Charles Spurgeon once said, “My faith rests not in what I am, or shall be, or feel, or know, but in what Christ is, in what he has done, and what he is now doing for me.” I like that. A lot. It reminds me that faith isn’t a thing, but rather an action. An ongoing action that pushes me toward truth.
What truth is that, you ask? The truth that says I am nothing without Jesus Christ. The truth we sing about in the hymn that says, “Jesus paid it ALL. ALL to him I owe…..”
Yes, I owe Jesus everything. We all do. But how does that work? If we owe Jesus everything, yet can never do enough to repay that debt he paid on our behalf, how can we ever actually do our part? Where does that put us when it comes to living out or faith through obedience?
It puts us in the mode of perpetual gratitude – or at least it should. Perpetual, meaning ongoing, constant, never ending, and never changing. In other words, we should spend every day living, speaking, doing, and expressing our gratitude for what Jesus did and continues to do.
Gratitude? Yes, gratitude. Before we go any farther, let's make sure we understand what the word actually means. GRATITUDE: Thankfulness to the extent that you repay the kindness done to you.
You might be thinking that's easy for other people-people with plenty to be grateful for. But the fact of the matter is that every single one of us has the same reason to be grateful. That reason being Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross as punishment for OUR sins.
All of mankind. One reason. And the only thing Jesus asks of us (expects of us) is gratitude-the kind of gratitude that repays the kindness he extends to us. He even took the guess work out of how to repay his kindness when he said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” ~John 14:15 NIV
That’s our part–to keep his commandments. That’s all he asks. Yet....
Yet so many try to circumvent the commandments they don’t like or don’t agree with. But Jesus didn't put any exceptions or omissions in there. He simply said to obey them. All of them.
To put this into perspective, think about this: When you took your driver’s test you were careful to do everything just right. To follow the examiner’s directions to a ‘t’. You also studied for the test because you wanted to get the best possible score. Why? Because you knew the person beside you in the car had the power to give you what you wanted so badly–a driver’s license. Hearing the words “congratulations” or “you passed’” was music to your ears.
But then what happened? What happened after you got that coveted piece of plastic? Did getting that license mean you no longer had to follow all the rules? Did you now have the right to choose which rules of the road to follow and which ones to ignore? Of course not!
Signing the form to receive your driver’s license was a pledge to be a responsible driver by obeying the rules of the road. Furthermore, if or when you don’t obey those rules, there are consequences – even the possibility that you can have your driving privileges revoked. Right? Right. In other words, driving is a privilege as well as a responsibility. A big one.
Likewise, so is salvation. When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are making a promise to allow him to actually be the Lord and Savior of YOUR life. Your whole life. For all of your life.
Salvation is both a gift and a privilege. The greatest one of all. But it is one that comes with the responsibility to respect it, treasure it, and make each day a day filled with the kind of gratitude that shares back with the one who paid it all.
Colossians 4:6,
Darla, aka, Momma D
JESUS PAID IT ALL.
ALL TO HIM WE OWE.
Who am I?
I’m Darla Noble—Author, Speaker, and Ghostwriter with over thirty years of experience. I am known for being a great storyteller, but not merely for the sake of telling a story. The stories I tell are a) true and b) they always have a takeaway, i.e., a life lesson meant to help you be a better version of yourself. I’m Darla Noble—wife, mom, nanna, and a little ‘oldish’ lady who loves Jesus, her family, playing in the dirt, walking…walking…and more walking, riding bikes, eating popcorn, roast beef, Mexican food, reading, and watching old sitcoms.
What do I write?
Inspirational nonfiction—Christian devotionals, books that spark the creativity in every mom and nanna’s heart, and one that breathes new life into the art of being a good neighbor and reminds you of why it matters.
Historical nonfiction—WWII and family memoirs.
Character Education & Family Fun—Books that use science and scripture to teach positive character, scavenger hunts of all kinds that are both educational and FUN, and write-in journals for tweens and teens.
What do I say and who do I say it to?
*WWII hands-on display and presentation based on “All My Love, George…Letters from a WWII Hero”. The presentation consists of brief reading from the book, an interactive time of Q&A, and time for participants to view and examine a variety of WWII memorabilia including George’s original letters and medals.
*Keepsake In The Making Classes, using the book, “Please Pass the Memories” as inspiration, the class consists of exploring and brainstorming fun, creative, and interesting ways we can use your family’s keepsakes, recipes, photos, stories, and even traditions (YIKES) to bring past, present, and future generations of your family together. Everyone needs and wants to have a sense of who and where they come from, and the Keepsake In The Making Class is the perfect way to do just that!
*Women’s ministry events/conferences/retreats. I offer several programs that are easily adaptable to fit your needs and timeframe. Workshops for each one are optional. Programs offered include: “Jesus and Zinnias Make Me Smile”, “Deuteronomy 6 Parenting”, “Please Pass the Memories:, “Love, Momma D; Getting to the Heart of Parenting From the Heart”, and “Sippin’ Tea With Jesus”. NOTE: I am also happy to speak on a topic/subject matter of your choosing.
*The Nanna Subscription—an easy, but oh, so fun mini-class which equips Nanna, Gma, Granny, Mama, Mimi, or whatever name your grandkids have for you, with EVERYTHING you need to engage and connect with your grandkids on a regular basis. No matter how young or old they are, no matter how many miles separate you, no matter how many grandkids you have, no matter…anything!
*Brighten the Corner Where You Are” is my newest book as well as the focus of an event I offer to individuals, community chambers of commerce, neighborhood organizations, HOAs (Home Owner Association), church groups, and anyone else interested in reviving the art of being a genuine friend and neighbor. Participants will discover (or rediscover) the value of kindness among neighbors, and of having a small circle of people you can count on and who can count on you…no matter what.
*Fun with science and a few illusions, “The Sneaky Banana Lesson (plus 26 more)” is a character education program for ages 5 to 15. This event is engaging, interactive, and overflows with life lessons young people relate to and that will make them want to be a little better and stand a little taller.
*If you don’t think it’s possible to have fun teaching math, science, verbal skills, ordering, rational thinking, and grammar, social skills, and team building, think again! “The Medium-Sized Book of Scavenger Hunts” event gets kids up and about, inside and out, talking and listening, and learning on the sly. This event is fun for classrooms, parties, family events, social gathers, team building, and lots more.
Fees for events vary. For more information, questions, or to book an event, CONTACT ME at dnoblewrites@yahoo.com, on Linkedin (Darla Noble), or on Facebook (Darla Noble).
Where can you find me?
My books are available worldwide via Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or directly from me when you email me at dnoblewrites@yahoo.com. You can also request any title from your favorite brick and mortar bookstore or order on my Square Store