Growing up isn't easy as we all know.
I grew up Charismatic and was baptized into the Charismatic Movement when I was only eight years old.
Let's back up for a moment here: even though I was baptized into the Movement, I still had DEEP questions about my salvation. So, I went Online and investigated my salvation.
Contrary to popular belief, I was NOT a real Christian. Not until August 19, 2016 @11:30am!
That's right! I actually confessed my sins and prayed to receive Christ and his gift of salvation.
The reality hit me at the Sally Griffin Senior Center in California while I was in the middle of washing a filthy bucket!
Yes, Jesus met me right where I was. Crying, miserable, failure. He met me and I received his grace!
You should too!
Although, God does NOT force his salvation upon us, that is a decision that we make on our own.
Psalm 37:3-6 NIV
[3] Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. [4] Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. [5] Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: [6] He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
1 Corinthians 3:18-23 NIV
[18] Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. [19] For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness” ; [20] and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” [21] So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, [22] whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future---all are yours, [23] and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.
2 Corinthians 11:16-33 NIV
[16] I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. [17] In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool. [18] Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast. [19] You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! [20] In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face. [21] To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that! Whatever anyone else dares to boast about---I am speaking as a fool---I also dare to boast about. [22] Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I. [23] Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. [24] Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. [25] Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, [26] I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. [27] I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. [28] Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. [29] Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? [30] If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. [31] The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. [32] In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. [33] But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.
It doesn't matter, by the way, what bible version you use to worship and study God's holy word! Just because someone tells you that you are reading a certain version and it's wrong, doesn't make it true!
I am ramping UP my prayer life just for all of you!
Take care and I sure hope this helped you in ANY way possible.
Love in Christ,
Tatiana
