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NASB | John 12:32 "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 12:32 "And I, if and when I am lifted up from the earth [on the cross], will draw all people to Myself [Gentiles, as well as Jews]." |
Bible Question:
Dearest Brothers and Sister in Christ; Before I leave for worship this morning, I desire to pose another query on the forum, but this time I will answer it before I ask, so that I cause no one to feel offended or hurt and to assure you that there is no malicious intent. I think there is so much power to draw people to Christ when we lift Him up by our testimony. I have been in some church all of my life. My grandmother who was a founding member and very active member of our family church when I was born; made sure that my first outing as a newborn was to the church to be dedicated. I have been going ever since. But I made a conscience decision to call upon the name of Jesus to be saved almost 31 years ago. I met this young Lady named Ann. As our friendship grew she had me over for lunch. She began to tell me things that I already knew, as to how the Lord died for my sins. But as she spoke the words that I had heard over and over throughout the years, I began to take those words very personally for the first time. I remember bawling as I recalled all of the sinful things that I had done in my life, and I could vividly see Jesus suffering on that cross and dying because of "MY" flagrant sins and disobedience. It was just Him and me. I was a guilty wretched sinner and He was my Loving Lord paying the price of all that I had done and that price was death. To think that He would love me that much all of this time and I had never once considered it thoughtfully. (AND REMEMBER I WAS IN CHURCH) At that point it was no longer my Christian religion it became my Christ relationship. I knew that I could in no way deserve such a gift, but I accepted so great a salvation, and vowed to let Him be the Lord of my life. The words of that song, "He looked beyond my faults and saw my needs" began to mean something to me on that day. I have been in Him since that day. Sometimes up, and sometimes down, but I promise you NEVER OUT! My question: Do you remember the day that He saved you and what is your testimony of that day? For God so Love the world, He gave His ONLY begotten Son that we may live! -Kathy |
Bible Answer: I recall the day I was saved! I had been in an absolutely hellish relationship with a man. When the relationship was mercifully over, I was a scared wreck. Amongst my many fears was that he would come back and kill me, and/or that he had without a doubt given me AIDS. My level of anxiety was high to be sure. I talked to my mom and she told me "if you want some peace, come to church." Well, I went to church. Just the sight of the choir processing and singing brought me to tears. Why, I don't know, but even though I did not give my life to the Lord that day, I found myself asking for a bible of my own. My mother handed me a brand new Living Bible with a companion workbook called "A Handbook for Christian Maturity." I took those books back to my apartment and began reading. For the first time, my eyes were opened. I believed that Jesus was real! I had grown up in Catholic school all my life and had never seen Him the way I did in that moment! The book guided me to confessing my sins and asking Jesus into my heart. What moved me most though, were Jesus words "I will never leave you nor forsake you." That was it for me. The next time I saw my mother, I confessed things to her that I'd done behind her back over the years. And the first miracle I experienced was, I quit smoking! That was 11 years ago. Sometimes I'm up, sometimes I'm down, sometimes I stumble and fall. But the Lord has not failed me yet, and I know He never will! --Kim |