“My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever”. (Psalms 73:26 KJV)

I wish I could say that I have always walked with God, but that would be a lie. I have lived in the world’s way of darkness and sin. We all have. That is our “flesh”, and it is too weak to stand up to temptation.

But God, in His mercy and grace, gives us strength to walk a better path, His path. We can walk in victory against sin, overcoming it, but only if we accept Him and give ourselves completely to Him. Only after realizing and admitting that I am a sinner, could I sincerely ask for forgiveness. I truly wanted to live a better life. When I repented of my sins and was baptized in Jesus’ name, I was forgiven. And when I opened my heart completely, His Holy Spirit filled me and made me a new person, His child. (Acts 2:38)

That was 11 years ago. I still fall into temptations. I still make mistakes. I have not been made perfect, yet. But I have been delivered and set free! I have learned the truth of God’s Word and I have learned to trust in Him. He gives me the courage to face each day, no matter what happens. He gives me the strength to go through whatever trials come. And they do come! But as long as my heart is focused on the Lord, I have strength. It is when my attention strays away from Him that I fall down. It is through ignorance and deceit of the enemy that I fail. And those are the times that I learn the hardest lessons.

God is my strength! Because of Him, I have already overcome many obstacles and passed through many trials. And because of Him, I will have victory over more. Ultimately, I will be blessed with the greatest treasure imaginable…eternal life in His Holy presence! I admit that there are some things I like about this world. My family and friends, mountains, flowers, oceans and rivers, animals, chocolate, all these things I am very fond of. But in my heart, there is now a love that has grown so strong, a love for Jesus and to be with Him in heaven. That love surpasses any love I have here on earth. And that love is where my strength comes from, because He is love.

by Amber Leggette-Aldrich