The first I remember being confronted with my need to be born again was after a Sunday School assembly when our concerned pastor kept a group of us girls behind to go through the plan of salvation and pray with us. He then told us to walk down the aisle at the invitation after the morning service. That was very scary to me because the aisle was never used at invitation except for what I perceived to be a really bad sinner!
Obviously, I wasn't convicted that I was a sinner (For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23), but the seed had been planted in my heart and mind.
Vacation Bible School
That summer at vacation bible school, the Holy Spirit was deeply convicting me that my sin was separating me from God. I needed to accept the payment Jesus Christ had made on the cross (For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16) for my sin to save me from the lake of fire that he had prepared for the Devil and his angels.
Once again, I was scared to go down the aisle and too proud to ask someone to help me as I shunned the Holy Spirit for the next while He withdrew and left me alone until a few years.
Obviously, I wasn't convicted that I was a sinner (For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23), but the seed had been planted in my heart and mind.
Vacation Bible School
That summer at vacation bible school, the Holy Spirit was deeply convicting me that my sin was separating me from God. I needed to accept the payment Jesus Christ had made on the cross (For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16) for my sin to save me from the lake of fire that he had prepared for the Devil and his angels.
Once again, I was scared to go down the aisle and too proud to ask someone to help me as I shunned the Holy Spirit for the next while He withdrew and left me alone until a few years.
Summer Revival
Then during a summer revival, He came once again, stirring my heart. Scared and proud again the Lord sent an older teen to ask if I'd like her to go with me. I was thrilled!! The encouragement I needed!
As I stepped from my seat, peace and joy flooded my soul! It was such a great relief to know my salvation was settled; I was even baptized that same night! (That if thou shalt confess with they mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart, man believeth unto righteousness: and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10)
Salvation Settled
It was only as I wrote this out that the Lord clarified that this was the point of my true salvation. For many years Satan has deceived me, ...but he that lacketh these things (virtues listed in vs. 5-7) is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. II Peter 1:9
When you're not confident in your salvation, Satan knows that you won't serve the Lord fully with your head filled with doubts. I spent 5 years struggling to settle my salvation doubts. After 2 more professions of faith and baptisms, it wasn't until the Lord gave me II Peter 1:9 that I was able to understand what was going on in my mind and accept the fact that I was truly saved.
I belong to the King of Kings! A joint-heir with Jesus Christ himself!! What joy it is to have peace and purpose. Do you have God's peace in your heart and life?
Have you been down the path to salvation? If not, I'd love to show you the way. Please message me and let's chat.
Abundant Blessings,
Abundant Blessings,
Your friend, Dana
