My Past Was Made Clean By My King

I stumbled across this amazing and soul changing artwork earlier this week on Pinterest. During the week I was having a deep thought about how far Jesus has already brought me. I found myself teary-eyed one day while I was on my lunch break after thinking about the goodness of God. How the God we serve is such a forgiving, uplifting, and loving God. Around this time last year, I was walking around with a lot of pain bottled up in my heart. I was frustrated, angry, and faking my happiness.

It took me some time to realize that I was straying away from God. For example; 

• I didn't know how to cope with my stress and anger.
• Both me and my husband were arguing almost every day.
• I wasn't praying or placing all my faith in God.
• I was friends with people who didn't have close relationships with God.
• I hated my job and I wasn't truly happy.

A deadly combination of all five of these things really made me bitter. It took weeks to work on myself and to accept God's precious works in my life. Allow me to give you more insight into my life; 

I was already a born again believer and was baptized at seven years old at a little ole' church in my home town of Napoleonville, Louisiana called, Beautiful Zion Baptist Church. 

When I was seven years old, I accepted Jesus for my Lord and Savior. At seven years old, I wanted that joy, love, and holiness in my spirit. I wanted to feel God in my spirit. The moment that I was baptized in my church home I was scared. At seven, I had a fear of drowning. But, I knew that baptism wasn't going to hurt me.

I remember vividly the choir singing the ole southern hymn 'Wait In The Water' as I made my way to the back of the church to be changed in an all-white cotton dress. The lights in the church were turned off and the colorful stained glass windows allowed the sun to shine in shades of reds, greens, purples, and blues. My stomach churned as my mama dressed me and looked me in my eyes before I went into the water. 

I stepped into the pool of water that was behind the choir. The only thing that separated me from the choir at that time was plexiglass. Over my head was an old school water art painting of Jesus. My pastor at the time Reverend Pado held a white handkerchief in one hand as he stood in the water along with his right-hand man at the time, Mr. Singleton. The singing came to a cease.

I walked into the middle of the pool and Reverend Pado announced my name and my determination to accept Christ as my Lord and Savior. Once the handkerchief covered my mouth, I closed my eyes and was submerged under the water. I was shaken as if some being left my body. 

The feeling of being baptized was soul cleansing. 

Since that day, no one ever sat me down and told me that from that moment forward how drastic my fight will be with my flesh. Let me tell you that you are no match for your flesh. The flesh is weak. The flesh will take you out of your element. I was at war with my flesh and in many ways I still am. As I now look back on my life and my sins I can tell you today that my sins have been and already have been forgiven. 

I would love to refer you to four of my favorite verses about repentance that I apply in my life:

  2 Chronicles 7:14 - If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Proverbs 28:13 - He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy.

Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

2 Corinthians 7:9-11 - Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

Being baptized isn't an exit from sin. Being baptized doesn't make your walk with Christ easier. Love and embrace your walk with Christ. Have more than just a 20-second conversation with Him. Understand that you will be healed by the blood of Christ. Repentance doesn't make you weak or look a victim to Christ. I am here today to let you know that you are worth being forgiven. Understand that change is possible and life is possible if you have the faith the size of a mustard seed.

 Today, I have been rebuild by Christ. He has worked and restructured the foundation of my soul and my life. I no longer hang around with the same people that were no good for me. I no longer accept anger as an emotion that I act out on. There is no reason for me to fake the happiness that God has woke me up this morning with. 

Here is a prayer that you can pray to God today

'Dear Heavenly Father, I want to thank you for my life. Thank you for being so loving and so kind to me. Today I ask that you remove anything from my mind, soul, and heart that does not belong. Help me today to understand the promise and the mission that you have for my life. I truly want to walk in the presence of your holiness. I want to be used, renewed, and sustained by you. Rebuild me in the blood of Jesus. 

In your heavenly name, I pray today.' 

Amen.

Listen to: Rebuild - J.Moss

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