Growing up, I knew about God through Bible studies and teachings from my parents. As a family we would go to church every Sunday, but to me it was just something I thought we had to do. I would always pray to God and I experienced my prayers being answered, but still I didn’t realize how much God loved me. I saw my family pray and depend on God and saw how they always put Him first. But in my life I wouldn't go to God first, instead I trusted in myself to make it through various circumstances. I remember when my church thought it was right for the youth to get baptized. However, at the time I didn’t understand what that meant, so I decided not to get baptized until I followed every commandment and tried to read my Bible. That attempt didn’t last long and I was back to my old ways. I really wanted to get closer to God, but I didn’t understand how to approach it or how to change.
When I came to college, I attended weekly Bible studies with Cornerstone ministers. There I learned that understanding God and His works were much more than trying to follow the commandments and being a “good person.” I saw that those things wouldn’t get me into Heaven and were not the correct way of getting closer to God. Through studying the Word, I realized that God loved me, He died for my sins, and forgave me. He desired a relationship with me rather than my works and trying to be a good person. So, I decided to give my life to Jesus last year not only because it was right, but because I understood what Jesus had done for me, how much He loved me, and how much I loved Him in return. Now I live a life of faith, where I put God first like my parents did.
Being at Cornerstone taught me that being a part of a church meant that you were part of a family that took communion together and fellowshipped in covenant groups. I've even helped out in a Bible study this year where I got to share what God has done in my life. God has a plan for me and I no longer live on my own strength, but I depend on Him. I am thankful to my parents for being an example, and thankful for the people at Cornerstone who’ve helped me grow in my new relationship in Christ. ~ Merlande
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