A very dear friend recently inquired about when my faith became strong. God states that your belief need only be as strong as a mustard seed to enter Heaven. In my eyes that’s about where I am.
I was saved at 7 years old. What does that mean? I recognized I am a sinner. We are all born into sin and need redemption. Please don’t tell me you’re perfect and never had an ill thought or made a poor choice. I knew I needed to be better, clean up. Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Jesus died and rose from the grave to take our sins away and wash us clean. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
Our only way into Heaven, after we die, is to be forgiven of our sins and follow Jesus. Sin cannot enter Heaven. Before Jesus came to earth, sacrifices and many rituals were needed to be cleansed from sin. Now, it’s a simple gift, and all you must do is accept it.
Praying to God for forgiveness of your sins, accepting Jesus as your savior and Lord, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead your life and choosing to follow Jesus is all you must do.
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.”
John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Acts 17:30-31. “The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent: 31 inasmuch as he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”
After you die, there are only two places your soul will go, either Heaven or Hell. You must choose your future before you pass. No one can pray you into Heaven. Not choosing Jesus is actually a choice, Hell. The only way to Heaven is through Jesus.
Back to why I’m so verbal about my faith. I want everyone to go to Heaven. I know Dad and Hannah are waiting there for me. I will get to enjoy many of my loved ones, again. Their death was not the end. Besides that, I can’t wait to see Jesus! After all He endured for me, I’m amazed at His love for me. I’m so undeserving, but He loves me anyway. I’m ecstatic knowing this is my future! I want everyone to know how great their future could be.
I wasn’t always this bold. After my salvation, I didn’t obey God as I should. I wallowed in some sin for years. What changed? Many things….my husband traveled for many years. That time apart didn’t make sense until it started to stop (14+ years) It took me that long to realize that God wanted me relying on Him more than my husband. I needed to put God first in my life. I struggle daily to keep God first, but I am intentional now.
Then, came God’s prophecy to my husband. While in my 20’s, Dad and I struggled with infertility. One morning dad told me that God gave him a dream. “I would not get pregnant until dad turned 40.” I was angry! How dare my husband make up such nonsense! Who are we? Abraham and Sarah??? I ignored this idea, not acknowledging that dad had never spoken like this. I should have heeded this dream, but instead I continued with worldly medicines and procedures.
After years of trying to conceive, I gave up. We foster-adopted a little girl, Destinie. This process proved to be difficult and full of adversity to this day. I’m not sure I ever prayed, if it was God’s will. I just wanted a child to love, and I felt I was helping her, too, so it must be right.
Then came dad’s 40th birthday. Three months later I began to gain weight, feel sick and run out of breath, just walking one flight of stairs. My thought went straight to worry. I must have a tumor or cancer. Not once did I contemplate being pregnant. I even donated blood. My dear friend, Nancy, mentioned that I could be pregnant. It only took one test to prove her correct! God fulfilled His promise to my husband! I conceived on his 40th birthday!
These events solidified my need for Jesus, and my unwavering desire to witness to others. He became so much more real to me. Jesus is amazing! I want the world to know.
You might ask why loosing Hannah and dad hasn’t changed my faith. Well, I know they’re in a better place than us, Heaven. If I begged them to come back, they’d say no. They’ve been perfected. While I ache and miss them tons, I know they’re much happier there. This is my cross to bear on earth. It drives me harder to bring others to Jesus.
My focus is following Jesus and loving David. I may fail some days, but I keep going like the Energizer bunny. Thank you to those of you that remain our friends. Your support and love help David and I to face each day, but most of all, thank you, God! He is my rock!
The picture posted is the day we joined our current church.
