It was another first for City Church on Sunday.  The Life Change Baptism service brought forth 10 individuals who stepped into the cold pool water to be reborn with Christ.  All of us who were Baptized have different backgrounds and stories, yet we came out of that pool brothers, sisters and ambassadors of God.  As one of those 10, I took that step to publicly declare Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, and I couldn't be happier!

I don't have a fancy, heart-wrenching story about drugs and alcohol and the day when God spoke to me; however, a few years ago I realized something was missing from my life.  My biggest obstacle was I thought I always was a Christian, yet I was completely separate from the church and the Lord.  I knew of God, yet I didn't have a relationship with him.  As I read more of the Bible and learn about His word, I am excited and in love with the Lord!  Life will continue on with the good times and the hard times; however, I feel a sense of peace and know I am never alone.

In the message before the Baptisms, Pastor Kyle focused on a difficult piece of John 15.  What do you do when faith gets tough?  In John 15, Jesus states, "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master, if they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.'"  What a thing to hear before a Baptism!  Life isn't all of a sudden happy and perfect once you accept God in your life; life on this Earth is full of sin.  Accepting the Lord helps you be more aware of the negativity of sin, but as humans we will still struggle to stay away from sin.

But when faith gets tough, Kyle suggests four things to think about: (1) Go back to the basics.  Don't forget what brought you into God's arms and the resurrection. (2) Remember, it's not about you.  Don't debate with people; always listen and pray. (3) Cling to your hope. And (4) Remember, you are NEVER alone.  Don't turn your back to Him during the tough days, he never leaves your side and loves you always... AMEN! 

I don't know where you are with your faith, but if you feel alone, confused, and/or unfocused remember John 3:16--"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."
God has always blessed my life; now I am ready to turn my life to Him and share His love to all.  I am continuing to read and learn about the Bible with eagerness but not without struggle.  It's tough to realize all isn't well after accepting the Lord, yet I now know I can always seek God for comfort, help, and love.

Congratulations to Cesar, Holly, Maribel, Mark, Mia, Jeff, Joey, Felicia, and Cody!  God Bless and may your choice shine the light of the Lord to someone in the dark.  And thank you to City Church and the family and friends who witnessed our public step to follow Christ. 

Now "find people that don't know Him and build up those who do know Him"-Pastor Kyle.

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