I was saved - born again - on this day, 36 years ago.
It was a Sunday night.
The guest-preacher gave an altar-call, and several people were responding, but I couldn't.
While in the throes of decision, the words came to me, "Do you love Me?"
"Of course I love You, Lord!" I thought. How could I not love Him Who first loved me?
But then I remembered a Bible-verse I'd seen as a child in an illustrated tract:
"If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15).
I realised that if I loved Him, I would become a Christian.
But still I didn't go out. The guest-preacher handed the service over, and took his seat in the congregation.
"Please give me another chance, and I'll go out," I prayed.
Straightaway the guest-preacher stood up, went forward, grabbed the microphone again, and said, " I wouldn't normally do this, but I still feel there's one more person who needs to come. Let's sing that song again, and if that's you - you come".
They sang the song again - but still I didn't go forward.
"Make them sing that song again, and I'll go out," I pleaded with the Lord.
"Let's sing that song again," the preacher said.
Another person went forward, but still I didn't.
"Make them sing that song one more time," I pleaded with the Lord.
"Let's sing that song one more time," the preacher said.
And finally I did it - I went forward.
An elder of our church came to me, and asked what I wanted.
"I want to become a Christian," I said.
He led me in a prayer. I pledged my life to JESUS. My tears flowed.
I felt like a load lifted off my shoulders. All guilt and fear of death were gone. I felt clean - born again!
"This is good - I should have done this ages ago!" I felt.
My father came and gave me a big hug. I remember thinking that dad's hug was somehow symbolic of a hug from our Father in heaven.
It was a balmy Sunday night, between 7:30-7:40pm. After the service our family went for a swim in our relative's pool. As I sat in the water looking at lightening in the distant clouds, I said to my 'aunt' - "I'm not afraid to die anymore."
I knew that if I died that night, I would go straight into the loving arms of JESUS.
How about you?
It's possible to go to church regularly, and yet not have been born again.
"Verily, verily, I say unto thee," Jesus said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).
Being born again is more than just a new resolve (although it includes that) - it's something which only God can do for you - something all men desperately need to happen.
And when He's done it for you, believe me - you know it!
Just ask Him for it today, once and forever - and believe:
"...him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37).
It was a Sunday night.
The guest-preacher gave an altar-call, and several people were responding, but I couldn't.
While in the throes of decision, the words came to me, "Do you love Me?"
"Of course I love You, Lord!" I thought. How could I not love Him Who first loved me?
But then I remembered a Bible-verse I'd seen as a child in an illustrated tract:
"If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15).
I realised that if I loved Him, I would become a Christian.
But still I didn't go out. The guest-preacher handed the service over, and took his seat in the congregation.
"Please give me another chance, and I'll go out," I prayed.
Straightaway the guest-preacher stood up, went forward, grabbed the microphone again, and said, " I wouldn't normally do this, but I still feel there's one more person who needs to come. Let's sing that song again, and if that's you - you come".
They sang the song again - but still I didn't go forward.
"Make them sing that song again, and I'll go out," I pleaded with the Lord.
"Let's sing that song again," the preacher said.
Another person went forward, but still I didn't.
"Make them sing that song one more time," I pleaded with the Lord.
"Let's sing that song one more time," the preacher said.
And finally I did it - I went forward.
An elder of our church came to me, and asked what I wanted.
"I want to become a Christian," I said.
He led me in a prayer. I pledged my life to JESUS. My tears flowed.
I felt like a load lifted off my shoulders. All guilt and fear of death were gone. I felt clean - born again!
"This is good - I should have done this ages ago!" I felt.
My father came and gave me a big hug. I remember thinking that dad's hug was somehow symbolic of a hug from our Father in heaven.
It was a balmy Sunday night, between 7:30-7:40pm. After the service our family went for a swim in our relative's pool. As I sat in the water looking at lightening in the distant clouds, I said to my 'aunt' - "I'm not afraid to die anymore."
I knew that if I died that night, I would go straight into the loving arms of JESUS.
How about you?
It's possible to go to church regularly, and yet not have been born again.
"Verily, verily, I say unto thee," Jesus said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).
Being born again is more than just a new resolve (although it includes that) - it's something which only God can do for you - something all men desperately need to happen.
And when He's done it for you, believe me - you know it!
Just ask Him for it today, once and forever - and believe:
"...him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37).
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