I wanted to share my story about receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior.  I hope you enjoy it and I hope I can bring it out and write it well.

For the past few years my soul would disturb me on and off. But when I was about 12 I made up this idea that I was saved because of my own little formula and just decided that that was that. It didn't satisfy me so I would go through my formula whenever I felt uncertain. It continued like that for the next few years, with everyone thinking there was nothing wrong...including myself some of the time. But time passed and I finally said, "I don't think I'm saved." But I'd already been baptized already under one of my 'stories' that for a time I thought was real. I continued to tell a few trusted people that I 'wasn't sure' that I was saved all along knowing in my heart that I wasn't. I continued to pray about it but I wasn't willing to take what God offered and tried to add my own whatever into it. Then when my Nana passed away and we went up there my soul was really bothering me. I had almost given up hope of getting saved but not matter what I still kept trying to see and still kept trying to do something.

Finally the funeral day came around and instead of having a huge speech about how great she was, my Nana had wanted a gospel message instead. So, Albert Hall spoke on John 3:16. That was Friday. The days went by and I'd still get worried at night but continued to let it go for another night and was lucky to wake up the next mornings.

It was Sunday. We were going to go to the breaking of bread at my Papa's assembly which was about an hour away from where we were staying in Toronto. As you can imagine I was still worried about my soul as we got in the car for the hour drive. I kept on trying to run over things in my mind but I 'just couldn't believe'. Then something came back to me. My Mom had mentioned and while back that children that grow up in Christian homes tend to think believing as a chore and not as child-like trust. I quoted John 3:16 again with that in my mind and to read it like it was the first time and that the believing was what it truly was. It 'clicked'. But I didn't accept it yet. I few minutes later just out of the blue I said, "Thank you." to God and accepted his gift.

I still doubt so its a little hard but I continue to remind myself that it isn't me but that the work is done and I can go to Heaven because of what the Lord Jesus Christ did for ME. He died for ME! I would appreciate all prayers about peace and assurance to my soul from God's Word because the person I have been for the past 15 years tends to overtake me. But I was so glad to be able to tell you about my story and hope that if you haven't come to the Lord Jesus Christ to do so...because you'll never be the same, take it from me. =)

Lauren