Break the Chains

I have said it before, and I will say it again. One of my biggest regrets in life is that I waited so long to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I was 40 years old before I really even thought about Jesus too much, and I didn't know much about Him. I knew that He lived in Heaven, and that we are supposed to pray to Him, and that's seriously about it. (Sad, huh?) There were a handful of times as a child when my parents took us to Sunday School, and church, but very rarely. So therefore, I did not raise my children in a Christian home.

I sometimes wonder how much different things would have been if I would have chosen to do things differently. I was thinking about this the other day, actually talking to a friend about it. And a memory hit me! I am not sure if this is what led me away, or not, but when I think about it, it very well could have been.

When I was 16, I was pregnant with my first child. I had a family member who was a Christian and she invited me to church. I accepted her invitation, and was really kind of looking forward to it. The evening came, she picked me up, and we went to her church. When I walked in I witnessed a room full of people with hands held high, people at the altar knelt in prayer, and a few people jumping up and down, yelling and screaming. Her church was having what she called a Revival, and they had a guest Evangelist. She went forward and joined her church family. I sat quietly in the back row with my 9 year old little brother. I must admit I was a little bit scared. I had never seen this kind of thing before. The church that my parents took us to that handful of times was very small and conservative. Eventually the guest evangelist noticed me and my brother in the back. He approached us and introduced himself. He stood before us, reached out his hand and took mine. He asked me if I was saved. I had no clue what he meant. I was thinking to myself, saved from what?  I told him that I didn't know what he meant, and he proceeded to sit down and tell me that I should not be wearing makeup, I should not be wearing jewelry, and I definitely should not be having a baby at my age. He also told me that he would not leave that pew until I told him that I was saved by the blood of Jesus Christ! Not knowing what to do, I said, "I am saved!" He finally left, and I took my brother and went to the car. That was the last time I thought about going to church really, for many years.

Finally, when I met my husband, he introduced me to Jesus! He was like a gift from God. He was like no one I had ever met in my life. He was kind and caring, and treated me with respect. He also introduced me to a church family that I have fallen deeply in love with over these past 12 years. 

Since my husband and I have been together, we have been blessed with seeing 2 out of our 5 adult children accept Jesus into their hearts, and be baptized. Praise God! We have committed to specifically praying each week for 1 of our remaining 3 that have not come to know the Lord. We are alternating weeks and lifting them to God, fervently praying that God will break every chain that binds them to the ways they are living. We have 9 grandchildren that we desperately want to see grow up knowing Jesus! 

Dear Father, I lift our children and grandchildren up to You! Father, I pray that You would remove the veil from their eyes, and let them see You. I pray that as their eyes are opened that You would bring about situations and circumstances that would lead them to the truth. I pray that You would soften their heart's, put a new Spirit in them, take out their stony, stubborn heart, and give them a responsive heart. Lord, please draw them to You, and give them a desire for You. Please put people in their paths that would help guide them to You. Let them see You wherever they go, so much that they could not escape You. Please wrap Your hedge of protection around them, so that any ungodly influences around them would lose interest and depart. Lord, please break any chains that bind them, and free them from Satan's influence over their minds and emotions. I pray that their minds, hearts and lives would be transformed and renewed. I pray that they would be convicted by the Holy Spirit, and that they would have Your attitude toward sin. Father, please let Your kindness lead them to full repentance and help them to turn away from their sin. Thank You Father! In Jesus Name I Pray! Amen!

Linking up with Karen Beth at Finding the Grace Within/Tuesday at Ten The prompt this week is:

{BREAK}

Will You Decide?

I am linking up with Kate Motaung for Five Minute Friday. This is a weekly challenge where you write on the weekly prompt for 5 minutes and link up on Kate's site.. Please make sure you visit the one who posted before you and leave a comment, or a word of encouragement. 

I really struggled with this weeks prompt for some reason. The word is DECIDE, and I was drawing a blank, until today. Today I finally decided what to write about! 

I came home from work and checked my mail. In my mailbox was my March newsletter from Franklin Graham on The Decision America Tour. I have been excited for this tour since they announced it sometime last year. I have joined the Ohio Decision America Prayer Group on Facebook, ( I believe there is a Facebook group for each state.) I have taken the pledge to God and My Country, and I will definitely be attending the rally when Mr. Graham visits our State Capital building in Ohio. 

I also have a Decision America Prayer Journal where I can write prayers and praises for each State as Mr. Graham goes to the Capital buildings and preaches the Gospel. The journal has information on each State and what we should be praying for as well. In Ohio, the prayer request is to Pray for a new generation of young Christians to rise up across the state as they hear the Gospel through every means possible. Ask God to use music, movies, social media, and the latest technology to reach children, teens, and young adults with the life-transforming message of Jesus Christ. 

"Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.'" -Matthew 19:14 ESV

I totally agree with Mr. Graham when he says, "America is in trouble." What America needs is a spiritual revolution. It will only happen if we turn to God. As Christians we need to stand together and ask God to intervene in this country, to forgive us and to give us another chance. 

Turn us back to You, O Lord, and we will be restored. Lamentations 5:21 - NKJV

Mr. Graham reports that so far, over 1,400 people have prayed to accept Christ as their Savior! How exciting is that? 

Friends, if you have not already done so, I would love for you to decide to join Mr. Graham in praying for our Country, and spreading the Good News! You can find more information on your State and sign the pledge here.

Also, if you have never linked up with Kate, try it today! You will be glad you did!

My Past His Plan

I admit that my past as an adult isn't admirable, but it is mine. I am not proud of my past as an adult, and by no means do I miss it, but I am thankful for it. I have learned to be thankful for it, because, it is what led me to God. I made so many mistakes and bad choices, and the guilt laid on my shoulders for many years. Even after I came to know Jesus. But the more I walk with Him, talk with Him, and study God's word, I am learning to forget the past, to let Jesus wash it all away, and look forward to the future and what lies ahead. 

The part of my past that I do miss is my childhood, and my dad! Even though I was not raised in a Christian home, I was very loved, protected, and cared for by my dad. My dad would have turned 79 years old on January 7, 2016, and on July 15, 2016, it will be 38 years since he passed away. That is almost as long as his time on earth. He was 41 years, 6 months, and 8 days old when he passed away from a brain aneurysm. My dad was amazing! He loved us unconditionally, with his whole heart! He taught me that same kind of love, and he taught me to love and protect my own. I was just 15 years old when he passed away, and I can honestly say that there have been very few, if any, days that I haven't thought about him at some point during the day. I miss him terribly, still. So many times I think about him, and wonder, "why my dad, God?" And I admit, at times, I still feel cheated. But I have a peace in my heart, because my dad accepted Jesus before he passed away. And then I remind myself that there is no more pain, and no more sorrow in Heaven, only joy! I know that God has a time for each of us, and my dad's time on earth was complete. He served his purpose, and God needed him at home, in Heaven. On the days that I really miss my dad, I find comfort in this verse. 

If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Romans 14:8

I done a Bible Study last year called Your Life Still Counts, by Tracie Miles. This study was what taught me to finally be able to accept my past, to let go of the burdens of guilt and shame, and to know without a doubt in my heart, that God uses my past for His purpose, and He will guide me to a beautiful future if I let Him. I am certainly willing to let Him! 

It is my heart's desire to use my past to help other women who may be struggling with the same things that I once did. I want to show them the Hope and Love that is found in Jesus. I want to guide them to the One who can take their past and turn it into a beautiful future! I want to share with them all of the blessings that God has placed in my life! Me, the one who thought God could never love me because of my past! 

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19

Linking up with Karen Beth at Finding the Grace Within/Tuesday at Ten 

The prompt this week is PAST!