My Spiritual Journey
As a new believer, I was like a newborn; so much to learn. For the past 4 years, I've grown in faith and wisdom by learning God's word, praying for guidance each morning from the Holy Spirit, joining with other believers in worship and studying scripture. My name is Li (short for Lisa). Read on to see how I started.
How I Found Jesus
Like many of us, it took a crisis for me to turn to God. I had been a New Age Crystal Healer and Meditation Guide for years, believing I was helping others to help themselves. Then, in 2019, my life took a challenging turn.
I was suddenly hit with a series of health challenges -- starting with a serious head injury and culminating with a deadly bacteria, all of which took me from 117 pounds to 85 pounds, streaming blood from my gut. And the crystals were no help. I had truly believed in their powers for years, teaching others about them. But when I needed them, they failed me. I felt lost. Read more about New Age practices here.
It was then that my brother and a dear friend encouraged me to turn to God and away from "New Age". It's the best decision I ever made. Today I am healthy, strong, back to my weight, and enjoying life. I know that Jesus is my Lord and Savior.
Growing with God
Through the most challenging time in my life, wondering if I would live or die, I read the Bible, talked to God, and listened to messages about Him -- online, on the radio and on TV. And I talked to others about what He was doing in their lives.
I memorized and repeated my favorite scriptures and posted them where I could see them -- in my home, car, and office. I joined in fellowship with other believers. God brought me a mentor -- Mary, a mature believer and dear friend who helped lead me in daily prayer, and still does to this day.
It has all helped me to learn and grow with God. I have seen miracles in my life and my health. In the natural, I shouldn't be here. But as my faith grew, so did my hope. I know God has a plan for my life and He brought me back from near death to live the life He intended for me. To look at me now, no-one would know what I've been through. And I am forever grateful.
My Support System
A community is a place where believers connect on a soul level and encourage each other toward a deeper relationship with God. Mine started as a small community -- friends and family with whom I connected in grace and truth; people who foster their love of God and people in words and actions.
Thessalonians 5:11 says "Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing."
And from Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow."
My Baptism
Water Baptism is not a personal choice, but a command for believers. Jesus established water baptism as an ordinance when He gave the Great Commission. Seven days before I was baptized, I was sitting in bed watching a sermon. Something gripped me that I cannot explain. I just knew at that moment that I needed to schedule my water baptism.
I had thought about it before, but never had this intense feeling. I couldn't wait. I scheduled it immediately. And 7 days later, on April 23, 2023, I was baptized at my church - Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, CA.
The emotion and elation that I felt afterwards is indescribable in mere words. My connection to the Holy Spirit is deeper than I could have imagined. And my desire to live a life striving to be more like Jesus is stronger than ever.
I Never Felt Alone
I know that God is with me, God is for me, and God is in me. Always... in all ways. During my darkest days, this was the first scripture I memorized:
Isaiah 43:2 "When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you."
Luke 10:19 gave me the strength to keep on fighting. "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you."
What I Learned
Over the past 4 years, I felt my body was under attack by the enemy. Maybe he knew that God had a plan to use me for good and he was trying to stop that. Whatever the reason, through the word, I learned that God never promised life would be easy.
He never said there would be no sickness, pain, loss, failure, or death. Or that things would always go our way; that we would always know what to do and where to go. But He does promise, again and again, that we'll never be alone and that we'll never have to fight without Him.
I learned that He is always just a prayer away, and that by accepting His Son’s death and resurrection as redemption and deliverance, He is forever with me; heart, soul, mind and body.
Jesus taught the disciples that inner peace and courage amid tribulation is experienced by abiding in Him:
John 16:33 "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."
Words I Live By
The phrase “Fruit of the Spirit” comes from Galatians 5:22-23. "But the fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace. Forbearance, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. Against such things there is no law."
I continuously strive to embody these principles in everything I do and encourage others to do the same. Through love and understanding, we can create a better world. If I can help you take the next step in your journey, scroll down and click the button below to contact me.
