Advent Number 1
They will call Him Immanuel, which means God with us! I willingly admit that those words mean much more to me today than they did that warm October evening when I began my walk with Jesus. During those early days in my walk of faith I remember a sense of warmth flood my being. That warmth told me that something had truly happened that night that Jesus came into my life. I felt different and in some real ways I was different. For the first time in my life I had hope for a bright future! I felt the promise of life because I realized that I had been formed by God and that He had given me my personality, background, as well as gifts and abilities to fulfill some yet to be discovered purpose that the Father had for my life! Most importantly my view of God changed. I originally saw God as someone to be feared. Someone who could send me to hell. Someone, who would judge me. I learned rather quickly that my viewpoint was wrong. I soon realized that God in all His presentations was one to be respected and loved. I learned that in His heart, His desire for me was not hell, rather He wants me to share my life with His Spirit and with Him throughout eternity. Once I knew that He didn’t come to judge me, but, rather to redeem me I was solidly in. I knew that I could trust Him with my life and eventually my soul.
Now, some 45 years later I can confidently say that what began during the warm October evening by a step of faith is now a proven reality to me. I have experienced God’s presence many times. He has given me special gifts and abilities that I did not have before that October night. More times than I can count I have awakened to a sense of awareness of what was coming next and the steps I should take. God has warned me about danger and redirected my steps. He has taught me through the events of our shared adventure together that His Word is true and that He is with me every step of the way. As exciting as those early days were when God began to reveal Himself to me, I’m more confident now as I know that just as He has guided, equipped, and enabled me in the past, He will continue to lead me as He walks me through the rest of my life. While my hope of eternal life is still an act of faith, it is a faith that grows stronger with the memories and experiences I have had with Him through the years. I know that He loves me! I know that He loves you! Trust Him today! Discover Immanuel, God with us!
They will call Him Immanuel, which means God with us! I willingly admit that those words mean much more to me today than they did that warm October evening when I began my walk with Jesus. During those early days in my walk of faith I remember a sense of warmth flood my being. That warmth told me that something had truly happened that night that Jesus came into my life. I felt different and in some real ways I was different. For the first time in my life I had hope for a bright future! I felt the promise of life because I realized that I had been formed by God and that He had given me my personality, background, as well as gifts and abilities to fulfill some yet to be discovered purpose that the Father had for my life! Most importantly my view of God changed. I originally saw God as someone to be feared. Someone who could send me to hell. Someone, who would judge me. I learned rather quickly that my viewpoint was wrong. I soon realized that God in all His presentations was one to be respected and loved. I learned that in His heart, His desire for me was not hell, rather He wants me to share my life with His Spirit and with Him throughout eternity. Once I knew that He didn’t come to judge me, but, rather to redeem me I was solidly in. I knew that I could trust Him with my life and eventually my soul.
Now, some 45 years later I can confidently say that what began during the warm October evening by a step of faith is now a proven reality to me. I have experienced God’s presence many times. He has given me special gifts and abilities that I did not have before that October night. More times than I can count I have awakened to a sense of awareness of what was coming next and the steps I should take. God has warned me about danger and redirected my steps. He has taught me through the events of our shared adventure together that His Word is true and that He is with me every step of the way. As exciting as those early days were when God began to reveal Himself to me, I’m more confident now as I know that just as He has guided, equipped, and enabled me in the past, He will continue to lead me as He walks me through the rest of my life. While my hope of eternal life is still an act of faith, it is a faith that grows stronger with the memories and experiences I have had with Him through the years. I know that He loves me! I know that He loves you! Trust Him today! Discover Immanuel, God with us!
RSS Feed