Your Testimony

We serve a God who takes your fears, 

your weaknesses, 

your shortcomings, 

things that try to destroy you, 

things that you are ashamed of, 

actions you wish you could take back, 

opportunities you have missed, 

areas of your life you wish you could change, 

wrong decisions you have made;

He Turns Them Into Your Testimony!

The things that once tried to destroy us become the very things that God uses in our lives to show others His Faithfulness; His Power; His Grace and Unconditional Love!

The Past

Are there areas in your past that haunt you?

Do those thoughts and memories, guilt and shame, weigh you down?

No matter what things you have done, surrender them to God.

He already knows all about them anyway!

Our loving Father God wants to take those burdens off of you.

Allow Him to use those mistakes to reach others who may struggle with those same issues today.

These parts of your life may be the most important parts of your testimony.

The price for your sins has already been paid.

The sacrifice has been made for them on a cross 2000 years ago.

Accept the forgiveness that Jesus offers you and move on!

Don't hold on to your past mistakes.  

Instead, give them to God so you can live each day in freedom!

The Present

Are there things in your life today that keep you from being completely authentic to others?

Are you hiding parts of your life because you are too embarrassed to share them?

What are your secrets?

Perhaps you struggle with an addiction.
If so, know this... 
You are not alone!

Use the tools that are out there, such as recovery programs, and stand each day in the scripture that "You can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens you!" (Phil. 4:13)

Move that addiction from something that controls you to something that God controls so that He can use it as part of your testimony!

Are you having problems in your finances?

Your Relationships?

Your Self Image?

Your Self Confidence?

Your Health?

No matter what your weakness is, give that area of your life over to God.

In second Corinthians Paul talks about having a thorn in his flesh.

It is an issue that torments him.

He has prayed for God to remove it three times yet he still fights it.

You see, even the Apostle Paul had an area of weakness that he struggled with.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9 God tells Paul, "My Grace is sufficient for you. My strength is made perfect in weakness..." (KJV)

Because Paul surrendered this to God it has become part of his testimony that still helps us today.

Accept this Promise from God that His grace is sufficient for you!

His Strength is made Perfect in Your Weakness!

Take a stand against the guilt and shame that torment you.

Decide that you are not going to give into fear or worry!

The Future

Now that you know the promises above, live each day in victory!

Remember when you stumble that we serve a God who will help you back onto your feet and transform that problem into another part of your testimony!

Walk each day knowing that it doesn't matter what others think of you.

The only opinion that should matter to us is that of God our Father!

Strive to live His plan for your life!
Nothing else matters!

No other opinion matters!

Come out of the closet!

I'm not just talking about coming out as being gay, lesbian, bi, or trans.

Throw the doors of your closet wide open and show the world ALL the things that God has brought you through!

You never know who you might be touching through your testimony.

You never know who might look into your closet and see encouragement, hope; even see the love of Jesus himself in your life!

You never know what lives you might be saving by sharing with others that you have been there too and it really DOES get better!

Be the beacon of light, the shining city on a hill, illuminating the world that is lost in darkness with the brightness of Christ's power for all to see!

"Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary use words." 
- Saint Francis of Assisi

By living your life openly and honestly, living your testimony, you are reaching people around you when you don't even know it.

"We Triumph by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of our Testimony!" (Rev 12:11)

Move forward, walking in victory, and living the life of freedom that comes from allowing God to use every part of you to His glory!

Let God take the good, the bad, and the ugly that is your life and transform it ALL into your beautiful Testimony!

As Always, Remember:

God Loves You!

God Created You!

God Accepts You!

Until Next Time,

SavedByGrace

Don't Give Up!

"He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it."  Phil 1:6

Have you ever started a project around the house?

Maybe you started cleaning out that junky closet that no guest is allowed to see.

You were filled with excitement about completing it but something interrupted you.

Now two days, or two weeks, or two months have gone by and the project that once excited you sits half way completed.

Instead of excitement about knocking it out, you now look at it with disdain and aggravation.

It's okay if you identify with this example.  

I certainly do!

I bet you we ALL do!

Guess what, though.

We serve a God that finishes the projects He starts in our lives!

He will bring to fruition the projects and plans that He has begun in your life!

What good works has He started in you?

Is it a plan for ministry?

Is it a plan to start a business?

Is it a plan to conquer a habit or addiction that has challenged you for years?

No matter what the Good Work is, our Father God IS Faithful to Complete it!

The enemy wants you to lose hope.

I'm here to tell you right now, "Don't give up!"

Don't fall into the trap of self doubt and fear.

"I could never begin this business, or this ministry."

"I could never quit taking these drugs or drinking myself to sleep each night."

"I could never conquer this sex addiction or be faithful to my partner."

"I could never live a sold out life for Christ!"

"Why Try?"

When those thoughts start creeping into your mind, take a stand!

Declare who you are in Christ!

You are a blood bought child of the creator of the entire universe and all things that inhabit it!

Your father is the King of Kings!

He not only knows your name today but He knew you before the foundation of the Earth!

Combat the fears of self doubt with the faith that is your Destiny!

You were created with a purpose, a plan for your life!

Don't let the enemy cause you to give up on God's plans for you.

God hasn't given up on them!

He may be waiting for you to surrender fully to Him before He can bring them forth but He has certainly not given up on them!

He wants to flood you with His grace and mercy this very hour and every hour to come, propelling you to accomplish the goals He has set before you.

Don't give up!

God's promises are Yes and Amen!

Search yourself today for the seeds that God has placed in your heart.

-Maybe they are long forgotten because you gave up on them so many years ago.

-Maybe it hurts to think about these plans because you carry guilt and shame from not accomplishing them already.

-Maybe God is placing ideas in your spirit right now that seem too outlandish for even Him to accomplish.

God will help you finish cleaning out the junky closets in your life!

God will provide for your ministry to excell!

God will cause your business to prosper!

God will rescue you when you are in bondage to addiction!

God will Destroy those chains that bind you!

Don't Give Up!

Rely on God as your source.

He will cause the seeds that He has planted in your life to flourish!

Surrender to Him all the areas of your life.

Like the Apostle Paul who died to Christ daily, lay your will at God's feet.

Give Him your plans, allowing Him to replace them with His plans for your life!

Trust in God to complete His Good Work in you!

 

Don't Give Up!

As always remember:

God Loves You!

God Created You!

God Accepts You!

Until Next Time,

SavedByGrace

Is that your phone ringing?

Have you ever been in a restaurant or a theater and heard someone's phone ringing?

You look over both shoulders trying to guess where the sound is coming from.

Maybe you even remark to your friend about how annoying it is that they wont answer their phone!!

Evidently the person who is calling is very persistent because they keep calling back.

The phone rings and rings and you get more and more uncomfortable until finally your friend looks at you and says:

Is that your phone ringing?

So, let me ask you, is your phone ringing today?

Could it be that God is calling you?

How many times do we walk past the needy and think, "I wish someone would help them."

Ring Ring

How often do we see someone who is hurting but we are too timid to ask them if they need prayer?

Ring Ring

How many parties do we attend where we notice there is an outcast sitting alone but we don't reach out to include them?

Ring Ring

"I hear the phone ringing but it can't be my phone!"

Ring Ring

"I'm just not called to help the homeless. Someone else will do it." 

"They will just use the money for drugs or alcohol."

"They might be crazy!"

Ring Ring

"I can't offer prayer to that woman crying in the middle of wal-mart!"

"What will people think?"

"I am not a preacher! I just don't think I could pray for someone."

Ring Ring

"I see the guy no one is talking to at the party."

"It would not be cool to try and include him!" 

"I have an image to uphold!"

Ring Ring

Is that your phone ringing?

What if you are the person God has sent to help the homeless man you walked past on the street?

Ring Ring

What if your prayers for a hurting stranger will be the action that causes them to decide that life is worth living another day?

Ring Ring

What if the outcast sitting at the party see's Jesus through your kindness and decides that he too would like to be a Christian?

Ring Ring

Is that your phone ringing?

In Matthew 25 Jesus tells us, 

"³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (NIV)

Ring Ring

Is that your phone ringing?

My prayer for us all is that as we go through our daily lives that we will learn to answer when our phone rings. 

Instead of making excuses or pretending we don't hear it, I pray that we will stop and answer the call from God.

He puts people and opportunities in our path for a reason.

When you feel in your heart that God is asking you to do something, 

then do it.

To be Christians we should act like Christ.

This is summed up so simply in Matthew 22 when Jesus said, 

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’"(NIV)

Ring Ring

Is that your phone ringing?

Please answer the call today.

You may be the only Bible that some people ever read.

Thanks for checking out this post and as always remember:

God Loves You!

God Created You!

God Accepts You!

Until Next Time,

SavedByGrace

Ring Ring

Through the Valley

"I get knocked down. And I get up again. You're never gonna keep me down!"- Tubthumping by Chumbawamba

Those of you who follow me on facebook might have noticed my status earlier today:

"It's not about how many times life trips you up and sends you face first into the dirt.

No, life is about getting back up, dusting yourself off, and walking forward.

Falling doesn't = defeat, but Rising Again = VICTORY!"

Let me be very real and vulnerable with you today.

I've been going through some rough times lately.

There are feelings and emotions that I have been dealing with from several different directions.

For lack of better words, I have been walking through a valley for over a month now.

In the 23rd Psalm, David says, "...Though I walk THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me..."

He doesn't say that God will take him around the valley; beside the valley; above the valley.

He says that God will walk with him THROUGH the valley.

In the coarse of your life you are going to walk through valleys but the key is knowing who is walking WITH you.

When you find yourself walking a trail through a valley that twists and turns around hurts, despair, fear, or self doubt, that is the time to rely on God to navigate you.

Trust in Him to be the compass and bring you through.

He will give you the strength and direction that you need to come out on the other side!

Over the past month I have dealt with a tremendous amount of grief while my mind remembers and processes the illness that my mom suffered and her eventual passing on July 9th, 2010.

Everyone has cautioned me that the first anniversary is the hardest.

After walking through it, I believe them.

During this month I have found myself broken-

but not destroyed!

I have felt, at times, completely isolated-

but not alone!

There have been sleepless nights where the sadness has weighed me down-

but it hasn't crushed me!

Not once, not twice, but numerous times over the past month I have stumbled and fallen to the ground emotionally and spiritually.

Every single time God has been there to lift me back up!

- He has lifted me up to my feet like a loving father lifts His child.

- He has held me in His arms when I needed reassurance of who I am and who's I am.

- He has spoken peace into the storm that waged against me and reminded me of my purpose and destiny in Him.

I thank God for the support of true friends and a caring family who have been there through these last several weeks.

I also know that not everyone has that type of support system around them when they are going through a difficult time.

If you find yourself in the valley as you read this, know that you are not alone!

Your loving Father God is walking with you.

His Holy Spirit is your compass, guiding your every step.

His Son, the greatest friend we could ever have, is ready to place your arms around His shoulders and carry you when you get too tired to put one foot in front of the other.

Even if you have no support system from friends or family, you are not alone in the valley!

If you have fallen under the weight and pressure of life, turn to God to help you get back up.

When you are back on your feet, dust yourself off and keep walking.

Here's Some More Good News:

Valleys Are Temporary!

You have to keep pressing forward to get out of the valley but the reward is waiting on the other side.

There will be a day when you will be back on top of the Mountain, standing on the summit, praising God with reckless abandon for leading you through another valley!

When that day arrives don't forget who brought you through it!

Take that experience and share it with others around you who are walking in a tough spot.

That is how God takes the difficult times of your life and turns them into powerful parts of your testimony that helps others who are walking through their own valleys!

Thank you for reading and remember that if you are in the valley, I welcome your prayer requests.

I am always honored to pray with you.

You can e-mail me at MyGayChristianBlog@gmail.com or for prayer requests that you would like to share publicly visit the Sharing Joy and Asking for Prayer Page on the blog.

As always remember:

God Loves You!

God Created You!

God Accepts You!

Until next time,

SavedByGrace

He Is With You- Mandisa

Independence Day- Repost

I have been praying for several days about what I should post for this 4th of July Holiday.

Everything I kept hearing in my spirit sounded just like this post from earlier this year.

Finally I took the hint from God and decided, for the first time in the history of this blog, to repost a previous entry (with a few minor edits).
It's the "Independence Day" blog post below.

Whether you read this back in February or it is your first time seeing it, I pray it will touch you deeply and encourage you to make today your Independence Day! 

"Let freedom ring. Let the white dove sing. Let the whole world know that today is a day of reckoning! Let the weak be strong. Let the right be wrong. Roll that stone away. Let the guilty pay. It's Independence Day!"

After you read this blog, check out the video posted below of Pat Benatar and Martina McBride singing "Independence Day." 

It's the inspiration for tonight's blog and the source for the quote above.

Are you lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgendered, queer, questioning, inter-sex?  

It's Independence Day!

Are you straight?   

It's Independence Day!

Have you been hurt by the Church or other Christians?  

It's Independence Day!

Do you think that you don't measure up?  

It's Independence Day!

There is freedom in understanding God's Love for you.

There is amazing Grace that fills your soul when you realize that no matter how many mistakes you have made; No matter how many times you have disobeyed God's plan for you; No matter how many times you have fallen or been hurt........ 

Today is Your Independence Day!

There is no place you can fall that is too far that God's loving arms cannot reach you.

There is no addiction so strong that the power of Jesus cannot destroy it!

There is no sin so great that the blood that was shed on Calvary does not forgive.

There is no hurt so deep that God cannot heal and restore you!

Rise Up and take your place in Equality as a part of the Body of Christ!

Allow God to meet you where you are and Heal You; Love You; Reveal Himself to You!

It doesn't matter what has happened to you.
TODAY IS YOUR INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Wake up each morning and drift to sleep every night knowing that the price for your Independence has already been paid on Calvary's Cross.

Take hold of that Hope, that Victory, and Live in it.

No matter who you are or where you have been, there is freedom through Jesus.

His salvation is for you!

If you feel like you have been held back by anything:
sin
abuse
addiction
complacency
guilt
shame
Shake off those burdens and claim your Independence today!

Through the Love, Mercy, Grace, Redemption, and Hope that is shown to us from our father God through His Son Jesus, every day is our Independence Day!

Live today in Freedom!

It really is Your Independence Day!

Always Remember:

God Loves You!

God Created You!

God Accepts You!

Until next time,

SavedByGrace

Martina McBride - Independence Day (Live) Repost

Use Your Voice

If God is calling you to say something, then say it!

In the LGBT community we have sat willingly in the back of the church; quiet, alone, and feeling like we weren't good enough to speak.

Well guess what my friends, Those days are over!

There is a thriving LGBT Christian Community that is growing rapidly every day because people like you are Using Their Voice!

There is a Great Awakening in our community and it is spreading like fire around the world.

People who once sat in silence as they were beat up from the pulpit, hearing messages describing how they were going to burn in hell, are now rising up.

They are studying and learning God's Word.

They are seeking Him directly for answers and He is giving them!

God is equipping them with a message of Hope for the LGBT community.

People are taking that message to bars and night clubs, coffee houses and bath houses, Pride Parades and Community Centers.

By using their voice they are evangelizing our community!

For those of you who need some encouragement tonight on the issue of salvation if you are a lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, or transgendered person let me remind you of John 3:16:

"For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (KJV)

We are all "Whosoevers" saved by grace through the blood of Jesus.

Your salvation is not up for debate.

It was settled on Calvary 2000 years ago.

 

The promises for all Christians apply as much to the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgendered Christians as they do for our straight brothers and sisters.

Now that you are reminded of this knowledge, when God impresses you to do something, don't think,

"But I'm gay!"

Claim the promises of who you are:

I am a Christian. 

I am a Child of the Most High God!

I am Wonderfully and Beautifully made!

I Have A Destiny!

I CAN Pray for the Sick and They Will Recover. 

I CAN Comfort the Hurting and Show Them Peace. 

I CAN Preach! 

I CAN Teach! 

I CAN Do ALL Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me!

So many gifts from God lay dormant in the lgbt community because people feel like God would never use someone who is gay, or lesbian, or bi-sexual, or transgendered.

I am telling you now, YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH!

"Therefore there is now NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..." (Romans 8:1 N.I.V.)

"But John, I've made mistakes. God only uses perfect people."

There was only one perfect man to walk this earth and He was crucified!

As a Christian we cannot depend on our righteousness.

Our Righteousness is of filthy rags! (See Isaiah 64:6)

We are made righteous through the blood of Christ that was shed on the Cross.

Paul tells us in Romans 10:4, "Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes."

"But John, I am in a church that wont let me use my voice."

If you are in a church that won't allow you to use your voice then take it outside the church walls.

Use your voice in the streets. (See Matthew 22)

Use your voice in your circles of friends.

Use your voice at the homeless shelters while serving others.

Use your voice at work.

Use your voice on a blog, or a forum, or with your twitter account.

Don't let the enemy stop you from proclaiming the message of Hope, Grace, Mercy and Love!

"But John, in case you haven't noticed, it's not very popular within our own community to be a Christian."

That is very true.

It is difficult to tell a group of people who have been abused in the name of God that He is a loving Father.

He is a loving father though.

It isn't easy telling a group of people that Jesus died so that they might have life when they have been taught that they are an abomination destined for hell.

Jesus did die for us all though.

It is very hard to invite a group of people into our churches when so many were once kicked out of theirs.

The church body is for everyone though.

The only way to combat the message of non-hope that so many in our community have come to accept is with the message of Hope!

The only way to spread that message is to Use Your Voice!

I make no apologies for my sexual orientation and am finally at a point in my life where I am completely out of the closet, but my sexual identity is not where my confidence comes from.

It is not the fact that I am gay that affirms who I am.

The affirmation and confidence in who I am comes from Christ alone!

It is wonderful to march in and support pride parades around the world.

They are a symbol of our journey for equality and I am truly thankful for the pioneers who paved the way for the freedoms that I enjoy today.

But, as a community of LGBT believers, as we march the streets shouting,

"We're Here! We're Queer! Get Used To It!"

Let's be sure to use our voice and shout even louder,

"We're Here! We're Christians! God Loves You!"

No matter what you feel God leading you to do; whether it be as simple as praying for a distraught soul in Wal-mart, expressing your love for God through painting or music, or even leading tent revivals around the world; remember who you are and who's you are!

Use Your Voice!

Don't let anything the enemy throws in your way keep you from spreading the message of Hope, the Good News, to the rest of our community.

You may be the only one who reaches that soul for God.

Use your voice to lead them to the Saving Knowledge of Jesus Christ so that they can use their voice to reach others.

If you aren't yet a Christian, aren't yet living the promises that God has for you, I encourage you to visit the "How to Become a Christian" link listed in the "Other Pages On This Blog" Section on the top right side of your screen.

Get to know the love of Christ today so that He can start changing Your Life and then you too can Use Your Voice!

As always remember:

God Loves You!

God Created You!

God Accepts and Affirms You!

Until Next Time,

SavedByGrace

Defying the Odds

Do you find yourself up against some pretty steep odds these days?

Maybe you have lost your job and you are wondering how you are going to pay your mortgage, or your car note, or maybe where your next meal is coming from.

Are you facing an illness that threatens to destroy you or a loved one?

Is there a mountain in front of you that seems impossible to climb?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions then know this:

We serve a God that Defies the Odds!

You can look back all through scripture and see where, in man's wisdom, a child of God was finished before He even began!

In the last post, I AM, we looked at how God called Moses, a stuttering, murderous, sheep herding fugitive to lead the entire Jewish Nation out of captivity from Egypt.

What are the odds of that?!?

To convince the Pharaoh to release the Israelites God had to send multiple plagues.

After they were released the Pharaoh had a change of heart and sent his army chasing after them.

You might have heard this story in Sunday School when you were a child but it is no less impressive today.

The Israelites were sandwiched between a blood thirsty army coming up from behind them and the Red Sea in front of them.

It was then that Moses held up His staff and relied on God to defy the odds!

God parted the Red Sea so that Moses and the 2 million Jewish followers could pass through to safety.

Then, after they were on the other side the sea came back together, drowning the Egyptian army that was chasing them!

In man's logic that is impossible.

It is against all odds!

We serve a God that specializes in turning the impossible situations of our lives into miraculous testimonies of His power!

What are the odds that twelve men would lay down their life's work and follow a carpenter's son who claimed to be the Messiah?

What are the odds that two fishes and five loaves of bread would feed thousands of hungry pilgrims? (Matthew 14:19)

What are the odds that a woman who suffered for years from an issue of blood would touch the hem of Jesus' garment and find healing? (Matthew 9:21, 22)

What are the odds that a man named Jairus would see his daughter raised from the dead just by believing? (Luke 8:50-55)

What are the odds that the creator of all things, the entire universe and all of it's galaxies, would send His Son to die as the ultimate sacrifice so that He could have oneness with you and I?

The odds of any of those things would be astounding but it doesn't matter.

God Defies the Odds!

Does God still heal today?

You bet He does, through the power of Jesus Christ!

Isaiah 53:5 tells us, "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." (K.J.V.) 

Does God care if I can afford to keep a roof over my head or if I have food to eat?

Yes, He certainly does care and He promises to provide for you.

In Philippians 4:19 we read, "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus."

Does God even see how tough life is for me right now?

God see's your trials and He promises to bring you through them.

Psalms 23:4 tells us, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

God isn't looking at the odds.

He isn't scared or anxious about the Red Sea that is blocking your path or the charging army that threatens you from behind.

No matter how bleak your situation looks, remember that we serve a Loving, Caring, Miracle Working God who takes pleasure in Defying the Odds!

He uses the simple things to confound the wise and promises you that He will NEVER leave you nor forsake you! (Hebrews 13:5)

No matter how bad the odds are stacked against you remember that God is greater!

Completely trust and rely on Him today.

As Always Remember:

God Loves You!

God Created You!

God Accepts You!

Until Next Time,

SavedByGrace

Our God (Is Greater) Chris Tomlin Passion Band