More Na...

This past Sunday I was given the privilege of sharing my Na testimony with the church by my favorite pastor in the world, Joe Calabello. :) This was not hard for me to write because of the abundance of grace and mercy that God has poured out over my life. I thought to share it here on the blog so that others might be encouraged two ways:

1) To write your own testimony out regardless of whether you went to New Attitude or not. It can be about how either God saved you or a particular work that He is doing now or in the past. This was extremely helpful to me because it showed me in greater depths God's love for me. For some reason, when you think something through and begin to write it down things become more clear. I think that this is seen primarily through Gods Word. Written words have value that spoken words do not. They are timeless and can referred back to again and again without losing their potency. Our memories have a way of "forgetting" something that has been spoken and discarding it whether its of spiritual worth or not (That's why we must take vigorous notes at church). To sum up, after I wrote out what God did for me, I was able to see with greater clarity God's love, God's glory, and my mission: To bring Him glory.

2) To edify others. I am not a spiritual guru nor an example for others to look up to. Plain and simple, I am the worst sinner that I know. But this does not mean that I am to keep silent about the work of the Spirit. I want others to see that if God can grab the attention of a wayward sinner like myself, than surely He can and will impart His grace upon the lives of others.

So, here goes...

"I came to New Attitude this year with a heavy heart. I was bearing the burden of my sin and I did not even know it. As C.J said during his first message this past weekend, 'I was oblivious to the obvious.' I had been allowing my sin and lack of obedience to inform the way I worshiped my God. Through the teaching, worship, and wonderful biblical fellowship, God opened my eyes to my legalistic mindset. I was not obeying God Because it pleased Him, I was trying to obey because I thought that I had a debt to repay. But God is merciful and He showed me that the perfection of obedience that I thought I owed had already been accomplished in full. Christ, who always has done what pleases the Father and always will, has stood in my place and been the righteousness that I could not. Most of all, I came away from New Attitude 2007 sensing the pleasure of God when I do obey His Holy law. I can take joy in my faithfulness to Him because I know that it is all by His grace and covenant love for me. All of this has allowed me to live with greater anticipation for the days to come when sin will power no more. One day, because of the redeeming work of Christ, I will have a body that no longer struggles with the pride that grips my heart now. All of this is made possible by the Cross. Thanks be to God for showing me that 'He is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him.'"

Throughout the weekend God laid Luke 2:14 on my heart, "Glory be to God in Highest and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased."

-Kyle-