My story begins in a little rural town in Ontario, Canada. My parents were both raised in the Mennonite religion and were taught that good works and baptism would get them to heaven. They worked very hard to keep the Ten Commandments and do good works, but they still had an ache and emptiness in their hearts.
When I was seven months old, a Bible- believing evangelist came to our town and knocked on my parents’ door. He opened his Bible, and that day my parents finally found what they had been searching for—complete forgiveness of sin, peace, and a genuine relationship with God.
As I grew older, I understood that God doesn’t have any grandchildren! My parents’ faith, as real and genuine as it was, did not guarantee me a place in heaven. It was a decision that I had to make on my own.
I believed Romans 5:8 when it said, “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Even as a child I believed it, but it wasn’t enough to just believe. James 2:19 states, “the devils also believe and tremble.” I had to accept Christ as my own personal Saviour, but, I figured, I had lots of time.
When I was ten years old, my cousin’s neighbor (whom we often played with), died tragically while babysitting her siblings. Fear gripped my heart like I had never experienced before. For the first time I realized that children and teens die too! This changed everything! I knew I was not ready to face God, and I needed to do something about it. My fear felt like an unbearable weight strapped to my back. I knew I needed God.
On November 18, 1980, as a ten-year-old girl, I knelt beside my bed with my mom and asked the Lord Jesus to forgive all my sin. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” I believed that Jesus Christ lived a perfect life, died for my sins on the cross, and rose again on the third day, proving He was God.
Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” That night I called on the name of the Lord, and I was saved! The fear that gripped my heart and mind were gone after I gave my life to God. Peace, that only God gives, filled me. It was like a burden had rolled off my back.
I am so grateful for the incredible gift of salvation that God not only offered to me, but to all!
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Article by Jodie Wendal
Author: Editor
Community Connection is an outreach magazine and blog from Valley Forge Baptist to provide relevant and uplifting articles for the families and homes of Collegeville, PA and area residents. Articles are not just from staff but from other community members who’s lives have been touched by Jesus Christ. If we have been an encouragement to you please let us know at info@vfbt.org.
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