As told by Luke.....
Hey Everyone - I've got big news! Last night at about 9:00, Noah accepted Christ!!! He is a new creation!!!! I can barely keep from crying as a type this - I'm so happy! I feel like Jairus . . . . Jesus saved my child from death!!! I've emailed you because you, no doubt, are excited with me and in some way have a share in this miracle that God has done. I know that all the ministries that my son has been blessed by and taken part in have helped to ultimately lead him to the foot of the cross.
He's only 5, but I have no doubt that that boy is born again! Here's what happened: We have a family devotion routine that we do every night - it gets thrown in the order of events just like baths and brushing teeth. This devotion time consists of a children's devotional book, some singing, some praying, and a memory verse. I've prayed and prayed that God would honor and bless these times, as it takes EFFORT to make sure that we are purposeful about having this family time with God each night. Anyway, Sunday night's devotional was about Jesus' death. So guess what last night's was . . . . His resurrection! Noah knows both of these stories already; he's heard them before. But I could sense more of the Lord on the move last night. Noah was engaging a little more than usual and he asked an important question - "What happens to people that don't believe in Jesus" - out of the mouth of kids!!! So I told him. I didn't freak him out, but I just lovingly explained God's plan - along with hell - and the way it had to be and why it had to be.
He got visibly upset and uncomfortable at the thought of hell - he almost cried. He pulled his blanket up tight around his shoulders and curled up. "What's wrong Noah?", I said. "Thinking about that makes me sad . . . makes me wanna cry" he said. I wanted to talk to him about it (obviously), but the girls were getting a little fidgety. I told Sarah I had to get him out of there. So we prayed real quick to finish up - Sarah tucked the girls in and I went with Noah to his room.
I carefully explained to him that He doesn't have to go to hell - God made a way out! Noah has flirted lately with the idea of 'being a christian', 'getting saved', 'going to heaven' . . . but it wasn't truly clicking - it was just Christian-ese that he'd heard. Last night I felt truly compelled and moved to pray for him like never before - to present him to Jesus the same way that Jairus did with his little girl; to want it as bad as he did. GOD heard and GOD moved! I talked more with Noah about sin, what we deserve, why Jesus came, etc. I worked through the Romans road with him in a 5 year old way. I made sure he understood the key elements before we moved on to other verses. I could see him getting uncomfortable in his own skin- it was so interesting to see. I could see him being affected by something - almost plagued by what he felt like he needed to do. He had an Outsider leaning on him - a feeling that he hadn't felt before and didn't understand. It was the Holy Spirit knocking on his door! A 5 year old doesn't always understand what God on the move feels like! I got to witness my first born son . . . being changed in a moment by The Almighty!!!- So cool!
Anyway, he decided that he had to have Jesus. He DID NOT want to go to hell and I could see his sorrow . . . he understood his need for a Savior. I said "Son, do you want me to pray with you? You can have Jesus in your heart right now?" At this point, I'm thinking "is this really it???" I'm ready to lead him through the sinner's prayer, one line at a time, but instead he prays on his own! "Dear God, I don't wanna go to hell. Please forgive me for my sins and beam me right up to heaven! Amen." I'm smiling, and excited, "Good job Noah, that was great. Now do you want me to pray with you and help you through it a little bit, so you understand?" Noah looks at me - "But I already prayed!", as if to say "once is enough silly daddy". His eyes said "I'm already saved!" He didn't need my fancy words . . . it was between him and God, and God made it happen in his heart. Praise the LORD! What a night. Sarah says "1 down, 2 to go . . ."
Thank you all for you work in ministry. What you do makes a difference. Thank you for sharing in the joy of my son who is a child of the King! God bless you all . . . He sure has me!
Luke 15:7 - Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
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