How can I know if I’m a born again Christian?

The basic term “Born again” comes from John 3 in a discussion Jesus has with a very righteous seeker, Nicodemus.  In John 4 Jesus talks with a hardened sinner at the well of Samaria about the same issue.  You may wish to review these 2 conversations.

Let’s look at the basics of the GOSPEL message and the personal choice & decision.

1. Is there a time in your life that you recognized your need for a relationship with your holy, creator God because of the separation from Him caused by your sinful condition? Romans 3:10, 3:23 and 5:12

2. Did you realize and acknowledge what God provided through Jesus Christ, God the Son, and what he did for you (already paid for your sins by His death, burial and resurrection? Romans 5:8, 6:23 and John 14:6 and John 3:16-18, I Cor. 15:3-4

3. Did you receive God’s gift of salvation, trusting ONLY in what Jesus did for you? (Like a commitment when joining an army, your life belongs to Jesus, forever)  Romans 10:9, 13, John 1:12, John 3:15

At that point in time, a transaction took place and God the Holy Spirit sealed you as part of the family of God until you the day you get to heaven.  He will indwell you as a born-again Christian based only on the mercy of God. Ephesians 2:8,Titus 3:5,Eph 1:13-

Who is this Spirit?

Jesus Speaks about the Holy Spirit but also about deceiving spirits.  Just as there are several kinds of angels (good and bad) so are there different spirits (one from God and others from Satan)  It is important to know which is which.  The WORD of God can separate them since the Holy Spirit is the author of the Bible.  John 7:39 , John 14:15-17 ,I Timothy 4:1

What does the Holy Spirit do?

Lives in Us: We are clean inside but helps us while we are here on earth to grow more Christ like.  We will never be perfect until we get to heaven because we still have the sinful blood and body we started with.  The flesh will struggle against Spirit daily.We have the power to overcome with Holy Spirit’s help day but day. 1 Corinthians 6:19, Romans 8:14

Comfort and assurance to child of God: I John 4:13

Helps us to obey and guides in truth (Word of God) for He is the author 2 Peter 1:20- ,  I Timothy 3:16

Corrects the child of God and convicts of sin. What do I do when I sin again?

The book of I John is written to the child of God and clearly shows we are saved by grace and kept saved by God’s grace.  We will sin again but not habitually since we have the power of Holy Spirit to help us overcome.  But when we fall, God will not hear our prayers until we confess our sins and start again. The relationship remains but the communication lines are down.  So he provides a cleansing mechanism by telling on ourselves and asking for forgiveness as we walk through this life on earth. The good news is when we get to heaven either by death or rapture we get a new body just like Jesus without the sinful blood we are born with and will be sin-less. John 16, I John1:8

Provides the Peace of God  when we are in His will as a child of God. Colossians 3:15

Evidence of being yielded to the Holy Spirit that indwells the believer: Changed lives and promises of God that provide assurance by:

Daily living and encouragement of others in our communication Ephesians 4:29-32

Evidenced by the Fruit of the Spirit in growing in the child of God Galatians 5:22-23

FINAL note: The child of God is a saved sinner, NOT perfect or holy, and will not be perfected until he/she reaches his/her home in heaven, but has God’s Holy Spirit to encourage, forgive, empower and grant the peace that passes all understanding while here on earth. Praise the Lord for His grace and mercy who provides the “peace that passes all understanding” to His children.

If you have questions, please contact Dr. Nancy Shields direct at:  Toolkitministries@yahoo.com

This situation confronts one of life’s hard questions: “Why does God allow suffering in the world?” Or “Why to bad things happen to good people?”

We don’t have all the answers but its good to know the One who does so start with prayer.  Ask God to provide inner peace and the wisdom to be a comfort to others in need.  (James 1:5, Col 1:9-10 )  God’s ways are not our ways and we cannot presume to know all the answers, but we can look to His Word and His character.

There are actually several issues being addressed at the same time so in order to help let’s start by separating them.

1. They don’t believe in hell. Many people don’t “believe” in God or the Bible, but that doesn’t make it untrue.  What we believe or don’t believe has little bearing on the truth

For example: I could say I don’t believe in gravity, but if I step off a high roof I’ll experience it in a powerful way.   John 17:17  Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free, and you will be free indeed.”

2. The place called Hell : Hell is identified in the Bible created as a literal place of punishment for Satan and his demons (Matthew 25:41). It was never intended for mankind.  Man’s choice to ignore God and choose the sin of disobedience and disbelief as presented by Satan opened the way to eternal destruction. (Romans 5:12)  Death, disease, destruction, evil on earth came from the original choice of mankind represented by Adam and Eve.

God has many qualities including grace and justice.  Because He is just He must punish sin which is death (eternal separation from God) and the reality of a second death into place called Hell is the result (Rev. 21:8 )

God is also full of grace and paid for the penalty Himself through God the Son, Jesus Christ, (John 3:16).  He is not willing that any should perish but all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9)… but it is again each person’s free will and choice even today to accept or reject that payment.

3. Why does God allow bad things to happen? This is one of the universal multi-faceted questions that most people ask at one point in their life. It always amazes me that they tell God to get out of schools and their lives and then He gets blamed for the bad things that befall them. What  they are saying seems to imply either God is not powerful enough to prevent bad things from happening or that God is not good.

The events of the crucifixion were evil – but for a good purpose- the salvation of man. (Acts 2:23-24)

Here is a direct response that may help (Remember: O.N.E.)

a.       Origin of “bad” or “evil” – God’s world was created perfect…mankind’s choice brought in evil, death, destruction, disease through sin (Rom 5:12).   But God can use the bad and the fallen to bring good out of it (Roman 8:28).

b.       Nature of God:  God is full of grace and forgiveness – ready to receive anyone who will accept the way He provided and paid for. (John 14:6/ I John 1:9)

c.      End of it all:  The good news is God will one day put an end to all evil, pain and death (Rev. 21:4) providing a new heaven and earth for His children.

We cannot know the answer to a specific crisis in each life.  We can wait on God for His plan to unfold completely trusting He knows and cares.  Remember, without many disasters and martyred saints many would not personally find God in the first place.  Through the peace of God exhibited by the suffering Christian, others would not find their way to the truth either.  They are lights in this dark and fallen world.  (Study the injustice and suffering of people like Joseph, Daniel and Job in the Bible who all had a divine purpose beyond the understanding in our finite minds – done God’s way). (Isaiah 45:6-7)

Final thought:

1. Make sure you are “witnessing” in God’s power and not your own:
   1. Can you remember a time in your life when you trusted Jesus Christ as your own personal savior?  (John 1:12) You can learn more at a new Billy Graham website: http://peacewithgod.jesus.org
   2. Child of God go to the source of the power first: PRAY
   3. See the issue from God’s purpose and insight. Admit our ways are not His ways but TRUST and wait.

It’s ok to say, “I don’t know but God does- let me share some of His words with you”. Use God’s Word liberally.

Good website for hard questions: http://answersingenesis.org

2.  Each new trial and  test is also meant to increase your faith as well.

3. Know your part and God’s part of each situation – (Proverbs 3:5,6)

There are many stories of impossible decisions for Christ that can be found in toolkits’ blog as illustrations as well as your own personal testimony.  For more ideas see Blog’s below.

May the Lord use you to minister to many others before He returns.  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7

She poured out her story through her tears.  She had come into the hospital with pneumonia and had run a battery of tests only to find out at age 38 she had stage 4 lung cancer.  She had a husband and one preteen child at home. The medical team had just left after telling her this news.

I have been the hospital two times in my life.  The first time through paralyzing fear I saw the peace only God can give in the witness of my hospital room-mate.  The second time although much more serious surgery I experienced the peace of God myself.  I offered to share my story with Brenda, who gratefully accepted:

Unknown attacks symptomatic of heart failure had sent me 3 times to the emergency room and finally ended up in emergency surgery.  When all the controls in my life were taken away, I called out and asked God to reveal Himself to me.  I wanted to know if there was a God who cared. The Bible says, “And you will seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13)

God put me in a room with a roommate who was different from anyone I had met.  I found out by overhearing through the curtain that she was mother of 3 with a loving husband, but dying of cancer. She was so at peace and busy consoling the doctor and nurses with her confidence in knowing she was going to be in heaven with Jesus. I was surprised at her confidence and the peace she had. After everyone else had gone she share with me that she had received Jesus as her own personal savior when she was a teen and she knew she would be with Him in heaven soon. Although she couldn’t show me exactly where in the Bible, I witnessed her reading and praying constantly as she kept telling me the truth was in God’s Word, the Bible  The peace and lack of fear she had was REAL and I wanted that too.

Over the next weeks, many “co-incidental” meetings occurred in my life as God brought His Word through His people into my life.  Through a bus ministry for my children, a visiting Sunday school teacher, the change in my daughters’ life when she received Jesus as her savior at the age of 10, the love and kindness of believers at a local Bible believing church and a patient Pastor who shared the scriptures and answered my questions I finally saw the truth.  I knew my problem was not illness but my need to have my sins forgiven and made right before a holy, creator God.  That Jesus Christ came to earth for that very purpose but I had a choice to make, to accept the gift God himself provided through Jesus death, burial and resurrection or refuse and continue on my lost and fearful way.

John 3:16 says: ^“ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

I made my decision and prayed a 30 second prayer agreeing with God about my hopeless condition, telling Him what I believed about the sacrifice He provided through His Son Jesus and asking for forgiveness while claiming the promise of eternal life.  He filled my heart with peace and love that I had never known.  To this day it remains even though it has been over 30 years ago and the fear has left my life even to this day.

Brenda’s eyes lit up with hope as she said, “I know God sent you to help me find my way too. Will you show me God’s promises?  Can He forgive me too?” While I shared God’s Word my mother started to stir.  I prayed for more time to help Brenda and quietly in the shadows I heard a nurse come in and comfort her.  She even pulled the curtain around to give us privacy.  Brenda quietly talked to God and asked Jesus to become her Lord and Savior.  When Brenda finished praying the curtains opened and a very excited nurse exclaimed, “Praise the Lord, another soul has been saved for God’s Kingdom. Welcome to the family of God!!” We all embraced as we realized that New Year’s day was one of God’s divine appointments as we knew the we had been witness to God’s saving grace.

As it turned out, Brenda’s sister had been praying for her for over 2 years about knowing Jesus as her Savior.  She emailed me when Brenda shared with her the new life in Christ she had received.  I provided a set of follow-up materials for her to do an in-home Bible study with her sister.  I received reports over the next year as Brenda underwent Chemo and some set backs, but through her growing faith was able to see her husband, children and mother come to Christ before she went to be with her Lord almost a year later.

I know I will see her in heaven someday along with my room-mate who shared God’s peace with me.  God’s appointed times and places are many and varied.  I only pray that we all can slow down and be available to enjoy the blessings of being used by God to share His peace and joy with others every day.

For more information on this topic, look to other “testimonies” in this blog or write to Dr. Nancy at:  Toolkitministries@yahoo.com

   But maintaining that closeness in the day to day fragmented world we live in was like walking on the top of a two-rail fence.  I was constantly falling off on one side or the other.  So when did I finally get back to the fellowship I longed for?  It was not in the blessings and good times.  It was in the crisis of hitting a brick wall that was impossible to get over or through.  Usually I ended up flat on my back where I could only look up and call out for help.  Then He heard my call and I found Him again.

   One of the closest encounters and the longest fellowships of joy, peace and contentment I have ever experienced was when I underwent life-threatening surgery.  It was very unexpected and as a single mom with two teens it could have been overwhelming but God brought along all the people and care to eliminate the concern for my children.  I could let go and focus on God.  I was in the hospital for 3 weeks in isolation.  It was just me and my Lord, my Bible, a notepad, a pen and a window to watch the sky. The long quiet times with God alone each day was the most productive growing period of my life.  

   This is the example I need to go back to when I need to find true satisfaction and peace.  It is a daily “Date with God” also referred to as “quiet time”, “personal devotions”, etc.

How to Make a Date with God   and be truly satisfied and part of His growing family:

1. TIME:   Set an appointment with a half-hour or more limit.  You’d spend that much in a personal relationship on the phone.  For me it is first thing in the morning so I can ask Him to spend the day directing my path and being my companion throughout the challenges.
2. TALK WITH GOD:  Prayer is the way we talk to Him anytime about anything.  Start with praising Him for who He is then share with Him anything that may be standing between you.  That is called admitting or confessing your iniquities, sins, failures to keep His perfect will so He can cleanse you today (I John 1:9). Ask your requests for yourself, for others or just tell Him how much you love Him.  Finally Thank Him for His personal care, for His provisions and ask Him to use you in His service today.
3. LET HIM TALK TO YOU:  Through His written love letter – THE BIBLE.  Read in a daily consistent manner (a few verses of one of the books, like Mark, Philippians or I John or even a chapter) then perhaps a Psalm or Proverb.  There are reading guides to provide a way to read through the Bible in a year to help you (Try: our daily bread – www.odb.org  for helps).  Write down a verse that you think God has just for you just for today and carry it with you all day, rereading repeatedly.  This is called “meditating” on His Word.  (Ps 119:11) (2 Tim 2:15)
4. WRITE DOWN YOUR THOUGHTS:  Journalize what you received out of today’s special time with God.  Keep a list of prayer requests with space to record the dates of His answer to them.
5. CLOSE OUT YOUR TIME:  With a grateful heart, ready to look for His leading in your life today and ready to share the hope that is within you with others (I Peter 3:15)

When I feel far from God, drowning in the hurry and cares of the world, I ask myself – Did you have your Date with God today?  Or did I just say Hi and Bye as I rushed out the door?

Quality quiet time with God is never wasted and produces a day to day peace and satisfaction that is beyond all comprehension.  Lord, help me to remember the peace in your presence today.

 Do you know Him personally – Are you His Child (John 1:12)? If so, are you walking with Him daily and getting to know Him better?

How is your walk with God today? 

Please send any comments or inquiries to:

Dr Nancy at: toolkitministries@yahoo.com

I grew up outside of New York City after WWII with my brother and sister in an environment where “intelligent” people didn’t believe in God, but in nature and in evolution. Personally, I could not accept that we were here by accident. I believed there had to be some superior Being in control.

My mom was a sacred singer, while my dad played the flute with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. I had exposure to many different “religions” since mom was paid to sing high church music for many groups. My conclusion was that all churches were social clubs. I can remember a Bible being present but not opened or quoted during the services. Dad claimed to be an atheist and later turned to agnosticism, but we never talked about God.

One day when I was 12 years old, I asked my mom, “What happens when you die?” She said, “Oh, you just go into the ground like any other animal, and that’s it. That’s the end of your life.” I felt an overwhelming sense of hopelessness and became filled with fear. Fear can be a terrible thing!

Gradually, over the years, my life moved into a destructive pattern of alcoholism, drugs, and poor choices. At age 33, my marriage had failed, and the damaging impact of my lifestyle was being reflected in the lives of my two children. There seemed to be no hope, and I was ready to end my life except for the haunting fear of what happens to you when you die. It was during this time that my health failed, and I had to undergo major emergency surgery. I was on the way to the hospital when I finally cried out to God and asked, “God, if You are real, please show me.” God answered my call. When I got to my hospital room, I met an unusual woman. I don’t even know her name. She was dying of cancer but faced it with a calm I had never seen. She explained to me that she knew Jesus and knew that she would be with Him in heaven and that she had no fears. It was all in the Bible, she said. I was able to identify the one thing I needed in my life – the “Peace of God” – peace to face death. My roommate’s confident faith remained in my mind.

One day after returning home, there was a knock at the door, and I opened the door to a young man I thought was a salesman. It was Pastor Simpson of Harvester Baptist Church. He was going door-to-door, inviting children out to Sunday School on the church bus. When I asked him who had sent him to my door, he said that God had sent him. He asked me, “If you were to die tonight, do you know for sure that you would have a home in heaven?” I said, “No one can know that for sure.” Pastor Simpson gave me his card, left pamphlets for me to read, and offered to have the church bus pick my children up for Sunday School that Sunday. Sunday came, and the children went to church. They came home bubbling over with happy excitement. The next week their Sunday School teacher visited in our home and shared from the Bible God’s plan of salvation with my daughter, Debby, who then prayed and received Christ as her personal Savior. The teacher announced Debby had gotten “saved.” My question was, saved from what? I was very skeptical, but the change in Debby’s life caused me to remember the lady in the hospital. She had peace too. Now how could I get it?

I was determined to see what this was all about and decided to visit the church myself. I heard from the Bible God’s plan for our salvation. After months of questioning and personal research, it was the number of fulfilled prophecies that convinced me that the Bible was the Word of God. Pastor Simpson once again asked me, “Nancy, if you were to die tonight, do you know for sure you would have a home in heaven?” I answered, “Pastor I know for sure I would not.” I had finally admitted my lost condition, but still I doubted. My problem? I was afraid I would fail again, and I couldn’t believe God could love me after all the years I had ignored Him and all the selfish things I had done. I was so ashamed.

I had no problem recognizing I was a sinner and separated from a holy God. That I readily admitted. Pastor showed me the fact that no one is good enough to get to heaven and “All have sinned and come short” (Romans 3:23). That surprised me, but I was glad I wasn’t the only one. He asked me if I believed Jesus is God the Son and that He willingly shed His blood and died on the cross just for me. I said, “Yes, I believe that.” Then he asked if I believed Jesus came alive again. I had trouble with the resurrection. I had never heard about it until I came to this church. But by this time I was convinced that the Bible was the Word of God, and I was willing, by faith, to trust in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ for my sins. Pastor shared God’s promise to me in Romans 10:13: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord SHALL be saved.” It sounds simple, but at that moment in my ears it sounded like Latin. I could not understand. He explained the verse this way:
For whosoever – is you. If Nancy
Shall call on the Name of the Lord:
- Come before your holy God and agree with Him about
your sinful condition.
- Believe that Jesus is God and paid in full for all your sins
- Believe that He bled and died in your place, and
He came alive again to prove the payment was accepted.
- Then call on Him asking Him to forgive you and to save you, and He will.
Shall be saved: (not because you go to AA, go to church, or do good things) but absolutely shall be saved, based on what Jesus did for you, because you cannot save yourself.
Saved: – a guaranteed home in Heaven and forgiveness so you don’t have to spend eternal life in a terrible place of punishment the Bible calls hell.

When I hesitated, Pastor added, “Nancy, you have put your trust in everything in the past, and all have failed you, but why not try putting your faith in Jesus Christ. What have you got to lose?” What did I have to lose? Only my fears and my doubts. I was desperate for a new life. I remember praying to receive Christ’s payment for my sin and asking Him to be Lord of my life. I made my choice, and I was born again into the family of God. God added an extra miracle in my life when, within the first week, I lost my need for alcohol and all the other negative choices in my life. All my fears and loneliness left immediately. Within a few short weeks, my son, Billy, also made a decision for Christ. Then Debby, Billy, and I were baptized at Harvester Baptist Church.

As I studied God’s Word more and more, I began serving in the ministries of Harvester. The Lord opened the opportunity for me to become a Bus Captain with the church bus ministry – reaching out to other families just like my own. Pastor encouraged me to begin teaching. The first class I taught was a Junior-age class consisting of two girls. The Lord blessed, and within three months the class had grown to 25 girls.

My interest in Christian education continued to grow, and I resumed my studies. In May of 1993, I received my Masters Degree in Religious Education from Liberty University. Seeking ways to help teachers effectively communicate God’s Word to children, I took courses offered by Child Evangelism Fellowship and became a certified teacher instructor. In addition to an interest in the education of children, I had a goal of implementing a continuing adult education program designed to equip adults to serve the Lord. Working with Pastor Simpson, the Harvester Bible Institute became the fruition of that dream.

God continues His work in my life in the field of Christian education. “This year marks 10 years of mission service through Tool Kit Ministries, helping local churches teach and reach others by sharing the Bible basics learned through the ministries of Harvester Baptist Church over the past 30+ years.” Who would have thought that God could take such a broken vessel and use it to serve Him?

God is so faithful. Both my parents received Christ as their Savior before they left this earth, as did my step-dad. Many of our relatives have received Christ. It is only because of God’s power and His amazing grace that all these lives have been touched for eternity

In my life it all began with a simple prayer, “God, if You’re real, please show me.” Today my life verse is Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Thank You, Lord.

The study of the scriptures revealed the uniqueness of God and the vastness of His character.  The Bible clearly states there is only one God:  “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!” Deut. 6:4  but there is a separation of purpose throughout His Word which is difficult for our limited minds to understand.  So how can we explain it to a child?

Jeremy, an inquisitive 5^th grader, asked me, “If God the Father lives in heaven, which is a perfect place, and He can’t have sin in His presence, then how could Jesus (God the Son) bear our sins on the cross and how does the Holy Spirit react to sin?  Isn’t there only one God?”

Here is an answer I gave that may help.  “Jeremy”, I said, “You have a dad right?  And your dad has a dad which is your grandpa.  Your dad also has a sister, which is your aunt. That means your Dad (Jeremy Sr) is a father, a son and a brother.  He has 3 positions of responsibility but he is only one person:  “Jeremy Sr.”   That is how it is with God.  One God but 3 positions of responsibility.”

Perhaps these passages may also help you as well:

Jesus speaking about Holy Spirit said “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.” (John 15:26) This passage helped me personally: “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.” (I John 5:7)

For an OBJECT lesson on the concept of the Trinity try the following:

Try taking a boiled egg (with shell) and carefully cutting it in half.

Show the cut center to the student and explain:

“Here is an EGG.  It is made up of the yolk, the white and the shell.  If any of the pieces are missing it is not an EGG.  The idea of God is something like the egg.  There is one GOD but three persons with three purposes.  God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.”

I hope this little illustration will prove to be helpful.
“Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.”( 2 John 1:3)

Please feel free to e-mail any comments to:  Dr. Nancy at  Toolkitministries@yahoo.com

What is it that many people do to mark the New Year?  Usually make New Year’s resolutions .  These are  promises we make to ourselves to improve in some way.

What happens to the “resolution” if you don’t keep it?  Probably nothing drastic, just disappointing for a goal not met.

But what about promises made to others? When I was young I can remember being badly disappointed time and time again by broken promises, especially from the people in my life I trusted.  So much so that when I had children of my own I refused to “promise” anything to avoid breaking it.  All my children heard from me was “maybe” or “I’ll think about it”.  I’m sure the extreme non-commitment was just as hurtful as the broken promises I experienced.

God’s Word gives clear direction on promises to others: In Numbers 30:2 it says: “If a man makes a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.” In other words, if you make a promise you must keep it.   When Jesus came to earth he further clarified this in Matthew 5:33-37, during the Sermon on the Mount:

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’  But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”

In this case the word “swear” means to promise. It seems that many people during Jesus day were adding phrases to their promises to show that they REALLY were telling the truth, but not breaking God’s law.  Someone might say, “I swear by heaven that I will pay you back”. They thought as long as they don’t promise in God’s name they didn’t have to keep the promise.  Jesus made it clear that any vow or promise is a promise to God and expected us to use wisdom before making a promise and then to do our best to keep it.

People sometimes fail to keep their promises.  Isn’t it wonderful that we have a God who always keeps His promises to us? Let’s look at some of God’s promises:

John 3:16:  He promises to make us a Child of God

But as many as receive Him (Jesus Christ), to those He gave the right to become a child of God, even to those that believe on His name.

Psalm 32:8- He promises to Guide us

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.

I John 1:9:  He promises to forgive our sins

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

John 10:27-29:  Jesus promise eternal security to the child of God:

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.  And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.

This is God’s promise to those that have received His Son, Jesus Christ, as their own personal savior. As a “child of God”, there is nothing we can DO to earn our own way to heaven and have eternal life and nothing we can DO to loose it. If you are a child of God, God keeps you safe and no one can take you away from Him. When we do wrong, we need to ask His forgiveness, but we still belong to Him.  His promises are true.

There is nothing wrong with making New Year’s resolutions or promises and trying to keep them but if we make promise to others, we do need to think first.

Isn’t it wonderful that we can go into the New Year trusting God, who always keeps His promises to us?

God is faithful and He has a purpose and plan for our lives:

I Thessalonians 5:24 says: “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.”

Happy New Year from Dr. Nancy and Tool Kit Ministries

Feel free to email me at:  Toolkitministries@yahoo.com

The whiteness represented both the Virgin Birth (Is 7:14Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel; Luke 1:26-35) and the sinless nature of Jesus (I John 3:5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.).

The curved shape showed both the Good Shepherd (John 10:14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own) and the purpose for our Savior coming to earth (John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.). When you turn the cane upside down it forms a “J” revealing the precious name of our Savior, Jesus.

Finally, the red stripes on the candy cane represent the blood of Christ which He willing gave to pay for the sins of mankind by dying on the cross in our place. (Is 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed. Eph. 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins,   according to the riches of His grace)

The final acceptance of this payment came when Jesus rose from the grave and ascended to heaven, where He is today. (I Cor 15:3-4  For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,  and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures) praying for each person to choose to receive Him as their Lord and Savior(John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name).

From this wonderful message every child could hear the story and receive God’s gift to become a child of God.  Why not share the legend of the Candy Cane this Christmas as a witness for the glory and honor of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

(Note: Scripture quotes from NKJV)

The “Legend of the Candy Cane” is a simple gospel message to share with others.

Remember to give your time in prayer and your talents in serving our Lord!!  May God bless you with His peace as we close out 2010. Have a Merry Christmas and a joyful New Year!!

Visit our Website at:  www.toolkit-ministries.orgJoin our e-prayer team by e-mailing Dr. Nancy directly at: toolkitministries@yahoo.com

Debby’s personal salvation testimony:

I was born in Engelwood, NJ.  My dad was in the Army stationed in Korea and for the first few years of my life we moved around and were separated much of the time because of the Vietnam War.  My brother, Billy, was actually my “birthday” present when I was 2 years old, since he was born on the same day as I was.  We were close during years of turmoil and change which are vague in my memory.

When I was in 3^rd grade we moved to Columbia, where mom worked many hours.  My parents were divorced and we were typical latch-key kids.  By the time I was in 5^th grade I was very depressed most of the time.  I attempted to poison myself once during this discouraging time of my life.  I tried so hard every day to be good enough to please everyone, including God who I believed existed but was counting my good deeds against my bad deeds to get me to heaven.  Every day I failed and would say tomorrow I’ll do better, but tomorrow just ended in more failures.  My brother was my closest friend, but he had problems too.  My mom was getting physical attacks that sent her in and out of the hospital. It was terrifying to think what would happen to us if anything happened to her.  That’s when I began to look reach out for God and things started to happen rather quickly.

Billy and I were invited out to ride a bus to Sunday school at Harvester Baptist Church.  The kids sang all the way to church and the teachers were great.  My 5^th grade Sunday school teacher was Pastor Paul.  The message he was sharing was a study from the book of Romans in the Bible and he asked if we knew if we were saved & if we knew for sure we had a home in heaven when we died.  I didn’t know what he was talking about so he asked if he could visit me at home.  I was thrilled.  Wednesday night came and so did Pastor Paul.  Mom was surprised to see my Sunday school teacher and watched from the kitchen as he sat down and answered my questions from the Bible.

I believed there was a heaven but I was trying so hard to get there by being good.  I was so happy when I found out there are “none good” and we are all in the same condition:  “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:12, 23).  No-one is as perfect as God is but that is how “good” we would have to be to get to heaven on our own. Then I found out that God loves us anyway and provided one way to assure us of eternal life, “But God proved his loved toward us that while we are still sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom 5:8.  God already provided the way.  When Christ came to earth from heaven, took on the form of a man so He could take our place and die on the cross for my sins.  The payment was accepted once for all when Jesus came out of the grave 3 days later.  He proved He is God the son, He alone can forgive sin and He is the only way to heaven.  Then He had his followers spread the good news – sin is paid for now it is up to us to make our own decision  to accept or reject that payment.

I wanted to be in a family that would always be there for me.  John 1:12 said “But as many (if I would) receive Him (take Jesus as my personal savior from sin) to me He will give the right to become a Child of God…”  The decision was mine alone.  I told Pastor Paul I was ready and prayed a simple prayer to God right there on my couch in my own home that Wednesday night.  The prayer went something like, “Dear God, I know I am a sinner and I am so sorry for my sins, I believe with all my heart that Jesus paid for my sins by dying on the cross 2000 years ago and coming alive again 3 days later, I am asking you right now forgive my sins and save me, make me your child and help me to live my life for you, in Jesus name, amen.”

An amazing thing happened. I felt free for the first time and secure knowing that I was loved for who I was.  That no matter what others thought, I was a child of God.  I found myself singing around the house. I know my mother and brother thought I had lost my senses, but it was not too long before they too made decisions.  We were all baptized as a public profession of our new faith and family. We continued to grow in learning more about God’s Word at Harvester.  There were growing pains  but was able to serve on the bus ministry. At 13 years old I was helping teach children’s classes which I knew was going to be my calling in life.

Mom and I began also serving and teaching with Child Evangelism Fellowship. I was a missionary for 3 summers to the children.  Later I went to Pensacola Christian College where I finished with a degree in elementary education and Regent University for my Masters degree.  I have had the joy of being a Christian school educator for over 20 years, active in my own church as a Sunday School teacher helping other children make life changing decisions to follow Christ.  I continue to help Mom with Toolkit Ministries – a teacher-training ministry to local churches.  God has been faithful in restoring good relationships with my father and his family, my grandparents and, of course, continued family growth with my brother, his wife and kids.

Pastor Paul has gone on to be with Jesus, but I will see him again at a time when God chooses to call me home.  For now, I want to continue to grow in grace and knowledge of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

My son was a senior in high school when he started drifting into problems with peers.  The boys he became attached to “claimed” to be Christians but wanted to be like the world with wild parties and ungodly living.  He was just smart enough not to get caught.  My daughter, who had been his best friend, was now off to college and not available to help.  I knew things were wrong as it became more difficult to communicate with him, or get him to join me in church activities and his Bible went untouched for months. After trying everything from threats to tears, finally in desperation I fell to my knees one lonely Thursday night and cried out to God and released my son into His care.  I asked Him to do whatever it took to bring him back to Himself and out of rebellion.

I fell asleep, at peace at last, but a few hours later a phone call jolted me awake.  It was my son, weeping into the phone.  He had crashed into a pole and totaled his car, miraculously walking away without a scratch.  A stranger “happened” to be nearby, towed the car and brought my son home at 2 am in the morning.  I was in a state of shock.  Then I realized it was my prayer of release that allowed God to act.  I contacted my Pastor and he suggested a meeting the next day, reminding me of Hebrews 12:6-7.  God will correct the child of God when he is disobedient. God may have been just waiting for me to let go of my child so He could take control.

When my son came through the door he was very upset, blaming God for taking away his car and his fun, but shaking in fear. When he realized he could have been crippled or worse in the crash, he wanted to talk to the pastor.  The conversation the next day resulted in a big surprise.  As the pastor asked some questions, my son began to quote scripture in reply.  Two verses still remain in my memory – Romans 12:1-2   “I beseech ye, therefore, brethren, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect, will of God.” This big, tough teenage boy broke down in tears as he said he had been trying to run away from God and join his “friends” in their fun times.  But it wasn’t fun and God’s Word haunted him night and day even though he refused to read the Bible for months.  The verses of scripture were silently at work in his heart anyway.  After that meeting, he  changed dramatically as he willingly turned back God.

My son finished out his senior year with great peace and joy, but no car for a long time. The next year was his first year of college.  Again the pull of fun time caused him to drift.  He came home at Christmas complaining about the college authorities.  When I offered to pray for him, a panic look came across his face.   He asked me not to pray and reminded me what happened last year.  This time I was praying that God would bring a godly man into his life as his mentor and friend, to help him learn how to say no to his peers.   He agreed that was what he wanted and we both spent the holiday season in special prayer.

The week he returned to college, he had been assigned a new upper class room mate.  There he met Kelvin, a young preacher boy.  Kelvin was special as he was undergoing chemo treatment for cancer.  Barely able to walk and with loss of his hair, Kelvin smiled a great welcome and became one of the strongest influences in my son’s life.   He set a wonderful example of God’s love, joyful service to others.  He guided my son into a medical career through the Army and a strong commitment to Lord.  Kelvin was God’s answer to this mother’s prayer.

Kelvin helped many young people and parents during the short time he was on earth.  My son now has a family of his own that receive this grandmother’s prayers as well.

God’s gift of prayer is readily available to His children.  Spending the quiet time to use it is a challenge.

For comments, please e-mail Dr. Nancy direct at: toolkitministries@yahoo.com