“I Did Not Know I Could Serve God Fully”
“I know everything you have done, and you are not cold or hot. I wish you were either one or the other. 16But since you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of my mouth.”
Estelle writes:
I heard the voice of God when I was at a Women’s retreat in January of 2000. A friend that I attended the retreat and she showed me a Scripture. We were discussing giving our all to God, and that I needed to be in a Bible study. I told her that I loved God with my whole heart but I didn’t want to be part of a Bible study because I didn’t feel comfortable in group settings, and that I couldn’t change my basic personality.
She opened the Bible to Rev. 3:15-16 “I know your deeds, that your are neither hot nor cold! So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” After reading the Scripture I heard a voice that encompassed my whole being say, “Do not be afraid.” I felt a warmth and peace spread throughout me and I was awed. I just stared at the Bible. I felt like I was suspended in time.
It was a dilemma for me to serve God. I didn’t understand what it meant to give Him my All. I didn’t think I could do it. I didn’t feel wise enough, confident enough, committed enough, nor did I trust Him enough. But He had a plan.
Please note that the views expressed in this story are not necessarily the views of the American Bible Society. Story posted on February 24th, 2009 and filed under Bible, God's Love, Hope, Your Stories, Conversions, Grace, Struggles, Evangelization, Life Verse.
April 16th, 2009 at 1:16 am
My beloved Estelle in Christ:
“Blessed are the humble in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3).
Your humble opinions of yourself rid you of self-righteousness, as we are saved by the grace and mercy of God, to be led by and be blessed in His Almighty Hand.
I am often called “Happy go lucky.”
This is because of my carefree spirit: I pray/sing/play on the piano: “Take My life and Let It Be
Consecrated, Lord to Thee; Take my moments and my days– Let them flow in ceaseless praise….” (Frances Ridley Havergal).
You said it beautifully: “…He had a plan.”
I dedicate myself humbly to His Plan.
Thank you.
May GOD ALL MIGHTY Bless you inestimably and infinitely;
GODSPEED, always and forevermore!
Mary Sun.
July 16th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
What do you do when everything you touch screams “failure”. I wish God had email. I try to make my thoughts His thoughts and capture every thought, but I’m tired.
July 18th, 2009 at 2:31 am
My beloved and esteemed Sara in Christ:
You can be sure that our Almighty “God had email” transcending time and space.
What a beautiful thought of yours–You have brought Him even closer to me now as I am in front of my computer.
In fact, my user name is: Godalmityblessus@…. He hears me all the time, all the time!
It will no doubt be cathartic if you communicate with Him via your own email way, even to share it with your fellow Christians on this dedicated Shareyourstorynow web site.
Please “Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.” (KJV, Palm 31:24).
The hymn “Whispering Hope” resonates to me in this ‘email’:
“Soft as the voice of an angel, breathing a lesson unheard…Wait till the darkness is over, wait till the tempest is done, hope for the sunshine tomorrow, after the shower is gone…Why should the heart sink away? Come, O Thou blest hope of glory, never, O never depart. O how welcome thy voice, making my heart, in its sorrow rejoice….” (Alice Hawthorne,1868).
Thank you.
May
The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you
And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26);
GODSPEED!
Mary Sun.