I grew up in a Christian family who attended the assemblies on a regular basis, and were very active in the church as well. I went through years of Sunday school and great Bible teaching and to the eyes of many I was a "good Christian kid." I even got baptized at the age of nine, but there really wasn't a change in my life and I couldn't even remember the night I supposedly got saved. I just "knew" I was. Well, middle school rolled around and I grew out of that innocent little Christian boy and started getting into some trouble. I was a big time follower when I was growing up and I allowed many a bad influence to shape me. I was headed in the wrong direction. Anything and everything that this world could offer was at my fingertips if I was willing to go after it! It was at this time that I felt something tugging at my heart and the battle for my soul began! I felt the Good within me screaming for me to give up my desires for His, but I also felt my sinful nature running away from God in search of pleasure. Would I give me life to Christ or would I reject Him all together? Well, it wasn't long before my sin started to snowball and I began to delve into more of what i knew was wrong. Now, every year, during the summer, I would go to Camp Horizon, a Christian camp in Leesburg, FL and while I was there I began to realize how truly wicked I had become! Brother Malcolm Skelton was giving a message and he began to speak of Hell and what it was like and the fact that each of us deserved to go there. I knew the gospel like the back of my hand, I knew what I needed to do to escape this punishment of my sin, I knew I needed to make a change in my life or else I was going to ruin myself, and I knew that I couldn't fake my Christianity any longer. So when I got back to my cabin that night I took my counselor, Steve Keating, aside and full of tears, as I sat on a stool in the bathroom of cabin 6, I told Steve how I knew what I had to do, but that I just needed him to be with me while I gave my life to Christ! And so I did. With a broken heart and a humble spirit I told God that I was a terrible sinner and that I needed my faults to be forgiven. I told Him I wanted Him to change me and make my desires His desires. And He did!
So, at 12 years old, at Camp Horizon, I gave my heart to Jesus Christ. I believed that He died on cross to pay the penalty for my sin and that it is only by His blood that I am free and forgiven!
Life from then on has not been smooth but I have a Friend and Father who has never left me nor forsaken me!
I am 19 years old and my prayer is that God is molding me into the image of His Son that I might in turn be a light in this dark world! I seek to serve Him with my whole heart and one-day get to see Him use me in a mighty way for His glory and His honor!
Thank you Lord for saving my soul.
Thank you Lord for making me whole.
Thank you Lord for giving to me,
Thy great salvation so rich and free!
A Prayer for a Courageous Soul - Your Daily Prayer - April 26
We have been given a remarkable gift through God and His redemption story. Not only have we received eternal life with our Creator, but we have received courage in Christ that will change the trajectory of our lives and the lives of those around us forever.