I Just Want To Testify: Simple as 1, 2, 3–My Personal Story (Part 2)

In my last article, I posted a user-friendly list of questions (suggested by Shannon Ethridge) that make telling your HIS-tory with Jesus a simpler process.  Plugging your specific details into the answers to three easy questions makes for a beautiful testimony of God’s redeeming power.  I know it will give someone permission to see God in a new way.

The questions were:

1. How is your life today because of Jesus’ presence?
2. What are some of the lowest points of your life before you knew Him?
3. How has your relationship with Him has made the seemingly impossible difference?

So, I want to testify to the mighty, awesome, atoning work of Jesus on my behalf.

Today my life is full of freedom–freedoms to … and freedoms from ...

I have the freedom to give generously–even monetarily.  I have the freedom to disappoint when choosing to please my God.  I have the freedom to say “No”.  I even have the freedom to make mistakes because I finally realize they don’t define me.  I have freedom from fear of the dark and bees.  I have freedom from the fear of death because I know whom I have believed in and that He is able to keep all I have committed to Him. (2 Timothy 1:12)  I live an exciting life looking for the next good that God wants to work in my life.  I daily find it easier to trust the Lord with the things that concern me.  Even seemingly mundane days can hold a bit of Heavenly bling!

But my life wasn’t always a positive adventure.  Before knowing of and accepting Jesus’ love for me, I was continually yanked back and forth between self-assurance and crippling, low self-esteem.  I was jealous of and mean to my little brother and carried the guilt of that wrong–constantly.  I was a “people-pleaser,” desperate to avoid rejection and a disapproving tone of voice.  I made various wrong moral choices and resented myself even more.  I was tightfisted, selfish and unforgiving.  Yet people still accepted me.

Then the day came when I found myself trapped between a really big rock and a very hard spot.  I called out to Jesus in the only way I knew.  I prayed, “The Lord is my Shepherd … ”  As I spoke it aloud, I felt the weight of years of sin and wrong choices literally lift off my shoulders. (Romans 5:20)  My circumstances didn’t change immediately, but Jesus instantly stepped in on my behalf and I’ve never been the same.  (Luke 5:32)

Although I am still a work in progress and I don’t get it right every time, I know that the God who created the entire universe knows my name and  lavishes His great love on me.  Can you believe it?

I have been forgiven of much and I am so very thankful. I love Jesus even more because of His goodness to me.  He did what only He could do to set me free from my burden of sin.  He will do the same for you when you take the time to ask.  He is no respecter of persons.  (Acts 10:34)

Don’t worry about cleaning yourself up for God, He loves you just the way you are and will assist you in that “clean up” process.

Are ready for a change?  Do you know God loves you like crazy?  Please, stop right now and ask Him to lift your burden of sin.  He longs to give you freedom, too.