........We recently had the joy in our home of having one of my sisters give her heart to the Lord. That very special time was the answer to years of prayer on my part! I know there was much rejoicing in heaven, too, as this verse says: "In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." -Luke 15:10
........During this time I have thought back often to the time when I was born again and gave my life to follow after Jesus. I thought I would share my testimony, and hope that it will be an encouragement and light to all who read it.
........Since I was born into a home where the Bible was read and my parents were Christians, I always thought that automatically made me a Christian too. I also thought I didn't have too much sin in my life that I needed to repent of. It wasn't until 2004 when we came into the context of a church and I witnessed baptisms and heard others giving their testimonies, that I realized that the decision to follow Jesus was for every individual to make for themselves, and I knew I hadn't done that.
........The Lord began working in my heart, little by little opening my eyes to see my sin. In September of 2005, I began reading Scriptures, praying, and asking my parents questions. One conversation I remember well was about counting the cost, see Luke 14:26-33. In December 2005 when my older sister gave her heart to the Lord, He again began facing me with the need to make a decision, as I had "set aside" (or rather forced aside) thoughts of the Lord for the time.
........In the beginning months of 2006, I had many long conversations with Father and I read the last several chapters of each gospel. On March 31, 2006, I came before the Lord, at last seeing myself as He did, and repented of my sinful life. I forsook all that I had known before and asked Him to give me a new heart. Praise the Lord, He did, and now I am a new person! "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." -2 Corinthians 5:17
........The Lord's work is continual for all who seek to follow Him, so I don't point back and say, "I gave my life to Him back then", but instead I desire to walk day by day, surrendering all to Him and daily seeking to be conformed to His image.
........I would ask you, my readers, have you yielded your life to Jesus? Have you let Him take complete control? There was a time before I let Jesus have His way in my life that I said "It will be easier later on. I just want to enjoy my life as it is right now. I can get right with God when I am older." Don't quench the Holy Spirit. Don't say "no" to God any longer. There may never be a tomorrow! Remember, a day is coming when all eyes will see Jesus, and we will no longer have the opportunity to set our hearts right with Him. "Behold, now is the acceptable time, behold, NOW is the day of salvation." -2 Corinthians 6:2
.
........The Lord began working in my heart, little by little opening my eyes to see my sin. In September of 2005, I began reading Scriptures, praying, and asking my parents questions. One conversation I remember well was about counting the cost, see Luke 14:26-33. In December 2005 when my older sister gave her heart to the Lord, He again began facing me with the need to make a decision, as I had "set aside" (or rather forced aside) thoughts of the Lord for the time.
........In the beginning months of 2006, I had many long conversations with Father and I read the last several chapters of each gospel. On March 31, 2006, I came before the Lord, at last seeing myself as He did, and repented of my sinful life. I forsook all that I had known before and asked Him to give me a new heart. Praise the Lord, He did, and now I am a new person! "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." -2 Corinthians 5:17
........The Lord's work is continual for all who seek to follow Him, so I don't point back and say, "I gave my life to Him back then", but instead I desire to walk day by day, surrendering all to Him and daily seeking to be conformed to His image.
........I would ask you, my readers, have you yielded your life to Jesus? Have you let Him take complete control? There was a time before I let Jesus have His way in my life that I said "It will be easier later on. I just want to enjoy my life as it is right now. I can get right with God when I am older." Don't quench the Holy Spirit. Don't say "no" to God any longer. There may never be a tomorrow! Remember, a day is coming when all eyes will see Jesus, and we will no longer have the opportunity to set our hearts right with Him. "Behold, now is the acceptable time, behold, NOW is the day of salvation." -2 Corinthians 6:2
.
