My world has changed drastically in the past two weeks! Luke Vaverchak was born on July 31st and we have completely fallen in love with him!! He is such a blessing in a million different ways. I cannot thank God enough for bringing him into our lives.
With that said, I haven't had much time to blog! Today's post will be my last post until GFG returns on September 8th. After that you'll find my posts once again every Thursday. I'll continue to share things God is teaching us in GFG as well as share free giveaways of downloadable GFG lessons, warm-ups, games, etc. in hopes someone else can use them with their youth.
However, for today I wanted to repost my testimony for those of you who have not read it. My heart's desire is for others to KNOW Jesus Christ. I found Him 2 1/2 years ago and my life has not been the same since. I want nothing more than for others to know the peace and purpose that comes with a relationship with Jesus Christ. I hope through my testimony He speaks to you!
Previously posted July 2012:
So, I thought I would take a minute to share my story! You can know a little more about me, the leader of Girls for God, and a lot more about how God has radically changed my life over the past year and a half. So, here's my testimony!
When I was 7 years old I said a prayer to be saved. I knew it was an important prayer. I knew it was the right thing to do and so I wanted to do it. But, for me there was a problem when I said that prayer at 7, I didn't really understand what I was committing to. I just wanted to do the right thing. I didn't realize there was even a problem with it until my life changed so radically a year and a half ago that I started questioning, "Well, geez was I ever really saved to begin with??" After much prayer, tons of discussion and just knowing my own heart; the answer is no. I wasn't really saved at 7. I was saved at 29 years of age.
You see, I sort of lived like a christian should live. I went to church every Sunday, was a part of my youth group and LOVED being involved in anything that was going on at church. I did church really well. Church. Not God. I did church so well...that in my mind it proved I was saved.
However, as life went on and I got older, I grew more and more accustomed to doing things my way. I had a life to lead and plans that I had made. I had no plans to let God change them. He could come along with me if He wanted to-but He was not going to be the one in charge. I would pray occasionally to Him, mostly when things were going wrong, however truly surrendering everything to Him was not really in the cards. I liked being in control. And in my mind I thought "Well I said that prayer when I was 7...so I'm good...I'll make it into Heaven." Scary.
Then, I lost my mom. She was only in her 40's and I was devastated. My world came to a crashing halt. My mom was a real Christian. She lived it. I knew I wanted to see her again...so I said a prayer to be saved one more time. I gave a little more over to God that time...but still held on to a few things. And life continued. There still seemed to be something missing. Living my new Christian life was hard! I was always messing up and keeping up with all of the rules seemed hard. I constantly felt like a failure.
But then about a year and a half ago something
changed. I felt led to start a Bible study-"Believing God" by Beth Moore (Highly recommend it!!). And somewhere in that study-I got saved. Really saved. I didn't say a "prayer" for salvation-there was nothing official done. However, two things did happen. First was true repentance of my sins for the first time in my life and second was a real belief in God that was shown through my actions. I surrendered my entire life to Him-not some, not most of it-absolutely all of my life to Him and my world changed instantly.
The Bible says that the "Spirit will testify with our spirit" that He is in us and I never really understood what that meant. I do now. When the Holy Spirit takes up residence inside of you-YOU KNOW. There is no missing that power. When the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead comes and lives within you-YOU KNOW. Life became so radically different for me, my life changed, my actions changed, everything about me changed. And, it wasn't hard!! It happened so naturally. That's because for the first time in my life I wasn't the one in charge. I wasn't the one changing those actions. He was changing them for me-that's why it was so easy. He did it. Not me.
I see God all of the time now-I definitely couldn't say that a few years ago! I hear from Him all of the time too-it's amazing. This unbelievable peace, joy and love has come over me. I can't get away from it! The power of my Maker is unbelievable. I have a hope to which He has called me!!! A hope. There is purpose. My life has purpose.
Within several months God called me into ministry. Girls ministry to be exact. He has some really crazy plans for me-but I'm all in these days. Wherever He's going-I'm following.
I pray more than anything that you know this hope!! Mark 1:15 says to "repent and believe." That's what He requires of you, so that you can know this hope that I have found. But, I HAVE to clarify two things I had wrong for so long in my life.
First, the repent in the Bible means to "turn from sin and turn to God". It means totally turning your back on your sins and perhaps your lifestyle....walking away from it completely.
Second, the word believe in the New Testament
is stated 246 times...it must be important. :) That word believe is a verb; an action word. You see you can say you believe in something but not necessarily have to do anything about it...this is not true for the belief that salvation is requiring. The belief the New Testament is talking about says you have to actively believe God in everything you do. It's called faith. It's totally different then saying "Jesus, I believe in you"
and then going back to your way of life. This belief says "Jesus, I believe in you" and it sticks-you actively believe Him and your lifestyle-you- change.
Jesus has a purpose for your life!!! I wish I could scream it from the page! You were put here on this planet for His purpose! Once you find Him-you'll find purpose. There is nothing like it in the entire world. Absolutely nothing.
Lea :)