The Night My LIfe Changed Forever

 

 

What a great day to serve the Lord, and what a great week to remind us of his unconditional love for us.  Today is a special date for me personally, as forty six years ago I gave my heart to Jesus and received Him as my Lord and Savior.  It took place at North Dayton Baptist Church during a Revival with Evangelist TD Hall. I was fourteen. I am grateful I had Bible preaching pastors who weekly preached the Word of God and the Gospel, yet God used a fresh voice to speak to my heart through the power of the Holy Spirit. The only difference than today's date of April 13 and 1976 is that it was a Tuesday night in 1976.

Fast forward to last night, Tuesday night, April 12,  2022. John and Shawna Keehner lead a wonderful monthly ministry of providing meals to our community. A great team prepares, cooks, serves, and delivers.  I was blessed to be able to deliver several meals to some Eaton homes.

One of those homes was the house of a man named Fred.  That name means something to me as Dad's name is Fred as well as my middle name.  I knocked, stepped back and waited.  In a few seconds a man opened the door.  I introduced myself and he the same.  He shared he has thought about visiting.  He shared some health battles he has.   I asked if I could pray for him.  He invited me in, and before I prayed, I asked him,"Fred, are you a Christian?" He shook his head no, and I asked for the privilege to share and he graciously said yes.  How wonderful it was to hear him pray and ask Jesus into his heart, right there in his kitchen.

I was thrilled and left with the expectation he may be here Sunday.

I share this to praise the Lord!  It was a divine appointment. Not because I am anything special, but because of God's grace and how he chooses at times to use people. You see I knew where the house was because Travis and Carlena McDaniel are usually the ones who drop off Fred's dinner.  God has been using their faithfulness, and friendliness, month after month, that opened the door for me last night.  He used the faithful cooking and serving, and preparing from many of you.  The team had prayed prior to my arrival at the church last night, and God was already at work in a heart and we didn't know it.

Are you still following me? It gets a little funny at this point.  I was talking to my sister Sheila when I pulled into Fred's driveway and asked her to hang on, this will only be a second.  After a number of minutes I returned to the car and she was still on the line!  She thought I had been abducted by a prospect, but she soon rejoiced when I shared the story with her.

And then... it hit me!  God had just given me the greatest privilege outside of being saved,and that was to share the Gospel and see a person respond and accept Christ.  Forty six years to the very night, what had happened in my heart continues to happen in the hearts of others recognizing their need to be saved. Jesus saves.

I don't share this story because I think I am something...I am not. I share this to encourage you! Us!  God is a work in our church in a great way.  He is answering prayer.  Lives are being changed and God is using you.

Renee and I love you all.  Happy Easter!