Shine the Light

By Dr. Rebecca Payne

I have struggled in my walk with Jesus. Struggled in my faith in a God that could possibly love me--how could he? By His statutes I was a mess--a fornicator, a liar, a drunk, one who did not “honor thy father and mother”. These were all the things that would keep me from Him, yet I kept feeling this tugging in my heart that there was more to life than partying and drinking. More to life than being in a never-ending search to quench that “itch” that nothing on this earth could satisfy! What was I to do?

Shine The Light is one woman's walk to Christ Jesus
and the journey it took to get a deeper
understanding of the relationship
we can have with God,
Christ and the Church.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jul 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496924575

Dr. Rebecca Payne

Dr. Rebecca Payne’s story is simple, presented for all to contemplate. Dr. Payne asks us to join her in reflecting on life’s struggles as she seeks God’s answers to the purpose of life. Dr. Payne lives in NJ.

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© 2014 Dr. Rebecca Payne. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 08/02/2022

ISBN: 978-1-4969-2456-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-2457-5 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

To

Cheryl, a rock and a shoulder to lean on when I didn’t know

where to turn—your love became a light when I couldn’t see.

To Sarah, for your wisdom, guidance and love—You understood!

To my Bible study sisters—thank you for letting me

be myself and for all the love and support!

For my family—no one knew a lost little girl would

find a love that removed all the darkness!

Contents

Preface

Trusting God

Where are we going?

What does Jesus mean to you?

The Love of Jesus

Bringing God closer to you

Who are we?

You are free!

Growing Closer to God

What will Jesus do?

Walking with God

The journey with God

Walking in the Spirit

Letting in the Holy Spirit

Walking in faith in times of trouble

Sadness

Anger

But God…

Forgiveness

Pride

What should I do?

Let it go!

Marriage

The real deal

What is Love?

His Family

Walking in the Wilderness

First Steps toward Canaan

Give it all

God’s Love

Basking in the Glow of Love

Clarity

Hearing God

Vision

Unbelief

About The Author

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Preface

I was born to the right parents and family, at the right time, given to the right man as wife, given to the right people as friend. I am loved and I am love! Nothing was taken for granted! I am abundantly blessed and can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. God put me on this earth to give of myself to others in His church and to be a blessing to all who serve Him.

The Lord knew me through all the phases of trials of my life. Even though I thought I was lost at the time, God didn’t forget me. It was Him that saw me through and never let me down. He remembered me through the struggle, He remembered me through the pain, and when I needed Him most He washed me in His blood to sanctify me as His. Like David, the Lord heard my cry and sent me home.

Psalm 132:1, 7,8,10

¹Lord remember David and all his afflictions…⁷We will go into his tabernacles. We will worship at His footstool…⁸Arise O Lord in Thy rest…¹⁰For thy servant David’s sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.

It doesn’t matter the sin, doesn’t matter how bad you feel inside, just trust in Him, give it all to Him and He will turn it all around for your good. GIVE IT UP! With His arms stretched wide He waits for you. As on eagle’s wings He wants you to soar, to rise above the heavens and claim your place in Him in victory. Just reach out to Him and praise Him.

Psalm 32

⁷Thou art my hiding place; Thou shalt preserve me from trouble; Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.

The Lord is with me, has been with me all along, teaching and guiding me, showing me how to live—Sometimes I simply didn’t see Him or didn’t hear Him—yet He stayed with me.

This book is for all those who have experienced similar times in life. Times when you didn’t know if God could hear you but still you pressed on keeping the hope that He would one day call you to Him. Maybe you don’t understand every scripture but you’re holding on to salvation because you believe in Jesus.

God can move things in your life for your good if you’ll let Him. He has need of us for the glory of His kingdom because He wants us in His family—to be a part of Him in fellowship. Above all things beloved you are His child and He is your Father.

You are not alone!

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Trusting God

I want to take you on a journey: A journey of love and sacrifice. I know some of you have heard the teaching ‘trust in God and all will be well with you. He will guide you, He will teach you—His love is never ending, He will never leave you.’ Powerful words and powerful truths. But how do you wrap your mind around the fact that God loves you so much Jesus suffered and died for you!

What do you do if you don’t know Him? Never heard His name, Jesus, don’t understand His mission, the stories He told, the lessons in the stories, the life He lives.

I have struggled in my walk to Jesus. Struggled in my faith in a God that could possibly love me—how could He? By his statutes I was a mess—a fornicator, a liar, a drunk, one who did not honor thy father and mother. These were all the things