My Story of Salvation and an Invitation

Verse for today...

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. 1 Peter 1:3-4

I gave my heart to Jesus and was saved at the age of 5, or did I? I suppose that requires some explanation! I remember feeling the urge that I should go up front and tell the preacher that I wanted to be saved. I got up the courage a few weeks later and did that. Of course, everyone made a big deal over it and rightfully so!

As a small child, I obeyed most of the rules and didn't act out too much. But, when I was about 11 years old, I think peer pressure, along with things I had heard some of my father's friends say, got me to doing and saying things that I should not have been doing or saying. It got bad enough so that I was voted by my classmates in the 6th grade to be the official "Class Curser." To make things worse, I didn't really care. I thought it was cool. My parents didn't know what I was doing or saying. So, was I really saved when I was 5 years old, or did I just go up to the front of the church because it seemed like a good thing to do?

In the 8th grade, I decided to stop using God's name in vain. That was a positive step, but it might have been because I wanted to have a girl like me more. Through high school and beyond, my foul language continued when I was around my close friends, without taking the Lord's name in vain. Later on, I got married to the most wonderful Christian girl ever! I went to church regularly.

During a revival at my church, I got a strong sense that I was not sure I was saved. The thought of that bothered me greatly for two nights, so on a Tuesday in March of 1985 during that same revival, I removed all doubt. I HAD to be sure. I knew there to be way too much to lose to not be sure.

Have I been perfect since then? Nope, not at all, but I have tried. As soon as I realize I'm messing up, I ask for forgiveness and try to do better. For example, I stopped gambling at card games, even though I dearly loved doing that, not to mention I'm quite good at it and have won a lot more money than I have lost, LOL. I can tell you this... Since that day, my life has been a very happy one. Ups and downs will always be in everyone's life, but having assurance of going to heaven is the most happy feeling one can have!

Here is an invitation. Whether you know Jesus as your personal savior, and especially if you do not, I'm inviting you to come to my church this Easter Sunday if you are within driving distance. My email address is in this website under More > Contact. Drop me a line, and I'll be happy to meet you if you like.

Service starts early at 9:00am on April 9th.

FIRST BAPTIST SPARTANBURG

250 East Main Street

Spartanburg, SC 29306

If you can't come, the service will be viewable live online at www.fbs.org.

Either way, please read the "Jesus" section in this website. It will tell you how to give your heart to Jesus.

May God always be your number 1 draft pick!

Draftman Rick