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Testimonial: God Reveals Grace to Dance Instructor Using BLB

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AFTER FOLLOWING CHRIST FOR OVER 20 YEARS, REBECCA, A DANCE STUDIO OWNER, ENTERED WHAT SHE DESCRIBED AS A “DARK SEASON.” “I HAD BECOME SPIRITUALLY LAZY AND SELF SUFFICIENT,” REBECCA REVEALS, “I WASN’T GROWING IN MY FAITH AND MADE CHOICES OPPOSITE OF WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES.”

Rebecca realized she needed to return to studying God’s Word and she remembered that her pastor had recommended Blue Letter Bible.

One of the Blue Letter Bible resources that brought Rebecca from this time of despair was Bob Hoekstra’s daily devotional, Day by Day by Grace.

“Pastor Bob pounded again and again on the fact that grace is the only means of salvation,” Rebecca explained.

Pastor Hoekstra’s clear teaching of the Scriptures helped Rebecca grasp that much of her dark path detour was caused by her poor understanding of grace. Rebecca shares, “I was trying to be sanctified by good works.”

Rebecca adds, “Now, I know it was God’s grace that let me fail in my own strength, in order to show me that my sufficiency is in Christ alone. That’s when God showed me grace and gave me peace!”

Today, Rebecca not only uses Blue Letter Bible to continue her own personal Bible studies, but she also uses it to help others. Currently, Rebecca is discipling her middle school and high school dance students about God’s grace.

Comments

  2. Rebecca learned of her (mankind’s) “(in)sufficiency” thru obedience to the LAW and in turn called out for deliverance as was intended by its Giver. Praise to the GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Israel for HIS redeeming of mankind and the situation we are in through HIS adherence to every jot and tittle of the LAW as evidenced by HIS resurrection that HE “graciously” shares with all creation. There is none other like HIM.

    It is not grace that we have our faith in, but only the shed BLOOD of the LAMB of GOD, Rev 5:1-10 HNV, Lev 25:9 HNV.

    J.

    P.s. does the truth that Rebecca learned mean we no longer adhere or even strive to obedience to Torah as is the belief of many?

    • Gal 2:21, I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

    • Rom 6:14, For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

  3. Hallelujah

    It is a true word that by faith we are saved and that this is through the grace of God given in His Son Jesus Christ.

    The Law of the Letter had been written on my heart but I have learned that it is the Law of the Letter that brought death because I could by no means or manner abide perfectly under the law of the letter as a perfectly Holy God and Creator required.

    But in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ I found my life freed from all sins. As Jesus Christ, His person fulfilled all the legal requirements of the law of the Old, coming as a perfect sacrifice and paying the penalty of my sin by taking it in His body on the cross.

    Jesus’ shedding of blood by His subsitution purchased my life, for God teaches in the Old that the life of a creature is in its blood, AND Jesus’ sacrifice for me replaced what the law could never do. In Jesus’ blood is eternal life.

    AND what could the law of the letter never do? It could never bring me into the presence of My God forever. Only by and through the better way, the Living Way, that is through Jesus Christ His body, by the power of His blood and through the access given by the One Spirit can I now dwell in God’s Holy presence.

    The law of the letter killed, BUT by the grace given me in the Lord Jesus Christ, through my faith in His righteousness given unto me, by the power of His blood, my Father in heaven has given me life.

    I am no longer ruled by the law of the letter, BUT by the Spirit written as an epistle of Christ, NOT on tablets of a stoney heart in ink, but on tablets of a heart of flesh by the Spirit of the living God.

    Dearest Father,

    I praise you that by Your only Begotten Son Jesus, by His grace I am freed from the bondages of sin. May I, being in Christ, walk in a manner more and more pleasing to my God, in sensitivity to Your Holy One and heeding His voice.

    I thank You Father for Your deeper wisdom that our Teacher Jesus Christ imparts by the Spirit, and that this is found in the Old and expounded in the New by the living Spirit.

    Father, Your Spirit sets me free. Hallelujah.
    In Jesus name. Amen

    In Christ
    Mark NZ.

    • The first Adam was the image of God until he sinned.

      1Cr 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

      Here is your grace, we are sanctified through Jesus Christ.

      Hbr 10:9-10 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

      Who became the son of man to partake of the curse of the flesh to destroy the devil

      Heb. 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.

      Through the flesh Jesus Christ also owns all the promises of God.

      2Cr 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

      He is the express image of His person.

      Heb 1:3, Eph 1:21, Col 2:10, Rev 4:11, 11:17

      John 6:36 But I said to you, that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe.

      Hbr 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
      1Jo 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

      • This is very interesting type of logic here: I do not obey the law and I sin but I am holy and image of God and represent Christ in the same time. I think I am Napoleon. Yes I am Napoleon why not…?
        You people harm yourself denaying yourself this simple piece of logic which by the way origin from God himself.

        • Maciek, Paul has a message for you.
          1Cr 2:2, For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
          Gal 3:19, Act 7:53, Hbr 2:2-5,
          Gal 2:16, Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

          Rom 5:1, Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

          1Jo 1:7, But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

          Rom 3:22, Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
          Rom 3:23-31

          Rom 10:4, For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

          • …which means that law which is spiritual and holy, like Paul speaks, convince as of sin in the same time being not able to make as free from it. But Christ did. In him we can be free from sin and than from the law. Because law when says don’t steal speaks to one who is doing that. But if you don’t steal law is silenced by righteousness which God gave you as a free gift through Christ. But if you find yourself crossing the law you are a sinner under the law and you are a liar if you clime that you are free from sin. and you are Napoleon. Christ said once: The one who sin is slave of sin. So when you sin where is your freedom?

          • The tragedy for everyone attempting to follow the law is that the blood of animal sacrifice no longer provides an atonement (peace with God) for unrighteousness. God is Love. Love knows no barrier, endures pain, shame, suffering and does not regard death to give the grace of God to the lost. The blood of Jesus Christ removes our sins so that we are no longer slaves to sin. We are covered by His blood Who forgives every time we repent. We will be judged by the law if we do not accept His righteousness. What did Jesus say, “sin no more” Jhn 5:14, 8:11, Rom 6:15, 9:14

          • This is true of course. We are not justified by law. This is Christ’s blood which justifies us. Yet justification is true one and it means that we are made truly righteous ones which of course shows in not crossing the law. If one crosses the law one cannot call oneself just because it is like saying that black is white, it is a lie like it isn’t true that I am Napoleon. I am speaking of reality here. So all this people around who clime that they are justified by Christ’s blood and in the same time they say that they are unable to keep commandments are like bunch of Napoleons attending Sunday services and deluding themselves that they are saved while they are in slavery and everyone who has only a bit honesty in oneself must see it.

          • Gal 3:10, Jhn 3:18, Mat 13:57, Jhn 3:15, 4:14, 7:5, 15:5, Act 10:43, 2Cr 5:21, Eph 1:4
            Phl 3:9, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
            1Jo 1:7, But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin
            1Jo 1:8, If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
            1Jo 1:9, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
            1Jo 1:10, If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

          • The real tragedy of it is this incoherent theology built on single verses taken out of context with words with distorted meanings. If you continue in this madness you will all die and them who you deceive. Playing with sentences out of context, without understanding, using Words of God like it were just mere blocks to build whatever you want and defying God by it and bringing judgement on yourself not salvation. Like mad children with their homes of sand. There is no even hope to explain anything because there is no will to understand. No will to apply logic no will to revise the view. So I would just say: read the text please and understand … please for your sake not mine because there is no hope just pity…

          • Maciek, multiple verses are provided that direct your questions to what the Word of God is in these matters. The book, chapter and verse are provided with each reference to enable any to confirm that the usage is according to the context. A scholar or priest is not required as the Holy Spirit hovers over His words to confirm them in the hearts of believers, they are the living Word of God. There is only one hope, one truth, one God. Jhn 14:6

          • I just told you that your citations out of context are irrelevant to what I have said before. Some of them mean something else than you think and some of them are irrelevant. You didn’t answer my question because I didn’t pose any. I accused you of spreading lies and of empty talk. And you didn’t bring anything which would stand to your defense. I will just say read text with understanding because your answers are telling me that you don’t understand text of the Bible or you didn’t understand what I have just said.

        • Maciek,

          An understanding of God’s word grants you an explanation to your confusion. If we, as sinners, were in court, it would be as if Christ, a perfect man, decided to serve prison time in our stead, that we can go free. But not only that – He suffered and died bearing all of our sins – past, present, future. Therefore, when we believe on him, we don’t stop sinning, but our desire to please God and the Holy Spirit’s work in us causes us to grow in the strength to resist sin – by God’s grace. So, our sins have been paid for even as we continue to sin – but it is God’s grace that allows our sins to be already paid for which satisfies God’s wrath and it is God’s grace that allows us to resist sin and to be holy. Power to resist sin is an evidence of salvation. Consistency in sin in the life of a professing Christian can be a sign that a person never really believed on Christ in the first place. God’s grace enables us to obey His word more and more, and those times that we fall, his grace in sending His son to pay our debts satisfies God’s wrath.

  5. Nice beard Chris.
    “Thank you” Jesus for what you’ve done to secure our salvation.
    Grace= us getting what we don’t deserve.
    Mercy= us not getting what we do deserve.

    Co-laboring
    Breaux

  7. So do you keep the law, Maciek? James said that we keep the law only when we keep it perfectly. Have you kept the law perfectly? See James 2:10-11

  8. Pastor Bob Hoekstra was used by God more than any person in my life to portray Christ. I knew Bob very well. He was the most Christ-like person I ever met. I miss him, but will see him soon.

  9. Maciek,

    I’m sure you’re serious about what you’re saying, I’m sorry this might sound condesending. I can tell you for sure it wouldn’t be justified. I failed miserably at dying to self. I just encourage you to spend some quality time with Him like it says in Heb 4:13 and 1Jo 1:9. Lay the shortcomings before Him daily.
    It wasn’t until recently, that He has enabled me to walk. I pray you will not be hindered from doing this.

    Love you.

    1Jo 1:10

    If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

  10. It is not grace that we have our faith in, but only the shed BLOOD of the LAMB of GOD, Rev 5:1-10 HNV, Lev 25:9 HNV. GODS Grace is a manifestation of HIS character that has been in evidence ever since Moshe, Gen 1:1 HNV and Mathew, Mat 1:1 HNV wrote “Bereishit”, oops Mathew wrote in Greek “genesis”, but was referring to the Hebrew concept of creation penned by Moshe because the Greeks followed their own gods of the imagination.

    Messiah’s Blood was unlike any other blood that flowed thru a beings veins from Adam down to us. What made it different was its innocence from guilt. The only way to measure this innocence or guilt is from Torah Law. And it remains YHVH’s standard for holiness to this day. Any other standard than Torah Law which is what the writers of the B’rit Hadasha are always referring to comes from mankind’s imagination.

    J.

    P.s. (rhetorical question) – where do I write here or in anything I’ve shared on this blog that our personal salvation is achieved from adherence to Torah Law? (rhetorical answer) – I don’t. It’s just in the imagination of the reader in what may be an attempt to protect status and position just as the Perushim tried with Messiah.

    P.p.s. Chris, that image of you reminds me of Watchman Nee…

    • Mat 5:20, For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven
      Abraham was faithful before the law was given to Moses. The scribes and Pharisees followed the letter of the law yet their righteousness was not sufficient, it was not of faith.
      Abraham was not righteous in himself. Abraham was accounted righteous by faith.

      Jhn 5:46, For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me
      Phl 3:9, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God.
      Rom 3:21-22, Rom 10:3, 2Cr 5:21, 2Pe 1:1

      Jesus spoke Aramaic. Jesus did not command us to follow the form of words like whited sepulchers.

      Mat 5:48, Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

      • Exd 1:1-22 HNV
        Exd 5:1-13 HNV
        Exd 6:1-8 HNV
        Exd 11:4-7 HNV
        Mat 2:16 HNV
        Zec 12:8-9 HNV
        Mat 7:21-23 HNV

        “does the truth that Rebecca learned mean we no longer adhere or even strive to obedience to Torah as is the belief of many?”

        J.

        P.s. remember anti-Semitism is antichrist.

        • Actually, the majority of Semites do not accept Jesus Christ. Semites are no different than any other race. Antisemitism has nothing to do with antichrist. Those who are members of the Body of Christ follow peace with all men. Violence and racism are contrary to the Spirit of our Father.

          • But what about the Semites that do accept Jesus Christ? Are they no longer Semites? Those believing Semites I know personally still believe they are Semites. They don’t fit your equation, because that would require logic.

            J.

            P.s. jealousy is not a fruit of the Ruach HaKodesh