We had a guest Preacher this past Sunday (our pastor’s brother David). He has preached for us before. David and his wife had just gotten back from a mission trip and he was excited to tell us about it. He said, which is what I’ve discovered while over in Moscow, that you go on these trips expecting to minister to someone else when in fact you are the one that seems to get the most ministered to. He talked about the excitement and asked us to remember back to when we were first saved and the excitement and emotion we felt. He asked us what happened to that excitement. Well it got me thinking back to when I was saved. Up in New Jersey I went to a First Reformed Church. Since I have never been one to really pay much attention to the nit picky politics of a church, I couldn’t tell you much that is different from other denominations. All I know is that wherever I’ve been it’s been with people that love Jesus and want to serve Him. Anyway…back to my point… I don’t know if any of you are even interested in knowing but I felt the need to share about the day I was saved.
In 1992, I believe I was about 11 or so, I remember sitting with the other kids outside our Sunday school classrooms one Sunday morning as we were singing our usual Sunday songs. My mom was the Director there and led the pre Sunday School worship for the children. I always loved church. I never felt like staying home or sleeping in, I just wanted to go. But until that day I never knew the real reason for church. My mom showed us all a picture of Jesus standing outside a door. I remember her asking us to pay real close attention to it to see if we could find what was “wrong” with the picture. After a few moments she explained to us that Jesus was standing outside the door to our hearts and there was no doorknob on the outside. She told us that He was knocking and waiting for us to let him in from the inside. She asked us if we wanted to welcome Jesus in our hearts and I remember right then and there praying and saying, “Yes Jesus, I want you to be in my heart”. From then on my life has been so much better. It is so true. He is always standing there waiting for us. He would never leave us, but He waits for us to make the decision to let Him help. That is also why I love the “Footprints” poem so much.
Matthew 7:7-8
“Ask and it will be given to you; see and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened”
My parents gave me a big framed picture of Jesus outside the door and we have it hanging over our mantel as a daily reminder.
God has NEVER let me down and never will! He is so good. Are you smiling right now remembering the day you were given eternal life? I hope so
