Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
This past week brought about something that I never thought that I would see. Truth is there were quite a few that didn’t think that I would ever see it or that it could happen. So what was it? I celebrated another birthday!
I seem to have always caused struggles. My dad was upset because he had to leave the harvest field to take my mom to the hospital. Others struggled with me turning old enough to get my driver’s license. Then others couldn’t believe it when I actually turned 21 and was still alive!
But God had a greater plan for my life than I ever imagined. Let me explain. At the age of 8 at the end of a service I told my Dad that I wanted to be saved. He looked at me and said we would talk about it when we got home.
After the final amen, we walked out the front door of the church, across the street and up the steps to the house across the street. Then we went in the front door and immediately turned right into my parent’s bedroom. I knew it was important because that was the first time I had ever been in their room.
Once inside, we knelt beside the bed and Dad shared with me about accepting Jesus as my Savior. I remember praying and asking Jesus to forgive me of my sins and to come into my heart. When we came out of the room Dad shared with Mom and my sisters what I had done and that I was saved.
I wish I could say it was all perfect after that but it hasn’t been. I had several years where I didn’t live in the way that I should. It wasn’t until my Grandpa Smith died that my life turned around. I was 21 and I realized at his funeral that my life was a mess. I prayed and asked the Lord to forgive me and I recommitted my life to Him.
Things haven’t been perfect since that time, but one thing that I do know and that is that Jesus is my Savior and Lord. He delivered from the bondage of sin and now leads me in the path that He would have me go. I’m still not perfect, but He continues to show me the path I need to be on and helps me to walk the path He has for me.
The truth is while I was born in Elk City, OK., I was born again in Medford, OK. Then I recommitted my life in Sickles, OK. Since that time, the Lord has been gracious to forgive me and bring me to where He wanted me to be. Regardless of where I have been, God continues to bring about the restoration that I need in my life each step of the way.
That is where I learned the Romans Road to Salvation.
Romans 3:23 says – “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Romans 6:23 says – “for the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 5:8 says – “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 10:9-10 – “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart hat God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. 10 for with heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”
Romans 10:13 – for “Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Each person has been born, but to be born again they must pray, asking God to forgive them of their sins and believe that God will forgive them of their sins and save them.
While I had another birthday, the most important thing that has happened in my life is when Jesus saved me and I was born again. And that is why I say -----
JESUS, JESUS, JESUS, there IS something about that name!!
Christ only, always,
Bro. Paul
