To know and trust that God hears you, he gives confirmation which can come in different forms-my favorite is when I receive it via a verse of scripture. When it comes from the Word (from The Bible), that is definitely confirmation from the Lord. Yesterday, I was witnessing to someone new to my life, who was trying to convince me that I was incorrect about my truth (Jesus); insisting that they could rattle what I KNOW is TRUTH and that what they wanted from/with me was okay and I should succumb and walk a dark path with them.
I was praying for them as I reminded them that I had already walked in their shoes and that I now know the other side, the BETTER side. I stated that I had already been down that path and what they would be leading me to is a void; why would I dare consider or want that when I’m walking in THE WAY.
There was nothing I could do but laugh at what this person was trying to persuade me of. I exclaimed that my God is so much bigger than the dark spirit within them. Yet, I didn’t stop praying over the entire situation, not just for them but for myself-praying to my Father in gratitude for His amazing grace; telling Him there was not a shadow of a doubt that I made the right choice by saying yes, PLEASE, Lord…save me from myself.
I prayed before I went to sleep that God knew I was not “seeking” anything other than His presence, as this person had echoed my concerned words to him, back at me. I was reiterating it out loud, to keep the enemy at bay!
This morning after I awoke and as I rushed around getting ready for service, I picked up my phone to read my morning scripture. All I can say is – CONFIRMATION!!! (It would make more sense as to why the following is confirmation from the Lord, if I revealed the specifics but am choosing to refrain as not to temp the enemy to keep trying me; I wouldn’t succumb, but don’t need the hassle!)
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
What know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
For those who are not in Christ, or perhaps new in your salvation, this verse means as such: Within in my body resides the spirit of God, for when Jesus died on the cross, and rose from the grave, he not only bought our sin with his life but also sent His spirit to reside within those who accepted Him into their lives/hearts. Out of reverence for the Lord, for such a sacrifice, we are to respect ourselves: mind, body and spirit because we belong to God. Our mind, body and spirits are not ours to do with what we please for that is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.
I have walked this out with the Lord; He saved me from something ugly and consuming that was making a mess of my life; in gratitude (and to receive) for redemption, for restoration…I have surrendered to Him. I turned my back on Him once but he loved me still; He called my name and I answered. I now stand firm in my convictions that there is no other way but His: I will never turn my back to him again! His saving grace is more powerful than anything else I’ve ever experienced in life and honestly cannot fathom living my life in any way other than His way.