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So many in our churches here in Lincoln have
experienced the power of the Easter story first hand. Let me share
with you my story...
As for me, I was on my own, doing my own thing. I was buried and
lost in sin, and not even really caring. I was happy entertaining
and distracting myself with the everyday things of this life, and I
had a lot of friends doing the same thing.
But one day I came under conviction for my failure. I didn’t know
what it was, just this deep gnawing unpleasant feeling.
I now know that it was the Holy Spirit drawing me to Christ.
Honestly, it was both horrible and wonderful. It was horrible
because I knew that God was grieved over how I had been living. I
had disobeyed. I had slapped God with my lifestyle. I had turned my
back on Him. And I felt a heavy load for this.
But it was also wonderful because I also felt something else. I felt
like someone was calling me – wanting me. I felt like, if I could
just get around all the junk in my life, that God would lead me down
a good road, something new and fresh and real. Again, I didn’t know
what this was.
But it was God’s amazing love for me! Yes, He was grieved at my
lifestyle.
But He hadn’t given up on me! He never quit pursuing me! He never
stopped coming after me! And somehow His voice calling me was louder
than His disappointment in my life choices!
The question hit me – What could I possibly do to get through this
barrier?
So many share a similar story. And if it weren’t for the life of
Jesus, the Son of God, where would we be? He came, representing the
heart of the Father to gather us all back to Himself.
He came voluntarily. He came and lived an amazing life, a perfect
life, a powerful life – with the goal of dying for you and me.
And then we see the place where Jesus died, and we realize, “That
was God on that cross! There He is loving me! There He is paying my
debt! There He is, making a way for me to get around this mountain!”
And when we finally see it, it changes us forever.
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When I saw it, I ran to the front of the chapel. I
knelt down before the Lord. I didn’t have all the right words, and
I’m sure I didn’t say all the right things. But in my heart, I was
turning away from myself. I was turning away from my sin. And for
the first time in my life I was turning to Him. Loads fell off!
Shame washed away! God’s grief for my life disappeared!
That moment when the love of God touched my life for the first time
was the sweetest moment I had ever known. All the junk was gone, and
for the first time I knew I was free. As tears ran down my face, I
felt clean on the inside. God didn’t hate me! God didn’t reject me!
He was for me! His love poured into me!
It was the power of the resurrection happening all over again. Only
this time, it wasn’t Jesus coming out of His tomb. It was me coming
out of mine! Jesus overcame the power of death and stepped out of
that tomb to make it possible for me to do the same.
The relationship that I have enjoyed with God ever since that moment
has been the key to my life. I could have never believed how this
could be. But it’s no fairy tale. It's real, and it's available to
everyone.
Friend, whoever you are, whatever you’ve done, whoever you’ve done
it with – God sees. The lifestyle choices that separate you from Him
do grieve His heart. But not because He hates you or rejects you,
but because He loves you so much. He wants you to be where He is.
And so He’s not just grieved. Even more, He’s calling your name.
He’s saying, “Son, Daughter, I’ll clean you. I’ll forgive you. I’ll
heal you. And I’ll lead you.”
Will you hear Him? Will you come?
So many churches are celebrating this Easter. Perhaps you know
someone that attends a Bible preaching church. Will you go with
them? Will you check it out?
Our doors at Faith Assembly are open. Every Sunday at 10:30, we
gather for worship. God is weekly changing hearts and lives. He can
touch yours.
Hope to see you soon!
Pastor Darren Palmer
Faith Assembly
1225 Nicholson Road
Lincoln, IL 62656 |
