Before Jesus Changed My Life

I grew up in a Christian household, but I didn't take believing and sin seriously. Before Jesus, I was a people pleaser. Whether it was parents, friends, teachers, or the community. I always tried to do the right thing, but also did these things for myself to look better. I feel like a lot of the things I did in my life before Jesus were to look better and to make people proud of me. I thought that playing sports, earning my Eagle Scout, and going to college showed people who knew me that I was a believer, but deep down I was lost and confused.

How Jesus Changed My Life

My wife and I were searching for a church in the area to attend, and I was invited to Veritas by one of my best friends, Rhett Thys. My wife and I took him up on it and attended with him. Since coming,, I have become more deeply involved in reading the Bible and attending church. The day I chose to follow Jesus was a Men's Discipleship Night at the church centered on finances. There, I met other true believers who gave willingly, not just to check a box. This night really helped pull me closer to God because I was always worried about not having enough money or not being good enough. After that Men's Discipleship Night, Andrew Serbousek invited my wife and me to join their connection group. Since joining the connection group with the help of God, I have grown to love him and to be thankful that I am a true believer now, not someone who just shows up and goes through the motions.

My Life After Jesus Saved Me

My hope and strength are found in Jesus. Romans 8:35-39 says, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or danger, or sword? As it is written ‘For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This verse has helped me understand that being a follower of Jesus is not easy and doesn't come without hardships. But with the love and sacrifice of Christ Jesus, we are saved. I am so glad that Jesus died on the cross and saved me from my sins. I can't wait for eternity with him.