Jun 29, 20197 min read

I was a slave to sin and the world’s fleeting pleasures. I rejected the precious Jesus I cherished in my childhood, as well as His commandments. I chose to follow the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who was at work in me, and all those who are disobedient. (Ephesians 2:2)

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21)

I found myself picking and choosing what I wanted to believe. (2 Timothy 4:3) I discounted hell, and fabricated my own idea of heaven. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. (James 3:15) I was darkened in my understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that was in me due to the hardening of my heart. (Ephesians 4:18)

“But ... the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)

“Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son.” (1 John 2:22)

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God" ... (Psalm 14:1)

"Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:15)

I prayed to God - but, because I allowed the world's popular beliefs to fan the flame of my confusion, I was blind to His sovereignty. I claimed to know God, but by my actions, I denied Him. (Titus 1:16) My 'prayers' were mere wants and wishes. When I asked, I did not receive, because I asked with wrong motives, that I may spend what I got on my pleasures. (James 4:3)

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15-17)

Mark 8:36 “Aim at Heaven and you will get Earth ‘thrown in”: Aim at earth and you will get neither.” ― C. S. Lewis "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose." – Jim Elliot

"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." (Proverbs 11:2)

At a stranger's invitation, I attended a church gathering. It was there that I humbled myself before the Lord. (James 4:10) The Holy Spirit washed away all my doubts, and opened my eyes to the reality of Jesus Christ … I was given a new heart and a new spirit.” (Ezekiel 36:26) I turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that I could receive forgiveness of my sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Jesus. (Acts 26:18) By submitting to my Father's will, I have been set free. (John 8:32) "For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin." (Romans 6:6) “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)

The Lord says, “if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die.” (Ezekiel 18:21)

I blindly chose my own path before my eyes were opened to the truth. In my ignorance and pride, many years were wasted ... But, I found the hidden treasure ... I found the pearl in the oyster! (Matthew 13:44-45) What I now have is priceless, and I want to share it with you! Take it, it's free! And, it is far more precious than anything imagined!

“In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:3-5)

I testify to the fact that it doesn’t matter what you have done, or who you are, God has loved you through it all. He wants you to turn to Jesus ...

"For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them." (Acts 28:27, Matthew 13:15, Isaiah 6:10)

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

"The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17)

Matthew 5:16 "Don't shine so others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ― C. S. Lewis

I do all this for the sake of the gospel. (1 Corinthians 9:23)

“I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:24) Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)

We are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. (James 4:14) Jesus revealed the only way to heaven, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13) Open the door and “enter through the narrow gate. Allow Jesus into every aspect of your life. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” (Matthew 7:13)

Jesus promises, “The one who is victorious will be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and His angels.” (Revelation 3:5)

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in His holy people,” (Ephesians 1:18)

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8)

“God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

“He Himself bore our sins” in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by His wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)

Jesus said, “I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am He, you will indeed die in your sins.” (John 8:24)

“Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:24)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

When you know the truth, you too will want to share the source of your newfound joy and contentment! Fix your eyes on Jesus, seek Him in His Holy Word and in all things and He will open your mind and reveal the secrets of His Kingdom - and your name will be in the book of life.

“Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”

He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. This is why I speak to them in parables:

“Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.

In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:

“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes.

Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’

But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. (Matthew 13:9-16)

“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 1:26-30)

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

"To Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy - to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." (Jude 24-25)

Vicki Norris

May 27, 20195 min read

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” (1 Timothy 1:15) I was dead in my transgressions and sins, deserving of God's wrath. But because of His great love, God had mercy on me one night seven years ago and, by His grace, made me alive with Christ. (Ephesians 2:1-9)

A couple years after I was born of the Spirit (John 3:3-8), I could no longer meet my monthly expenses. The Bible instructs us “not to be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present our requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6) So, I prayed, in faith, for an affordable home. “If you, then, though you are evil[1], know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11, Matthew 6:26)

Friends and family tried to convince me that what I hoped for was unreasonable and unattainable ... I trusted in God and waited. “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6) Because “this is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15) “For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does.” (Psalm 33:4)

A couple months later a friend of mine ran into an old friend who mentioned she would soon be moving. Through this encounter, God provided me immeasurably more than I asked or imagined! (Ephesians 3:20-21) My Father blessed me with the sweetest home - a house - even closer to the beach than my apartment. My landlord, a generous and wonderfully kind Christian, charges me well below the going rental rate. I adore him and he loves me like family. Jesus says, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” (John 14:23) “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)

A couple years ago my day job fizzled out as my art business increased. “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

It was only after my circumstances changed that I was able to help ex-husband in his time of need.

(see My Testimony, part 1)

"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." (Proverbs 16:9)

I testify to the fact that God provides our needs if we believe in Him, and put our faith and trust in His son, Jesus Christ. We are here to love Him, and be loved by Him. “Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread...” (Matthew 6:9-13)

Recently, a close, secular friend asked me, “Why do you think what you believe is better than what I believe?”

What I believe is not just something I agree with or think is real – I have a genuine relationship with the one who gave me life and holds my life in His hand. "The Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." (Proverbs 2:6) "The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit." (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Proverbs 8:17, 35 "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called." ― Mark Batterson

You are the object of God’s love & once you know that & accept that & seek Him with your whole heart – It will be impossible to contain the love & peace & joy & contentment found in His Son, Jesus Christ! “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Jesus revealed, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,” (John 14:6)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.” (1 John 3:1)

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)

"For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose." (Philippians 2:13)

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.” (Deuteronomy 7:9)

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2)

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:5-6)

Jesus warns, “If you do not remain in Me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” (John 15:6)

[1] ”For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” (Mark 7:21-23)