Testimonies
SAYING YES TO JESUS: A LIFELONG JOURNEY OF FAITH
Before I came to know Jesus, I was raised in a Christian home with two Christian parents. I often spent time with my father's parents who were also Christian. I had attended church with my parents and understood that Jesus was God's son and He was born in a manger, died on a cross, and rose again. Mostly however I was a typical boy, with little sense of being good, what you did to avoid being punished, or being bad, what you did when you got punished.
During that time, I attended what our church called "Junior Church" run by two patient women while the adults were in the regular church service. One day in junior church when I was around 6 or 7, they talked about why Jesus had come to earth, why He had to die and how important it was that He rose again.
They told me that the Bible says that after God created the world, including man, man sinned, bringing sin into the world and separating us from God. That separation due to sin would become permanent at our death as we would be condemned to hell, a real place of punishment, torment, and separation from God.
At that point, as a child, they had my attention. I knew I didn't want to go to hell and if Jesus was the way to keep out of there I was all in. The women went on to explain that the Bible also says that God wants to be able to have a relationship with us again, but the sin needed paid-for. The punishment for sin is death, so He sent His only Son Jesus to die in our place, satisfying the payment. After He died, He rose again 3 days later conquering death itself. We just need to accept what Jesus already did for us.
I asked God to forgive my sins that day and accepted the gift of His son Jesus to pay for them.
I don't know how much my life changed to those around me, but on that day, God put His hand on me. While I still struggled with sin and temptation, there was always God providing people in my life when I needed them for spiritual reassurance. He also provided checkpoints, for lack of a better word, in my life when He asked: "Are you going to serve me now?"
The most real time that occurred was working a summer job at a graphite electrode plant. I was working with the plant's bricklayers one day and found myself alone in the mortar shed. That day I felt the Holy Spirit on me like never before, saying: "You served me as a child, now will you serve me as an adult?" My answer was, "Yes!".
From that point on, I could sense God directing my path. He made me discontented in my career choice, providing a clear direction for where to turn. He gave me a wife with whom I have shared many life changes and challenges. He removed me out of my stunted spiritual situation and challenged me to see Him anew and to see things like He does. I find the more I obey Him, the more He brings my way.
During that time, I attended what our church called "Junior Church" run by two patient women while the adults were in the regular church service. One day in junior church when I was around 6 or 7, they talked about why Jesus had come to earth, why He had to die and how important it was that He rose again.
They told me that the Bible says that after God created the world, including man, man sinned, bringing sin into the world and separating us from God. That separation due to sin would become permanent at our death as we would be condemned to hell, a real place of punishment, torment, and separation from God.
At that point, as a child, they had my attention. I knew I didn't want to go to hell and if Jesus was the way to keep out of there I was all in. The women went on to explain that the Bible also says that God wants to be able to have a relationship with us again, but the sin needed paid-for. The punishment for sin is death, so He sent His only Son Jesus to die in our place, satisfying the payment. After He died, He rose again 3 days later conquering death itself. We just need to accept what Jesus already did for us.
I asked God to forgive my sins that day and accepted the gift of His son Jesus to pay for them.
I don't know how much my life changed to those around me, but on that day, God put His hand on me. While I still struggled with sin and temptation, there was always God providing people in my life when I needed them for spiritual reassurance. He also provided checkpoints, for lack of a better word, in my life when He asked: "Are you going to serve me now?"
The most real time that occurred was working a summer job at a graphite electrode plant. I was working with the plant's bricklayers one day and found myself alone in the mortar shed. That day I felt the Holy Spirit on me like never before, saying: "You served me as a child, now will you serve me as an adult?" My answer was, "Yes!".
From that point on, I could sense God directing my path. He made me discontented in my career choice, providing a clear direction for where to turn. He gave me a wife with whom I have shared many life changes and challenges. He removed me out of my stunted spiritual situation and challenged me to see Him anew and to see things like He does. I find the more I obey Him, the more He brings my way.
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