Imagine growing up in a household where two diametrically different religious beliefs were prevalent. Sister Angel Griffin, our guest for today, did not just imagine it, she lived it. Raised in a mixed-faith home, her spiritual journey was complex, but it ultimately led her to find solace and salvation in Jesus Christ. We delve deep into her fascinating life story, discussing the struggle of reconciling contrasting beliefs and how her parents' positive influence nurtured her towards the path of becoming a teacher and a devoted follower of Christ.
Plan of Salvation:
Scriptures Mentioned:
John 3:16
Deuteronomy 31:6
A Call to Salvation
Social Media/Follow Us:
Website:https://www.calledbygodpodcast.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/cbg.podcast/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CalledbyGodPod
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Imagine growing up in a household where two diametrically different religious beliefs were prevalent. Sister Angel Griffin, our guest for today, did not just imagine it, she lived it. Raised in a mixed-faith home, her spiritual journey was complex, but it ultimately led her to find solace and salvation in Jesus Christ. We delve deep into her fascinating life story, discussing the struggle of reconciling contrasting beliefs and how her parents' positive influence nurtured her towards the path of becoming a teacher and a devoted follower of Christ.
Plan of Salvation:
Scriptures Mentioned:
John 3:16
Deuteronomy 31:6
A Call to Salvation
Social Media/Follow Us:
Website:https://www.calledbygodpodcast.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/cbg.podcast/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CalledbyGodPod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@calledbygodpodcast
And that's something that I didn't want to do either, like waiting till I'm 100% perfect, because you would never be 100% perfect. I just wanted to make sure I was actually ready to follow God, and I knew I was taking a risk because I could have died at any moment. I was taking a risk and I heard that, sunday after Sunday, I heard the plan of salvation and all the steps and everything, but I just wasn't ready yet. It wasn't the time. And I did. I woke up one Sunday and I didn't think, like, oh, it's the day. I did not. I went to worship service and we had a guest minister that day and my mom she was in the military, so she was at work. She had drill that Sunday, and my dad, of course, wasn't there. No, none of my family was there. I had an aunt there, but that was all.
Speaker 2:Welcome to the Call by God podcast with Adne Godin and myself, nixon Sylvain. This show is about dialogues of biblical characters and testimonies of Christians who submitted to the will of God. Each week, we bring on one guest so that they can share their story of how they were called by God. I hope this show inspires you. Enjoy.
Speaker 2:Welcome to the Call by God podcast, a podcast where we share personal stories of faith and discuss Bible teachings on salvation. I'm your host, brother Nick. Well, is this that? Adne is an audience member today, but she's in the crowd, so you will be hearing from her. I'm going to be her voice and we are honored to share these powerful stories with you.
Speaker 2:Today we have a special guest. Yes, I said it, she is a special guest. Slash, she is a family in the body of Christ Sister Angel Griffin. She will be sharing her testimony of how she came to know Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Sister Griffin will discuss how she struggled before finding salvation and how her faith impacted her life since then. But Sister Griffin testimony will remind us that, no matter our past, god's love and grace are available to all who seek Him. It will also serve as a reminder that salvation is not just about getting into heaven, but also about the transformation that occurs in our hearts and lives when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. So join us as we listen to Sister Angel Griffin powerful testimony. Sister Griffin, welcome. Welcome to the Call by God podcast. How are you doing on this blessed day?
Speaker 1:Hello, I'm doing great. Today was a great day. I woke up this morning, got my hair done, went out to eat my mom and just enjoyed the day.
Speaker 2:Amen. How are you doing? I am blessed and Adne if Adne was online, well, she's online, but she can't speak right now. Adne will say she's blessed as well, and I know y'all heard me say this. So I'm going to be Sister Adne boy, so y'all going to have to bear with me. There's times that I'm going to have to pause. So Sister Adne said OK. So she said amen. So we're just so thankful for you for answering the call, and we believe that everybody have a call, everybody have a purpose, but some have difficulties, some have struggles finding their call or even the reasons why God has called them, and they have a hard time finding their purpose or even those that's not in the body of Christ. Sometimes people don't even know why they're here and God is constantly knocking out on their hearts. So we're just so excited to hear your story.
Speaker 1:Thank you for having me on.
Speaker 2:Yes, yes, we are happy to have you. But before, sister Griffin, we get into your story, your testimony, tell our listeners a little bit about yourself.
Speaker 1:OK, so I grew up in Georgia, born and raised, been here forever, and I grew up attending the Church of Christ with my mom. So my dad, he was Baptist, so he always attended the Baptist Church and I attended there sometimes, but mostly I attended the Church of Christ every Sunday with my mom, twice on Sunday and on Wednesday. I'll go to all the events at the church and everything. So I grew up attending the Church of Christ.
Speaker 2:Amen, amen, amen. I like this. So I know this is going to be good because we talk about spiritual, religious conflict. I know this episode is going to be good, so we're just going to go ahead and dive right into the episode. So, sister Griffin, in a nutshell, would you be willing to provide a glimpse into your upbringing and background? I know you talked about your mom and your dad and the whole church upbringing, but we need a little bit more detail. Give us the backdrop and the background of your history.
Speaker 1:OK, so I was born and then I went to church with my mom, like I said before, and I always grew up attending the Church of Christ and being an active member. But I wasn't baptized, I just went to church and everybody was like, oh well, you're such a good girl, I thought you were already a member, but no, I just went there and I just behaved, I guess, in a good way, according to them. So I just went there and I participated. I used to teach Sunday school, just helped out around my congregation and I just enjoyed going to church.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think that is powerful, but we're just going to continue to dig into your story because we want to know more. So, in terms of your upbringing, I know you mentioned that your mother, christian, and your father your dad had a different religion background. How did that impact your knowledge as it relates to the truth or Jesus Christ, or even your relationship with Jesus Christ? Did you view Jesus Christ as being something else? Because I know that God is a God of order, god is a God that he does not confuse us, right, and when we got religious as into play, like how did that confuse you in a sense, or was there any conflict in a household as it relates to this different religious upbringing?
Speaker 1:Yes, that was hard because I'm a big family person, I love family. So I always wanted my family to have a Bible study. And it was hard because we would try to plan a Bible study and even though both of my parents were spiritual, they had their separate beliefs. So it would always turn out to be some type of argument or disagreement and I didn't like it. But I always still tried to say, can we please just have a Bible study? Because I was always that person and I still am.
Speaker 1:I'm a big family person. So, like I said before, I grew up attending church with my mom and then would go with my dad at times. But it was hard because you would see, we would wake up Sunday. You would see one parent doing this, the other parent doing that and it's hard when you don't have the same foundation on your beliefs. It's hard and it's hard on the kids. Well, on me. It was hard on me because I'm like you know what? I know I have to make my own decision, but I just kind of want us to be together and I'm the youngest of the three of us, but I always wanted us to be together and just be a family and I felt like with the different beliefs, it was hard in that way to do that.
Speaker 2:But let's talk about your siblings just to a brief moment. How did it impact all three of you guys collectively?
Speaker 1:You know what? I'm not too sure how it impacted my siblings. I know that they also want to church with my mom too. The three of us will always go mostly with my mom, but I was always the one to try to get us together to have some type of Bible study or just something together. But I don't know. They didn't really show or tell me too much about how it impacted them, but I know it impacted me. I was like, oh wow.
Speaker 2:No, I brought that up because my mom had eight children and my mom side of the family was Catholic and we had the other side of the family that was Baptist. And now that I'm older now and I'm wiser, most of my brothers don't believe what I believe in. Everybody had their own sets of beliefs and sometimes I'm like, wow, it's crazy, we all were raised in the same household but we all came out different, because that's kind of like how I was brought. It was like confusion in a household. Yeah, so, and it's crazy. You said that because I'm not crazy in a sense, but I was having a conversation with my colleague last night and she would share with me how her parents are married and they got two sets of beliefs. She said it doesn't work. So it's kind of like it's crazy that I was having this conversation just last night and here you are saying the same thing. So the saying is true.
Speaker 2:So somebody out there is going to be listening to this. They'll be like, oh, wow, I don't want to hook up with somebody that's going to confuse my relationship with God. So you mentioned that. So I'm sure you're your mom and you're well, actually you was going to worship with your mom. You was working in the church. So how did that come about? Because you're not even saved yet, you're just pretty much working. Did that even click for you? Or you just like a happily bubbly person, just I like, look, I just want to do all that I can, I just want to just have my hands on things for the lowest kingdom. Did that even click, yet that you wasn't saved yet? Or you just was like going based on what was talked from home.
Speaker 1:It did click it click that I wasn't actually baptized yet and saved. But I grew up seeing my parents, even though they were Separated in that way as far as their beliefs. I grew up seeing them reading their Bible, quoting scriptures. Just I had that positive example at home. And then for me, attending worship service every Sunday and then Bible study on Wednesday, sunday school I always saw positive examples and as a young child I'm a teacher now and I always want to be a teacher as a young child. So just teaching Sunday school and working with the kids, it just felt right along with what I'd like to do.
Speaker 2:Amen. And you know, I like what you said Because you know Paris need to need to hear that your parents, although they have different set of beliefs, yes, but they set that standard, that example they, they like you said they was working there was. There was that example to you and also to your siblings. And Because parents could impact their children based on behavior, because the always say this the closest thing that a child Because he got is really through our parents, you know, especially if they have the fruits thereup. You're like man, my mom is always kind, my mom is always generous, my dad is always helping people, always praying for people. So that's the closest thing, at least a little close, that we could even see God.
Speaker 2:Because as children, when we're young, we don't know, we don't know God, until when you start delving to your word yourself. Then you start to be like, okay, I need to find my own faith. I can't hold on to my own parents faith. I need to find my own relationship with God. So we're just gonna do a go-ahead and this is a good segue for the next question, because I want to know how did you come to know Jesus is your Lord and Savior and it's a two-part question. And how long did it take you to say yes to the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Speaker 1:I felt like just my upbringing helped me to come to know Jesus Christ. Just, you know, seeing my parents and attending the worship services and it took me 20 years.
Speaker 1:I didn't give baptized until I was 20 because I wanted to make sure I was ready. I knew how serious the decision was and I knew things that I needed to turn away from or don't get myself involved in. Even though you're not perfect no one is perfect but I still knew how serious that decision was and that you know I want to be ready, like I. This is something that I wanted to be ready for. So I waited 20 years, attendant worship service and went to church and did all that and I wasn't baptized and I waited until I was 20. I felt like that was the right time for me and I need to go ahead and get that done.
Speaker 1:I Wanted to wait until I was ready for and not get pressured by other people, because I did have other, even members of the church. They will come. Mostly members of the church will come and pressure me and say what you're waiting on? You know you need to get baptized. Tomorrow is not promised and they'll try to scare you and use their little pressure texts. But I want to wait until I was ready to make that decision Because I know, and I knew back then, how serious of a decision that is, to follow God. I mean it's like the best decision you can do, but I know it's a serious one.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I like that, sister Griffin, and I like how you brought up that. Yeah, there are some people that will try to force you Into the quote-unquote water, right. But I want you to kind of like walk us back To the you know when you got saved. Because I like to, I like to make people to remember that day, because you know, when you come in the covenant Relationship with Jesus through the water, your baptism, when you hear, you believe, you repent, you confess and you get baptized. I want you to go back to that moment with us. Like, cuz I know there's been you, you got saved when you was 20.
Speaker 2:So there was a you know you, you was brought up in a household with parents that knew the word and like you said, you wanted to wait till you get ready, cuz I. There might be someone that's young saying like, look, I'm not ready, I'm not ready. How would one know when they're ready? Like what was some of the convictions that you got along the way, or even the studies, or even the studies, or even the highlights of Jesus by we're reading the word, or even some kind of experience. Could you walk us back through that process, because people just don't wake up. You like. Oh I got, I'm gonna get baptized that yes, today is the day.
Speaker 2:Yes, that cuz when I talk to people they be like oh, I gotta wait to get 100% to give my life to the Lord. So I want you to walk us back and take us through that process when you submit it to God.
Speaker 1:And that's something that you know. I didn't want to do either, like wait until I'm 100% Perfect, because you would never be 100% perfect. I just wanted to make sure I was actually ready to follow God and I knew I was taking a risk because I could have died at any moment. I was taking a risk and I heard that Sunday after Sunday, you know, I heard the plan of salvation and all the steps and everything, but I just wasn't ready yet. It wasn't the time. And I did. I woke up one Sunday and I didn't think like, oh, it's the day. I did not.
Speaker 1:I went to worship service and we had a guest minister that day and my mom she was in the military, so she was at work, she had drill that Sunday and my dad, of course, wasn't there. No, none of my family was there. I had an aunt there, but that was all, and I was sitting through worship service and I couldn't even focus on worship service because I just felt like it was the time for me to go ahead and Get baptized. So I ended up getting up before worship service was over and talking to one of the other brothers in Christ, because we were really close back then and I told them you know, I feel like I want to get baptized, but I don't want to mess my hair up, so I use that as an excuse because I have natural hair and I know if it get wet it's gonna be an afro.
Speaker 1:And he was like well, you won't mess up your hair because they have a shower cap that you can put on. And I said what a shower cap. Sometimes the water goes underneath the shower cap. I was making excuses even at that point, knowing that you know I want to do this, but I still have excuses as to why I don't want to do this today. But I went on head and I did it and Once I was done, my hair was not messed up and I felt like that was the best decision that I could have ever made. Now, the next day, the devil was powerful. I felt like you know what I was going back and forth like did I make the right decision? Did I not make the right decision? And I had a lot going on.
Speaker 2:I want you to elaborate more on that. Like what? Because this, okay, this is a, this is a real thing. Right, when people get baptized, people don't understand that the devil is upset the minute you hear, you believe, you repent, you confess and you are baptized. Because people, I think if you read your Bible, you start to read when Jesus Christ got tried in the wilderness. You know how the devil came at him. The same thing that happened to Jesus, it happens to us. The spirit lead us into a wilderness. So take us back to your experience. So you got, I'm sure you, like you said you had doubt, take us back to that. And how did you overcome that?
Speaker 1:What was the doubts I had was just dealing with again my family, because I knew this was a personal decision. But I was like it's my dad, I'm a daddy's girl. I was a daddy's girl, he passed away, but I was like it's my my dad gonna be upset with me because I got. I decided to go ahead and do this and my mom, she was at work I know this is a decision that she wanted to be there for. She wasn't able to see it.
Speaker 1:I just had like different thoughts in my head and I was in college back then and I was sitting in the car I started crying. I didn't know why I was crying. It was just like the devil just attacked me about nothing. Really, now that I look back, it was nothing To worry about because I just feel like I made the right decision. No one was upset with me. My mom, she was still happy that, even though she wasn't there, I did it. And now I realize you know I'm 32 now that I've made the best decision. So the devil was busy, like he was telling me all kinds of things that had made no sense. Now back then I was a little bit like all over the place, but now it was crazy.
Speaker 2:Yeah, now that I look back and I thank you for sharing that and the reason why I posed that question. Because there was a season in my life when I doubted, because when I got baptized that night, that evening I went home just excited, you know you like the Phillip, the, the unit, the Phillip Phillip, what Phillip minister to the unit, and he was just excited with so much joy. So I went home that evening. I went home to my parents I said guess what it was like, what I said, I gave my life to Jesus Christ and it was like no, no, no, no, no, no, you got to take a class, you're doing it wrong, blah, blah, blah. So then that stuff started made me like think about this stuff, like wait a minute, make the right decision.
Speaker 2:So that's why I asked you, because I see we had similar experiences and I'm sure we're not gonna be the only One. We will not be the first and we will not be the last. So that's why I thank you again for sharing that. But I want to go on to the next question, because I know we live in a Real world. We live in a real world and then our beliefs get shaken up. But you know we just have our ups and downs as Christians. So are there any specific Bible verses or teachings or Christian figures that have played a crucial role in Shaping your beliefs?
Speaker 1:I'll have to say John 3 16. Of course. You know God loved us so much and he still loves us now that he gave his son. So that's one thing that you know. That's like one of the biggest things for me, just knowing that he loved us so much that he gave a son for us and also Do the Ronomy 31 6 about he's always with us, like he goes with us. So long as we trust God and obey him, we'll be okay, like just having that peace of knowing that. You know, I even know, no matter what you're going through in life, just knowing that you can always trust and obey God and he's there with you. You may not realize it, but he always. He's always there and everything that I have going on my life that I had in the past, it worked itself out. God always worked. It worked it out.
Speaker 2:Hey man. So you know that was do the Ronomy 31 6 6, 31, 6.
Speaker 2:So you know, I'm gonna ask you about John 3 and do the Ronomy 31, because you said, I know you talked a little bit about how I shaped your belief. So how did you come to know about John 3, 16? And what it meant for you at that time? Does it then? It means now, because the world people that you know don't are our un-church. There are un-churched people that out there that know John 16. They, they know John God's a lot of the world, but until when they're saved, it has a different meaning Because you can easily read something like John 3 saying so walk us back then, until what it means?
Speaker 2:now let's go back there.
Speaker 1:Well, when I first knew John 3, 3, 16 I wasn't baptized at the time, so it kind of meant like, okay, he loved us so much, he gave us his son. Okay, it was kind of like okay, he did a good thing. But now I feel like you know, I have everlasting life. You know, just if I live for him, like try my best to live for him and do what's right, he's there for us. You know he, he's it like he. He loved us so much, he wants us to follow him and we will have eternal life. Like he has a prize for us. Like this is only temporary, so, no matter what we go through here, we'll be okay because yeah and and again.
Speaker 2:Thank you for sharing that. How about Deuteronomy 31 6? What did what did it mean, and how did you even come about getting to know the scripture? That was something's going on in your world.
Speaker 1:Like something's always. It seems like something's always going on.
Speaker 2:No, because no, because God always give us a rainbow word in the time, like I have always have issues in my Christian walk, and then God has a way, a very unique way, of sending his word to me to encourage me. So when we have certain scriptures that's in our heart, that's near and dear to our hearts, that shape our beliefs, it's probably either something you was going through or maybe it was something, it was a word that God has given you to give to somebody else. So that's why I'm trying to get you, I'm trying to, I'm trying to understand yes, know what's going on.
Speaker 1:I mean that scripture after, like you know, no matter what I'm going through in life, god is with us, like he won't leave our side. He, we have him to lean on in certain situations. And I know my dad, when he was diagnosed with dementia, like I was devastated and torn, I was torn apart. But now I know that you know he guy was because of God that I made it through all of that, like seeing him Working hard and then dropping down to not even being able to talk or walk, like that was tough. That was one that was like the hardest thing I've ever dealt with, just seeing how, you know, he was hard working and Just going down, like and I just had to realize, you know, god is in control and I had a lot of emotional days, a lot of emotional days with that. But I just had, you know, know that God, if he's, he got it, he has it, he has it on the control, he goes with us, no matter what we're going through, he's there.
Speaker 2:Amen, amen. And I thank you for sharing that, and this is why I'm trying to make it more relatable to people out there, because it might probably be an unsure person that's listening to your episode and in that John 316. They probably may look at it in a different light now. So for me, when I was in the world, I used to see John 316. Yeah, I'd be like, yeah, yeah, okay, god, okay, you gave his only son. But when I got saved, I Began to think about when he started to carry the cross, when he started to get whipped, when he started to get spit on. So I started to think about All everything that he went through, all the way to cabri, all the way to death. I said, wow, that was supposed to be me. So I made it personal.
Speaker 2:So now John 316 have a different meaning for me. Now I don't just look at it like God, so leather wear that he gave. So God gave his son for all of humanity. And and that's what I want people to realize that it's not just John 316 and that's why I wanted you to go back to what it means to you now. But you did a great job and even what you covered in Deuteronomy 31, verse 6, god has a way of giving us a word, and thank you again for sharing that, because when it comes to losing loved ones, or sickness, or a loss of a job or any Calamity or any type of crazy mess that we endure on a day-to-day basis or week-to-week or yearly basis, god has a way of giving us a word. So I don't know who this word might be for that's listening to this episode right now, but I'm sure this Deuteronomy 30 or 31, 6 will probably touch them in a way that has never touched them before. So, again, we thank you again for sharing that. So I know.
Speaker 2:So so you know I got to ask you this question. This is the question that adi would ask. But since look at me is on, she's shaking her head. She's in our audience, y'all, so she is not like she's not here. So adi is here. I can see her y'all, can you? You guys can't see, but I can see her. But adi would ask you how do you maintain your faith in Jesus in time of uncertainty or challenge?
Speaker 1:Okay, well, I'll go back to recently, last year. You know, I'm a teacher and I love my job, I love what I do, but at the time I had to step down and be an assistant teacher because I felt I had some things going on and I Felt stressed and overwhelmed so I took a pay cut. I took a pay cut and I was, you know, thinking like, oh, how am I gonna be able to afford everything and is everything gonna work itself out? But it did. And that's when I go back to those scriptures like God is with us, he and a lot more scriptures in the Bible as well that I can go to. But God worked it all out. I was able to fill, afford my bills and and just my life, even after taking that pay cut, and I felt like taking the pay cut was I was at peace with it. I felt like it was the right decision because I was at peace with it. So I was doing good for a few months and then, after that, a drunk driver caused me to get into an accident. So the car that I had, that was paid for, that my dad got for me, he, it was paid for, it was total and I was like, wow, you know, I took the pay cut and I was able to do everything.
Speaker 1:But then now I got into this car accident because the drug driver Ran into the car behind me, causing that car to run into my car, and my car was still totaled, even though it was. He didn't hit me directly. So now I went from having no car note to a car note. Now I had to get a new car and of course, my insurance went up as well. But I look back at everything and that was back in April I'm still able to afford everything, even with the pay cut. God is still working everything out. He still worked it out. I still have enough money to afford everything. So I feel like you know, just situation after situation, it worked itself out, even with what I went through with my dad. Now I can look back and just realize you know, it was a hard time for me, very emotional moment for me. I had a lot of emotional times, but everything worked itself out.
Speaker 2:Wow, yeah, thank you again for sharing your experience about your accident, even in your job, your workplace. But so when you, when you go through these storms I call them like storms, you know, sometimes we have these many storms, we have these big storms Do you have like a collective group of sisters that you come together with to pray, or do you have like devotion, like how do you I know you, you talked about you know the word of God kind of like directs you and you can see God's favor when you have your storms. But how about other sisters in Christ? Like, how do you do you when you go through stuff, do you call sisters, hey, pray for me. Like could you walk us through that because I want to help somebody that might be going through some like, say, am I probably somebody that's going through that went through a car accident right now?
Speaker 2:I'll know what to do. Forget God. I want to pray them. I want to go to church. So I don't even want to talk to nobody, I only want no prayer. I Want you to talk about your situation. Like how do you handle that? When you went through your situation, did you call these sisters? Pray, like welcome to that.
Speaker 1:I did. I do have a few sisters who I can call on and just, you know, send up Text message or call them and say you know, can you please pray for me? I have this going on in my life and I also have a really good friend from high school that I've known and I can easily Just send her a text message. You know, pray for me, I'm not having a good day. I have this going on in my life. So that is something I do and I also try to stay like connected throughout the week.
Speaker 1:So I know worship services on Sundays, but throughout the week I try to stay connected with some type of Bible study or Some type of something, even if it's just a music on my way to work, because I love music, so listening to gospel songs, taking a walk around the park, just something to try to get my mind, just to stay right and focus. But I do have people that I can call and text at any time and even if it's like two in the morning, two or three in the morning, I can call and they're here for me and I'm also that person to them as well. So we kind of go back and forth with it when needed.
Speaker 2:Amen, and I like it. Beautiful answer. Because the thing is, sister Griffin, I want people to understand that they're not alone. You know, in life, in this life, you're gonna have uncertainty, you will have challenges, but I want people to know, like if you, when you, whenever you encounter those type of situations, this is not a time to run, this is not a time to just drop everything, be like, forget about God. So that's why I wanted you to talk about sometimes it's good to have a Jonathan on your side. So when you're going through a storm and people, if they don't read the Bible, john is Jonathan was, that was David, king David's best friend, that was King David's best friend.
Speaker 2:So sometimes it's good to have somebody right there by your side that you could text, pray for me or even just talk. You know, just a word of encouragement, even, like you said, those Bible studies, that even the worship music, though, all those things play a role in Having us to overcome those difficult moments. So that's why I thank you so much for sharing that, because oftentimes, you know, when I talk to most people, some people get it, but some people don't, and the people that don't, they just like forget God. I ain't praying no more. I ain't reading the word, I'm not doing anything. So thank you again for sharing that, because I always say this our Christian walkers like a zigzag you gonna have your eyes, you gonna have your nose, you just gotta be like just keep on worship period.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, so, okay. So we're moving along. This is, this is good. I'm look, look y'all. I didn't say it before, but this is like a fellowship hall. On this, this, your testimony is so encouraging to me, even, by the way, to the way you obey the gospel. You was married to Jesus before you got, before you got your mom. Your friend I had, cuz he did the same thing. I didn't say that before.
Speaker 2:There was a friend of mine, he was, he wasn't even in the church, he was serving. He was talking about Jesus, bragging about Jesus and and and it was like hey, man, dude, like Nick, we gotta show you the way. Who was that? That was Apollos. Apollos was writing the scriptures, he knew the word and then they had to show him a better way, because I think he was preaching the gospel of John about repentance. And they asked nah, we know you might in the word, but we got to show you a better way. And there are people like that that just love the Lord. They love the Lord and when you show them a better way, they just continue that passion. That's just an added bonus. So that's what you shared, that where you was working in the church, working in the church. That remind me of a friend that did the same thing.
Speaker 2:He was working in the church and they were like hey, man, we need to show you the way, we need to show you the way, but I think that was powerful. But let me share this. So this is a two-part question. You could pick one or two. Adne would ask you this question. Adne, I know I got to give you a shout out to Adne, although you can't say nothing right now, but I got to let folks know that my sister is in the house. So how do you find balance between being in this world and not being in the world? And the second part question is will Satan go to God and ask to try you Now this is the Job situation or will he have access to try you?
Speaker 1:So the first part of this question I feel like I have to live up and be true to myself about my standards and values, because I know there's a lot that's going on in the world.
Speaker 1:But I have to live up to what I believe and do what I feel I should do in life and just stay away from certain situations. So if I know that I don't want to do just any old thing, then why would I put myself in that situation to do just any old thing? So I have to be true to myself and also be true to God and even though no one is perfect, again I still try to do the best I can do and just try to stay true if I can and not put myself in situations to where I'm going in the worldly direction. And also the second part of the question I don't want Satan to go just to me. I want him to go through God. I want to be focused, so focused on God that it's just hard for him to just get to me and test me, which I know we're always tested on something. But I just want to try to stay focused as much as I can.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I enjoy that answer because people got to understand and this is something that's not often talked about that we are in this world but at the same time, this world does not belong to us. There's these prints of powers, these rulers, these unseen world that is not often talked about. We know that Satan, he's like a roaring lion, going to and fro seeking who he may devour, and I want people to understand that when we're walking on this earth, it's really a spiritual mission. We're just flesh, we're just a shell of an in ourselves, we're just a container, but the real us is the spiritual side of us. That's the real us and that's what the enemy is. It's he after, he's after our faith and he's after our soul, because his desire is to pull us away from God. So I like how you said that like hey, I just want to be able to focus on God and because, like you said, it's a lot of distractions, it's a lot of tools.
Speaker 2:A lot of tools A lot of tools and weapons that the enemy is using to pull the children of God away from from Jesus. So I like that.
Speaker 1:And he calls you to doubt yourself as well.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah.
Speaker 1:Like doubt if I'm doing the right thing.
Speaker 2:Yeah, absolutely. But but we know that there's no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus, and I think that God rules. God word overpowers the thoughts or the doubts of the enemy, and that's one thing that I have to realize because, yeah, the enemy, he is so cunning boy, he will make you doubt.
Speaker 1:And that's so true.
Speaker 2:And that doubt, yeah, when you doubt, that's that's, that's not faith, that's the opposite of faith. It's like say okay, god, I believe in you. Didn't doubt come, didn't God? Because in order for a person to go to God, they got to believe that is so true they got to believe.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you can't go to God. A person can't go to God in doubt. So when the enemy has put in doubt in my heart, god ain't hear me, because I done doubt it, like God can't do it. Then when I step out on faith, god, I know you can do it.
Speaker 2:Your words, this is that God said look at that, that's my child right there. That's my child, yeah. So again, thank you again for sharing that. But you know, we know we are all on a mission. This is a spiritual mission, as I alluded to. So you know we're here temporarily. You know, man, you know back in the day folks used to live 900 years, 800 years, 700 years. Yeah, that's Bible. Yeah, you just got to go back and read Genesis, that's Bible. But you know, our life expectancy has dwindled. We don't live that long. But God told Jeremiah he knew him before he was formed in his mother's womb. So that tells me that God knew us. God knew his people, his children, before they even stepped foot on this earth. So when we're in the body of Christ, automatically we should think that we're on a mission. When John, john the baptizer, we're baptizing, he was already on a mission. You know his mother, elizabeth, was there praying with him. He was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Speaker 1:He was just ready to do work. He was ready to do the.
Speaker 2:Lord's work, same thing as Jesus when he came here. He came here for earthly mission, for spiritual purpose. So my question to you is like when your assignment is complete on earth, what do you want to be remembered for? Now we're talking about spiritually, not all the accolades although that's good. It's good if you go to school, get your college degree, you have multi-millions or even billions. It's okay. But I'm talking about, spiritually. What do you want to be remembered for?
Speaker 1:You know, I love how you said that, because I was talking to one of my friends just last night about this and I said that you know, we're just here temporarily, just temporarily. This is not our home to stay. And why would you put yourself in situations to where, if you don't have to, that you're overwhelmed, that you're stressed out, that you're tired, that you can't even focus on God, that you're in worship service but your body's there but your mind is somewhere else, like why would you put yourself in those type of situations and I had to when I quit my job at the time, I had to, you know, think about that as well Like I'm not even doing my best for God right now. I can't even get my best because I am so overwhelmed. So I want people to remember me as just being a positive example and just leading them to Christ, like doing what I can to lead them to Christ.
Speaker 1:And if you're in situations to where you're not at peace and you don't have to be in those situations why do that to yourself? Because now that I stepped down to being an assistant teacher, I actually love my position. Right now I have less money, but I am happy I'm at peace. I'm able to attend all the Bible studies, I'm able to go to worship service and focus. I felt like you know, giving that up to just live for God was the best, one of the best decisions right now that I could have done. And when I die, I just want people to know me as just being humble and showing them the direction to lead them to Christ.
Speaker 2:That's a mic drop right there. See, if Adne was online oh, adne's online she would have been saying hallelujah.
Speaker 1:Go ahead, girl.
Speaker 2:Go ahead, girl. I got your voice right now, but that was well said.
Speaker 2:Well said, like I'm sure it's. Let me tell you something. Someone out there is going to hear this thing. I'll be like wow, I felt that that touched me. And this is what the Call by God podcast is about. It's about highlighting and capturing the moments that God has called you and why he called you, and even when he's preparing you to go back home. And then, because it's not for us to take this whole salvation stuff and keep it to ourselves Like I'm saved, I'm covered. You know what I mean. I'm bulletproof, I'm not going to hell, I'm hellproof. God is like what did you do? Did you reach out and touch somebody? I know, did you? Yeah, so I like how you playly put it out there, that, look, that's what it's about.
Speaker 1:And it's not enough just to sit in church or worship service. You have to do a lot more. There's more to it. You have to speak to people, you have to live that example. Even though you're not perfect, you still have to try to.
Speaker 2:Hey man, hey man, I like that. You're passionate about the word. I can tell what, addy. I like that passion in you. Thank you, I like that. You know, oftentimes I don't see that all the time, but I like it. But all right world. So I think that's it, sister Griffin. That's it. I don't have no more questions for you. I really enjoy your presence.
Speaker 2:And Addy just shaking her head Addy, addy, hold up. Addy probably hold up. Oh wait, wait, wait, wait. Addy sent me some Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute. Y'all, y'all be patient with me because I don't want to hear Addy voice. You're going to be like Nick.
Speaker 2:I had a question. You just kind of like just went over it. So Addy, put the pay cut was your elevation. I know what you said about that. You know what.
Speaker 2:Let me talk about what Addy just said. I'm going to tell you how powerful what Addy just said. Addy just said that see to man, pay, pay. That's the worldly. You cannot serve God in mammon. You can't serve God in money, although we do need finances to maintain our normal living situation, but we know that God would provide the world.
Speaker 2:Always tell us get more and more and more Greed. The flesh is never satisfied. Money, money, money. But the more you get, the less spiritual you become. That's a fact, the more you get. Now there are certain people that God would give it to. Those are the people that could handle it, because sometimes God would never put on you more you can bear. Because we know that Abraham was a wealthy man. Abraham was a rich man, solomon, david, they had wealth. But there's some people that God won't give it to Because he said if I give it to this child right here, they're going to be like a prodigal son. They're going to say dad, give me all my hair and hairs, let me go out there and just blow it up. So you got a pay cut and you grew spiritually. That's the elevation. That's a spiritual elevation.
Speaker 1:I had to realize that for me, no amount of money can give me my peace of mind, my health, my happiness. Those are things you can't pay for. And I felt like I was missing out on Christ, just missing out on different things, because mentally I wasn't there. I would be up until two or three o'clock in the morning just doing stuff for work or for other things, and when I'm in worship service my mind is somewhere else, my mind is on sleeping when I'm going to eat, just not there. So yes, I am doing a lot better now.
Speaker 2:Wow, yeah, I like that, I like that. So, addy, look, I don't want to hurry up and cut this episode off. Do you have any more questions? Because you know what I'm going to say. Okay, y'all. Addy is shaking his head. She's like no more questions and hopefully we get this technical situation resolved.
Speaker 2:We do apologize and, like I said, people don't even understand how difficult it is to produce a podcast, but we just thank God for His grace and His mercy, because we're still going to do whatever, we're going to stumble, we're going to make mistakes, and we just thank all you guys for all your support. But it's really the message that's being said Y'all heard. It's just an angel griffin testimony and I love hearing testimonies. I love hearing stories how people came to Christ, because it is a beautiful thing, it's a covenant, it's a relationship with God and it's like we're becoming married to Christ. The final bride is where he returned, but we are becoming. We're in a covenant relationship with Him. So this is why I really, truly enjoy it when people come to the body of Christ. Against this angel griffin, we love your presence, we love your testimony and we hope to hear and see how God is about to do almighty work with you.
Speaker 1:Thank you so much for having me on. Thank you all.
Speaker 2:Amen, amen, all right world. So that's it. Y'all heard it. Y'all heard it. Y'all heard it. It's the angel griffin testimony. Remember that Jesus Christ, he's the King of kings and he's the Lord of lords. That's it for now, but before we go, please continue to listen, subscribe, share our podcast. Also, if you want to support our show, please scroll down to the bottom of the show notes and click on the link that says Buy Me a Coffee. We were greatly appreciated. Thank you for listening and remember God is good all the time, and all the time God is good, and also Jesus Christ loves you. Thank you, thank you.