“But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself” (John 12:32).
While we were in the city of Ufa, Russia for a Power to Change media campaign, Olga, our translator, told us the amazing story of how she came to faith in Christ and how He changed her.
She had been a revolutionary communist and a good leader, but life changed for her when she and a group of others went to a city for a conference. That evening they planned to go see a movie, but to their dismay, the only movie that was showing in the theatre was JESUS.
She watched the movie with great interest, God was working in her heart. At the end of the movie, they were given the opportunity to ask Jesus Christ into their lives as Lord and Savior and she prayed. Jesus began to change her life.
A few weeks later she began to have a desire to go to church and her grandmother encouraged her. At the end of the service, when an invitation was given, she went forward again and reaffirmed her belief in Jesus.
As a leader, it didn’t take her long to become involved in the church. The next Sunday she sang in the worship team. The following week she was the worship leader.
Three years have passed since Olga gave her heart to Christ and she continues to be a revolutionary. But now Christ is her Leader. Just before we flew home, she called to tell us that she had just taken a youth group to the Ufa university campus – they were witnessing and gave away 1,000 Power to Change books. Two hundred and fifty students wanted to get together again to talk. Amazing what God will do through one person who is available to God.
Like Olga, we come to the place when we realize that our current life is not satisfying. We realize that we need more. We need God in our life, Have you come to that place? You too, can ask God, through Jesus Christ, to come into your life and give you forgiveness, peace, love hope and eternal life.
I encourage you to pray this prayer from the bottom of your heart.
Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to You and ask You to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.
Let us know if you prayed this prayer. We would love to send you some links for help you get to know God.
by Katherine Kehler
used by permission
FURTHER READING
My Search for Inner Peace – by Eva Reinhart
Bloom Where you are Planted – the Diane Willis story
Getting Life Back on Track by Marvin Kehler