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THERE IS GOOD NEWS

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I am always taken aback when someone leaves me a comment or message that says they are thankful that I have the courage to share the Gospel of Christ. Living in the country’s Bible belt, I don’t find it weird to say that I am a Christian. I grew up going to church multiple times a week and would attend “meetings” every night that they were held. However, I’ve never been one to openly talk about my faith, especially in person. Why, you ask?

I feel inadequate because I can’t quote you Bible verses, and I get mixed up on who said what when I am talking. I don’t want to say something wrong and drive someone away from the Lord. While a lot of my readers identify as Christians, I know there are others who have probably never had the Gospel shared with them.

As a child, I heard many “Fire and Brimstone” sermons from the pulpit. We were preached AT instead of being preached to. Preachers made it sound like it was impossible for someone like me ever to enter the gates of Heaven.

Matthew 19:24

24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

As a child, hearing the verse about the camel going through the eye of a needle made me almost cry. I didn’t hear the “who is rich” part of that verse because I was too focused on the camel trying to go through the eye of a needle. I remember thinking that it was impossible! Shoot, I can’t even put a slender piece of thread through the eye of a needle, so how would a camel ever be able to fit through it?

I was an adult before I came to understand that passage, but it haunted me throughout my childhood. I never asked about the verse; it seemed cut and dry to me. I know that the Hell and Brimstone preachers meant well, but they focused so heavily on the damnation part that they forgot to share the GOOD news of the Gospel.

Yes, Hell is real, and there are consequences for not declaring that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior. But there is good news, and we are not camels!

The Good News is that Jesus has come as God in the flesh, and through his death on the cross, he has paid our debt. We are all sinners, and every person reading this has sinned and will continue to sin. The good news is, Jesus rose from the dead and intercedes on our behalf.

Romans 8:34

34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

1 John 2:1

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

I know some people are waiting to get themselves “right” or “together” before they asked Jesus into their hearts. That’s backwards! He is the one who enables us through the Holy Spirit. Trust me, any good you see in me comes from the Lord.

As hard as I try, I will always fall short of the mark. My good works will never be enough, but I have an advocate who is interceding for me. Guess what? So do you. Jesus Christ is Heaven right now, sitting at the right hand of God, and He is pleading our case. This is not a “get out of jail free” card. We still have to do our part, and accepting Jesus into your life is the first step.

Romans 10:9-13

9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Ask Jesus to forgive you and invite Him into your life. The way is hard, but the reward is GREAT!

To God Goes The Glory!

Have A Blessed Day!

 

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75 Comments

  2. I love the way you share your faith! God did amazing thins in my life when my parents were going thru a divorce when I was in high school, and then years later in our marriage and when I was a day or two from death due to AML–acute myelogenous leukemia–and lost our baby and was in a coma. I can’t help myself now, I just tell people I meet all over the place about what God has done for me,…it’s natural now. My husband grew up Baptist and was shamed for not bellowing at people to “be saved!” and he is a sensitive guy,….so this works for us! He is a great witness, very patient with a girl that has worked for us for 10 years and is not a Christian, but “where there’s life, there’s hope” and he has talked to her when it matters and when he can be a real witness, and we know God’s word says it won’t return void,….maybe someday she’ll turn to Him, but right now she’s trying everything else,….

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  3. Just love how you explained the Gospel in such simple terms. I too was brought up with the fire and brimstone preachers and they always filled me with fear. They didn’t realise the damage they caused to young minds.

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  7. Tania,
    Thank you for sharing your personal testimony of salvation by grace through faith. By accident I stumbled upon your blog and then instagram. I originally was looking for ideas for clothing choices for over 50 ladies. I appreciate you sharing Bible verses and devotional reflections as the Lord uses them to speak encouragement to my heart. My life is very stressful with 2 special needs kids, working part time, older parents requiring help and a grandson with a life threatening disease. I wanted to let you know that God is using your words to be a blessing. It is refreshing in this day of cultural influences pushing people away from our Saviour that you are using your influence to share the Gospel. Keep looking to Jesus and finding your courage and strength in Him. Blessings,
    Elaine

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    1. Elaine, I am happy that you found me on Instagram. I am so sorry that you are experiencing so much stress, and I pray for your grandson. I can’t imagine the anxiety that you are having, but prayer is a weapon that we can use daily.

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  8. Thank you for this post. Absolutely truth. Please don’t let the one negative post influence your posting Sunday posts. Prayers for her.

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  10. Your story today is exactly mine. I still shy away from preachers (not ministers)who believe that brow beating and hollering are the way to souls. Thank you for the courage to openly share. In my opinion our world today needs more belief in God and Christ and following His way

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  11. Oh my goodness, Tania, you couldn’t said it better! You just shared the plan of salvation so that anyone could understand and want it! I love how you do that all over the world! Yay God! By the way, what church do you attend there in the Bible belt?? Have a blessed day my friend!

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  12. I look forward to all of your posts…especially on Sundays.
    You are such an inspiration in both fashion and sharing the word of our Lord.
    Thank you.

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    1. I try to remember that, Carolyn. And, I have had people message me and tell me that they have rekindled their faith.

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  15. Tania,
    I look forward to your Sunday posts because you are so sincere and real about your faith. I can’t quote many bible verses either, but I love Jesus and that’s what matters.

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    1. As always, thank you for posting about our Lord, and His Grace to offer us His salvation! We are loved and blessed. I pray that you continue to share the Gospel, and also that I would continue to share the,Gospel as well, in person and online! Love, Gara

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  18. I enjoyed your post. It was uplifting. However, I feel that we are living the book of Revelations! The end is near! Disease! Selfish people and politicians wanting power! Unrest! Plane crashes! War! I keep praying for all of us.

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  19. I’m sure your perspective and experience is shared by many…I know it’s true for me. His bless you with a peaceful upcoming week. Thank you Tania

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  20. Faith is personal, but sharing the faith we must.
    The world needs our Lord and saviour now.
    Thank you, for your inspiration in faith and style 🙂

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  22. I always love your posts but your Sunday ones are my favorites! This one was a great one to start my Sunday with.. thank you! Looking forward to next Sunday’s ( no pressure, it will be awesome no matter what you say!😊) have a blessed Sunday and week Tania!

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  26. I used to get caught on that “eye of the needle” passage as well… it helped so much when my priest was able to show me pictures of what that opening in the city gate looks like *in person* so I could then replace the picture in my head. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!

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  28. Preach Gurl! Now more than ever we need to be sharing the love of God and the good news of the Gospel message. God is faithful and His mercies never fail!

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  29. I grew up similarly with like sermons until I was a teenager. How wonderful it was and is to know the love of God, that He sent Jesus because He loves us. Keep on sharing your faith!.

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  33. Beautiful message. I feel the same as you. What I try to do is share what God has done for me and give Him the glory!

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    2. You ARE brave and the barriers you mentioned are some of the same ones I face. Reading someone’s “testimony” is powerful since the reader can reflect, ponder, and re-read. Thanks for putting the Good News out there! <3

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  36. Tania,
    That was inspired by the Holy Spirit. Preach!
    Love you gave an alter call. That is what we need a Revival in this country.

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