New beginnings start now

[Rom 10:11 KJV] 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

[Rom 1:16 KJV] 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

[2Ti 1:12 KJV] 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

We are told to not be ashamed of the gospel. However, for some (me) it was hard to share their struggles as a christian. Not ashamed of the gospel, but ashamed of who they are/were in the flesh...

[Gal 2:20 KJV] 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.  His grace surpasses anything you and I may think or do, so we should strive to live for Him! I'm learning that more and more, and studying as to how to live for Christ in this vessel.

This is my testimony. 

One difficult thing about growing up with knowing right division, is that people question your authenticity of actually knowing right division. In a way they are partially correct, at least with me.

With out a doubt, I understand and trust Christ’s free and finished work on the cross for my salvation. I am a sinner that needed saving, and there is nothing I would be able to do, to pay the debt of sin.

[Rom 3:10-11 KJV] 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.[Rom 3:10-11, 20, 23-25 KJV] 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. ... 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin. ... 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Due to my family playing music and being asked to perform at different events and churches, I’ve heard many different religions and beliefs. However, there were always ‘holes’ in what they were saying and left me with an unhinged feeling that what they were teaching wasn’t correct, because it wasn’t backed up by scriptures and due to the nature of humans- we would never measure up by ourselves.

[Rom 5:12, 15 KJV] 12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: ... 

[Eph 2:8-9 KJV] 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

I was blessed to come to the understanding of God’s grace when I was 4. My mom said I ran up to her after Sunday school to tell her I accepted Christ’s payment on the cross; that is in [1Co 15:1-4 KJV] 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Even though I was little, I believe it to be true with all my being; I remember zoning out and looking outside while everyone else sang “Twelve Men Went to Spy on Canaan” as I contemplated ‘the bad things in the world’. We had been given the reason why there was evil in the world; because of sin,[Rom 5:12 KJV] 12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: ...and that God made a path for those willing to trust Him, and His gift of life through the cross [Rom 5:8 KJV] 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.   

As I got older, I felt stuck. People expected I was growing in understanding; as I went to church and conferences; I sat in messages, took notes, served in the church, and interacted with other believers. Except, it was kinda a mask -fake it till you make it- and no one had asked me about my walk with the Lord or understood what I was learning. Embarrassingly, I started comparing myself to others, and questioning why my life wasn’t spiritually like theirs, even though I wanted it to be: I was scared to say something. I knew the doctrine, but the growth were missing. I didn’t know to study scripture, what/how to memorize, what should a christian be doing in their everyday life (I followed my conscience, but felt there is more to life), and how to confidently talk to others about salvation; plus many more questions. I now am slowly getting answers, and finding others to admonish and edify with on my journey in growing spiritually.

[2Ti 2:15 KJV] 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

[Rom 12:1-2 KJV] 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

I am happy that the four-year-old me accepted Christ's shed blood. That is the most important decision that anyone will have to make! That though I hadn't grown like I thought I should have, God knows my heart and my desires. Now that I'm learning the tools, I am able to thrive for the Lord.

Everyday is a new day, and another opportunity, to choose to live for Christ. It's never too late to start. However, the only time it will too late; will be to accept the free gift of salvation when those who have believed are caught up to Heaven. ;) So, may you make that decision today.