My Verse

Isaiah 43:1

"But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Isreal, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!"

Saturday, November 27, 2010

I Will Be Back

Okay, I'm taking a break from blogging. Just till the new year though. I'm not liking the direction I've been going in. Not that there is anything wrong with it, it just doesn't really feel like I'm writing what I want to, just trying to fill space. After looking over my blog for the last few months, I feel it is wanting. So, I'm going to take a break, and be back with some really good stuff in January!

Something that has been on my heart...writing some devotions.
Before I go, I want to talk about a few things God has been doing in me.

Stacy and I began visiting Providence Church earlier this year. We both felt that God was calling us somewhere else, but we weren't sure where, till we went here. And from the beginning, I have felt God working in my life in such a way that I am in awe everyday of it!

I was 5 when I first confessed my faith in Jesus. It was Baptist church in a small west Texas town, in a sunday school class taught my mother. I remember that we were learning about the fruits of the spirit, and that having Jesus in our lives meant that we would have those fruits. When we were ending class there was of course an opportunity for us to "accept Jesus into our hearts". And I knew that I wanted Jesus, I wanted those fruits, I wanted Jesus to help me.
I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that when I was 5 years old, God called me. He put in my heart to believe in Jesus. I was drawn by the spirit to accept the salvation of my soul. I didn't know it then like it know it now. I knew like a 5 year old. Jesus was in my heart, and I was saved.

That is my conversion story. But, since God has led us to Providence Church, I have been given a revelation of God's grace. My life had been working, proving to everyone that I was truely righteous, making sure that people knew I was walking in the path of righteousness. Talk about getting tired!!

Matthew 11:28-30

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

If I was really walking in God's truth, why was I always so tired? God brought us to rest at Providence Church! And while I have been resting, I am awake! I more awake to the light of Christ than ever before.

I want to list all the verses that talk about the grace of God, and His work in our lives, and being built up into His holy temple.

Romans 5 is awesome!
But really all of Romans is good, there's a reason the baptist call it the Roman Road to salvation.

One of my favorites, and one that has become the cornerstone of my faith

Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

I have found freedom in Christ. In the revelation that nothing I do can make me righteous, that my works are not what saves me or causes me to stay in a state of salvation, I have found freedom. I have found rest, I have found peace! Because of God's grace, I am changed. I am being changed. From glory to glory, till Christ's return when I will be made complete in Him.

People always want to know what your testimony is, and I have always struggled. I didn't know how to explain what Christ has done for me. I think it is because I was so consumed with working things out. Sunday, it hit me. No matter what your life was like, before God, you were dead in sin. My testimony is this, that I was dead in sin and transgressions, but Jesus Christ has saved me. He broke my chains and paid my debt and now I am set free.

I pray you all have amazing Christmas, celebrating the greatest gift given to men.
Luke 2:11-14
11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

1 comment:

Traci said...

Mel, that's AWESOME!!!! Isn't it so freeing to know that it's not about US...it's truly his GRACE. That's why so many people hate "religion" and all of it's useless rituals. We can't be good enough, or say the right things to earn our way to heaven. His insane grace is too much to comprehend.