My name is Yetta Barnett-Miller. I am a PK and a PW but most importantly a child of the King! I enjoy being a PK (pastor’s kid), PW (pastor’s wife) and I love serving my Lord! Because of growing up in a pastor’s home, I accepted the Lord as my Savior at young age. I am married to Brent, an assistant pastor. We have been serving the Lord together for almost 12 years. One of my hobbies that I have created into a small business is called Graceful Designs. I greatly enjoy using my talents of decorating, organization, and creativity to help others have beautiful events (wedding, reception, bridal/baby shower, party, etc.).
I want to share some thoughts about God’s grace. When I think of the word grace, I think of two things: it is my name and it is what God has shown me. My parents named me Grace. I like to think that it was not just because they liked the name or that it flowed well with my first name, but that perhaps it was a word that was special to them since they both had experienced God’s saving grace. God’s grace is the unmerited favor He has shown us. We don’t deserve God’s love, grace, or even compassion, but because of those things we can have eternal life thru Him. Let’s use this acrostic to help us remember what grace can mean to us. G – Gift from God, R – Repentance of sin, A – Accept His free gift of salvation, C – Commit to living a life that is according to God and His Word, and E – Eternal life with a Heavenly Father.
Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” We deserve death for our sin. Our sin has separated us from God. But halleluiah, we have a Savior who took the punishment for our sin on Himself! Two important, convicting verses are Romans 3:23 and Acts 2:38. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Acts 2:38 tells us, “…Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” We are all born as sinners because “…as by one man sin entered in to the world…” (Romans 5:12). We need to see that we are sinners that need a Savior! We need to repent of our sin, submit to God’s will for our lives, and live for Him. When we accept, repent, and submit to our loving God, we then have the Holy Spirit indwelling us to help us grow in Christ and to have conviction of sin. One thing we sometimes forget, when we repent of our sins, is that we need to turn from those sins. Repentance is not just asking forgiveness but is also turning from them.
As a child of God, we need to follow God’s will for our lives. In college, this became real to me as I was searching for what, where, and how to live my life. The Lord showed me through sermons and my own personal devotions, that I needed to be surrendered to His will and not my own. When I finally did this, I had amazing peace from God! Without the Lord, I know I would not be married to the man He had for me, and I would not be serving the Lord with that man. God has been so good to bless my life with godly parents, godly friends, and a godly husband.
One of my favorite verses is John 3:16. It is a common verse to some, but it has great meaning to me. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
God loves you so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to take that punishment for your sin. Oh, what a love that is! Have you accepted this beautiful gift of salvation from our loving Lord?