Who Led You the the Lord?

Who Led you to the Lord?

Friday, April 30, 2021

Jeanne Franks

Focus verse:

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

By worldly standards, I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth. Our family was respected in our small southern town. Daddy provided well for his family of seven, a nice home, swimming pool, manicured yard filled with flowers… I do not ever remember wanting for anything.

Growing up we went to Sunday School, MYF and attended Church most every Sunday. If we did not go to church, Daddy would read a Bible story while the kids sat on the diving board. But there was something big missing from our lives. We did not talk about the Lord and I do not remember seeing my parents praying or reading their Bible in those early years. Personal spiritual growth was not a topic, nor was the fact the Creator of the Universe wanted to have a personal, intimate relationship with me.

In my early teens, I became interested in spiritual things. I got a book on Revelation and the Four Horsemen, but I had no one to help me in my juvenile quest for something more and within the year those spiritual urgings fizzled out.

In High School, I met and started hanging out with “friends” who had no purposeful aspirations except the worldly kind of fun. I carried a rebellious lifestyle into college and graduate school. In 1974, I met my future husband, and we were married in 1977. We continued our nice home traditions, complete with skeletons. We attended a local church, teaching Sunday School, lay reading… good works but worthless.

My husband was a hard worker, one of the qualities that initially attracted me to him. In 1984, we lived in a beautiful home, with 3 beautiful children, and my husband’s business in commercial real estate was thriving. His all-in approach to work left me feeling terribly lonely. I had given up on my own dreams. Then came the economic crash. Those were hard years for real estate; interest rates were 20+%. We basically lost everything, including our pride. Satan brought suicidal thoughts to my husband. This is when God Himself came down to remind him his value is only measured by what the Lord says about him.

Floyd started seeking this personal God on his own. Early in the mornings I would find him reading the scriptures, which was foreign to me. A godly man at his work had given him a Living Bible and it was available when my husband needed it the most. We must NEVER underestimate how God uses our obedience to change lives. I am forever thankful to this man and his obedience to do what the Lord told him to do. That simple act started a chain reaction that changed the trajectory of my family’s spiritual journey.

About three months later, my sister invited me to a local women’s Bible study. It was a quite simple invitation. There was no pressure just an “ask.” I willingly accepted because the Spirit was moving in me, and the timing was divinely orchestrated. This particular year, we studied the Book of John for 9 months. They had an excellent children’s program, which was every young mother’s dream, and I began the adventure of a lifetime.

By the end of the first month, September 1984, I personally met the Lord. He is the One who brought me to Himself in the pages of His Word. I was transformed by Him. It was the most beautiful story I had ever read. One morning the teaching leader asked if anyone wanted their sins forgiven and accept the greatest gift ever given? On the front row, I prayed the prayer of salvation – that was 37 years ago, and my life has never been the same. This is kind of funny, but the first thing He did was clean up my mouth. It was instantaneous! ☺

My journey has had its ups and downs, probably much like your own story but I was changed from that day forward. One simple act of obedience by a co-worker and one simple ask to a Bible Study by my sister was exactly what the Lord needed to work and defeat the enemy’s plans for destruction. It changed my life forever and the ripple effect has been far reaching. He has a love that is unconditional, consistent, and trustworthy. We cannot earn what He has freely given. Like Jesus said on the cross, “It is finished!” There is no greater love than the New Covenant.

I have served in many ways these last nearly 4 decades, not because I have to but because I get to. We must be intentional by the way we live so the days do not float away by the pull of distractions that have no eternal impact. Live by design and not default remembering perfection will never be accomplished this side of heaven. So do not be too hard on yourselves. Live in the freedom only Jesus provides and not the bondages of our enemy. When we fall, we pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and get back on the field. “Sisters, that’s how we do it!”

Further study: Luke 15:11-32, Luke 5:27 – 32 and Luke 15: 1-7

In closing, I would like to use Titus 2:11-14 to pray over us all.

Lord, thank you for GRACE. It is the grace of God that brings salvation and teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions. It is your grace that gives us the power to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this age where You have placed us in time. Lord, we wait and watch for our blessed HOPE –the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you for giving us Jesus, redeeming us from all wickedness, and purifying us for Yourself. We are Your very own, eager to do what is good. We thank you for the power to accomplish the purposes You have placed in each one of us. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.