Can't stop praising His name!

Last night we were invited out to dinner by one of our members parents. And the food was great! But I had prayed that we would be able to share Jesus and His spiritual food with them, and that we would get to the deep things of Christ. When we left the restaurant 2 1/2 hours later we ended up going back to the house to talk. It was going on 11:30 when we left. The conversation was centered on Jesus, His power and His heart for people. We plumbed some of the depths of Christ.

I realized at 1:30 laying in bed that I could not sleep, because I was excited about Jesus. I ask people all the time, "are you excited about Jesus?" I want to know.

When I received Jesus, I knew the power of the enemy in my own life. No one did an altar call for me. I went looking for Jesus and what it took to receive Him.There is a song that talks about salvation being free, but it costs. It cost me. I was rejected by "friends" and family. And Jesus had to be very real to me or I would not have stayed. I did not want an emotional high with God. That could be found in a bottle or with drugs. It became okay to be emotional and cry and laugh with Jesus, but that wasn't where I began. I began by needing a saviour. My life as you read my testimony was magic, witchcraft and the dark things of the world. And in that there was power! (Despite the fact the devil is a cruel master!) When I came to some friends looking for peace, they offered me Jesus. WHAT?!?!? This was my "enemy"! But, I was serious enough to ask God for His power to overcome. I knew Jesus from my side of the coin. And I knew many "Christians", but none of them really walked in power. I was looking for victory in people's lives. I did not know that was the word, but that is what I sought.

Why would I give up my lifestyle (as crazy as it had gotten!) for this man named Jesus.

This little man (5 foot tall he was) began to excitedly tell me about Jesus, and his marriage and the "victory" he had over this and that. (Now, my mind is realizing that this is why they didn't fall under the spells of others!) His wife began to share and her eyes lit up. I thought they had joined a cult at first! For two years they had just been my friends. (They would not come in the store because of the demonic stuff inside-but would greet me at the door with a smile and a cup of coffee!)

I did not realize that they and their pastors had been at the doors of the mall praying for me only the day before. (Later I found out that there were 4 Christians in the mall praying for me for over 2 years-and probably a whole lot more in that town!)

But what I saw was love and a fervor for Jesus.

Being a pastor, often "confines" me to practical, spiritual truths which often feels like I am on autopilot. Last night, I was able to share Jesus and tell of His greatness and share my experience with Him and the results. And I could have talked all night!!!

I had another message for today and yet I feel that someone needs to hear this. Maybe its the bits and pieces of my testimony. Perhaps, you have been feeling a little lifeless in your walk. All I know is Jesus and that if you will take the time to relate your experience to some one about Him and that He is not a man, but a supernatural God, with the power to cause you to have a very exciting, very fulfilling life if you will do what He says.

I heard a man say (and I am keeping this line!) that Jesus said "it is about making disciples, not decisions" and we often lose that perspective. We want them to say the sinner's prayer, but let me tell you this. A person sticks to Jesus when they come seeking what He has. Just "twisting someone's arm" for a salvation call does not always seal it. For they must believe. But that is for another time.

Can't stop praising His name!