For HIS Names Sake

by Karen Steele
(Wapakoneta, Ohio)

I cannot forget knowing all of what God has done in my life I can't ever forget His Awesome Grace, Forgiveness, Mercy, and His Faithfulness.

As a teen I ran from God as i believed the LIE that there was too much sadness and hurting doing things God's way. Since I went my own way there was much more pain and hurting plus unforgiveness which harnessed hardness of heart and it opened me up to everything evil. That's what happens when you walk out of His will. I married out of His will. That was just the beginning of my long 15 years without God truly being in my life.

I hit rock bottom and it was a long time getting out of the pit of hell I dug myself into.

I went through years of self punishment. Suffered in addictions that kept me down. I just couldn't get out of it. I tried different boyfriends, but got the same result it was insanity. I finally realized I needed Jesus Christ to save me.

I was listening to the radio and I heard I am Free by the Newsboys. I cried out to Him Jesus save me. He said to me My Grace is sufficient for you. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

He has healed me time and time again. Sicknesses, addictions (nicotine,sexual). He has healed my mind from my own twisted way of thinking. Where I take His word to adjust it to my life. That is not God's way.

The biggest joy for me is praising my God my Savior. He saved me for His names sake it wasn't anything i did it was everything He did and keeps doing. I should be dead but it was Him who has saved me. When i think back and this just blows my mind, how He brought me from a messed up relationship with two beautiful children and then seven years later I was going to marry the man God Himself chose for me.