By Faith

Hebrews 11:1, "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."  "Faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the word of Christ,"  Romans 10:17.

I grew up attending the Catholic Church, my parents were both Catholic and I can remember going to Church every Sunday and a Catholic Bible calss on Saturday morning.  I was baptized in the Church and had first communion in the Church.  I learned all the stories, Noah and the ark, Daniel and the lions den and of course, Jesus.  But when I was young, I couldn't get that truth into my heart,   all of  the stories that I learned, were just that to me, nice stories.

Hebrews 11:6, "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."

I was confirmed in the Catholic Church, that is another ceremony that you have when you are a teen.  And when I got married for the first time, It was in a Catholic Church.  I always felt like it was all just something to do to be a good person, and I thought that if I was good enough, I could work my way into heaven.  If you were to ask me, at the time, If I was saved, I would say, "I hope so." 

2 Corinthians 13:5, "Examine yourself to see whether you are in the Faith; test yourself .  Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you- unless of course you fail the test."  "I have been crucified with Christ and no longer live, but Christ lives in me."  Galatians 2:20.  At that time, I would have failed the test.

I met my husband, Mark, when I was 28 and I married him about a year after that.  His mom, Mary, always talked to me about Jesus and it sparked something in me.  The first time I met Mary, she put her hands on us and said, "The blood of Jesus."  I asked Mark, "Did she just put blood on us?"  She was never ashamed to speak her mind, and tell me about the Gospel.

"Before this faith came we were held prisoners by the law.  Locked up until faith should be revealed,"  Galatians 3:23.

Romans 1:12, "This is, that you and I may be encouraged by each others faith."  "God has opened the door of faith to the gentiles,"  Acts 14:27.

Because of all of the things that Mary and my husband, Mark, told me, I gave my life to God, I said the sinners prayer with Mark and I invited Jesus into my heart.

If someone was to ask me if I was saved, after I asked Jesus into my heart, I would say, "Yes, I am, thank God!"  And then we started going to Church every Sunday and during the week for a prayer meeting.  I loved it!

Romans 3:3, "What if some did not have faith?  Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness?  Not at all!"

I was healed of many things, migraines, a toothache, kidney infections.  I was filled with faith.  I had great love for Jesus and I trusted God for everything.

"The Spirit clearly says that in the later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons."  1 Timothy 4:1.  Also Romans 14:23 says, "everything that does not come from faith is sin."

Our life is hard.  Mark is sick, my boys have anxiety peoblems, I have problems with depression.  We are financially in a bad place.  I feel like the weight of the world is on my sholders, and I have to constantly remind myself to give it to God.

"I can have faith that can move mountains but have not love, I am nothing."  1 Corinthians 13:2.  1 Corinthians 134:13, "And now these three remain; faith hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love."

I have my ups and downs, just as I did before I became a Christian, but now I am saved, if I die, I believe I will be in heaven with our Lord.  We have a very hard life, at the time, but I wouldn't change a thing.  I know God is in control and these trials are for the good of my life, for the good of my family and for the good of the kingdom.  These trials will end one day and I know peace and love will follow.