I wasn’t always good, as a little boy. I gave my mother problems.  I had a bad temper and at times I was disobedient. I aggravated my sister and fought my brother.  When my mother would chastise me she would warn me not to take my anger out on the children at school.  Sometimes her warnings would go in one ear and come out of the other.  I fought at school and said profane things.

I was taught the word of God by Bishop W. F. Lucas as a child. As Apostle Paul expressed concerning Timothy, that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation.  I knew the things that I should and should not do, but I was contrary. I was headed to the lake of fire. I had heard in the scriptures that heaven and earth would pass away with a great noise. When a great storm would hit, I would pull the covers over my head and ask the Lord to allow me to make it to Sunday and I would repent. When Sunday would come the weather was nice and I forgot about my promise to the Lord. I didn’t turn to the Lord right away, but the word did not go out void. The seed of the word had been planted in my heart.  

I came to the Lord at the young age of 14.  The night before I did, I was joking and telling lies with my cousin. One of the last things I said that night was, I told a lot of lies tonight , but tomorrow I’ll be at the altar. I didn’t know I was telling the truth. The next day was Sunday. As I sat in the pews, it seemed as though the spirit of the Lord was in the service and I was convicted in my heart even before the Bishop stood up to preach. I began to tell myself, "You know better and now it’s time to live for the Lord."  The invitation to come to the Lord was made by Bishop W. F. Lucas. At that point, the devil began to tell me, you haven’t had your fun with women, clubbed or partied yet. If you come to the Lord now you’ll miss out on the fun. I thank God I didn’t listen to that deceiver.  I stepped out from the pews and repented of my sins or wrong doing and was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of my sins. I thank God today for the Holy Ghost.

As I minister to young people, I take knowledge that many of them believe they are too young to live for the Lord. This is a lie that has been planted in their hearts by Satan. The Lord said, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”  King Solomon preached in Ecclessiates 12:1 saying, “Remember now thy creator in the days of thy youth while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.” There will come a time in your life when you will get old, if you live long enough. Your body won’t be able to sustain that young active corrupt life style of the world, for your body is for the Lord even in your youth. Don’t you know that your body is the temple or house for the Holy Ghost and you are not your own (I Corinthians 6:19)? Since you are not your own, present your body to the Lord and allow Him to get the glory out of your life (Romans 12:1). 

Someone may be at the point where they are willing to surrender their life to the Lord, but are afraid that it’s too hard to live right. It’s hard to live wrong. The scripture teaches, the way of a transgressor is hard. A transgressor is one who lives contrary to what he/she know is right.  The Lord said his yoke is easy and his burdens are light, Matthew 11:30.  I can testify that I have found rest for my soul. The Lord has so much to offer us if we would only let him come into our hearts as we hear the word of God. When He comes in, the devil has no more room to operate in your life. God is a savior and a keeper.  He can save those who are willing to repent and be baptized in his name (Jesus Christ) Acts 2:37- 40. 

You may email me at pastorvistajeffries@thetruechurch.org

May God richly bless you.

Elder Vista Jeffries