romans10seventeen

Matthew 6:33  If you seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, He will take care of all you need.

I’ve probably said this before, but I’ll say it again…I didn’t even know I needed to be saved until He saved me.  I had no idea what it meant to be “born again” until I experienced that change of heart.  I am a new creation in Christ.  I long to know Him better; I desire to be near Him and I want nothing to do with the things I used to enjoy.  Mindlessly watching television…drinking…smoking…cussing…these things are no longer pleasurable to me.  The TV was pretty much an instant thing.  I had just purchased the season finale of Dexter on iTunes a few days earlier but I couldn’t bring myself to watch it anymore.  The idea of spending any more precious time filling my mind with those carnal things just made me feel sick.  I wanted to watch Sermons on YouTube or listen to sermons on iTunes podcasts. I desired to hear the word of God.  The more I heard, the more I wanted to hear. Like the bible says and the title of this blog proclaims…Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  Romans 10:17. The more Christian music I listened to, the more I wanted to listen to…and the easier it was to praise God and thank Him because it lifted my spirits and I believed what the songs were proclaiming.  I started attending church…not because I thought I had to, but because I wanted to be in His presence and I wanted to be around “like minded” people.  I enjoyed their encouragement and I wanted to encourage them!  I began attending classes at church where the pastors were telling me how much God loved me and how pleased He was with my desire to grow in my faith.  Over time, probably a few months, it became easier to believe what the bible says and what the songs were saying.  I started seeing myself as an “Overcomer”…I was “Redeemed”…and along with Jason Gray I asked God to “Remind Me Who I Am”.  I started believing how important it is to “Speak Life” over my own life and the life of others.  I was so hungry for more of everything that had to do with God.  I was so thankful He had turned my darkness into light.  You, LORD, are my lamp; the LORD turns my darkness into light.  2 Samuel 22:29.

These “experiences” drew me closer to my Creator, my Savior and the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit came to life inside of me, giving me new life!

I wish I could explain this to all unbelievers and even Christians who may not have experienced Jesus in this way. I always considered myself a Christian…but I never knew Christ.  I didn’t know this.

The bible says, in Matthew 7:21-23

“‘Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.'”

So, here’s the deal, you’ve got to come to the end of yourself and all you think you know and just let go…then, God can move.  He won’t force Himself on you.  But when you surrender your will to His, tell Him you’re sorry and turn away from your sin…if you ask Him to make Himself known to you…He will!
I believe what happened to me is absolutely reproducible.  If I could bottle this “experience” the label would read: “The Word Of God” And the directions would be: Cleanse by the washing with water through the word(Ephesians 5:26): immerse yourself daily in the word.  Then open your eyes and see, open your ears and hear. Allow God to change your heart of stone to a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26) Add Christian music 3-4 times daily as needed for spiritual renewal and overall well-being.  Attend church weekly and as needed, along with bible studies and spiritual growth classes.  Share your testimony to strengthen your faith and encourage your brothers and sisters in the Lord.  Pray, pray, pray… by simply talking to God.  Then listen…He will speak.  And above all else, give thanks to the Lord for He is good!  His faithful love endures forever.  (Psalm 118:1)

If you seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, He will take care of all you need. Matthew 6:33