Quench Not the Holy Spirit

I get it! I really do. I once lived a time, for many years that I did just that. I knew I was living a life full of sin. I felt convicted about it! I wanted to quit, stop, change and have true repentance, but I didn't want it bad enough to do it! I was engulfed in that lifestyle! I could smell it, see it and all those around me were in it. It was so easy to live in sin. I even felt good at times. Then there were those times that I would feel that wash of conviction sweep over me and I would remember!! I would remember those prayer meetings my parents had w/ their friends. I would sit on the floor looking up while they prayed, holding hands and speaking in tongues!! I would remember hearing about Jesus coming back!! The foundation I had at such a young age, NEVER left me! I was so hungry for the Lord! I was the first one up on Sunday mornings! I would run around the house waking my family up for church! Then life happened and I got in with the wrong group and my life was a down spiral for many years. Some didn't know. I was pretty good at hiding things sadly. The Lord knew though!! He knew how big of a mess I had gotten myself into! How deep sin had penetrated its scars into my flesh and heart! Thank God, He never left me! I would party all night doing anything and everything under the sun, lay my head down and repent because I didn't want to go to Hell!! I would always remember that! I may have backslid for many, many years, but I never turned my back completely or forgot Him.

I'm so thankful for all those times I would feel that conviction and I would begin to tell others!! I would be drunk, telling my friends if we keep on like this we are headed for Hell. Some didn't know and I would tell them about Jesus and the times to come and the rapture!! I'm so thankful of all the times the Lord was gracious, merciful and loving even during the times I wasn't!!! He has saved me from so much!! All the times I drove drunk! I could've killed someone or myself/friends! All the times I should have overdosed on drugs! The time where I did go to jail for possession and buying pills to make meth...I should've gotten in BIG trouble and do actual time in jail! There were plenty of nights I would take multiple drugs all at once, just to get a different high! All the times I should've been hurt, raped or killed! All the times I should've died from alcohol poisoning! All the times I should've been caught and spent big time in jail! The time where I helped make meth and the trailer should have blown up! The time where the car I was in, should have crashed! The time where I could have been kidnapped! The time where I shouldn't have woken up! There are so many scenarios that coulda, shoulda, woulda happened! 

I quenched the Lord for so many years! I have a life full of regret, shame and guilt that could have been prevented that will carry on with me for all my life probably. I am thankful for the past to have the relationship I have with the Lord now, but it still stings. The effects of sin can last a lifetime. Even years later there is still healing that need to take place. All while still learning the lessons and growing from mistakes!! 

The Lord has blessed me so greatly! My life is FAR from perfect, but He has been so fruitful to me! I cannot tell it all! And maybe someday God will use me to share my testimony with others. He didn't have to give me the desires of my heart, after so many years of trying to fill his void with other men, drugs and alcohol. He didn't have to bless me with so many beautiful children and a wonderful husband!! He didn't have to lead me to complete truth! He could've turned His back on me. He knows my darkest sins and hurts, and still chooses to love me! Let that sink in!! It will blow your mind!! 

You are never to far gone, for God to be done with you! All you have to do it get enough of the sinful life and surrender your life to Jesus! You may feel like you've been gone too long or too far, you don't even know how to get back! But all you have to do is make the decision this day to serve him and repent! He is there waiting with open arms!!! Let nothing of this world hold you back any longer from the ways and plans the Lord has for you!!! It might be painful. You might lose some friends. You might have to leave your home. You might have to change churches. You might have to do some tough things to get back to the Lord, but I urge you to do it!! It has to start with you, but the Lord will fight for you! And, greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world-1 John 4:4! It may not be instant, but you can do it!! Rededicate your life, heart and mind to Him and let Him fix the rest and He will....just like He did mine and He still is! So, don't lose heart when you don't see things going as fast as you would like! There are all kinds of lessons to learn and to grow from!! Make the decision to go to the very next church service and watch the Lord bless you and direct your steps! You can do all things through Christ which will strengthen you-Phil 4:13!

Make the decision to live for Him today, while He still may be found! Hell shouldn't be an option! Nobody or anything is worth going to Hell for!! The more that you quench him, the harder it is to come back, but still possible. Also remember that when you are quenching the Lord, you are rebelling against Him. You are rejecting Him, His Word, His way, and His love. The bible says that rebellion is as witchcraft... For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. 1 Sam 15:23--think about that!!! Go to the Lord...NOW!