Nicole
Nicole
Hebrews 10:19-24
Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.
Today was a big day for me! God put it on my heart to share these verses and my testimony. I would like to share my experience, strength, and hope with you all. There is room for all of us at the foot of the Cross. God Bless!
My name is Nicole Harrell. I am easily excitable and that has always gotten me into a lot of trouble. I started making choices at an incredibly young age that had negative effects lasting into my adult life. Those choices lead to my drug addiction and various types of sin and bondage. Thankfully, that was not the end, and here is where my story really begins.
In 2015 I got arrested for a string of crimes. This had not been my first encounter with the law, and you might be thinking… whoa... uh, this is how it begins? Yes. I’ll spare you the details, but if you struggle with anger, being physically and emotionally abused, and repeating the cycle, please reach out and get help!
That time I spent locked down in my cell was the time God had chosen to get through to me. He revealed Himself to me, began to open His Word to me, and showed me that He had a plan and a purpose for my life. He revealed to me that He loved me so much that He sent His Son to this earth to die for my sins so that I could receive Him and gain eternal life.
Repeatedly in the Bible, God talks about how much He loves me and that He wants me to ask Him and He will answer. After years of seeking, studying, asking, and learning the hard way at times, I am fully convinced of the Fathers love for me and every living person.
Today is a new way of life for me. It has been five years since I gave my heart to Jesus Christ. I have a new way of thinking and seeing the things that are in this world and where I fit into all of it (Book of Life). I am blessed by the Father and even through the trials, temptations, and my failures, He loves me and is always there to speak life over me. It says in the Word, “He rejoices over us with singing.” I love that!
I want to give a quick shout-out to the Redwood Teen Challenge, Sacramento Valley Teen Challenge, and Home at LAST. You all have been huge in my recovery and have been such a big part of my success today. The encouragement in the Lord that I received from you has changed my life and helped me to believe what the Bible says is true.