15 Memorable Lessons Learned About Following Jesus Through The Years

I will be sharing 15 memorable lessons I learned about following Jesus through the years.

This year makes it 23 years since I took a step of faith and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior.

Although I was born into a Christian home, I didn’t have a personal relationship with God. We were Catholics and attended church regularly. 

Furthermore, I attended baptismal classes early on and was baptized before I got into middle school. And thereafter I attended the preparatory class for communion and when I graduated, started receiving holy communion. 

So with all that, I was quite proud of my faith and religion. And could not understand any message of salvation preached to me as I thought I knew God. That is until God decided to show me mercy.

It’s been 23 years since I gave my life to God through Jesus Christ and I will be sharing 15 lessons I’ve learned in those 23 years. 

My initial plan was to write about 23 lessons I have learned, one for each year of giving my life to Christ. But then I realized it may be too long, so I’ll keep it to 15 things for now.

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1. We’re On the Battlefield and Our Adversary is the devil

In the first year I gave my life to Christ I fought so many battles both in my sleep and in my waking up moments. I shared a little bit about it here.

The battle was real and fierce and it made me to really understand the scripture that says;

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)

There are spiritual forces that don’t want people to receive the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. And they’re after every child of God.

And that was my first memorable lesson learned, as Christians we’re on the battlefield and our adversary is the devil.

2. Faith is Heaven’s Currency – Memorable Lesson Learned

And even though I was afraid in those early years, I quickly learned that faith is heaven’s currency and that through faith we can accomplish anything.

This was my second memorable lesson learned, that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. Matthew 17:20

Additionally, the scripture below became my guide;

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)

3. I Needed to Grow my Faith by Studying God’s Word

The third lesson I learned is that I needed to grow my faith through the constant study of God’s word (the Bible).

Because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17

I learned that in order to fearlessly wage wear against the enemy of my soul, I needed to know the right scriptures to apply to my situation. Here are some of the scriptures that proved helpful in those days and they’re still very helpful now.

4. You Don’t Win a War by Wishful Thinking – Memorable Lesson Learned

The fourth memorable lesson I learned is that you don’t win a war by wishful thinking.

You win a war by taking your weapons and fighting. What is that difficulty you’re facing? Confront it in the name of Jesus.

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 2 Corinthians 10:4 (KJV)

5. God Has Provided Us With An Armor

This leads me to the fifth thing I learned after I gave my life to Christ. I learned that God has provided us with an armor by which we will be able to withstand all the wiles of the enemy. Check out my post on the whole armor of God by clicking on the link. When we put on the whole armor of God, our protection is sure and our victory is guaranteed.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:11-12 (KJV)

6. There is Power in Prayer

Another memorable lesson I learned is that there is power in prayer and those who love it will harness the power therein. I don’t mean the long prayer with repetition that Jesus spoke against, I mean the prayer backed by faith in knowing that God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

⁷ But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Matthew 6:7 (KJV)

I never cease to be amazed at what prayer can do, prayer changes things. It can change our attitude, our situation and our thinking amongst others.

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7. God Inhabits the Praises of His People

The number 7 lesson I learned in 23 years of giving my life to God is that God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalms 22:3). I have seen God move when I have dedicated time to simply praise and dance before Him. Since the day I got a perfect understanding of what it means to praise God, I have made praising Him a priority.

To further understand it, let’s recall the story of Paul and Silas, they were thrown into prison for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

²⁵ And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. ²⁶ And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. Acts 16:25-26

But at midnight when they prayed and sang praises to God, their chains were broken and the prison doors were opened.

8. Humility is Required If We Must Be Teachable

You must be teachable because nobody knows it all. This is the 8th memorable lesson I learned in 23 years of giving my life to Jesus Christ. Humility is required in order to be teachable, the day we ever get to a point of not being able to learn, then our growth will take a downward turn. One of the things my pastor told me in those early days was that a young lion can be killed by an old goat. That was when I was so enthusiastic to confront those that were clearly not following the way of God. But he warned me and I listened thereby preserving my life. 

The apostle put it succinctly when he wrote;

​¹ I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, ² but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. Galatians 4:1-2 (ESV)

So we see that although the heir is the owner of everything, he still has to be teachable to attain full sonship.

9. I am Not Perfect

That I am in Christ doesn’t mean I am perfect, I can still make mistakes and I can still be angry. I learned that giving my life to Jesus means that my life is now in God’s hands and I am work in progress. Therefore rejoice not over me my enemies for when I fall I shall rise again (Micah 7:8).

Therefore, be patient with me, the Lord is working on me and when He is done, I shall come forth as gold.

10. The Church is Filled With All Kinds of People

In this same vein, I also discovered that the church is full of all kinds of people that are work in progress. Therefore, I cannot be too angry, bitter or disappointed at their behaviour or misdemeanors. My standard should not be the church members but Jesus Christ Himself because He’s the author and finisher of my faith (Hebrews 12:2).

And this means the spiritual state of a pastor or church member should not determine my own spiritual state. I must seek and follow God through Jesus Christ for myself.

11. Not Everyone in Church is Heaven Bound – Memorable Lesson

Jesus has said not all those that call Him Lord will enter the kingdom of God.

²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7:21 *ESV)

This clearly shows that not everyone in church is heaven bound, there are false prophets who have crept into the church. And therefore we must test all spirits and hold fast to only that which is true. 

¹⁵ “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Matthew 7:15 

Some people are in church for the wrong reason, I’ve heard a case of a muslim brother becoming fervent in the church in order to marry a godly wife. 

Only to reveal his true identity after marriage.

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12. That I am a Believer Doesn’t Mean God Answers All my Prayers

That I am a believer doesn’t mean God answers all my prayers, there are times I’ve had my prayers unanswered. But it doesn’t mean that God is unjust or unfair, He answers prayers that are in line with His will for my life. And that are in sync with His timing for my life. I have learned that God is Sovereign and cannot be questioned, yet He remains fair.

13. God is too faithful to fail – Memorable Lesson Learned

In these 23 years of giving my life to Jesus Christ, I have learned that God is too faithful to fail. And He is a covenant keeper. Throughout the years, God has been faithful to me and kept His many covenants and promises.

This reminds me of a situation that happened during my college days. I had gone for fellowship that Saturday and didn’t return to my apartment until evening time. As soon as I returned, neighbors gave me news of how my father had visited and waited many hours for me. Anyone with African parents would know that this meant trouble for me. As I made my way to the bus stop more than 4 hours after my dad had purportedly left my apartment, I prayed. My prayer was straightforward, God let it be that he has not left.

The sweet Holy Spirit reminded me of the scripture in Isaiah 65:24.

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65:24 (KJV).

I prayed with the above scripture and the most wonderful thing happened as I saw my dad right at the bus stop. He had gone visiting friends and was just about to leave.

Imagine my joy that day! These and several other instances too numerous to mention have given me confidence that God is too faithful to fail.

14. No Matter How Wretched a Life is, God Can Turn it Around

Another lesson I’ve learned is that no matter how wretched a person’s life is when they come to God, He will turn it around. And because of this, I’ve learned to never give up on people because there’s nobody that God cannot change.

I was once a wretched sinner but after I gave my life to Jesus Christ, He beautified my life. And made me a name and a praise, and I’m no longer forsaken. Hallelujah!

4 No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the Lord will take delight in you, and your land will be married. 5 As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you. Isaiah 62:4 – 5 (KJV)

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15. If Anyone Comes to Him, He will in no Wise Cast Out – Memorable Lesson

The last but not the least lesson I have learned about God is that if any one comes to Him, He will in no wise cast out.

…and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. John 6:37 (KJV)

If you need to give your life to Jesus, say this simple prayer in faith and also read this post on getting perfect peace.

Sinners Prayer

Dear Lord, I come to you today acknowledging that I am a sinner. Please forgive me my sins and cleanse me with the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ.

Write my name in the book of life as I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour.

And give me the power to live above sin, in Jesus name I pray. Amen.

If you sincerely prayed that prayer, I welcome you into God’s family and encourage you to send me an email at thekingsdiadems at gmail dot com so I can add you to my prayer list.