Changed to a Kind Woman by Dorothy Brown Dorothy BrownI grew up in a home where I was taken to church and to Sunday School every Sunday ever since I was a little girl. I cannot remember a time when I did not know who Jesus Christ was. I knew that I needed to ask Him to forgive my sins and to come into my life. At the age of sixteen I attended some special meetings in our area and I decided to invite Christ into my life. I remember feeling peace and joy come over me. I felt the world had become a brand-new place to live in. I knew Jesus had come into my life because He said He would. However, as time went on, I lost some of my enthusiasm for going to church. I became quite critical of the people at the church and of the Sunday morning message. I gave up on reading the Bible because I thought it was too tedious. Talking With God I met a person who visited our church who seemed to be able to talk with God as if He was right there. He was so excited about who God was and what He was doing. This was very attractive to me and I desired this for myself. What formula did he use? Maybe if I really aspired to do commendable things and read the Bible diligently I would get the same results. I remember being very serious minded and somewhat austere. The results were total disaster! I struggled alone in my defeat. Then I discovered that God never expected me to live the Christian life in my own strength. I learned that I needed to let God take control of my life. I realized that although I had invited Christ into my life, I was still in control resulting in discord and frustration. When I asked God to take control of my life and to empower me with His Holy Spirit, the result was a life in harmony with His plan. I used to judge people very quickly. I would analyse and categorize them in short order. God gave me the desire to listen to people attentively. I recognized that people were interesting and quite different from what I often thought. Listening to God One day I felt a strong urge to go share Christ with a neighbour lady. I left the supper dishes and the children in the care of my husband and off I went. She was home alone sitting at the kitchen table. After a brief chat I presented the gospel to her. She listened very attentively to everything I said. When I asked her if she would like to accept Christ into her life she eagerly said, Yes. She had many questions for which she wanted answers. I was so excited! I went to visit her several times and was amazed at how she was maturing in her knowledge of God. Shortly thereafter she passed away. I realized that it was God who had empowered me to bring her the good news and had given me the right words. When the children were little I was so impatient with them when they spilled milk on a freshly washed floor. I learned that I could let God to be in control of this situation. He gave me the ability to just simply wipe up the mess with a smile. I have always had a great fear of speaking in public. When I was in college I was asked to make speech in class. As I started to speak, I forgot everything that I had prepared. I was totally embarrassed and decided that I would never give another talk in public. Years later, I was asked to give my life story at a large gathering. That old fear welled up again. However, I realized that when God wants me to tell people about Him he also gives me the power and ability to do so. I also know that I need to totally rely on Him to help me. I still struggle each time I am asked to speak, but now I know God will be there with me. God wants me to live an abundant life here on earth and as long as I depend on and trust in Him He will help me. He has promised: But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest parts of the earth (Acts 1:8). God wants to be our leverage in living, empowering us to feel better about ourselves, more excited about our future, more grateful for those we love and more enthusiastic about our faith. If you are looking for a solution to the chaos of life, ask God to be the leverage you need in being more confident in who you are, more in tune with those you love, and more effective in your marketplace. Why not pray this simple prayer and by faith invite Him to fill you with His Spirit: Dear Father, I need You. I acknowledge that I have sinned against You by directing my own life. I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christs death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your word that You would do if I asked in faith. I pray this in the name of Jesus. As an expression of my faith, I thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Posted on: Sun, 20 Oct 2013 04:37:04 +0000
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