"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5: 17
Last week marked the 31st year of my spiritual birthday. The day I became a new creature in Christ. Physically, I was twenty-five years old when that happened.
I was brought up in church from the age of about two weeks. My daddy was deacon in the Baptist church we attended. We went twice on Sunday and to prayer meeting on Wednesday nights. But somehow during all those years of going to church, I never really came to the "end of my rope" and got saved. Oh, I joined the church at the age of eleven and was baptized but was never ever at peace in my heart. I struggled so much during my teenaged years especially. I wanted so much to DO something to guarantee I would go to heaven. It was only after I had been married for six years and had two babies that I would finally come face to face with the realization that Jesus was the only One who could DO something to guarantee I would go to heaven. When that became clear in my mind, I got on my knees beside my bed and was saved. I remember feeling like I could just float off. I felt that light! The weight of all my sins was gone!
I want to thank all of you friends who have been such encouragements to me in my life. I know I don't tell you often enough but I appreciate you so very much. You "comfort" and "edify" me just as we are commanded as Christians to do. "Wherefore comfort yourselves together and edify one another, even as also ye do." 2 Thessalonians 5: 11
May God bless you!
Marilyn
9 comments:
Look at what one of my e-mails was just this very morning:
"Encourage one another and build each other up."
I Thessalonians 5:11 NIV
This was the subject line and then here I come to visit ya. Your doing that very thing in my own life, Friend, and I so love ya for it!!!
Lovingly,
Yolanda
I remember that feeling of being able to fly too. Yet at that time I didn't even know I was saved. I didn't know anything at all other than the Lord spoke to me and I responded. I remember it well. I was coming out of a troubling period of my life - two years infact. My husband had left me only to return with drugs and a lifestyle that I knew I never wanted. I was weak. I asked for strength but wasn't sure for what. I was deeply depressed. After sitting in my garage as I did a lot back then, I remember sitting there all alone when out of the corner of my eye I saw a book lying on the floor - it was impressioned to me to pick it up. It was about Mary Magdalane - I don't recall the name of it however. I started reading it and the book came to life to me. I thought it was just my being high from the drugs that I was feeling that way, but once I finished the book, my prayers to God were answered. Prayers that I didn't even remember saying but He knew what was in my heart and what I needed without my even asking! Immediately after finishing the book I was prompted to check my mail only to find an IRS tax refund. It was the ticket to my leaving that drug forbidden house and finally get away from everything I had let my depression self medicate in. I immediately felt free and no longer bound by chains! That feeling of flying! It wasn't because of the money, but because I knew He loved me and was there for me. I left with my boys early the next morning and didn't look back. I didn't really know that I was saved for life however, I thought I was saved for that period of time only - all my prayers at that point were always temporary fixes, I used God for crises only and never knew much more than that.
It has only been these last 10 months that I have fully known the Gospel. But it was 10 years ago that I was saved!
Back then I thought it was just a "feeling" of some sort of psychic power I held.
Boy was I wrong! Wow - how exhilerating it is to be given new life in Christ! Praise be to the Lord!
Thanks for sharing!
Like you, when I joined the churchas a teenager, it still didn't click. It took someone in college years later to challenge my faith...and I am glad that they did!
Hugs,
Susan
Happy Spiritual Birthday, my friend. In December I will celebrate my 30th spiritual birthday. What a ride it has been! Looking forward to more awesome times with Jesus!!
Leah
H A P P Y S P I R I T U A L
B I R T H D A Y!!!!!!!!
Blessings ~ Lisa
Happy spiritual birthday! How great is that! Our spiritual birth is the most important one - that is when we experienced new life in Christ. Our decision that effects our eternal future.
Love the scriptures.
Marilyn, Happy real birthday to you. I get so much joy and encouragement from you. Thank you for taking the time to write for us. Keep me and S.S. class in your prayers as we prepare food for (Sav-A-Life)banquet. Hope to see you there. Love, Martha
Hi,
I came to you from Life is Good.
Your devotions are great.
Thanks!
Very True! I too joined the church at age 13 but didn't feel peace in my heart until I personally asked the Lord to save me and
then I had to struggle with the enemy to make it public. "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy"-----
Psalm 107: 2. Now I understand the scripture that talks about never thristing again. John 4:14.
Thanks for sharing and being able to share with you!
With Love,
Peggy
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