36 Reasons Why I Love the Lord

This November marks my 36th year in the Lord! I am filled with gratitude to my Lord and Saviour! Since this is my 36th year to be saved, I am going to mark 36 reasons why I love the Lord, as challenged to by this post: http://www.ifbkjv.com/2010/08/reasons-why-i-love-lord.html

1. The Lord is my shepherd
2. He is a GOOD shepherd, and never does evil towards me
3. He is always with me, in good times and bad
4. He can always be reached, am/pm, or in the middle of the night, by prayer
5. He provides for me, as a Father does for His child
6. His ways are always for my benefit
7. He left me a pure and perfect Bible I can trust 100%
8. He bonds me with Christians brothers and sisters throughout the world
9. In Him there is no darkness at all (I Jn. 1:5)
10. He makes all things work together for my good (Rom 8:28)
11. He knows every temptation and trial I face
12. He makes a way to escape them
13. He is preparing a home in heaven for me
14. He is always watching over me
15. He "sought me ere I knew Him"
16. He provides a Pastor on earth to care for and teach me
17. He gives us free choice, and never bullies
18. He gently guides - but always leads
19. He conforms me to His perfect image: slowly, but surely
20. He puts a song in my heart every day
21. He is my strength
22. He gives me wisdom, "and upbraideth not", (Js. 1:5)
23. He is powerful, even over sin and death, and He rose from the dead
24. He will one day raise my body from the dead
25. He is patient with me
26. He does not leave me, even when I am unfairly angry at Him
27. He is not my accuser, but rather my intercessor
28. He is always kind
29. He is quick to forgive
30. He is merciful
31. He has created a beautiful earth for us to enjoy
32. He is my helper (Heb. 13:6)
33. He lets me know when I am doing wrong/going the wrong way
34. He keeps His promises
35. HE LOVES EVEN ME
36. But most of all, He loved me enough to come to this earth, even if I was the only person ever on earth; to take the form of a man, live a sinless life, yet be crucified unfairly; take MY place of condemnation, and pay the death penalty for MY sins and for all those who accept this: the FREE gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. (John 3:16-20, Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, and 10:9,10, and 13)

Salvation: it's about a relationship, not a religion.

When my grandmom died, we went to Virginia for her memorial service, and while there did a little sightseeing. One of the things we visited, was the house my sister was born in (that's her and hubby), and I was saved in at the age of four.

I usually was allowed to sleep though the service, and I woke up for the end...and the preacher was giving the plan of salvation, and mentioned during the invitation that you could not be saved until you knew you were a sinner. Well, I really really wanted to be saved...but what could I do? I was NOT a sinner!! (this is a four year old's mind) Only one thing to do..I'd better get to sinning. And quick!

We lived on an old farm/cattle ranch, and we had to pass through cow gates to reach our home. At each one, my mom would turn to me and say "Now you stay in the car! I'll be right back", and go open the gate, drive through, and lock the gate again. Well, I thought this was the perfect chance to become a sinner!

I stepped out of the car..and right into a cow patty! My mom was furious, took me home, spanked my bottom, and sent me to my room. It was bugging her that I was not crying, but seemed pleased to be punished, so she crept up the stairs to spy on me. I was kneeling by my bed, telling Jesus I was a sinner, and would He please wash away my sins and save me so I could go to heaven?

Well, my dad brought me down to the couch, and explained things to me, and talked about a lot of big words like "redemption" and "transgression" that I can clearly remember not understanding, but although I can't remember much of my childhood, I remember details about that day like the color of the fabric on the couch where I got saved, November 24, 1974. Baptized the next Sunday night in church.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." - John 3:16-20

"But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." - Romans 10:8-11