My Story.

Upon attending service at The Connection Church on 9/23/07, Pastor Cole invited the congregation to share (or at least write) our story. This story was to be a testimony of our faith and life with Jesus Christ. There were three discussion items that we were asked to share. The following is my story.

What was your life like before you became a Christ-follower? There are many ways one is "saved," or comes to Christ. Many grow up in the church, leave and come back. Many find God later in life. Some grow up with the Word and follow God their entire lives. I grew up in the church. My father went to service every Sunday and my mother was an organist for the chapel on Bergstrom Air Force Base. After it closed, she continued to play for churches in Austin. From the time I was an infant to the time I left home, I went to church every Sunday. I accepted Christ into my heart and was baptized at a very young age. I had wonderful opportunities to learn about God, minister to others and even preach a sermon to the congregation on Sunday morning. I did, however, experience a time in my life where I started to stray from God. I've lately been attending church multiple times a week and try to connect myself with those who live for Christ. I can honestly say that during the times I chose my will over God's, I was angry, unhappy, empty and confused. At the very moment that I changed my course, my troubles subsided. No matter the circumstances, this is the reality: Whether saved at an early age or a newborn Christian, we have to recommit our lives to God everyday. Why?

"There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came through Christ Jesus." Romans 3:22-24 (NIV)

Tell about your experience of surrendering your life to Jesus. As I mentioned earlier, we all find Christ in different ways (if at all). People often ask when I was saved. The truth is that I am saved everyday. Pastor Don Duncan at Tree of Life church in New Braunfels, TX has been teaching a series, called "God: AKA." This evening, we learned about the name, Jehova Tsidkenu - The Lord, our Righteousness. We were reminded that we are loved by Christ not because we deserve it, but because of who and what God really is - Righteous. When we confess our sins, we proclaim (again) that God is our savior. We can then thank Him for paying the price with His blood. We are bought and paid for by His love. God is righteous and the only one worthy of our love. Why?

"For we do not have a high-priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin." Hebrews 4:15 (NIV)

What has your life been like since you trusted Christ? The times that I have walked closest with God have also been the happiest and most rewarding times in my life. It is when we walk with Him that he is able to use us instead of just bless us. When we minister to others, God will minister to us.

"He will love you and bless you and increase your numbers. He will bless the fruit of your womb, the crops of your land - your grain, new wine and oil - the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks in the land that he swore to your forefathers to give you." Deuteronomy 7:13 (NIV)

"However, there should be no poor among you, for in the land of the Lord, your God is giving you to posess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you," Deuteronomy 15:4 (NIV)

Trusting God also give us a new-found strength, no matter the circumstances.

"I know how to live with almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." Phillipians 4:12-13 (NLT)

"Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all cicumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)

Remember: True happiness and salvation comes from putting God first, but it is a daily exercise. Christ paid the price for our sins, but we need to re-commit ourselves to Him continually. There are many people and cicumstances in our lives that take us on our journey. I was once told that, "People are placed in our lives to plant a seed, water the soil or watch it grow." My story is still being written. How about yours? I am born-again daily. This is my testimony.

In Christ,

James