Real Joy

To my shame I wasted the first 8 years of my young Christian life. I wasn't growing in my faith as I should and I wasn't giving God complete control of my life and I was totally ignoring Gods commission to believers - "To go into all the world and preach the Gospel." The Devil was whispering lies into my ear. He was giving me plenty of reasons to keep my beliefs to myself. I was convinced that I was too young, that I had a lack of knowledge and no ability to tell others about Gods good news of salvation.

From my early days in primary school I was told, by my teachers, I was a slow learner and was soon sent to remedial learning classes. In High school my English grades always suffered which resulted in me failing at my oral communication. When the Devil reminded me of this it was enough to keep me silent for 8 long years.

But God had other plans for my life. I began to learn that I wasn't the only person who ever felt like this. God showed me a man called Jeremiah, and in chapter 1, verses 4-9 of his book it says

"Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth."

God was teaching me that I must be fully dependent upon Him. God would lead and also provide but I must obey. The first steps God had me take was going through the waters of Baptism on 5th November 1995. This was probably my first public testimony and I didn't have to speak a word.

As I slowly began to give God control over my life He did bring opportunity to witness for him. I was introduced to the work of Child Evangelism Fellowship where I heard about lots of things such as summer camps, good news clubs, holiday Bible clubs, 5-day clubs, Senior and Junior youth challenge, summer missionary training week and Teaching Children Effectively Courses.

There were many aspects to the work of CEF and they were looking for committed willing helpers. Very reluctantly I began to get involved in youth work and soon I had signed up to go into summer missionary training with much apprehension and nerves.

But God knew all about my anxieties and fears because He knows all about us and He had a word of comfort as 1 Chronicles chapter 28, verse 20 says

"And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD."

That was in 1997 and I am still serving the Lord on the CEF East Belfast committee in the calm assurance that the Lord will never fail me nor forsake me. As long as I have breath in my body my work for the Lord will not be finished.

I still stand, as did Paul, in weakness, fear and trembling and my speech and preaching are not persuasive word of my own wisdom because I know if I stand in my own strength I will utterly fail. But I do stand in demonstration of the spirit and of power that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the Power of God.

Friends where have you placed your faith?

If you have professed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation are you holding onto all the promises contained in Gods Word. are you trusting Him day by day for his strength and guidance or is the Devil whispering in your ear that you are of no use in the service of the Lord. All that the Lord asks is that we are obedient servants. Let him take care of the rest. It's never too late in life for us to be an effective tool for the Lord.

Perhaps you have never called upon the Lord for salvation. What is holding you back? Why are you putting it off? Why not come to Him now? Just as you are without one plea. Knowing that it was the Lord Jesus Christ's blood that was shed on the cross of Calvary for thee. Will this be your prayer - O lamb of God. I come!

Gareth

For more information visit The Gwynne Gazette