shareyourstorynow.org

I'm a New Creation

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

[2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV]

Toni writes:

When I rededicated my life to Christ in Jan. 1994, 2 Cor. 5:17 was the first verse I memorized.

It’s special to me because it assures me that I’ve been forgiven and made new in Christ.

When I decided to make Jesus my Savior and Lord, my life changed for the better. It didn’t happen overnight, it was a process, but it happened.

I don’t have to live in the past of sin and death anymore. I have been created new and am continuing to learn and go forward in the things of God.

As a sinner I lived a life that was fulfilling to me. I thought I knew what I wanted, but in all actuality I really didn’t know. I made bad decisions and suffered the consequences of them.

When I was six years old, my mother and father divorced. I was angry, became bitter and had unforgiveness in my heart. I didn’t want to ever get married or have children when I grew up. I started to experience alcohol and would have become a teenage drunk.

I truly believe the prayers of my maternal grandmother were heard and the mercies of God were upon my life. I moved to live with my grandparents, which was the best move for me. I received godly influence from my grandmother at that point.

I believe this verse of scripture (2 Cor. 5:17) really put my life in perspective when I read it, heard it, and meditated on it.

I was renewed in the spirit of my mind. I put on the mind of Christ Jesus.

My confidence and self esteem increased a great deal after reading God’s word. The word of God is life changing and is still changing my life today.

I now have been married for seventeen years and am the mother of a beautiful daughter. I have co-pastored a ministry and now am assistant pastor, along with my husband, of a great church.

I thank God for the power of His word. There are so many scriptures that have impacted my life, but 2 Cor. 5:17 is my favorite as a true believer.

Story posted on Monday, May 12th, 2008 and is filed under Praise, Bible, Hope, Drugs & Alcohol, Your Stories, Struggles, Divorce & Marital Conflict, Conversions, Life Verse. | 1 Comment »

Day of Fire: First Verses [1:23]

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

[John 3:16]

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

[Phil 4:13]

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

[1 John 4:4]

Day of Fire talk about John 3:16, Phil 4:13, 1 John 4:4.

Story posted on Thursday, May 8th, 2008 and is filed under Bible, Video Stories. | No Comments »

What Does the Bible Say About Mothers?

Then he [Jesus] looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

[Mark 3:34-35 NIV]

This month we’d like to honor our own mothers and all mothers! We invite you to spend a few moments reflecting about your mom or a mom figure in your life. Reflect on the questions below; and we invite you to share your thoughts.

• What does the Bible say about mothers?
• What verse reminds you of your mom?
• How, if at all, did your mom influence you spiritually?
• If you’re a mom, what has the Bible taught you about being a mom?

To answer any of these questions or to make a comment, use the comment box below. To read what others have written, scroll down to the comments below.

Blessings to you (if you’re a mom, we wish you extra blessings!),

The ShareYourStoryNow Team (Andy, Abby, Nat and Scott)

Story posted on Monday, May 5th, 2008 and is filed under Bible, Your Stories, Christian Families. | 9 Comments »

Downhere: Lay Down Your Life [1:14]

You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.

[John 13:33 NIV]

Glenn Lavender from downhere talks about the importance of John 13:13 - laying down your life for your friends.

Story posted on Thursday, May 1st, 2008 and is filed under downhere, God's Love, Bible, Video Stories, Verses. | 1 Comment »

Thanks to Jesus, My Life Turned Around

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

[1 Peter 4:12-14 NIV]

Melissa writes:

Well it has been a year since I met my savior, the one who helps me get through life! Jesus.

My life before I met Jesus sucked, it really did. I used to go out every Saturday night, get drunk, drive in random cars, all the while my mom was thinking I was at a friend’s house asleep in bed.

I used to always get in fights with friends, and life wasn’t good at all. I started hanging with people a year ahead of me; those were the people I’d get drunk with. I just wasn’t complete and didn’t know where I was heading in life.

Then october last year my friend had her baptism, and I went and watched. I felt something in that church - I felt the love, hope and faith that there was through all the people.

That night was the start of my journey.

Although of course the journey was not easy. It took three more weeks to get back into the church. It took seven weeks to give my life to God and like ten weeks to start actually making friends.

My school friends didn’t understand my choice and my decision. They hated me going to church. After a while they ditched me.

I felt like everything was dropping from beneath me. I was wondering why God was doing this.

I got home one day and was crying. My youth leader texted me and said, “Look in the Bible I gave you, it has all the answers.”

So I sat there on my bed and opened it up to 1 Peter 4:12-19, which is a scripture about suffering for being a new Christian. And I mean it was all about how God gives us trials to see how we handle situations and how we get through them.

A week after I found that scripture, everything went better. I found new friends, who believed in what I was doing, and everything was great.

I believe that that night on my bed, when I found that scripture, God was speaking to me. He doesn’t have to speak through words of mouth, but he spoke to me through scripture, and I’m forever grateful for that.

My life a year after has changed so much, I can’t believe it. My family and friends have noticed.

I know pretty much everyone at church. I’m in the band, and I do kids camps for unfortunate children. I do kids transport to school, and I don’t get drunk on Saturday nights.

I go to the best youth group in the world, and I’ve got the best leaders and mentors, who are pretty much my family - I couldn’t live without them.

I’m planning on getting baptized myself in March next year. And, well, for my relationship with God, well, I’m still learning. But I’ve learned so much already! I love him. He’s my world. He died for me, and I’m so pleased about how my life is.

I still have hard times, but there are many more good times than bad.

Story posted on Wednesday, April 30th, 2008 and is filed under Praise, Bible, Drugs & Alcohol, Your Stories, Verses, Conversions, Struggles. | 3 Comments »

Drew Cline: God’s Word [2:37]

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.

[Psalm 40:3 NIV]

Christian musician Drew Cline shares about a moment in his life when he realized that his way of life was the best he could do when he was in charge.

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Story posted on Wednesday, April 30th, 2008 and is filed under Drew Cline, Bible, Video Stories, Evangelization, Verses. | No Comments »

Gregory Paul Smith: Memorize Scripture [1:38]

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

[James 4:7 NIV]

Christian music artist Gregory Paul Smith shares some strategies for memorizing verses and shares about how we need to be in the Word daily to keep the Devil out.

Story posted on Tuesday, April 29th, 2008 and is filed under Gregory Paul Smith, Bible, Video Stories, Verses. | No Comments »

Grits: Songs From Scripture [1:40]

Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable.

[Matthew 13:34 NIV]

All of GRITS’ songs are directly related to Scripture and written for people who have needs. GRITS says that if you don’t have needs, you probably won’t connect with their music.

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Story posted on Monday, April 28th, 2008 and is filed under Grits, Bible, Video Stories, Verses. | No Comments »

The Imperials: Life Change [4:58]

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

[Jeremiah 29:11 NIV]

Jason Morales of the Imperials tells how he was distracted in high school by drugs and alcohol and didn’t want God to be in control. When he started running sound for the Imperials he began to see what the real Christian life looked like. Jeremiah 29:11-12 got his attention and brough him back to the Lord and off drugs. And he hasn’t looked back since.

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Story posted on Sunday, April 27th, 2008 and is filed under The Imperials, Bible, Video Stories, Verses, Life Verse. | No Comments »

Jason Gray: God is Faithful [1:43]

13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

[1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV]

Christian music artist Jason Gray is comforted by 1 Corinthians 10:13, which reminds him that he won’t be tempted beyond what he can bear - whether with girlfriends, inappropriate material, etc.

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Story posted on Saturday, April 26th, 2008 and is filed under Jason Gray, Bible, Video Stories, Verses, God's Sovereignty. | No Comments »