You want me to do what at 46?

Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.

Today is my birthday, 46, closer to 50 than I am to 40. This morning in prayer I rattled off all that came to mind in a heart a thanksgiving to God. I – Am – So – Blessed. Even with all that I could think of, I can’t help but wonder how much I forgot. The aches and pains have accelerated, yet I am so thankful for my health. I look back at the life I led for so many years as a rebel without a cause; raised in a Christian home ,yet, with the freedom that came at 16 I turned my back on God. God let me travel down that road of many sins for over half my life, and then He started reeling me back in. I knew it was Him calling, I knew it was a decision with eternal consequence. I am so thankful for my upbringing that helped me realize the weight of that decision.

I am giving my testimony from the pulpit this Sunday. My testimony is one rooted in pride, rooted in selfishness, idol worship, and worldly pursuits. My testimony is one of grace, mercy, forgiveness, and the power of God through a daily pursuit of him. I am living proof of this Proverb above. Jesus Christ saved my life with what he accomplished at the Cross, paying the price for my sin debt due, that in no way could I ever earn by any good work; being a good person, or sadly what so many of us think that Salvation is found in church pews. The understanding of Grace is truly what changed my life. I now find myself in a position by His design that I do not deserve, and never would have imagined as a preacher at a small church. I am committed to delivering His Gospel message of grace and repentance found only through Christ for the remainder of my days here on earth.

What do you believe gets you to heaven?

How you answer that question determines your eternity. I truly believed for most of my life that it was going to church; that belief puts you into the category of earning your salvation by your own works (your attendance record). That would mean that Christ died in vain. Galatians 2:21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” You must come to understand Grace; God’s free gift that you can only accept as a free gift that you cannot earn. That He gave you grace through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ on the cross as a payment through his perfect blood for your sins. Once you understand the grace found in the Good News, your life will be transformed eternally and for your time here. Your heart will be moved to that of a disciple, and your life’s desire will be to make other disciples of His. Won’t you join me on this eternal journey with your Creator, Savior, and Sustainer of your life?