LIVING HOPE - Reading With the People of God: Part 18Sample

Made For More

Throughout all the Old Testament, the desperate need for Jesus is woven into scripture while simultaneously revealing Who God says He is. The New Testament is what I like to refer to as Part 2: THE guide book for navigating this foreign and hostile realm: earth.

I've only been consciously aware of God’s presence since late October 2020 when I encountered Jesus Christ at the age of 37. That encounter broke every foundation and pedestal I had placed my identity on. Being in His presence made it abundantly clear I was empty. Completely void of life…barren. Since that encounter I have gone through more heartache and hardship than I had ever experienced while moving through life as a walking corpse with my little walking corpse family, and generations of corpses behind me. But, then, Jesus!! His Light illuminated EVERYTHING. His eyes were like molten love filled with fire and passion. He gave me THE choice; I could choose Him and what He had to offer, or I could continue on in my own understanding. Jesus asked me three times if I wanted His Way, or mine. I could not have both. There was no way I was turning down the indescribable peace and pure love that consumed me while in His presence.

I belong to God.

I am His.

He invited me into His House despite everything I had done. None of it was counted against me, and there were many, many areas of my past that had me in shackles of shame. It has taken many hours of therapy, 4 years (and counting) of constantly seeking Jesus’ face in scripture, learning who He says I am, weeping gallons of tears, and then choosing to let go of who I thought I was. I'm nowhere near done. Yet, I come boldly into God’s House because of who I am in Jesus. His identity of me is forged from the secret place inside of Him, not from the head knowledge outside. I worship Him, and He fills me, remedying my spiritual barrenness. His hope lives and flows through me. He keeps His promises!! When He tells me to let go of people or things I think I can't live without; He reminds me of what it felt like walking around as a corpse clinging to other corpses. I choose to dwell in God’s House, not the grave.

His strength and endurance will always fill the obedient heart as He reveals; in His perfect time, the poetry of His Will.

I encourage you to meditate on today's scripture Isaiah 54 & Hebrews 10:19-39 from The Passion Translation (TPT) and worship Jesus while singing this song. 🎶

Made for More by Josh Baldwin & Jenn Johnson.

Primer contributed by Ardena Hamill, "Celebrate Recovery" encourager/trainer, Cornerstone Community Church Chowchilla.