1. Having the assurance that I'm in for a better future beyond the grave
Understanding the Gospel that The Lord Jesus Christ has became sin and died on the cross for your sin, fully paying the price @ consequence @ satisfying the justice of God that when I have confessed my sins... asked for forgiveness turned to Jesus deciding in my life I would follow Him... believe in my heart @ cling on @ put my whole trust upon what Jesus Christ has done for me... confessing and making Him my Lord... Jesus has definitely changed my life from that point onward. I can not describe how the Good News has struck my heart that day... Being a Buddhist for years since I was a teenager I just had the revelation that Jesus is The Son of God and God Himself manifested in the flesh. I knew I found TRUTH when I made the decision to believe and receive Him into my life.
I had this heart full of joy after that and slowly having a better understanding and a greater assurance on Salvation. I began to look forward and responding to the conviction of The Holy Spirit regarding certain areas of my life and slowly throwing out hundreds of mini idol statues at home... throwing out all the books on the topic of Buddhism and just having a renewed mind about life having Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. I began to see this life is temporary and short... I began to have the understanding of what I have been saved from... Hell... and knowing the Grace and Mercy showed upon my life received in His Kingdom and on my way to heaven has brought me to be humbled in many many occasions... I say to myself "This is real". Although there were days of challenges, rainy days, disappointments and discouragements, at times the assurance of Salvation is strengthen and comfort and help comes to pick me up to continue the race.
2. I became passionate about my FAITH and began sharing to people what happened to me
I remember there was this one time I actually flew across the country to meet 2 friends and began sharing to them about what Jesus has done in my life in a restaurant during dinner. I was so on fire and enthusiastic that I was thinking "I have to tell people about Jesus." I was just recently converted and transformed at that time.
Years has passed since then and I have went through so many ups and downs trying to maneuver myself through the bushes and thick jungle (one the reason being I wasn't planted in a Church and didn't have a Pastor for the first 3 years of my Christian baby walk). But once in awhile, I would have the opportunity to share Jesus to random people, co-workers, friends of friends, close friends and so on. I knew Jesus Christ is Lord and the Son of The Living God... I had assurance and I have a testimony to share.
Some of them who knew me before I was a Christian saw the changed in me... and I want to encourage you too that your sharing about Jesus to friends and families does make a difference. Jesus has changed my life and others knows that too.
Some were annoyed, some took it in a whim, some tried to make their own conclusion of what happened to me (probably throughout the years I began to have some wisdom on how to share my Faith, I would have done things differently that time if I had the wisdom I have now)... But ultimately talking about Jesus is one of my passions and I really appreciate it when another brother or sister in Christ shares what Jesus has done in their life too.
3. I've learned how to pray
1st I was baptized in water
2nd I was baptized in The Holy Spirit
Then life wasn't the same in regards of prayer. I have to say praying in immersing in the comfort of The Father, having fellowship with The Son in His Holy Spirit has been one of the foundation that has helped me to stay a Christian when pressured and questioned about my Faith... When things goes wrong and when challenges comes by... Prayer has indeed helped me go through the hard times and answered prayers has come timely to provide me for protection and guidance.
4. I began to read AND understand the Bible
It wasn't long before I had this heart and thought that "Now I need to get myself a Bible and begin to read it." This happened a few days after I received Jesus (If I could remember correctly). I began to study the Word of God and make side notes and highlighted certain verses that has caught my attention or has blessed me.
Reading the Bible helped me to understand certain sermons better and has blessed me to understand the Gospel in a better way. Not mentioning the help I get in my prayer... In comfort... and so on...
But I also have to say. reading the Bible has saved my life by making me realize the wrong turns and wrong paths I was walking upon in life... Helped me to make wise decisions and blessed me turn away from destructive habits. Having said that, it also gave me revelation and wisdom to just continue running the race as a Christian. Letting the Word of God sinking in my life and putting into action what is demanded of The Lord our God... This gave me tremendous help as I am reminded of God's Word at times when I really needed it.
5. I began to love other not with an oogie gooie kind of love but care, being kind and having a heart to serve others
It was like I had a heart of stone before and was only thinking of myself, I and me all the time... When reality hits and I was converted... It was like I was given a heart of flesh that began pumping and placed others before me. I began to serve others... help others... and show kindness to people. Jesus just gave me so much love that I just began to love others too.
Began to happily open doors for people, began to try to actually make an effort to understand others, had the heart to make others comfortable... Although I am far than perfect, but there was this changed from within me that just wanted to share the Love of Christ that was shed in my heart.
Well, that's all I wanted to share today... The Lord Jesus Christ can really help you in your walk as a Christian... If you haven't had an encounter with Jesus yet... It's worth your time, effort and life to seek the TRUTH and sincerely finding out for yourself: Who is Jesus?
