Where would you be if God had not given Jesus as a sacrifice for your sins? About 3 years ago, I decided to write a "Thank you" letter to God for what He has given me. Here is part of what I wrote:

 

"Thank you Father, because you have shown me the purpose of life - to take the new life I have in You and share it with those I love and care about. Then my life expands to become a reflection of how wonderful and big you are.

I never would have learned any of this without you. You have truly changed my life because you have given me life. I don't know what I had before this but it sure wasn't life. I was just sleep walking, trying to fill the emptiness with things that ultimately had no value.

But one day, you showed me vividly how much you loved and cared for me personally. So thank you Father, thank you from the bottom of my heart."

 

Today's word to describe God is "Giver."

 

Devotion

 

Many years ago, I attended a seminar called "Tell it Like it is" in which we learned how to testify with impact. The seminar leader suggested our testimony follow this format:

 

·         Where I was

·         My experience meeting Jesus

·         Where I am now

·         Where I hope to be

 

I wrote a brief testimony seven years ago about how Jesus delivered me from my eating addiction:

 

Where I was

 

I was a Christian, but I wasn't living in victory. I was nearly 100 pounds overweight, and felt defeated, depressed, and discouraged. To cope with those feelings, I ate. Food became my god, lover, and friend. I knew that I was killing myself with a knife and fork, but felt powerless to stop it.

 

My experience meeting Jesus

 

One day, I got up from the sofa too fast and experienced a crushing chest pain. It only lasted a second, but the pain terrified me. God spoke to me in that second: "It is not supposed to be this way." I chose to believe Him and my life changed.

 

Where I am now

 

God invited me to trade the false security of food for real security with Him. He is now my God, lover, and friend. I walk with Him daily. I am no longer defeated, depressed, and discouraged, but am filled with His love, His peace, and His joy. I no longer abuse food and have lost 85 lbs so far.

 

Where I hope to be

 

God is still working to cultivate Spiritual fruit within me. At times, I still struggle with temptations for destructive foods, but I am winning this battle by strengthening my faith in Him daily. God has promised me an abundant life and assures me that I can do all things through Christ. I boldly claim and confess those promises every day.

 

So again consider the question: Where would you be if God had not given Jesus as a sacrifice for your sins? Since God gave you His Son so freely, why not pass on the same gift to others through sharing your testimony?

 

I recommend taking some time to write your testimony down. In that way, you will "...always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you... (see 2 Peter 3:15)" 

 

Meditation Scripture

 

·         John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Be blessed in Health, Healing, and Wholeness,

 

Kimberly Taylor
Take Back Your Temple
www.takebackyourtemple.com

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