Starting Over - cont. | Previous |
While talking with my mom one day she was questioning me about my new found faith. Some of the questions I had answers for and others I didn't know. She asked why I would belong to a faith I didn't know all the answers too and that was a very good question. Why do we belong to the faiths we do? Is it for the relationships, the acceptance, and the beliefs? Or because that is what our parents and their parents before them believed? Faith is personal. We have to make that decision for ourselves because someday we will all stand personally before God and give an account of our lives.9 So, I decided then and there that I would never again be in a situation that I couldn't give the reason for my hope and faith.10
I diligently began Bible studies and found a passion for studying the Bible. It was like this amazing treasure chest full of endless nuggets of truth that I couldn't get enough of. After Brock went home to be with the Lord, I enrolled in Bible College and continued my quest. Every day I have the opportunity to spend time with God in His word and it's amazing.11 I know what I believe and who my hope comes from. I'm honored to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.
Looking back I am grateful that I felt doubts when I was younger, I'm glad that I felt unaccepted, because if I hadn't, I wouldn't have questioned my beliefs and I would have stayed were I was. Today I know I'm loved, forgiven and accepted by Christ. I only wish I would have known Him sooner.
| References NIV |
| 1 | Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this; while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." |
| John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he sent his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not parish but have eternal life. " | |
| 2 | Acts 10:43 "All the prophets testify about him, that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." |
| 3 | Psalm 102:10-12 "He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." |
| 4 | Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." |
| Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." | |
| 5 | Luke 13:3 "But unless you repent, you too will all perish." |
| 2 Corinthians 7:10 "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." | |
| Luke 15:7 "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." | |
| 6 | Romans 10:8-10 "But what does it say? The word is near you; it is in your heart, that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming; that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth you confess and are saved." |
| 7 | Hebrews 13:5-6 "because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' So you can say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?' " |
| 8 | Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will." |
| Psalm 119:11 "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." | |
| Deuteronomy 6:5-7 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commands that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." | |
| 9 | Romans 14:12 "So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God." |
| Hebrews 4:13 "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." | |
| Matthew 12:36 "But I tell you that we will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word we have spoken." | |
| 10 | 1 Peter 3:15 "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope you have. But do it with gentleness and respect." |
| 11 | Job 23:12 "I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread." |
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