I Wonder...

Lately I have wondered why Jesus saved me.   

When I ask this question, my heart posture is full of deep gratitude and recognition of how much grace You give to me.

Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! ⁶ He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— ⁹ not from works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.

Of all the people that are lost out in this world, how come I heard you, how come I listened to your call?  I am moved by God’s compassion to call me out of the wilderness.

Exodus 33:19 He said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim the name ‘the Lord’ before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

Psalm 8:4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? (NLT)

You are available for all, but not everyone listens the small still voice in their heart. 

Romans 10:15  And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. ¹⁶ But not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed our message? ¹⁷ So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.

Matthew 22:14 "For many are called, but few or chosen."

I have thought that one of the reasons I am saved is someone must have prayed for me.  I’m sure there were a few people but I do know for sure, my great grandmother, Big Granny prayed for me.  I remember her singing “this little light of mine” with me.  I sat in her lap and I know she had to be praying for my salvation.  I am fully convinced she is why I know you God.

James 5:16  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (KJV)

And I want to take a moment to honor my Big Granny, Elizabeth Bowser.

Romans 13:7 Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor.

You were so faithful to that little Pentecostal church in Channelview, Texas.  And because of your service, your dedication to Jesus, He saved me. He also saved my little brother.  I have  6 cousins whom are actual blood relation to Big Granny.  Direct bloodline.  Andy and I are not.  My grandfather adopted my Mom and I don’t even know what kind of relationship my mom had with Big Granny.  All I know is that Andy and I are the only cousins, as of right now, are actively serving Christ.  We were grafted into a house that served Christ before we were really grafted into His kingdom.

Romans 11:17 Now if some of the branches were broken off, and you, though a wild olive branch, were grafted in among them and have come to share in the rich root of the cultivated olive tree, 

I’m believing and praying my cousins will get serious with their walk with Christ, but Andy and I were my Big Granny’s first fruit.  I really don’t know if we would have been saved had he not given us this beautiful lady in our lives.  I won’t venture to even guess.

Ephesians 1:5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.

 I will just take it at face value that Jesus used any means necessary to cover us draw us in and send ministering angels to us until we inherited salvation. 

Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?

I would encourage each of you to ask the question, Why did you save me Jesus?  Who was it in my life that prayed for my salvation?  Take time to honor this person in your heart.  If they are still alive, take time to reach out and thank them.

Romans 12:10 Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another. 

 I would also encourage you not to neglect such a great salvation.

Hebrews 2:1-3 For this reason, we must pay attention all the more to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away. ² For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment, ³ how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation had its beginning when it was spoken of by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 

Take every opportunity to acknowledge Him in your life.  Be intentional with everything you do.  Nothing is more important than the time and effort you spend seeking him out.  Every day give him yet another piece of your life, until every part of it is immersed in his grace and mercy.  Walk in the spirit, it is just so much better than you could imagine.

Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live

And if you stumble, quickly ask for forgiveness and get right back in it. 

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness

Thank you, Elizabeth Bowser.  I know you are in heaven interceding with me for my aunts and uncles, for all my cousin’s full surrender.  I am standing on the foundation of prayers you have built, knowing Jesus is the cornerstone.

1 Peter 2:7 Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him, “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.”

And I have faith enough for my whole family to see them be forgiven, healed and set free. 

Psalm 22:30-31 Their descendants will serve him; the next generation will be told about the Lord. ³¹ They will come and declare his righteousness; to a people yet to be born they will declare what he has done.

I encourage you to, in the comments, write the person’s name who prayed for you.  With your heart full of deep gratitude and recognition of the grace He has given us.