Title: What is Your Story?

Text:

1 Timothy 1:15-16 (HCSB)
¹⁵ This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners"—and I am the worst of them. ¹⁶ But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst [of them], Christ Jesus might demonstrate His extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life.

Observation:

The Apostle Paul had a story. Today I want to tell my story; it's not like Paul's story, but it is my story. It began a long time ago; I remember the date and the time it happened. It was nothing I planned, but it was something God had on His mind in eternity past.

Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV)
⁴ even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love ⁵ he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

I heard the call of God upon my life on December 31, 1949. I attended a Watch Night service with my mother. What happened to me was not something that I planned. There was a sharing of personal testimonies that night, and I didn't have a testimony. However, that would soon change.

It was just before midnight, the pastor said words similar to this. Some of those who were with us this time last year are no longer with us. Some of you who are with us tonight will not be with us this time next year. Those words spoke into my heart.

The Holy Spirit of God was working on me, and I leaned over and told my mother something. The pastor said, "This will be the last time; and they sang the chorus of "Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior". These words were for me, and I said yes to the still small voice of Jesus that spoke into my heart.

"Savior, Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by."

I didn't want the Lord to pass me by, and He didn't. The Lord heard my cry. I was baptized the next day; January 1, 1950.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful for the love of God, and the high value that You place on Your wayward children. Father, I thank You for calling me to salvation, and giving me the gift of faith to receive Jesus into my heart.

Father, I thank You for the blessings of walking with You for almost 65 years. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

John 1:12-13 (NLT)
¹² But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. ¹³ They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

--

Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ But He answered, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/