Before Jesus Changed My Life
Growing up, I was raised in a Christian home. Throughout elementary school, we went to church on Sundays, and I probably groaned about it 75% of the time. Throughout middle school, high school, and early college years, I got older, and life became busier. Attending church wasn’t a priority in my life, and I didn’t feel God’s presence in my day-to-day life. I thought that attending church on the major holidays and praying occasionally made me a “good enough” Christian. I was living for the world. I cared more about fitting in with friends and partying. I found myself swearing, judging others, and getting easily frustrated or overwhelmed. I was lost.
How Jesus Changed My Life
A few years ago, my sister got baptized here at Veritas. She and my aunt would send daily Bible verses to the family in our group chat, talk about their experiences with Jesus, and practice evangelism. I attended a Veritas service for the first time a year and a half ago in April of 2025, and it changed my life. My family and I attended a different church here in town, and I loved it. However, after attending Veritas, I felt something changed, and it sparked something in me. Last summer we were in the series “Sweeter Than Honey”. There were many awesome services about repentance, what it means to fear God, and becoming steadfast through trials. I bought a journal bible and a notebook and really let that series resonate with me. Instead of groaning about going to church, I started looking forward to Sunday service and made it a continuous priority in my life. Jesus’ love and work in Pastor Jake overflows into the church and into his preaching. He emphasized the true glory of God, and I began to feel that glory in my life. In September of 2025, we started the book of Daniel. Daniel 6:10 says, “When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open towards Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.” This verse, along with the rest of the book of Daniel, shows his unwavering faith and obedience to the Lord, even in the face of consequences. This filled me with the desire to also obey Jesus as he calls us to. In the way he deserves. I grew to know and love the gospel, which is the good news that God sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross, save us from our sin, and offer us an eternal life with our Savior. John 3:16 is a well-known verse that sums up the gospel. It states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” The gospel is the redemptive work of Jesus Christ through his ultimate sacrifice.
My Life After Jesus Saved Me
Not long after attending Veritas, diving into the gospel, prioritizing prayer, practicing obedience, and making Jesus the center of my life, my life changed. My music playlist switched from rap to worship. Instead of judging people, I began praying for them. I no longer desire partying or swearing because I know what Jesus has to offer is so much more fulfilling. I no longer feel frustrated and angry because I know I can give it to God, and he never fails. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” I now have faith in the Lord and his plan for me. I now crave the word of the Lord and enjoy giving him praise. I now feel Jesus actively working in my life. I now am able to catch myself in my sin, pray on it, and reroute my thoughts or actions. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the things in my day-to-day life, I am overwhelmed by the love Jesus has for me. Matthew 28: 19-20 says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” I am ready to publicly declare my love for Jesus and be born into a new life with the one who paid it all. Our Savior Jesus Christ. “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).