The real news on February 10, 1991, my spiritual birthday, was not that the East beat the West in the forty-first NBA All-Star Game; it was that I made a heart, mind, soul, and strength decision to surrender all to Jesus Christ during praise and worship that Sunday morning in Dallas, Texas. Here was the simple good news:
| I |
He |
Explanation |
| Sinned |
Loved, forgave and save me |
Gal. 2:20; 1 John 3:4–5; Rom. 3:23–26; 1
Tim. 1:15; Titus 3:4–8 |
| Was a slave to sin |
Died and freed me from sin |
Rom. 6:6, 23 |
| Received free gift of grace |
Saved me, let me in |
Eph. 2:8–9, John 10:9 |
| Lived now for Him |
Made me a new person |
2 Cor. 5:14–17 |
| Was dead in my sin |
Set me free |
Rom. 6:16–18 |
| Surrendered |
Gave me eternal life |
John 12:25 |
| Confessed and believed |
Saved me |
Rom. 10:9–13, 1 John 1:9 |
| Submitted to Him |
Drew near to me |
James 4:7–10 |
| Believed |
Loved and gave His Son |
John 3:15–17, Rom. 8:38–39 |
| Made Him Lord |
Died on a cross |
Phil. 2:5–11, Rom. 5:8 |
| Received |
Gave a gift of eternal life |
Rom. 5:15–21 |
| Believed, received |
Sealed |
2 Cor. 1:22; Eph 1:13 |
Have you surrendered all? Are you ready to do that now? If you aren’t ready, maybe have an open, honest talk with God and ask Him to help you. If you are ready, feel free to pray this prayer or one from your heart. Don’t just check the box! Mean it with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength!
“God, I am a sinner. You already knew that, but I needed to say it. I have sinned against others, myself and against you. I am sorry. I ask that you forgive me for all of my sins. Forgive me mostly for the sin of living my life on my own, apart from you. I need you. I now give you all of my heart. Take out the heart of stone and give me a new heart, a new life. I surrender all. I accept your son Jesus Christ as my Savior and my Lord. I invite the Holy Spirit to take residence in this temple. I ask that you wash me, cleanse me, and purify me by the power of the blood of Jesus Christ. I proclaim a new beginning right now. I declare that I am a new creature in Jesus Christ. I will live for you my entire life. Thank you Lord. I love you. Amen.”
If you prayed this prayer, please tell someone immediately. Pick up the phone and call someone who is a believer. Send me an e-mail. Get plugged in to a Bible-believing, on-fire-for-Jesus church. Start reading your Bible every day, and get to know your Savior, Lord, Father, and best friend!
Many tools to help you are available in A Lasting Legacy. |
