Saved by Grace By Amy Kayler |
I was raised in the Bible Belt, and Church has always been a part of my life. I know when I ask Jesus to come into my heart: I was 12 years old, and I knew I was a sinner! I repented of the sins the Holy Spirit showed me.
Without Him calling, receiving and forgiving me -- without His love, grace and mercy -- I truly don't think I would be here to share what a Wonderful Savior He is.
Our family was your typical “Christian” Southern Baptist Family: Church on Sunday morning, Sunday and Wednesday evening and Saturday morning prayer breakfast. At 15 years old I smoked my first joint on the back steps of a Baptist Church and was convicted at that moment. I didn't understanding what it meant to "crucify the flesh", but knew enough to ask Him to forgive me, and again He did. My faith was in Him, and I knew that He loved me.
My mom and dad loved us very much and were wonderful providers. Which meant a lot of time alone at home with my sisters. I could write about all the “bad” things in my family, but I know the Lord allowed them all so He could use me to reach others that have faced the same challenges. I miss them, but I thank God for letting me see them both walk with Him before He called them home. I rejoiced in knowing “it is only good-bye for awhile.”I was married at 19, and we had two beautiful children. But it was a worldly marriage, and twelve years later I was going through a very nasty divorce. I had openly rebelled against God. During this time, I met my second husband Craig, who was in the Military. Partying and drinking became part of our life.
While stationed in Korea, Craig began to go his way, and I went mine. Then orders came to go back to the States where I began the so called “glamorous” journey of Adult Entertainment. For a while, I was captivated by the practice of witchcraft: the "White magic" that Satan had justified as being “good.”
Our lives continued to spiral down. We lost our home and Craig got out of the military. we moved in with his dad, but I continued to dance. It was our only income. Eventually, I choose to leave Craig and get my own place. I could take care of me and thought I needed no one. I became my God.
The Holy Spirit continued to tug at my heart and His Word kept coming to my mind. Craig and I got back together, and I started going to a Word of Faith church. It thought I had found my place. I could practice witchcraft, dance and serve Jesus, the “force” the “higher power” and the “Church” approved, for my tithing was large.
I began to read my Bible, and I studied it the way I had my books in witchcraft and astrology. Soon His Word began to convict my heart. I was broken and knew again that I needed His forgiveness. Humbly going before Him, I repented of my sins.Hebrews 4:12”For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
I had many questions. To help answer them, He brought Diane in my life. She was very patient with me. I would call her everyday sometimes 2 and 3 times and she would always direct me back to “Truth”, His word. There were many times I was so angry with her, but kept going back for more.
My hunger for His Word grew, and I started going to a Bible teaching church. The Lord began teaching me what it means to serve and live for Him. He led me to a Bible study group where we could truly delight in His truth. Soon I was allowed to share the Word with the youth and a adult class. I had never felt so much peace. I knew I was back “Home.”
Craig took a job in Texas. At first, I did not want to go. But I knew my place was with him. He, too, was growing in the Lord. My respect and love for Him continued to grow.
After arriving in the valley we found a new church and settled in. After a year I knew I was suppose to be serving with the gifts God had given me. Upon going to the pastor I was told I could not serve because I had been divorced. My world was crushed, and once again I turned back to the world.
The Lord allowed me to suffer the bareness of life without Him for about a year. Then one day I picked up my Bible and turned to Luke 11:22-26:
"But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armor wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none. He saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.”
"Convicted, I cried out for forgiveness, walked out of that lifestyle and have never looked back. Why would I go back to the corrupt world with its deceptions, cravings and empty dreams. God is my joy and my resting place!
I began to pray again for a church, searching for over a year not finding one. So I continued to spend time with my Lord, praying and studying God’s word and falling in love with Him more and more.
One day, God led me to a Church through my computer. I assumed it was another one of “those” churches that taught a little truth weaved with the world and witchcraft. But after listening to a few sermons, I could not find a piece of untruth.
So the Lord found our home, which in turn sent me right to His word:
"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." Ephesians 3:20
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
The Lord had blessed me with many ladies to study the Bible as we grew together. "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." Proverbs 27:17.
We have a small group that meets in our home on Sundays as we all continue to pray and study His word together, waiting for Him to show each of us where He wants us to be.
Jesus continues to add many blessings to my life each and everyday. ~ One of the Biggest is my husband.My name is Amy Kayler. I have been rescued by Jesus Christ and I am His servant.
(One day, God led me to a Church through my computer. I assumed it was another one of “those” churches that taught a little truth weaved with the world and witchcraft. But after listening to a few sermons, I could not find a piece of untruth.)
We soon attended and were there for almost 2 years, both of us apponted as deacons. Things quickly began to change. The sermons became more work-based with a beating for the sheep each Sunday, with much control. Shortly after we received an email from the “pastors” assistant saying our tithing was not as it should be and that we were stealing from God . 4 days later we told never to come back, and the congergation shunned us.
(So the Lord found our home, which in turn sent me right to His word: )
Please put these three line between what you wrote. This is the best I can do if you see something that needs corrected please do so, Thank you so much.
Love in Him Amy