by Ricky Doc Sauceda
2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
I have stated that this past year was my first back in my church in fifteen years. What was going on in my life that I turned away from the house of the Lord? Why is it that now I am in attendance every Sunday...to the point that I dare not miss it. Why? I need to have that experience as part of my devotions because it culminates my week of worship. That is absolutely the gospel truth...as we say.
Every day I have a routine I follow of listening to Christian radio, reading my bible, prayer, fellowship and on Sundays I worship. I also serve as an usher at church and that is because I want to contribute more of myself to the Lord. It is a way of life that has given me a great sense of being. I am focusing on the Lord and offer each day to his pleasure.
I have discovered why this has taken place in my life. As the Lord put into motion events to bring me back to Him, I also was given a calling. That calling was to use my abilities to represent Him in any way that I could. At first, it was to reacquaint myself with listening to Godly things by way of my Christian radio station. Then I began to read my bible in relation to what I was hearing on the radio and in church. The amazing experience is incredible that I had with this learning. It was fluid from day to day and Sunday I heard the readings that blended in with what I had been learning during the week.
So, my pace was a spirit filled effort designed by the Almighty Himself...for all of us. We all can partake of this experience because it is readily available to us. All we have to do is make the decision to commit ourselves to doing it. Once you begin it is so rewarding and fulfilling you will not stop...it is a passionate experience.
To learn the Word and gain knowledge and wisdom from the source He provided for us in the bible is a great joy. It is good to share verses and stories, but to actually read the books, chapters and verses in their complete body is bountiful in effect. The effort to study and intake the words of the Lord is a beautiful experience. It makes you understand all about why we have churches as houses of worship. We gather to offer worship to fulfill being priests of our faith in Jesus Christ.
Now this calling I received is one we all have. It is a calling for all of us to come and worship the glorious God that is our Creator. The worship is not just the service that we participate in for an hour or more. The worship is to keep Him in your heart and love Him every day, but to also present yourself in His house. There are those of us who just can't do it; just can't allow themselves to be at church. We have various reasons but I feel my pastor touched on a key one today.
He focused on our consciousness/awareness of our individual pasts. He pointed out that it was very important to get involved in your church, but that people resist because they are ashamed of whatever they may have done in their past. They are intimidated that someone may call out their moment of embarrassment. I will call him by the name we use at church...Father Frank. Father Frank says that we should not be afraid of our past. Why? Because in Jesus Christ, we are made new and we are clean. We should serve in whatever way we desire because Jesus is our Lord. If you love Jesus and trust in Him, there is no reason to feel ashamed of your past.
So, there you go. Accept your new life in Jesus Christ and have joy for you are made new. Go and serve with your heart and do it knowing you are acceptable because of the Lord Jesus Christ. Anyone who has a problem with that is in direct conflict with the Lord.
Blessings to you all.