http://www.ccel.org/ccel/wesley/journal.vi.ii.xvi.html
After reading the journal, I would like you to try to also recall that special time where you made the decision of the heart to follow Jesus. Could you still remember that time when your heart, too, was strangely warmed?
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ReplyDeleteI have a vivid memory of the events surrounding my decision to follow Jesus. I was fourteen years old when I first came to TMI (Teen Missions International) and joined Boot Camp. Because I had nothing to do during my summer vacation, I thought that going to a camp would be great. Little did I know that in that camp I would have a personal encounter with God. The camp was not I thought it would be. To my surprise, our days were packed with so many activities that were all centered to God and having a relationship with Him. At first I was stunned but later I enjoyed the presence of people who called themselves Born-again Christians. One evening, during our fellowship a pastor preached about having a personal relationship with Jesus as the most important decision that I should make. He was talking about Jesus as if he was very personal and intentional. That really captured me because coming from SDA background, I was taught that God is going to judge those who don’t keep the ten commandments. I was not educated about God as a loving God. After his preaching he made an altar call. At first, I did not want to go forward but a deep conviction pushed me to forget my embarrassment. So, I came forward and surrendered my life to Jesus. It was not a magical experience but I knew something inside me has changed. I felt peace. Accepting the love of Jesus took away my fear of being judged and it has given me great joy. That was really an awesome experience and yet that was not the end for it was just the beginning of a great journey. And God did not cease to save me. He is still saving me from day to day. Thank you Jesus!
ReplyDeleteWow that is a great story. I am personally blessed to know a glimpse of your wonderful story that God writes. God bless you.
DeleteThanks Sonny. Actually its a long story because I'm old. you know. Haha.
DeleteSarah girl,I enjoy reading your story. Truly, nothing happens by accident but everything occurs for a purpose. God is love and He loves you and me. It is a heartwarming truth that God never give up on you but instead prepared you and welcome you as His child. God works in your life in a miraculous and amazing way and you respond God's unfailing love by being faithful in serving Him. I hope you will continue to serve Him no matter what it takes and continue to be an inspiration to the people that surrounds you. God Bless You.
DeleteGod works in our life even before we noticed it. He uses a lot of person that His will will be done. And how wonderful it is to know that you are in His mind even before the world began. He say's "Sarah, I have a special plan for you".
DeleteI have known many people having the same experience with you ate. And so far they are doubting at first but they because courageous in their faith. You grow physically and spiritually and i believed you influenced more individuals around you. Thank you for the life and the time we spend together as a batch. Hoping for success and achievement in the ministry together with your family someday. Keep doing right and follow what is in your heart. Okey
DeleteI remember the time of my life quest for Truth of Christianity and who is the Christ really is. As I look back my life eight years ago, I always have felt that there is joy, and this thought have always comforts me in time of persecutions. There was a time I had thought of Jesus as a religious object of worship. The Jesus I knew before is as good as reaper man who always be there a man hanging on the cross to be drown for help.
ReplyDeleteMore so, my respect of the man Jesus was not quit good because a certain belief had influence me to think this man as mere man as me. In other words, he is like me as a man (sinner man or at least a better man who can rescue the soul).
Well, the time of my life to be revived came and and totally changed my my mind into positive thoughts of the real Jesus and the heart to the poor in spirit. The ideal Jesus I knew was vanished,a and was change into the real one. My heart follows to this real one and it comforts me often times when stupid things happen in my life.
deep thoughts!May you continue to share your story to others who have the same dilemma you had.
DeleteWow kuya i thought you are in a Christian community at first, bu then we are so thankful that you have been brought back to God. Honestly you really inspires me to study more, some information are known to you but not to me. it seems that you are as theologian and a philosopher in the present time. keep it up kuya, God is still working in all of us today. We may not seen each other after graduation but we will be all bonded by the love of God towards everyone. I still thankful for your testimony because i have known lots of youngster in our place where they are afraid to follow Christ because they were chained by their family. May God bless you more and more kuya.
DeleteIt was clear to me the time when I surrendered my life to Jesus. When I was twelve years old, my sister keep on urging me to go to church. The time passed by, I went to church but I don't have any interest in listening God's message. I just hide and slept on the living room of our Pastor. But after my graduation of high school, I asked God to give me a job, then He answered it, I was then seventeen years old. During this time, I had a booklet, a green one, that needs to be answered and salvation of human soul was tackled about. Through that booklet, I surrender my life to Jesus and my heart was overwhelmed with joy. I could not explain the feelings that I had that time but I know that it was one of the most happiest moment I ever had. I really thank God for sending His Son Jesus Christ to save me from the penalty of sins. Now I enjoy God's love and serving Him,the Savior of my soul, is a privilege.
ReplyDeleteWow! That's a unique story Julie. Indeed, God reveals Himself to us in so many ways and save us in different situations of life. our story is an example that we cannot resist God's grace. Amazing!
DeleteIndeed, God is so creative in His plan of saving our souls and bringing us back to Him. Each one has a different testimony of how they come to know Christ. Praise God for what he has done.
DeleteYes. A unique story indeed. God has his own ways on how each of His chosen people be able to know Him and have relationship with Him. Amazing God, amazing Grace! Keep on sharing your unique testimony Jul :)
Deleteyeah sure.
DeleteEveryone has a story to tell
and every story is unique just like everyone else :)
May you continue to grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ as we ought to be.
-------Makes Me Think :)
Hello ate.. Thank you so much for sharing how God brought you near to Himself. God has caught you in a unique and intimate way. I praise the Lord for your life. May you continue to be a blessing.
DeleteWhat a great testimony of God's saving grace. It is very true that even if we are unwilling, God is always willing to draw us back to Him. Surely, your testimony Ate Jul is a story to tell :) continue to be a blessing!
DeleteWhat a great testimony of God's saving grace. It is very true that even if we are unwilling, God is always willing to draw us back to Him. Surely, your testimony Ate Jul is a story to tell :) continue to be a blessing!
DeleteEven before I start to recognize colors all around me, I grew up in a Christian family, but not so devoted to faith. My Father was a little less to be called a drunkard and a little less a smoker. I do not know what makes my mother wants to stay at home when the situation seems leading to separation. But there came a point in my father's life that he'd almost stop his breathing but grace from God he received. That was the time that our family spent time together with the Word of God. It may be unbelievable to believe but I've known Christ at my early age, before I went to Grade 1. That was during Holy Week when I've watched the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and then I realized a free flowing water flowed from my cheeks. I've heard before all about Christ and what he has done in my life, but that was only the time that I fully understand as a child.
ReplyDeleteMany times in my life that I'd like to focus everything to myself. I'd like to be a superhero, a famous one, dreaming of becoming a wealthy person someday, and to be known in the whole world as a man who does a lot of good things. But those dreams were vanished as I learned more about Christ and what's reality. The time that I was so down and almost my soul was lying dead, and all I saw around me were black and white, there came a light reaching His hands towards me that I may start again. After He did that, I looked up and saw the beauty of His Holiness and colors around me. He helped even though I did not asked for it. I was comforted. That was before the start of my 3rd year life in BTC. That is why I am in thirst to know Him more and more.
Wow that is a good one Josh. It is quite true to all of humankind desires for higher thing like being famous. And ambitious per se is not bad, only the actor towards it who makes it bad. Keep it up Josh, and I personally hope that to do organic church with is will be done in the name of Christ.
DeleteWow!so great to know about your life story Josh, I know for sure God has a big smile in His face seeing you seeking for more of Him. May you continue to trust in our Lord in your walk with Him each day of your life. Keep on smiling!
DeleteIt was a colorful moment for you Josh. I've seen black and white at you but what is inside you, is the colorful name of Jesus that made you for Him. God bless my brother!
DeleteIndeed! God painted your story colorfully Josh. I had a colorful time reading your testimony and it also reflects you as a person. I'm glad to know you. Continue to share your testimony and bring color to those who lives in the dark.
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ReplyDeleteBefore I became a believer of Christ I was a devoted Catholic child. I was curious of whom to trust as my God. I would question the people around me but they could not give any sufficient answer. When I was in grade three, I, my brother, and my mother were about to go to Germany but the woman in the embassy said that we can not because I and my brother are still in debt for the reason of not paying the migration office through the period of our stay in the Philippines for many years already. Because of that event, “I had questioned God, 'why are you not allowing me to go to Germany to see my father?'”
ReplyDeleteI can remember back then how God has changed my life. June 30, 2008, it was during our English class. My adviser suddenly stood in front of the students and sang the song, “Who am I?” Upon hearing the song, I closed my eyes and listened to its message. I was then curious “Why would my teacher sing a strange song?” After she sang, she shared her testimony and about Christ. I was so blessed and moved when she told all of us in class that, “You can not know yourself until you meet and have relationship with Jesus Christ.” I then thought to my self, “Yes, indeed, I do not know who I am.” She shared about the love of Christ and how He loved each of us and then led us to the sinner's prayer. I then, bowed my head, asked for forgiveness of my sins, and asked Christ to be the Lord and master of my life. I felt so light. I was like in heaven. I felt an uncontainable joy at that very moment. I also felt so unworthy because “I am nothing” I thought to my self. “My life is not even enough to pay all that Christ suffered for the ones He loves including me”. I then prayed, “Lord, I want to serve you with all my life until I die.” I can not forget this prayer of mine at that time. Whenever I feel like I am getting out of track, God would always remind me this prayer that I uttered to Him almost seven years ago. I felt so secured. As I pondered Christ's love for me I traced the answer to my long lingering question in my mind when I was nine years old, which was, “Lord, why can not I go back yet to Germany to see my father?” I was talking to God as a child at that time. I have realized that the answer to this question is, Christ wanted me to first meet Him and to have a relationship with Him in preparation of my going back to see my father. Truly, Philippines, the delay of processing my papers, the Christian Schools that I studied in to, the song “Who am I”, and Christian teachers have become the instruments for me to know Christ. Finally, I found the answer to my question. Supposedly, I was planning to take tourism but my plan has been changed from following my plan to see my father into praying to God to send me in a Bible School and promising Him that I will serve Him until I die having the hope that soon He will lead me to go to Germany not just to see my father but also for my father to see Christ dwelling in my life. Even now, I am constantly amazed at how God shows His love in my life. I was nothing. I had no identity but then God was all along painting my life. He has known me. He alone knew me at the time when I was a stranger to my self. He led me to the knowledge that I am His child the moment I received Christ my Lord; because of Christ I now know who I am, “I am God's child.” I was nothing but He spared my life from the unknown and is weaving me into something.
Wow!Thanks for sharing your personal testimony Mandz. I was touched with what I have heard from you. Yes, you are right to say that our identity is in Christ. Because of Him,we can truly know who we really are :).
DeleteI grew up in a church. All my vivid childhood memories either happened inside a church or in relation to church activities. We were always living in a house next to the church or at the back of the church. In those years of living in a parsonage, I carry with me a wrong conception that I have to be a good, perfect daughter of the pastor. With this heavy burden in mind, I always sat at the front row during church meetings. I was so behaved. I did not quarrel with the other kids. I made such an effort in doing all those things perfectly and I thought I was already saved. I comforted myself with the thought that a loving God would not put a nice kid in hell. And at times I could not convince myself with that, I imagine hell as just another word like “Santa Claus” or “fairies,” existing only in myths and fairy tales. But I did all these with a stone-cold heart. There was no warmth, no happiness, and no sense of fulfillment in doing a good deed regardless of whatever good cause was behind. And because there was a great void inside my heart that the church and doing good cannot fill, I secretly resort to what the world has to offer. At first I thought it wasn't dangerous because I wasn't hurting anybody. It wouldn't mar my “good girl” reputation at home and it wouldn't blemish my “pastor's kid” role in church. It did not involve going out to sleazy places, spending money on illegal activities, and shaming myself in front of the public. It was just reading books. No harm in that. Or so I thought. So I became a voracious reader. Mystery, sci-fi, drama, romance, horror, fantasy, thriller, and other genres that I can get my hands on. I may be picky and strict with some other activities like eating and wearing clothes, but with my reading, I was as loose as a scandalous prostitute. Deeper and deeper I got sucked into an addiction that became more and more demanding. My heart grew much colder and harder than before, and the void grew even larger and darker. And the reality of hell became more real. My thoughts of “a loving God not putting a nice kid in hell” changed into “surely, a just God will not let me, a wretched creature, enter heaven”.
ReplyDeleteLike the brilliant sun and its dazzling rays of morning after a dark night, God and His word brought me into a place of surrender. A camp counselor read a passage of Scripture and shared to me man's need for salvation. Although it wasn't the first time I heard those words, I listened intently as if that was the only time I heard the truth. Then it dawned on me that I am a sinner and I could never earn my salvation by doing good works because salvation is a free gift. And like John Wesley, I experienced my heart strangely warmed by a power that is far beyond me and this world can ever imagine. I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ during that last day in a youth summer camp. That was May 21, 2001. From then on, Jesus Christ turned my whole life upside down.
Ate faith, i was touched and inspired by your life testimony. If you only knew that i dreamed to be a pastor's kid for i believed that there would be joy, safety, and security. However, at some point you influenced me that it does not guaranteed to be a pastor's kid to have a shared salvation. it is a personal faith. Thank you ate for the shared testimony, i have something to share to others as who really are you.. I am just curious the benefits pastor's kid would have than other normal citizen children. thank you ate
DeleteI realized that even we have different family, background in life, places, personality and even desires but still we have this in common. Only Jesus can change our heart, no matter who you are because when the time God will touch you He will surely change you and mold you for His glory.
DeleteThe struggle is real when you are a pastor's kid.
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DeleteI have known Christ since I was 9 years old and that was from my Sunday school teacher, but I really did not come to know Him more for some reason that I lived with my aunt and uncle which are Roman Catholic believer. Growing up as I went back home to my real family, and at the age of 11 I started to attend church and in fact became one of the worship leader. But you know what, I haven't accepted Christ yet as my personal savior with all my heart, because I could not remember that I did, and I accepted water baptism without really understanding the meaning of it. So at the age of 14 I started to look for a church that would help me and influence me in my walk as a christian, well I do believe in Christ Jesus at that time but I did not know that I have to accept Him as my God, Lord and Savior in my life. Then through youth camp I attended around 2006, in that camp where I found my joy and peace in my life. One night in that camp, during worship time I felt the love of Christ, and I just found myself subbing where the music plays "At the Cross", and there I surrendered everything to God and I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior. From then on, God had sent people and used them to guide my walk with Him. Then my life had changed, I stop doing things that are not good in the eye of my Father above. And I became more effective in that church, even though I am not attending in that church anymore in this time for some reason, but I still thank God for using those people in that church.
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiring testimony you had atech. It is just amazing to know how the Lord has picked and led you in His path. It is not an accident that God saved and became one of His children out of the many people in this whole wide world. Continue to walk together with the Lord and seek His will in your life. Be a blessing to other people. Amen!
DeleteI came from a Christian family and surrounded with a Christian community. Thinking though that we had a different stories in life especially when we knew Christ and accept Him as our personal Savior. I am always present in our Sunday school class that time because my teacher always check our attendance; My Mother and Grandmother always told me a stories in the Bible. As a child you need to listen them carefully even when how many times the stories are repeated. We prayed together as a family and You need to behaved especially you are well known in the community bearing a Christian concept in the mind of the people. But then something that I was craving for that I really don't knew. I was thankful to God that it was summer and looking forward of that. But I have really deeper understanding of who Christ is when I was 11 yrs.old, summer that time, and we had an event in our church, Daily Vacation Bible School and the Mission In Training (MIT)at BTC came in our church to handled different activities. And that time, after our VBS i surrendered my life to Christ and accept Him as our Personal Savior.It was one on one evangelism and I remembered that the Person who lead me to Christ is Ate Aide Rose "Biday". That time I really understand what she was talking about. For that on forward I was involved in the Ministry that God entrusted. Though it seems that my life turns upside down, but God never leave me.
ReplyDeleteTwo instances I would say that it really made me realized and convinced me of great conviction that God really is there.
ReplyDeleteIt started in the year 2008 in the month of July. At that time I was really keep on doubting and seeking truths about God, morality, sin, and grace. It was my catechism teacher that encouraged me to read the word of God. The first Bible I read was with Apocrypha and then all changed. A Bible school intern named, Nathaniel Lucay-lucay answered all of my questions. He was then a stranger in our place and considered as heretics that brought new religion to us. It was my father that he had a conversation, but I find it interesting when they talked about God, and at that time I joined their conversation. It took about two hours when I completed my convictions. I asked lot of questions and finally, November 30, 2008 I decided to be baptized. All are changed after those moments, I started to have passion in Christianity and the life of what we call as Church Fathers for I enjoyed and find interests in history at school, and he mentioned some important persons that relates my understanding in school.
I came to know Christ when I was in a junior high school, and from that time I considered myself as a young Christian where fresh and few information was known. I even do not know any English verses, and I only have one New Testament bisaya Bible in my bag. But that doesn't mean I am a failure. Several days I longed and wanted to go home since supply and new agenda of learnings exist. I do had so many doubts and questions about God but He uses many instruments to fill my emptiness about Him. Interns and professors really help me in understanding who really God is and what he is capable of doing. Every Wednesday, there is always a chapel hour and in that moment I was in a good mood where there were no assignments, exams, and no more stresses I would have in class. I have this open heart and a great interest for the chapel hour sermon. Indeed, while the speaker, Sir Ben Ballono talked about calling, I gained a lot of conviction and of a strong feeling that I am in the right track. During prayer time, I normally do not spend time talking to God, but after the sermon, I came to have a conversation to Him and many times He was able to supply what my heart lacks. It all had begun when I have been enrolled in a Bible School. I was not that really a matured Christian during that time.
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ReplyDeleteI am so jealous with other kids how they raised and loved by their parents. I grew up in a gambled and poor family, with a strong Catholic background. The Catholic Church is just at the back of our house, just only the fins made it separated. I was influenced by the people around me and grew as a gambler and bad guy. The teachers always scolded me how bad I am, but their reactions just only a bite of an ant that will just pass away. But what made my heart so painful was my father. I grew up with hatred, anger, and revenge wanting to kill my father. To make it short, I was third year high school and it was a night I joint the Turning Point in Baptist Church, but little awkward for me attended in their youth, because I was a Sacristan of Catholic Church. I decided to be a Sacristan so that the Priest would help me save from my sins and hell. Before that evening during noon time I fled from our house, then my friend cope me in their house to be fed, slept, and had been comfortable. I had no choice not to join their youth meeting because I was there staying at their house. The youth pastor shared about Jesus who loves people like me. He died for my sins and save me from hell. I thought no one loves me, but indeed God loved me so much, and that made me cry. It was a heart-felt message from God that touched my heart and profess my faith and believe in His name. And that was July 8, 2005. “In Christ, there is nothing I can do that would make you love me more and nothing I have done that makes You love me less”.
ReplyDeleteWhen it is God that we encounter, He would clear all our mess, answer all our questions, and clarify what we do not understand and doubted. In fact, all our experiences pointing back to Him, what He has done that makes us to follow. To God be the glory!
DeleteI grew up in a Catholic family but my parents were not that devoted because they were both busy in working. Both of my parents were good models and good citizens in our community. My father doesn't have any vices and my mother has a good reputation in our community. I grew up being taught to be a good son, to be odedient, respectful, and to do good. I felt good about it and continued to follow what I have been taught. But I realized that doing good isn't all that there is. I then started to have questions like, what is the purpose of mankind being here on earth? Or what happens after a man dies? Or why do people need to die? Those questions kept on coming in my thoughts several nights. Days have past and an uncle of mine arrived from somewhere far of which I can't recall where from. My mother told me that he was a church worker. He was the one who first became a Christian in my mother's family. He stayed there for months and started to invite us to the church where he we went every Sunday at our town. At first, I was so reluctant about going with him. I tried to make myself busy every Sunday so that I would have a reason of not going. He was so persistent in inviting me as well as my family. But me and my family were so persistent in rejecting the invitation as well. I was 10 years at that time.
ReplyDeleteOne Sunday morning, it rained so hard that my uncle was not able to go to church. Our house and my grandma's house were just ten steps away from each other. Being that near, because he stayed at grandma's house, he called me as well as my two sisters and my brother. He led us to a small room and have us seated on the chairs. He was there standing in front of us and was holding something in his hands. It was a small paper. An evangelism tract. He passed some of them to us and have us read it aloud. Then asked if we have understood something about it. But we've never said a word and just nodded. He then explained what we have read. He explained to us the gospel. That Jesus came and died for our sins instead of us dying in paying for the sins that we have done. I didn't know what my brother and sisters felt at that time. But inside of me, I feel something. I realized that all the questions that I had for several nights have been answered. That after death there is another dimension of life. Whether it would be in heaven eternally or being damned in hell for eternity. Of course, I don't want to be in hell so I accepted Christ as my Lord and personal Savior. It was on the 23rd day of September 2007. Since then, I started to come to church with my uncle and joined in their fellowship and few years later, I decided to follow Christ through water baptism.
I would say that God would make us freeze for a moment at the time that we are busy of not recognizing Him. Our omnipotent God can create wonderful stories that brings honor to His name. Continue the good works brother..
DeleteHow i wish to be like you guys, coming from other religion,but we know that God has a wonderful plan for us though we came from different upbringings. Encountering Christ lead us to a dramatic way of life, simple, happiness and sometimes its neutral, and someone God uses other people to be an influence to know Him and accept Him as our personal Savior, and may our life be an influence to others that Christ may seen in us.
DeleteI was raised by a Roman Catholic mother and a Baptist father. I experienced to be a Catholic at my early age until I and my family decided to go to a Baptist church in the year 2000 when I was in Grade I. I started attending Saturday and Sunday School classes from then on. Then, I pretentiously accepted Christ as my personal Lord and Savior when I was in Grade IV. I was still 8 years old at that time. It's in Sunday afternoon that our pastor shared about the Gospel then he told us to raise our hands if we wanted to accept Christ in our hearts. I just raised my hand because I had seen lots of hands raising so why shouldn't I?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, my real conversion took place when I was 13 years old in May 2007 during our Summer Youth Camp with a theme 'Pain with a Purpose'. I attended the camp not long before I got fully recovered from a communicable illness that was tuberculosis. I had this very dramatic conversion because God made me realized that for how many illnesses I got (rare skin allergy, UTI, amoeba and tuberculosis), He didn't give up on me and still let me live. The most fatal illness I had was the last one which was tuberculosis and I had never thought that I could survive with a body that was very pale, thin and light that even a slight push of the wind might be blown away. I couldn't even dare to look at the mirror because my scalp became almost noticeable. The pain I had experienced during that time when I was still very sick was then recalled by my senses during the night of the said camp. The speaker made an altar call and without any hesitations I knelt down in front of the congregation, sobbing because of the indescribable joy I had as I accepted Christ as my own personal Lord and Savior. I just ignored the crowd whether they would look at me or not or if somebody would go with me in front. Within me, I fully understood what it really meant of knowing Christ. I didn't go in front to please somebody and act like a hypocrite but I just followed the still, small voice deep inside me. I believed that it was God whispering me that He was the One who healed me physically and He would also be the One who could heal me spiritually if I would be willing. I fully surrendered my life to Christ at that very moment and promised Him that I would spend the rest of life bringing glory to His most precious name. God spoke to me that everything happens for a reason and it's all part of His sovereign plan. The suffering that I had and will be having is not worth comparing to the overflowing joy I could have in heaven with the presence of my God, the Holy Father. That year, 2007, I experienced a double miracle, an unworthy person who was healed from the sickness of body and in spirit through the majestic and glorious power of our only Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, worthy to be praised and exalted above all! :)
This is my conversion story.
ReplyDeleteIt was Toshiko “Toshi” Tabara, a Japanese missionary who recruited children for a sponsorship program. My mother was supposed to let my older sister join but then some of my sister's papers were missing (I think that's what my mother told me) and because of that I was the replacement of her. I became a sponsored child when I was still 5 years old. I believe that it is through Compassion Philippines that I learned about Jesus for I attended Sunday school classes, VBS and I am even active with the skills training (dance and hand mime) before.
It was on July 16, 2003 that I decided to accept Christ as my Personal Lord and Savior through Ptr. Darcy Sabido, our children pastor before but now a missionary in Cambodia. I, with my cousins were attending King Kids Klub (KKK), a children worship service in which Ptr. Darcy led us to accept Christ. He assured us that if we accept Christ, we will go to heaven and live with Him eternally. And because of that assurance, I repeated the prayer that he prayed. I really remembered its date but then every time there's an altar call, I keep on receiving Christ too, that's why I asked one of our church leader regarding that matter and she told me not to accept once again but instead pray for the souls of those people who haven't accepted Him yet, that God may open their hearts and mind, and that the Holy Spirit will intervene so they may decide to accept Christ and receive the gift of eternal life. So, I did it. Every time there's an altar call, I prayed for the soul of others. Since then, I've been involved with church activities which helped me grow more spiritually with God. Every happenings that I experienced (before) led me to having an intimate and personal relationship with the Lord. Even until now :). I praise God for every situations He let me experience :).
Thus, having Christ in my life is not easy most especially I grew up in a Catholic family, a broken and chaotic one. I am the only Christian in my immediate family before. Having a family like mine is so stressful that's why I really thank the Lord that He allowed me to be part of Compassion Philippines specifically through MICAH. If I am not part of it, I can't imagine what my life would be. Praise the Lord!
God indeed has a planned why He has put us into this what we called "chaotic" family. I can share the same feeling as yours, being one of the active Christian in the family. Lets thank God that He has put us here Cai :) He is molding us to be strong and courageous woman able to stand firm amidst trials and pain. Aja!
DeleteGod indeed has a planned why He has put us into this what we called "chaotic" family. I can share the same feeling as yours, being one of the active Christian in the family. Lets thank God that He has put us here Cai :) He is molding us to be strong and courageous woman able to stand firm amidst trials and pain. Aja!
DeleteI grew up in a Christian family but I can still remember those times that my grandma needs to bribe me every Sunday morning so that I would go to church and join Sunday school with my cousins, but then, I stopped going to church when I was in my high school years. My entire teenage life was all study and work as I live far from my family and learned to live from them independently. Alcohol and smoke became my companion as one of my coping mechanism in my difficulties and confusion until our pastor offered to send us for free for a one month booth camp in Teen Missions International (TMI) in 2005. I just finished my third year in high school and thought that would be a great place for me to have a break, so I joined. I didn't know then that I would realized how much I needed Christ in my life as my Lord and personal Savior. During one of the rally nights, a pastor shared a message about God's love and I was overwhelmed by the thought of how sinful I am yet Christ died for me to set me free from the bondage of sin. From that moment on, I decided to follow Christ and live a changed life. Not long after I joined booth camp, my life turned upside down again. I returned to my old life and became even worse than before. I was so angry that I cursed God and turned my life away from Him. People in the church saw my rebellion and so our pastor suggested that I would go back to TMI and study there after high school. To make this very long story short, I went back to TMI and studied in Bible Missionary and Work Training Center and there I started all over again in my relationship with Jesus Christ. It was really a strangely heart-warming feeling for me when I learned the verse in Romans 8: 38-39, that nothing shall be able to separate me from the love of God, not even my rebellion, for He always finds a way for me to come back to His loving arms. I was not only trained to be a missionary, but the most important was I found myself again and again in God's unfailing love and still, I've been experiencing His overflowing grace that sustains me throughout my life.
ReplyDeleteWonderful story!!! You know what, whenever I look on how God called his children there was never a time that I was not amazed by how he perfectly put the details of it all in a timely manner. And most of the time it was a story of a past that's full of unrighteousness that he changes into a beautiful story. It is really true that none of has the same story as the other but each one differ from the other. And that shows how important each person is for God. He not just copy and past the same story of other person to be your story, but he take time to construct your story; a kind that will be unique from anyone else.
DeleteYes, you're right, Mira :-) Truly, God has different ways of dealing His children, and we are constructed uniquely and beautifully although sometimes in a very rough ways. We have different stories to tell that would declare God's wonderful and amazing power working in our lives.
DeleteGod has stated his own plans for everyone's life that leads to transformation from the one you think you really are. it is God who knew who you really in his sight. no one can comprehend the whole story of your life but God did. your stories are such wonderful that declares God's faithfulness and wonderfulness.
DeleteAmen to that Mark! Glory to God!
DeleteGrowing up in a Christian family I could still clearly remember the dozens of times I joined the group of children praying the sinners prayer together with our teacher, since I was 5 until elementary years. Before, I really thought that the more I pray that prayer all the more I will be assured that I really am saved. Many innocent years had past before I found out the truth that the prayer was not the one who could saved me, but my personal and honest surrender of my life to Jesus Christ. I was 13 years old then, when that happened. A second year high school student who was wandering and almost totally consumed with the pleasures and temptations that the world offers. Even though my uncle is a Pastor it was not from them that I understood the truth but through the life of our Senior Pastor who at my weakest and saddest point give a word to lift me up and share to me the unconditional love of God represented through the life of His Son Jesus Christ. That moment and that very time, I really felt that no one understands me and that no one did ever loved me because of what I’ve done (those years I started to fail the expectation of my parents and started to drop serious studying at school). I felt that all my relatives are disappointed with my performance but instead of showing that they still love me and they still care, I felt that they don’t even bother, and showed me more of their hate towards me. It was through that one person that I feel the love of God and His acceptance even at my worst condition. As the truth sinks in my whole being, it was not just warmth that I felt but also a different kind of peace and unexplained joy. The very moment that I prayed a prayer of surrender to Christ with an honest and repentant heart, I really could still reminisce the same feeling of my burning desire from within. All my heartaches and hurts are fully taken away. And the goal to aim for the best in order to gain approval, honor and love from my relatives and parents are also gone. Everything was changed, and that my heart fully longs for God; to do things for Him only. But its not an easy process and I couldn’t say that I’m totally a 100% changed in an instant, but rather totally and fully 100% tested. Many times I struggled by the thought that I’m already aiming all my best for God; but often I find myself going back to that same path that I used to before, to perform to gain my parents/family approval. I grew up molding the value of my own self with what they say and how they give credit to my performance in school or in any areas of my life. And their habit of showing lack of importance to every achievement I have causes me to build a weak and low self-worth. It’s an everyday struggle to believe that I’m special and that God loves me as I am. And to face each day with that kind of thinking is really hard. One thing I’m assured of from that time I made a decision to follow Him; is that “he never judges anyone for what they can do or how well they excel, what’s important for Him is the condition of the heart; is it done to bring honor and glory to Him, or was it for the gain of people’s applause?” Whenever things pressures me, and achievements pampered my prideful self, that very day that I found my worth and true value was what I always look back to. And by looking back I can see how he molded me and slowly drag me more closer to Him and seeking more of giving glory to Him, than aiming to gain approval from anyone around.
ReplyDeleteWhew! A bittersweet long story yet, very powerful testimony of God's unfailing love that surpasses every mistakes and failures we've made.
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DeleteWow! Amazing conversion, Mira. I'm so bless of your testimony. While reading it, i remember the kids that i am ministering in our outreaches. As an instrument of God's message, it is very important to teach the children carefully and thoroughly so that they will not be confused about the saving faith of our savior Jesus Christ, just like this line of yours, "the dozens of times I joined the group of children praying the sinners prayer together with our teacher, since I was 5 until elementary years. Before, I really thought that the more I pray that prayer all the more I will be assured that I really am saved. Many innocent years had past before I found out the truth that the prayer was not the one who could saved me, but my personal and honest surrender of my life to Jesus Christ." This statement hits my heart. Because I believe that it is my responsibility to teach and lead the children with clarity so that they will understand and assure the saving faith of God in Christ. Thank you so much.
DeleteWow! it was indeed an amazing testimony timkang! While I read the first part of your testimony, I remembered my childhood years. Like you I also grew up in a Christian family who always went to church every Sunday. Attending a Sunday school for children and many times I also prayed the sinners prayer. Because I wanted to make sure that I would really go to heaven. When I looked back to this experience it made me smile. But this also had made me realized, that as a teacher, it is very important that we let the kids understand that sinners prayer could not save them but their faith in God, their understanding of the truth that only by grace man can be saved.
DeleteThank you for your testimony timkang. I hope that you will continue to share this to others so that they too may be blessed by your life. Love you!
My conversion wasn't dramatic as I hoped for yet it's my sweetest moment with God. I remembered that I have accepted Jesus Christ many times. I remembered I accepted Jesus Christ during altar call, my mother also shared to me, I have also heard it in the Church. Yet I haven't seen the change in me and it seems like it is just the same Weng and I still follow my own ways. The turning point in my life was when the first time I attended camp. I was just listening to the speaker and without me noticing that I was deeply touched by the message he shared. I just found myself surrendering my life to Jesus Christ. I was second year high school that time. From that day on, I committed my life in the service of the King. I am actively involved in Praise and Worship team and I taught children even until now. Its my sweetest moment with God because it is just like saying my genuine “yes” to someone who seriously courted me. I remembered I have said yes before but I am not serious about it. Now, there's no regret nor second thoughts. I have believed and served the true King. Praise the Lord that I got to know Him earlier where I can still work for Him and share the warmth the my heart felt by the time I have accepted Him as my Lord and savior. Thank God for those people He used to be part of my transformed life!
ReplyDeleteWeng, I like how you use courtship as a metaphor for your experience with Jesus Christ. Its a beautiful visualization of an experience and makes your relationship with our Savior even more intimate. Its also true that for us who are privileged to hear the Gospel a lot of times during childhood, we tend to make decisions without giving serious thought. I remember also times in my life when I seem to surrender my heart to Jesus, but only did it half-heartedly. There were still hesitations. But thankfully, He did not give up on us but continued wooing us with His love. It was only because of His stubborn, persistent love that we find ourselves in this wonderful life we call "Christian life."
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ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid, I always have this fear of what if's... What if Jesus would come and find my house dirty? So guess what I did, I used to clean our backyard almost every day so that Jesus would be pleased if he comes. That was an immature
ReplyDeleteunderstanding of who Jesus is in my life.
But when I was in my second year highschool, I was invited to attend a youth camp, that was when I came to a personal relationship with Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. The joy was inexpressible and i won't try explaining it because that was too precious and no exact words can explain just what i felt. I can only boast that i am a sinner saved by the grace of God. i am wretched and undeserving...
------------makes me thinlk :)
When I read your story moon, my mind was singing the song "Amazing Grace." I'm so very blessed how God has saved you from who you are before. There are times that when I see you, I praise and thank God for His faithfulness and unconditional love for you and for me. Let us be proud to share to others how God worked uniquely in each one of us.
Delete......it makes me think as well ^-^
Yes, sometimes immature act or an attitude like a kid could help us to be led to discover who Jesus is, because most of the kids are having lots of questions in their minds, questions that usually never ends. and those will just stay in us until right time comes or in a gradual process that those questions that we have as kid will be gradually answered then finding the real you will follow and those questions about who Jesus is will be cleared out.
DeleteTruly God's grace is amazing. The time we accepted Christ, then was also the time that we grow mature in the Lord.
DeleteBeing with the presence of God and by experiencing His faithfulness and love for me is amazing and wonderful. I can't hardly believe that I am already His child. Now I am joyful and grateful to do what God wants me to do and to follow His will for my life.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was born, my parents were already Christians. They knew who Jesus was even before I existed here on earth, received Him as their Lord and Savior. Even if my parents were already Christians, it was not a guarantee that all of my siblings were Christians too. Since I grew up in a Christian family, then every Sunday we went to church and had fellowship with other people. Every Sunday, I attended Sunday School and listened to the stories that our teacher taught us that came from the Bible. At that time, I really didn't have the knowledge who Jesus was. What I was thinking was that it was fine and okay for me that I can attend the Sunday School. I was not thinking of what will be the benefits I can get in attending the Sunday School. I did join also DVBS “Daily Vacation Bible School.” I was very consistent in attending those activities in the church but not knowing who really Jesus in my life. My teacher kept on telling us about Jesus and I didn't knew and fully understood what God wanted to speak in my life. Until I reached in my high school year, I did understand who Jesus was in my life. I thought I already knew Him by attending the Sunday School and DVBS, but it was not. It was when I was in my second year high school that I did understand who Jesus was, that He is the Savior and He was the only One who can save me from my sins. When the time that I really did understand much about Him, that was the time that I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. It was a normal Sunday worship and the pastor was talking about the life when you're gone on this earth. The pastor was asking a question to where was our destination when we die. So at that time, I can't believed the conviction I felt to receive Christ because of my fear in going to hell. I was in my second year at that time that I surrendered my life to my God and Savior Jesus Christ. And I gave my life to Him and asked Him to control my life.
Now, by the grace of God, I continue serving Him with my whole life. What I want to do in my life is to praise and glorify God for what He has done in me and to everyone. I hope that we will be motivated to serve God wholeheartedly and obey His will in our lives.
Praise God Ann! because since you are still in the tummy of your mom, your parents were already mature and already knew Christ in their lives. since you are still young they already introduced Christ in your life through their actions being a Christian. we are bless because in our young age we already heard Christ in the church and Sunday school. and it is not hard for us to understand who really Christ is in our lives. we just need to do is to know Him more and more until we will understand that He is really our Savior. Don't forget to thank your parents to that because they already brought you up in a Christian family since you are kid and i can see it even until now how they are very dedicated in encouraging you all to serve Christ in your life. i never experienced that before but now i did and it is amazing that if our parents are the first people who truly very supportive in our calling. and i thank God for that!!!
Deletemakahilak mn pd tag popcorn sa inyong mga stories oie huhuhuh... Amazing kaau ang Ginoo how He works in our lives.
ReplyDeleteI was in Grade 5 at that time when my aunt started to bring us to church every Sunday. My parents already knew the Lord that time but they were not active going to the church but I was excited to go to church because I liked my Sunday school teacher, we had snacks, and I liked listening bible stories. I had a good teacher that’s why when I got home I always imitated him how he taught us. The story that we had I will also tell it to my neighborhood friends and sometimes to my classmates. At that age, I had already joy in my heart to listen God’s word. Until our Sunday school teacher told us about Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. I already forgot the date when was that but I can’t forget that it was my teacher’s birthday. At that time I accepted Jesus Christ seriously in my heart because inside of my mind and heart I wanted to teach bible stories someday like my teacher. I always encouraged going to the church and every time I listened to the story I desired to be like my teacher. I remember that our church had a camp and I really wanted to go with the young people and I told my parents about it but I cannot go because I was still a little girl and that was for the youth. I was so disappointed because I really wanted to go and join but my age was not yet fit for the event. I told myself that I wanted to grow old fast so that I can already join different events in the church. May 30, 2004 was my baptism day and I was the youngest person who declared to the public that Jesus is my Lord. Those moments in my life were the starting point that I will serve Him for the rest of my life because I have joy and passion to tell His words to others.
ReplyDeleteAfter years I transferred to another church because our church don't have pastor and workers anymore. My Sunday school teacher was not anymore teaching in our church, only my aunt and other members were just left at that time. Until I decided to enter a new church and at that church I found myself growing in faith and someone started to disciple me. During my High school I started to lead the praise and worship and teach Sunday school and outreach. My desire before is already granted and now when I look back what were those desires in my heart and see if I already accomplished it and I found out I did. I joined camp many times; I’m teaching Sunday school right now, and more than of what I desired before.
When the time I was motivated to go the church, listened to bible stories and accepted Jesus through my Sunday school teacher I realized and felt the strangely warmed heart that I can’t explain why I felt that way. I just wanted to stay in the church whole day long at that time. I thank God because even at that age He already called me to follow Him because if not maybe I already experienced bad things in my life like worldly thing or maybe I’m already married this time, but God wanted me to be here and serve Him for the rest of my life.
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ReplyDeleteEven before I came out of this world, I've already heard about who Jesus is and I grew up hearing more of Him and Bible stories in a Christian home, a Christian school, and at Church. My mother told me I accepted Jesus Christ when I was 7 yrs. old and that I even cried while praying to God. But I could never remember that that moment happened in my life. All I remember was that I had requirements as a Pastor's kid that I needed to accomplish. Like attending Sunday school, Bible studies, prayer meetings, while sitting at the front row beside my mother, behaving and pretending that I'm listening intently as my father preached. I was doing all these because that was what my parents wanted me to do, and that was what other people expected me to do. I was doing it as a routine and as a requirement for my life. I thought that because my parents are Christians, I, their daughter, am also a Christian. But still, I continued learning all about the Bible with no joy and love. I mastered the art of pretending. I pretended to be good, when I was actually not. I pretended to love my brothers when I hated them so much, I murdered them inside my head. My heart was cold and very hard. I learned all the Bible stories and lessons only by head, not by heart. But when I was 12 years old, the coldness of my heart became warm. During a prayer meeting, my father preached about Jesus Christ's Second Coming, that was the time I realized that I had known the truth all along, but I never really applied it to heart. Jesus to me was just an important character in the Bible, I realized, I never knew who Jesus really is. I knew He was the way for salvation, but I never believed in Him. I was guilty and was sure that if Jesus would come back at that moment, He would not recognize me as His child and He would not take me together with Him in heaven. I realized I had no assurance of my salvation. I was not a Christian all along. All I did was not for God, nor for myself, but only for people. On that night, September 17, 2004, I cried my heart out to God and asked for forgiveness for having such a pretentious heart. I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior and surrendered my life to Him, that from that time on, I will serve Him as long as I shall live. At that very moment, I felt joy and peace. I felt I was loved and comforted. I could still remember the day after that, I thanked God for that was the very first night that I was really able to sleep well. High school days came and I started serving the Lord through music and missions. After that, I saw how God worked in my life.. I was able to do things with no more pretensions and no more masks. I was able to forgive my brothers and held no more grudge. And until now, I could still witness how God loves me and how He's working in me through molding me and refining me to be who He wants me to be and that is for Jesus to be truly shown in me.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that your family were Christians and they already knew about the love of Jesus when your not born. You are blessed because your parent were devoted to God and lived a life of great testimony to you. Continue in the right path. God bless your family and ministry. Be a light also to others.
DeleteBack in my elementary school when I was in my grade 4 level my father and mother got separated because they did not understand each other. My father has many vices, and he did not provide us our needs. He always went to “fight cocking” together with his friends, and when he comes home he was drunk, and he always quarrel my mother, and did bad things to her. Because of that my mother decided to go to Manila. To make the story short I’m the one who took care of my 3 siblings when I was 10 years. Long story my little sister got sick and died. Because of that tragedy in my family I was angry with my mother and father, and I hated God and people. But praise be too God. I’m so glad that Jesus found me and changed my life. He turned my life around and me made me whole; I’m a witness Jesus Christ is real and I love him so much because he first love me. I thank him every day for my life because he gave me a brand new life. I was lost, I hated my life, I was suicidal, and I had no control, I hated my parent but the Lord reminds me of his great love that was shown on the cross to die in my place and forgives my sin. When I was 11 years old I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and personal savior because one Sunday morning someone told me that Jesus Christ loved me and died for me on the cross and bought me with His precious blood. I said how can he love a person like me I’m a sinner but I’m glad I gave him my whole life and taught me how to love and forgive. I was baptized when I was 12 years old, and right now I’m happy because my father is serving in the Lord and he stopped his vices in life and we are all Christians including my siblings and I’m glad they were supportive in my studies through prayers.
ReplyDeleteWOW! God is indeed to be praised for your life. I'm blessed by how God has changed you and your whole family. I could never imagine myself taking care of 3 siblings at 10 yrs. old. Ate debs, you really are an inspiration and your life testimony is a blessing. Continue to share and testify who Christ is in your life. May you continue also to bless others by letting Jesus, the light in you shine through showing them the change and new life He gave you. God bless you more and more ate debs. :D
DeleteTransformations became the most important part throughout my life. I grew up in a Christian family or home and my father was a Pastor in the Church that is near from our house. As I grew up, My Parents taught me to go to Church especially in the Sunday School Classes. We as family attended every service but then sometimes I was not able to finish the service because I got tired and just went home and sleep. One Sunday service, I went out from the Church and watched television into my uncle’s house but I still the message of God. Every time the service ended, I went out and back again when I noticed the closing song I went back into the church and pretending that I was there so the my father didn’t get angry with me. And that was my childhood life though. There are events in the church that I enjoyed the most like anniversary and Christmas party. At the age of 12, I was taught then by my father about the salvation. I had my fellow youths then at the time when my father taught us about the assurance of salvation. Because I grew up in the Church I believe I was saved already but not. I received the Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior for I admit I sin before the Lord and the relationship was lost and believe in Him who died on the cross for my sin, suffered, and died. I really knew that God loves me at all and my father was the instrument used by God to have eternal life through Jesus Christ. I was converted from being a sinner and lived in darkness but later on the light shined upon me which was Jesus who came into my heart. My path that was strayed before became meaningful because of the path that had goals, directions, and a meaningful life. I was transformed then without any hindrances and not to be conformed into the pattern of this world. Because Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life no one comes to the father except through me. Then I was baptized on November 2008. From this moment on, God has been faithful in my life and continue to strengthen my faith through rendering service to him in the field by serving people, preaching the Good News, and exhort other fellow believers. Never give up nor stop rendering service to God.
ReplyDeleteI can still remember the time I met God, that very rainy, floody, muddy time. A very challenging day that the ministers of God had a very hard time to reach to our place which is in mountain area. It was just a very normal day for us because we use to it to have that kind of whether. To make the very long story short the ministers finally arrived in our house. And not knowing that, that was the very unforgettable day and a way that made by God for me to be born again and received the salvation he offered to me. I feel like floating that time when we were being led to sinners prayer. And after that prayer I felt like being new and had felt this very different feeling than in my usual day. Knowing that there is someone who cannot be seen who is looking at me every day that cares for me and loves me. Who loves me even I am a sinner and accepted me even if I am a failure. From that time on I felt like very thirsty who is looking for more and more who Jesus is and how much he knows me as my God, my personal Savior and Lord!
ReplyDeleteGreat! This reminds us on how God used different people and situations just to reach you. It is to let you know that someone cares and loves you so much that no one can compare. It is true rhat you will be a new creation when you are in Him. It is because He will really change us. I too experience it. It was so good to have a new perspective in life and having a powerful Savior in life.
DeleteI grew up in a Christian family. I was a student in Sunday school. My motger was the one who always encourage me to attend bible classes. Even I was an active child member of our church, I was not saved that time. I was doing and attending because my mother told me so. I did not have personal motivation to attend. I was a girl, who was so good in church but so bad in school. I was the mastermind of all foolish actions or performances in our school. I used to bully other people. Then, I would lie to my parents and sometimes stole money from them. Worse was my expertise on saying bad words.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was grade 4, I attended summer camp. That time, I received Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. I let Him rule over my life. He changed the negative character that I had before to a positive character. Starting that day, I did not spoke bad words. And it seemed that I am always allergic with those words. Indeed, God will really change the life of a person if he or she will surrender his or her life to God. He is the only one that could change lives.
yes, indeed if only we surrender to Him, everything will go smoothly as what God wants. I praised God for every changes happen in your life and in my life. i hope we will continue to be changed into Christ-like as we lived :)
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ReplyDeleteMy conversion story was not that dramatic like anyone else. But I believe that God has its own purpose for my life. I grew up in a Christian family. In my young age I learned who Jesus is, what he did on the cross, and that I am a sinner. Of course,for I always attended in Sunday school. So during my elementary years I already understood that I was different from other kids. I didn't speak bad words, I didn't do a cross sign when praying, and I tried to behave nicely because I am a "baptist". I didn't join to any catholic activities in our barangay because I don't belong to them, remember I am a baptist. Even in my little brain during those times I already understood the don'ts and do's as a baptist. But the sad thing was I did not really understand who Christ is,and what he did for my life. All I thought that if I do good and prayed a sinners prayer I would be in heaven. No one really shared to me the gospel message, letting me to grasp its truth, until I was in my first year high school. I was living in the house of my uncle who was a pastor and he shared the gospel to my board mates (I was one of his boarders)and I was there listening and during that time I accepted Christ as my Lord and savior. I could still remember the peace and joy that I felt in my heart being able to understand the love of God for me and the gift of salvation that he is giving me. From then on my life has changed. Though near the end of my high school years, I almost swayed away by the pleasures of this world, God still did not let go of hand. His love, grace, and mercy never failed to embrace me, to lift me up, and put me in the right path where He wanted me to be.
ReplyDeleteYour right Dp.
DeleteGod has really a great purpose for your life and He had started to accomplish this purpose by conquering your heart with His love. :)
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ReplyDeleteI grew up in a family with the denomination of IFI. I remember myself always attending sunday masses and the annual event that they call "Flores De Mayo". Just like most of the people in that denomination I really did not have any personal relationship with Christ. But looking back to those days I have seen how God invade our family line with His grace. Before I was born here in this world, my unbeliever uncle was married to a woman with a personal commitment with God. I had heard how this woman who became my auntie suffered the consequences of marrying an unbeliever. But indeed God is sovereign for He had caused her decision to result to something great. For about how many years later my uncle was converted and became a Christian. They had their children, my cousins, brought up with Biblical principles. While I was growing up, their two daughters have always treated and considered me as one of their siblings also. They treated me dearly to the point that they want to bring me wherever they go.So they always ask me to go with them in what we call the Sunday School. I would just went with them without really understanding the lessons that had been taught there. I sometimes go to the IFI church and in some other times to the Baptist church that they had been attending. This continued to happen but not until I had reached my 3rd year high school. During that stage of my life questions about my existence had lingered in my mind. "What am I here for?" What is my purpose here on earth?". I was already seeing then that my life can be so very useless without me knowing what I am living for. So unexpectedly God had heard my questions and moved to answer all of it. During summer vacation my cousins invited me to attend a youth camp. So I went to that youth camp with them with no idea of what we will be doing there. I didn't have any Bible when I went there and others would look at me strangely, wondering why I don't have a Bible. During the third night the speaker had an evangelistic message and in that time also I had received the answers for my questions. I had realized that ultimate purpose why I am here on earth is to live for God, to glorify Him who had created me, everyone and anything here on earth. Since then this truth had been instilled in my soul that now I can't even imagine living a life that is strayed away from my ultimate purpose here on earth. I had surrendered my life to Him fully and He had never stopped until now in teaching me the ways that I should go as His child.
ReplyDeleteI am very much grateful for my cousins who have been shining their lights in our family. They had prayed for my or my other cousins' salvation and indeed God is very much pleased and honored in answering their prayers. Few in our family line now are already Christians and committed in serving the Lord. And I thank God for the wonderful gift of salvation that He is continually bestowing to my other relatives. To Him be the glory!
It was during in the camp my teacher in Sunday School shared us her testimony and she ask if we will accept Jesus Christ and I said yes. I accept not because i believe in Him but because it is the fastest way that the small group will end. I volunteer as a leader in Sunday school to escape from the household course. Though Ive been in the ministry for many years and start attending Sunday school since I was six years old, because I am under compassion and attendance is required. But I never considered Him as my God until tragedy happen and now praise God for everything.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in a Christian family, a very active member of the church and attends in a lot of church activities. But, the sad thing was that I do not have that knowledge about salvation. I used to go to church but with a wrong purpose which is just to have fun and meet my friends. All I think about is that I go to church just to listen to the sermons and teachings without knowing the purpose of those in my life. I used to think a lot about “How can the Lord provide for me?” and “What can the Lord give me if I will continue to serve Him?”. All I think about is how can I benefit in the Lord, it’s like the “I, me, and myself” concept of living.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was eleven years old, I attended one of our discipleship camp. It was a 5-day camp and on the last day, Sunday, October 16, 2005, around 7:30 pm, I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my own personal Lord and savior.
Everything has changed because of that decision. And that day became the most significant day of my life. Since then, I’ve seen how the Lord worked in my life. My goal now is to serve Him fully for the rest of my life.
I like your story ate Ella. And that kind of story has been one of the reason that i hold unto while ministering to the kids who just come for snacks. because i believe that God uses wrong motives as a way of that child of finding Him. Indeed, i praise God of your life and the stories that you have, that God used our wrong motives at times to turn to Him and to serve Him.
ReplyDeleteIt was then during the time that I accepted Christ as my personal Lord and Savior when I was still in Grade 3. It was my teacher then who explained to me about the gift of salvation. It happened during the month of December, after we had done decoration our classroom. So he shifted the explanation about Christmas to the message of salvation. It was then I understood the message of salvation and I accepted the Lord Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior.
ReplyDeleteMy family went to a vacation at my mother's hometown – Cotabato in Mindanao. It was one of the Sundays that I could just comfortably sit and let my guard down on that unfamiliar place because the Sunday School teacher is no other than my mother. I started chatting with my so called new friends and to the point of not listening while the Sunday School was still ongoing. Suddenly, my mother called my attention and asked me a tricky question, and she started it something like this, “Naay but-an kaayo na batang babae. Wala siyay gawas gawas sa balay. But-an kaayo siya nga wala juy makit.an ang uban nga sala sa iyaha. Kung mamatay siya karon, asa man siya padulong, heaven or hell?” I confidently blurted out “Heaven!” thinking that the batang babae does not deserve to go to hell. My mom then told me that I was wrong, I was so embarrassed that I did not listen to the explanation. I am not sure if I was embarrassed because I got caught not listening to the teacher who at that time was my mother or was it because I was ashamed of my ignorance towards salvation. But one thing I'm sure of is that, that incident became a key moment of my decision to follow Christ.
ReplyDeleteFast forward to when we were back to Cebu. It was siesta time and my mother was already asleep. But it seems that I cannot manage to sleep at that time. I was just rolling over the small space of the bed. It was as if something or someone kept bothering me. I was not sure what exactly was that so I sat up straight. Thoughts of heaven, eternity, and God flushed through my mind. Even the memory back in Cotabato rang in my head. It was then that I felt it was God stirring my heart.
I woke up mama to ask for help because the strange feeling is so new to a young me. When she was finally awake, I expressed my desire and ask her to help me how I can accept Jesus in my heart as my personal Lord and Savior. I held back my tears while I prayed with her that afternoon.
When I was in high school, I asked my mother if she remembered leading me to Christ that siesta time. She said no and my brother teasingly commented that it could have been just a dream of mine. I prayed again inviting Jesus in my heart when I was a junior high school. But I just cannot deny the genuineness of the moment when I was 7, that I truly understand the whole gospel and the reality of Jesus in my life since then.
Thus is my personal testimony, when I was in Elementary years, my parents encountered our Lord Jesus Christ, but I was still in the life of being separated from God. I am so allergic of hearing God's Word and doing relegious activities. I felt so irritated when I saw my parents reading the Bible and praying. I thought it was just in vain. Everytime my parents brought us to church I felt so irritated because I didn't like it. But when I realized and understood the Gospel of Christ, God humbled me before Him. I surrendered my life to God and committed myself to serve Him for the rest of my life. That is one of the reasons why I am studying here because I believe that this will help me to become effective to serve my God and savior.
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