BORN INTO GOD'S FAMILY

June 15, 1952 was my spiritual birthday. I had heard about the need for salvation and the lostness of those who had not trusted Christ. But, to that point, I had not felt challenged to accept salvation. That night was different. Our family attended an evangelistic meeting in Sioux City, Iowa, about 50 miles from our home. Dr. Bob Cook was speaking to what seemed to me a huge crowd in the Municipal Auditorium. When the invitation was given, the thought of my heart was, "I may never find my family in this crowd of people, but I don't care; I want to accept Jesus as my Savior." I think I was the first one to go forward. I remember a lady kneeling with me and leading me in prayer to confess my sin and invite the Lord Jesus to be my Savior. That night I was born into God's family. I was blessed never to doubt my salvation from that day. My sister, Roberta, trusted Christ the same night and my parents came forward and rededicated their lives to Christ. My brother, John, was not with us but trusted Christ some time later. I not only found my parents, but I remember Dr. Bob Cook praying with our family later back stage. That night I was delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son:(Col. 1:13)
My thanks to Grandma Johnson and others who prayed for my salvation, to my Mom for her burden for our family to hear the gospel, to Dr. Cook for the message, and to the lady that prayed with me. Above all, my thanks to the Lord Jesus for paying the price so I could be born into God's family.