blood do for us?
Jesus' blood covers us with:
*Redemption - this word was used as a marketplace term - one that buys back something of value. With His blood, Jesus' bought back your life.
*Forgiveness - As God's children, we have been saved by Jesus' blood and permanently pardoned for our transgressions (sins.) So at the moment of salvation our guilt for our sins is wiped away.
*Justification - is the process by which God declares us "not guilty." When we live in sin and do not accept God we are living a dreadful life of eternity away from God and His blessings. Through Jesus' death we are claimed "not guilty" and are free to live a life full of love and compassion with God for all eternity.
*Reconciliation - We are separated from God by our sin. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit upon us to make us realize our need for a Saviour and bring us to a saving faith. Jesus removed the barrier between us and God "having made peace through the blood of His cross."
Now that I have been redeemed, forgiven, justified, and reconciled with the Lord, it is not by force that I praise His holy name on the street corners or pray for those around me whereever I am. It is by choice that I say "Amen" and "Alleluia" for our living God because I want everyone to know of His saving grace and amazing love and compassion and mercy for them. He can help you walk in confidence too. He will lift your spirits and rid you of the guilt, bitterness, and anger....that is keeping you in the trenches. Free yourself of the pain and despair today and give God your heart.
You will want to become one of those crazy people dancing on the street corners for Him.
Praise God!
Love, Mary
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