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Debt Testimony

Feb25

I was warned. Young married couples tend to go into debt when first married because they need (want) so much. They want what Mom and Dad worked 25 years to get. My husband and I did pretty well in the beginning then we bought our first house. That was instant debt but so much more was added because we need new furniture, new appliances, new lamps, and the list goes on.

Before long we were up to our eyeballs, okay, over our heads in debt. We were struggling to make it from paycheck to paycheck. My husband and I were getting tired of being in debt so we decided to give our debt to the Lord. We were also convicted that we needed to pay our debt because we created it.  We started by repenting of using God’s provisions for selfish reasons, for mismanaging the things He had given us and promising to give Him control of our finances.

At the top of that list was tithing. We started with a little step of faith by tithing off of our net income for one year. We had to trust the Lord at His Word and so after that one year we started tithing off of our gross income. It never ceased to amaze me how month after month He met all our needs and we still had money left over. His word proved true. (Malachi 3:10)

My husband and I took a class at church, Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, and started to practice some of the principles in that program. We started to pay off credit cards and loans and our indebtedness declined. It was still a struggle but learning to lean on the Lord and trust Him was the benefit of our journey.

At one point in this journey my husband left his job but we continued to tithe, even the 2 weeks vacation he received when he left. That turned out to be a testimony to the person who collected the tithe in our Sunday School class. She wanted to give it back but we insisted that it was God’s money and He would take care of us,  which He did.

It took 5 long years to get us out of debt. God is wonderful. It was not easy and we suffered through it. We ended up losing our house to fire and I lost my job in the midst of this but through it God delivered us from debt. My husband and I have been debt free for 13 years and we do not own a credit card and have not for over 13 years. Without a credit card I have to trust God for my provisions. As yet He has not let us down.

When I look at the lessons learned from this experience the one that stands out the most is that an extreme debt has to be paid by suffering. Just as Jesus suffered to pay our debt. He paid my debt on Calvary and that is for eternity. My financial debt was paid by my suffering but God was there through it all. I learned that I can trust Him with my needs. He is all I need. Jesus is sufficient.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. — Malachi 3:10

Baptism Testimony

Jan20

At the age of 12 my brother and I went to a church and took a course to learn how to be a Christian. We studied for a few weeks, not remembering how many weeks it took looking back that long ago, but we learned about Jesus and the sacrifice on the cross He made for us, about baptism and reading our Bible and praying. After the course we were baptized. I can tell you now that I did not personally know Jesus Christ at that time. I was going through the motions because that is what we were supposed to do to be a Christian.

The Lord found me and entered my heart at the age of 15 (please see my salvation testimony). This time I really knew Him and knew I was different because of my decision. I read my Bible every night because I desired to do so and I prayed every night before bed. Things were different. Well, life goes on and many things happen but Jesus was always with me. He never left me nor forsook me even though I wandered many a time.

In 1994 I was taking a course at church on how to witness. The second semester focused on baptism. As I studied I was convicted because I was baptized before I really knew Jesus. I had been a Christian for 19 years and the Lord was telling me to be baptized. At the first thought of being baptized after walking with the Lord for 19 years was frightening. What would people think? I could easily just move on and no one will know that I didn’t get baptized after the fact of salvation. But as I pondered the thought and prayed about it I knew it didn’t matter what others thought, it mattered what Jesus thought. He was the One who wanted me to follow through in obedience for His sake, for a testimony to Him.  It is a sign of obedience just as Jesus through His obedience to the Father was baptized.  Baptism doesn’t save, it is a sign to proclaim the transformation that happens when one accepts Jesus as their Savior and Lord. I knew what I had to do . . .

I approached my pastor and told him that I wanted to be baptized. He basically blew me off thinking I was joking with him or something. Of course in his defense I said this in passing on a busy Sunday morning. It took about 3 attempts of asking to be baptized that he finally looked me in the eye  and asked why I needed to be baptized. I told him as I have explained above. So, one Sunday morning I was baptized to the glory of God. I understood what baptism was about and grateful that He led me to follow Him in obedience and be baptized.

Conveniently, it was also pot-luck day, to this day I say it was a celebration of my baptism (LOL). I sat across from a fellow parishioner who said, “I didn’t know you weren’t saved”. Please know that baptism does not save you. It is an outwardly demonstration of an inward decision. Baptism is done as a witness to others of your decision to walk with Jesus. It is your first act of obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ, your God. To God be the glory in all that we do.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Jesus is Alive in Me

Jan3

I came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior in 1975 in Mililani Hawaii. God had already begun a work in me in El Paso Texas.

I was an Army brat (meaning my Dad was career military) and went to church regularly with my Mom and brothers. One day my Mom said that my Dad was due to get orders to go somewhere and asked where I would like to go. Being a teenager I said, “Hawaii”, of course. I was informed that my Dad couldn’t go there because Hawaii didn’t have the type of job my Dad was trained to do. Well, I prayed asking if we could go and God answered that prayer. I believe when we pray according to God’s will He answers (1 John 5:14). He had a plan for me that required me being in Hawaii in 1975 – to accept Him as my eternal Savior.

We got involved in a church right away and they had a special series on the end times and it scared me. I didn’t want to be left behind and not know God. Yes, fear was used to lead me to salvation. God knows best what we will respond to. In the years since God has turned that fear into trust and respect. I admire Jesus’ obedience to the Father by giving His life to pay my debt for all the sin I had, have and will commit in my lifetime. By Jesus’ shed blood (believing that Jesus died for me) I have been made clean from sin and believing that God raised Him from the dead, death has no power over me. I am saved to enjoy eternity with the Almighty God who loves me. I find great comfort and peace in searching His word. Jesus is the greatest thing that ever happened to me and I live in peace, joy and comfort knowing He loves and cares for me.

If you haven’t gotten to know Jesus as your Savior and Lord, let me encourage you to seek Him. His word says in Deuteronomy 4:29 – “But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul.”

I asked Jesus to be my Savior alone in my bedroom. I confessed that I was a sinner and asked Jesus to forgive me. That simple prayer changed my life. Has my life always been great without troubles? No, but it has been great because I have someone who walks with me everyday and through every situation life throws at me. He is my strength, my peace, my joy, my everything.

May the peace of God be yours as you seek His face.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon