HE has done SO MUCH for me!

For the last 6 months I was taking an “Understanding God” class in which Faith Temple Church, http://www.faithtemple.net, offers and I can say my life has changed. The class itself presented a challenge to me due to the cold winter early mornings and late night homework sessions. However, I can say I am extremely happy that I remained dedicated to building a solid foundation that has left me wanting and craving more.

Towards the end of the class we were asked to write our testimonies about what the class has done for us, our experience with each foundation stone in which we covered , and how our life has changed since taking the class. As I wrote my testimony about the class, I wrote from my heart and was completely open with regards to everything the class has taught me and how The Lord was working within my heart and life. I wrote my testimony not thinking it would ever go beyond the group leader’s hands but then a few days before the banquet I was asked to read my testimony aloud in front of everyone. Anyone who knows me knows that public speaking is a fear of mine but now that I think about it….a week or so prior someone in the choir gave me a scripture to read after practice, Psalm 27:1, look how God works 🙂

I never knew how hard it would be to openly speak about your personal journey and what The Lord has done for you PERSONALLY until I did it. The fear of putting my personal life out there for all to see, the thought of going back to that place of hurt in front of a room full of strangers, but then the JOY of being able to say I overcame my situation while learning so much more than I expected.

As I stood up there so many emotions were flowing through me and the tears were streaming down my face. My eyes were so full of tears that I could barely see, I had to stop talking several times, and there were times when I felt like I just could not do it and I actually verbally said it. But through all of it everyone in the room was so kind and patient with me. Once I was done and the banquet was over, Mrs. Chennetta said “your testimony was for someone here” so that right there made me feel a lot better (I was still FULL of emotion) because if you have read through my blogs or know me personally, you would know my want is to help others through my words and / or experiences.

So, with that being said, I am posting my testimony for all to see. Hopefully through my testimony you will see HIS greatness, how HE cares for His children, how He only want the best for you. I truly believe that a foundation with The Lord has been laid and NOTHING or NO ONE is going to take me from it.

I pray that your spiritual eyes are opened and you see HIM.

Walking into Catechism I did not know what to expect. I came into the class feeling completely BROKEN and I didn’t know what this class was going to be like or how it would change my life.

Now when I say broken I mean COMPLETELY BROKEN (from my own point of view). I had someone who I thought I could trust basically take advantage of my kind heart and steal thousands of dollars from me in which I had to pay the bank back. SO not only was I out of the little money I did have saved up but now I had to pay the bank back the thousands of extra dollars that was withdrawn from my account. I had bills that were paid coming back NSF, including my mortgage. I had no money for food and I had no one to turn to because I am such a private person. Even the one person that was closest to me was not there for me in the way that I expected her to be. So I had hit my rock bottom and I knew there was nowhere else to turn but to God. So the week prior (January 10) I had received Salvation and turned my life over to The Lord and was told about the Catechism class and how it would be good for me to join. Not knowing how I would pay for the class I was a little on the fence but then I was told that they would accept my payment in installments, so that is what I did.

Every Sunday we would go over the 66 books of the Bible, The Ten Commandments, the Foundation Stones, the Student Confession, and the Apostles’ Creed. As we recited this information it was being etched into my heart. All of this is GREAT and AMAZING information to learn and know and have instilled into your life HOWEVER the one line “I have self-worth and value because Jesus loves me and that makes me somebody” really touched me and helped me because I was feeling so very low at the time. I was mad at myself as well as the guy who did this to me and truly felt like a fool for trusting someone who could do this to not only me but my kids because I am responsible for them; so this affected them as well.

As the class continued on I was actually learning so very much about The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit and I was shocked at myself because of my dedication to this class. I had even let go of my full-time school schedule because I could not handle work, school, kids, and now Catechism all at once. I felt that my focus had to be on this class and learning about my Father, so that is what I did. I put all of my focus on Him and I feel that this was the best thing for me to do. During the class and even outside of the class I was learning about who He is and the importance of trusting Him. This class enhanced my curiosity so I started reading His Word more than just the daily verses but I didn’t stop at that I got a study Bible that would break down different verses so that I had a good understanding of what I was reading. I started asking other believers questions to help me break certain things down on top of researching different things for better understanding. But inside I still had a slight feeling of discouragement and hurt. So I thought to myself, what do I have to do to break this feeling. But then as we proceeded on with the class we were discussing the things God sees as sin. So I started to dismiss some of the things that I felt was causing me to sin or what was sin. And I started to feel better little by little. And then I was inspired to start writing. I started a blog focused on Him and long behold I started to feel a little more at peace.

And then came the Water Baptism. Walking into the baptism I did not know what to expect BUT I was excited. As I stood there praising and worshiping with the other candidates for baptism I started to watch the trees sway back and forth. I sang and swayed back and forth with them not knowing that the Holy Spirit can come in the form of wind as well. So I definitely believe and felt that even without me knowing His presence was definitely in the building. I walked up the stairs to the little tub and sat down on the seat, Pastor Mark said “you look like you are readyJ” then he said a short prayer and dumped me under. As I rose back up from the water I felt that everything of my past was left in that water and I came up a new person under God. He cleansed me of my sin and past and now I was free to live according to His will. I felt vibrant and covered by His love, grace, and mercy. Mrs. Laverne told me when I got out, “you are glowing.” That was an AWESOME experience in which I was so proud of myself for taking the step to accomplish.

As the class continued on, I started to learn about the Holy Spirit. I can admit before we started learning about the Holy Spirit I didn’t know much about Him and that caused me to doubt His existence. But then during catechism, I learned that He is real and He was sent to us by the Father and Son as our comforter and He lives within me. I am still learning about Him today but I can now say that HE IS REAL and He will check me when I need to be checked. After learning about Him it was time for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. So once more I was standing in line praising and worshiping. Mrs. Laverne came over to pray with me. As we were praying something happened and a wall was shattered. Tears started flowing from my eyes, sobs came out my mouth, and then something hit me and it was powerful. My cries got harder and my mouth was moving faster than normal and unfamiliar words were coming out my mouth and they seemed to be non-stop. I felt weak and I have lost control over my body (my knees started to get weak – slowly but surely I was kneeling down to the floor) and mouth. It seemed like I could hear several of the pastor’s voices in the room praying for me. This went on for I don’t know how long then it subsided and Pastor Genny asked me “how do you feel” and I responded “overwhelmed” because I never experienced anything like that before. I am use to being in control of my mouth, body, and tears but at that moment I had lost ALL CONTROL. Mrs. Laverne said to me “you just spoke in tongues” so from that moment on I KNEW THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS REAL.

Catechism and Faith Temple has changed my life forever. I am a true believer of God and I am and will continue to live my life according to His will. I have made major changes in my life and they can be seen by everyone. I am not the person I use to be. I AM A CHILD OF GOD and He is my head and I will do as He tells me to do. I no longer live by my will because my will have now become HIS will. This class has taught and is continuing to teach me about his love, grace, and mercy. Every day I feel as if I am being drawn closer and closer to Him and for that I am FOREVER grateful to all of the teachers of the class as well as the group leaders. They have taught me so much and I am excited to continue to learn about the Lord.

~Livingwithpurpose720

June 23, 2016 2

Forgive And Be FORGIVEN

When you read and speak of the word FORGIVE do you have true understanding of it? Have you researched it and gained TRUE knowledge of what it means to FORGIVE? Or, do you have surface level understanding and never truly gathered what it means to really and truly FORGIVE so you can be FORGIVEN.

To stop feeling anger toward (someone who has done something wrong): to stop blaming (someone)
To stop feeling anger about (something): to forgive someone for (something wrong)
To stop requiring payment of (money that is owed)

The word “forgive” comes from an old English word forgiefan, which is itself made up of two words: giefan, meaning “give” and for-, meaning “completely”. So the word forgiefan conveys the sense of GIVING COMPLETELY.
~ “The Origin and Meaning of Forgiveness.” Andrew Pinsent –. Web. 24 May 2016.

Before converting over and giving my life to the Lord I was already a person who forgave others for the wrong they have done to me. Even some of the most unforgivable things I forgave. I forgave because I always believed that if something was to happen to that person or myself I do not want things to be left unresolved. I still believe this and feel this way BUT now it is a little more, well a lot more, added to it.

People always ask me how can you forgive this person for what they have done and then they proceed to say (or think to themselves) “if it was me, I couldn’t do it”. Well let’s just say it was and continues to be hard but it takes a lot of humbling of self and a lot of PRAYER. Me personally I do not like to hold grudges because that grudge carries a lot of weight and at this point in my life I definitely do not want the extra weight or stress so I choose to forgive.

However, as I continue to grow in my faith I am learning more and more it is definitely better to forgive and COMPLETELY forgive for my own souls’ sake. In Matthew 6:14-15 Jesus is teaching about prayer and fasting and he states: “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins” (NLT). That right there is enough for me being that I wish to be forgiven by my Father however I also wish to be obedient to Him.

What Jesus is saying (from my understanding) is to completely and wholeheartedly forgive those who wronged you because our Father completely forgives us for our wrong doing. All of us were born with sin in our heart because of Adam but Jesus came to right Adam’s wrong and ONLY through the blood of Jesus are we forgiven. Jesus was the ULTIMATE sacrifice so why do we as mankind feel that we do not have to forgive others when everyday God forgives one for their transgressions and sin.

Some may say, “Yes I forgave this person yet they continue to do the same thing, should I continue to just forgive them over and over again?” Me personally I try not to allow that person to do the same thing over and over again to me because I do not put them in the predicament where they can. However, Jesus told Peter in Matthew 18:22 that he should “No, not forgive seven times…but seventy times seven”. Meaning stop counting how many times you should forgive but forgive as many times as they come to you with a true and repenting heart.

We as humans do not really know when a person is truly and utterly apologetic for their wrong doing against you BUT where’s the problem in giving them the benefit of doubt. I know that in my circumstances with the person who did me completely wrong, though it was extremely hard, I forgave him. I forgave him because:

I couldn’t carry that burden any longer (Psalm 55:22)
Who am I to not forgive when I have done so much wrong yet my Father has forgiven me over and over again (Luke 6:37)
The Bible says: “…Love your enemies!” (Matthew 5:44) and “Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses” (Proverbs 10:12).

So I say to those who are reading this: humble yourself to forgive those who may have hurt you. Forgive them completely not because you want to make it into heaven but because at the end of the day WE ARE ALL SINNERS and if you have given your life to the Lord, He has forgiven you. He loves us and only want the best for his children. We were created in HIS image so why not do as He would do, COMPLETELY FORGIVE. Then Let Go and Let God! He can handle it but you have to TRUST Him.

~ Livingwithpurpose720

May 25, 2016 3

A Little More LOVE…

When you look out your door or on the news, what do you see? Do you see the love in which God intended His kingdom to possess? Do you see the happiness one can truly possess once they put their complete trust in God? Or, do you see a world full of hate, envy, condemnation, and great sorrow?

Everyone knows of the love that is spoken of in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

However, do you know of the love spoken of in Luke 6:27-30?

²⁷“…Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ²⁹If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. ³⁰Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.”

When God created mankind (man and woman) He created us in His image, Genesis 1:27, so we were created to LOVE as God loves us. However in today’s society we are a world divided; nation against nation, race against race, brother against brother, and family against their own family. It almost seems as if the world forgot the One True God and what He wants from us and that is to LOVE ONE ANOTHER as we love ourselves, Mark 12:31.

I know when you think about that statement some may say how can I love someone who hates me or is an enemy to me? It’s quite simple, God loves you and you are a sinner born of the Original Sin with enmity in your heart. Yet, He loved you enough to sacrifice His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ, for you. That right there is reason enough. However, there’s several other reasons why we as humans should truly adjust how we act towards others, including myself.

Did you know your soul is on the line? Jesus is coming back and He will not only judge you for your deeds, Romans 2:6, but also for your attitude. The Bible says, “We must have the same attitude of Jesus Christ”, Philippians 2:5. Jesus loved everyone even those who betrayed him, Judas. So who are we to say I hate this person or dislike that person? Or to say one race is more dominant than another. We ARE ALL Gods’ children and will be held by the same standards comes judgement day.

All of these senseless acts of violence, robberies, and malicious acts towards one another is nothing but the devil using mankind to do his work. If what you do brings some sort of hurt, confusion, pain or fear to yourself or another person, you are being used by satan. His main purpose is to STEAL your happiness and joy, KILL your spirit, and DESTROY God’s work within you. So in my eyes it is IMPERATIVE that we LOVE more than we hate because God is LOVE! And, God’s love casts out all fear, 1 John 4:18.

My message to all today: Learn to love more because God is love and He wants us to love as He loves us. Love with your heart and not just with your words because God is Omnipresent, Omnipotent, and Omniscient. Nothing at all is of secret when it comes to God so be of good fruit.

~Livingwithpurpose720

March 30, 2016 3

You ARE Enough!

About a year ago, I wrote the below poem. Never meant to be a poem it was more of a passage based off of my observation of society and how women, in specific, are treated and how we as women sometimes conform to the societal norm or either to the desires of a man who is NOT her husband.

There are several ways in which we as women can sometimes lose sight of ourselves and our purpose however God’s Word says WE ALL (man/woman/social class) were created in His image, Genesis 1:27, so why is it we as women allow ourselves to not be who God has destined us to be versus being what we THINK we should be because of society and the male species?

And this can go the other way as well because there are some men out there who conforms to what society has destined them to be versus being the MAN God has created them to be.

When you look at a woman what do you see?
Do you see the big butt as she turns around or her voluptuous breasts as she walks slowly towards you
Do you see the slight glimmer in her eye that says he is fine or the way she bites her lip as she slowly passes you by
Do you see the way she flips her hair to take another peak as you watch her silhouette fade away
Once she is gone you think about that moment when you first saw her and think that chick was bad and she wanted me
But if u rewind time and take it back to where it started
When you look at a woman what do you see?
That big butt that she went to the Dominican Republic to buy because she hates her God given butt or do you see the breast implants in which she got because a man told her she would make money with them
Do you see the glimmer in her eyes that shows the desperate need for approval from a man
Or do you see the busted lip she is biting because a man decided to punch her in the lip for not listening and abiding to his every word
Did you notice the hair flip as she passed you by that is helping her walk with confidence so you will not detect or notice all her insecurities
Do you see as she looks back at you a woman broken by society and men who just wanted to take from her and break her
Do you see your daughter walking in these shoes one day
When you look at a woman what do you see?

Geared more towards a man looking at a woman however you can look at this from woman looking at a man perspective as well.

Unfortunately with the constant rise of reality television, technology, and social media people have lost so much of themselves that they no longer truly know who they are, what they believe and like, and WHO they should be serving.

I am not going to lie, I am a faithful viewer of SOME reality shows. Shows like The Bachelor, Real Housewives of Atlanta, and more recently Mary Mary. I have watched some of the other shows like Love & Hip Hop and Basketball Wives and I can tell you I truly enjoyed them UNTIL I was awakened and my blinders came off. I gave myself to the Lord the second Sunday of January 2016 and made the commitment to truly follow Him and walk with Him. I continued watching the shows about, maybe, 2 more weeks but every time I watched I looked at the image being portrayed by SOME of the cast members of these shows and realized this is NOT what I want to feed into my spirit.

Technology, where do I start with this, is GREAT don’t get me wrong BUT due to technology people have lost a sense of reality. They’ve lost the concept of what it is truly meant for and that is to make the lives of people using it much easier. But, has this convenience become an INCONVENIENCE for God? My opinion, YES! How many people actually open God’s Word from the greatest book ever to be written? How many people can say they actually carry their Bible with them to church or bible study? How many people actually READ the word versus listening to it being read to them.

I am huge on technology and can say I too am GUILTY of all of the above and I am not saying it is wrong at all. However, what I am saying is reading from your tablet or phone, is not the same. And, listening to the Bible versus actually READING his Word, is not the same. For the last few nights (yes I am very new to this as well) I have been bouncing from my physical Bible and my online Bibles listening as well as reading to see which gives me the most understanding and I have found that for me personally, I can truly FEEL His Word sinking into my spirit when I am actually READING His Word versus when I am just listening to it. So for me, and I am sure there are others, to truly get an understanding that I can reflect back into my own life I HAVE to read versus just listening.

Lastly, social media. Such a great tool for networking, meeting up with old friends, and reconnecting with long lost family – what would we do without it 🙂. Nonetheless, there are some dark sides to social media. Social media allows people to be something they are not, live in a world they do not live in, and idolize images and people that should NOT be idolized, Exodus 20:3-4. Some even idolize themselves not knowing that they are doing it because they do not know, do not have a relationship with God, or is not a true believer. Some people also uses social media as a form of acceptance or assurance. Why do you need the approval of mankind when God is waiting for you to seek His approval?

In theory, we all have our times when we allow distractions to come in and set our entire path off course however YOU SHOULD NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF WHO YOU ARE IN GOD! He is the ONLY judge, approver, and condemner so you do NOT have to lose who God intended you to be for the approval of man – that’s man OR woman.

~livingwithpurpose720

March 17, 2016 17

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