I accepted Christ's gift of salvation and eternal life in April of 2002. Before that, I was much like nearly everyone else that I know: a nice guy, active in my community, attending church (I was baptized in the Catholic Church) infrequently, and when I did attend, it was with the uncomfortable sensation that I was missing something.

In early 2002, my family and I began attending Franklin Missionary Baptist Church. I felt well at ease there, as every member of the congregation that I met was very open and friendly. At the end of the service in which I was Saved, (I still don't remember what the sermon was about) the Pastor issued an invitation to come forward and accept Christ into your heart and life, and I saw myself as God sees me; a sinner, dead in my trespasses, and destined for Hell. I was reluctant to act on my new knowledge, but at the Pastor's urging, I stood. Once on my feet, I felt drawn to the altar and went forward. A deacon showed me in the Bible how to accept Christ, and be forgiven of my sins. I was so overwhelmed that I could barely speak, but somehow managed to ask for God's forgiveness, and invite Christ into my heart. Over the next several days, I didn't think that it could have been that easy! My eyes were opened to all the ways that I had sinned, and I prayed a lot. God in his mercy granted me assurance and peace that I was in fact saved, and a new creature in Christ!

Since then, I am enjoying my new life in Christ. God is always with me; I am able to share thoughts and feelings with Him, ask for assistance and guidance, and He is faithful to listen and help. My church family is very important to me, and instead of Sunday service being a chore, I look forward to going! Bible study has convinced me that I am born again, and will one day be with God in Heaven. Problems still exist, and being a Christian has not made my life trouble free, but it does make the bad times easier to handle.

The HVAC industry is by nature stressful, and heavily governed by the weather and the economy. In 2002, during a particularly stressful time, I realized that I could do little to fix the problems I had (if the phone doesn't ring, what can you do?). At that time, I asked God in His sovereignty to help me make it if he wanted me to continue in business, and if not I knew by reading His Word that he would take care of things (all things work together for good to them that love God… Rom8:28) In 2003, I had my best business year ever, and God continues to provide daily.

The Bible tells us that:

A. Everyone has sinned (For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;)¹

B. The penalty for sin is death (For the wages of sin is death;)²

C. God doesn't want anyone to die (The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance)³

D. Christ came into the world to forgive our sins and grant us eternal life (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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.)⁴

E. God will save you if you turn to Him. (That if thou shalt confess with thy 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.)⁵

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Now, accept Jesus as your ONLY way to heaven:

Lord Jesus, be merciful to me, a sinner. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and rose from the dead. I now trust you as my only way to heaven. In your name I pray, Amen.

Now What?
If you truly trusted Christ as your Savior, you'll want to learn more about Him and how He can make your life better. I'd like to know you got saved so I can help you grow in the Lord. E-mail me at the link on our home page.

References
1. The Holy Bible: King James Version. 1995 (Ro 3:23)
2. The Holy Bible: King James Version. 1995 (Ro 6:23)
3. The Holy Bible: King James Version. 1995 (2 Pe 3:9)
4. The Holy Bible: King James Version. 1995 (Jn 3:16-17)
5. The Holy Bible: King James Version. 1995 (Rm 10:9,10)