H7 Story: Knowing Him
A few weeks ago, Scott reminded us in his sermon, Moses Told All That The Lord Had Done, And Jethro Rejoiced (Exodus 18:1-12), that when we “Tell the Story” of God’s work in our life, it keeps us humble, ensures He gets the credit, and communicates that salvation is by His grace and for His glory! Sonya Higgs' story of coming to know Christ does just that.
"I was brought up in a Christian home with godly parents. By age 5, I had been so influenced by hellfire and brimstone sermons I feared dying and spending eternity in the lake of fire. I asked my Mom to pray with me, and she led me through a sinner's prayer. I understood that I couldn’t do anything to earn my salvation. I had to trust Jesus for that. I was baptized at our church a couple of years later as a sign of my salvation.
Although Christians and Church surrounded me, I didn’t understand how much I needed to love God and His Word. I was more concerned with approval and looking like I was the perfect Christian. Of course, this false understanding led me to doubt, so I felt so unsettled through my teen to young adult years. I must’ve prayed for God to save me 100 times.
Because my eyes were fixed on self and not on Jesus, there was a point when I felt that I couldn’t keep up the act any longer. I decided I was done with God because my feelings of security in that relationship were elusive. It took me a few years of “wilderness wandering” to see that God was mercifully wooing me back to Himself by allowing the things I was seeking satisfaction from to leave me even more dissatisfied. I cried out to God for forgiveness and help.
I asked Him to help me believe. In His way and time, He led me to understand that being His child is about having a relationship with Jesus, not a religion that requires me to follow a set of rules or traditions. He calls me to love Him more than anything; to love Him, I needed to Know Him. This quote by Jen Wilkin gave me a fresh perspective on God’s Word: "The heart cannot love what the mind does not know." Through His merciful kindness, He has poured into my heart a passion for real Truth found only in His Word. Jesus’ prayer in John 17:17 says 'Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." I hunger for His truth.'
Through my walk with Jesus, He has helped me to believe in His unconditional love. He gave his life as a ransom for mine. He exchanged my filthiness for His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). The comfort I receive from the Holy Spirit will always reach deeper and bring a Shalom to my life that I will never find in earthly things. I want to find my identity in Him above all other things."
Although Christians and Church surrounded me, I didn’t understand how much I needed to love God and His Word. I was more concerned with approval and looking like I was the perfect Christian. Of course, this false understanding led me to doubt, so I felt so unsettled through my teen to young adult years. I must’ve prayed for God to save me 100 times.
Because my eyes were fixed on self and not on Jesus, there was a point when I felt that I couldn’t keep up the act any longer. I decided I was done with God because my feelings of security in that relationship were elusive. It took me a few years of “wilderness wandering” to see that God was mercifully wooing me back to Himself by allowing the things I was seeking satisfaction from to leave me even more dissatisfied. I cried out to God for forgiveness and help.
I asked Him to help me believe. In His way and time, He led me to understand that being His child is about having a relationship with Jesus, not a religion that requires me to follow a set of rules or traditions. He calls me to love Him more than anything; to love Him, I needed to Know Him. This quote by Jen Wilkin gave me a fresh perspective on God’s Word: "The heart cannot love what the mind does not know." Through His merciful kindness, He has poured into my heart a passion for real Truth found only in His Word. Jesus’ prayer in John 17:17 says 'Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." I hunger for His truth.'
Through my walk with Jesus, He has helped me to believe in His unconditional love. He gave his life as a ransom for mine. He exchanged my filthiness for His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). The comfort I receive from the Holy Spirit will always reach deeper and bring a Shalom to my life that I will never find in earthly things. I want to find my identity in Him above all other things."