I have just recently been thinking of a little boy that I used to have in my Sunday School class when he was just three and four years old and I have looked up the Gospel tract that he wrote shortly before he went to be with Jesus...
Mark Saumure ~ Welland, Ontario
The following is 'My Story'! It is dear to my heart since this is how I came to find Christ as MY SAVIOUR! My intention is simple - to let you know that God loves you SO much that He has given His only Son to die so that you might LIVE!
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.
I thank God my parents were Christians who read the Bible, feared God and took us to gospel meetings at the Gospel Hall. At ages seven and ten, I told people I had gotten saved. I’m still not sure why I said I was saved when I knew I wasn’t. Soon, gospel meetings became a chore.
In high school, I was ashamed of my parent’s beliefs and I rejected God’s Word. I did whatever I could to show my friends that I was not a Christian. I got in with the wrong crowd and did many “stupid” things. These “friends” only stood with me when things were going well.
In March 1995, I was diagnosed with a malignant form of cancer. This really shook me! However, I continued for the next few months thinking, like most teenagers, “I am indestructible!”
Finally, my doctor looked at me and said, “Mark, your time is limited. My guess is that you have one to two years left.” His words stabbed me. This was the first time I realized I was going to die. I used to think, “I am young, strong, and healthy. I have many years ahead.” NOT TRUE!
I spent May, June and July in Princess Margaret Hospital. During that time I began searching my Bible. First, I faced the truth that I did not have eternal life. I was afraid but too proud to tell my parents. Very late at nights I would pray, “Lord, please save my soul! I know I am a sinner. I need Your salvation! Please save me!”
I knew many verses such as “He that BELIEVETH on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36). But I kept asking myself, “How do you believe?”
Then, on August 3rd, in my parent’s bedroom, I prayed very earnestly for salvation. Finally, I said, “I’ll just have to go to hell! I just don’t understand what more I have to do to get saved.” Right them, I understood. There is nothing for me to do! EVERYTHING HAS ALL BEEN DONE! Christ died on the cross for me! That’s enough!
At that moment, Christ became MY savior! Since then, I have had true joy. I used to think, Christians have boring lives. I was wrong! A Christian has a GREAT LIFE and a GREAT FUTURE. To be with the Lord Jesus for eternity – what could be better?!
I used to think “having a fun time” would satisfy. It all looks bright and inviting. The truth is, there is no real satisfaction in this world. The only satisfaction comes from the Lord Jesus!
What is keeping you from being saved? Don’t let your pride, your friends or anything keep you from getting saved. Remember, the promise is still good, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).
Editors note: Mark Saumure passed into the Lord’s presence on September 17, 1996. Age – 19.
6 comments:
What a precious testimony! Glory to God...and how true, Jesus Christ HAS done it all...to provide salvation for every one who realizes they need to have thier sins forgiven. Reading this has blessed my heart and I hope it touchs the hearts of many who happen by your blog. That they too may repent and call upon the Lord for salvation.
A precious young life was saved. Mark lived a short life on earth, but now he lives on in eternity with Jesus. it is far better to be with the Lord ... God has counted the days of our lives. Praise God for this young life
That was very nice, Terry. I am glad he was in your Sunday school class. I'm sure you planted many seeds for him to grow.
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only one life, will soon be past ... only what's done for Christ will last ...
i have that saying on a plaque where i can see it ...
this young man made the best of his short time ...
thank you for sharing!!
What a wonderful testimony! thank you Terry! I'm sorry I haven't been here for a few days...I'm catching up!
Hi, Mrs. Shirkie,
I'm sorry it's been awhile since I visted your site...I haven't been regular on Pals either. I think it's about time for an update...can you please pass this on to the Pals via e-mail? Thank you.
Dearest Pals,
Thank you for your prayers...they are much needed. We have been struggling these days.
My dad found out from the ct scan that the tumors in his liver and lungs decreased...but he also learned that the reason why his voice is often raspy is the tumor in his lung pressing on his vocal cords. Lately, his throat seems to constrict, and he can hardly eat a meal without choking....which doesn't make it exactly pleasant to eat with him--at least, I find it hard to eat when I am on edge as he coughs and coughs. His breathing is more shallow, and due to the pain, he does not get out much to take a short "walk" on his crutches. He has a pinched nerve in his leg which pains him a lot. He has gone off all meds because they did not good but harm...the pain is no worse without them, and actually seems less!
He may be choosing to go off al conventional treatment, specifically radiation and chemo, because it kills all the cells, good and bad, and while he is on it, he may feel good for a bit, but then it comes right back. Also the last bout of radiation did nothing like it was supposed to do! He is going to start some injections next week, and we'll see how that goes---in the meantime we pray for the Healer to heal him. We'll be going to a conference we went to last year where people were healed (including my sister) and maybe he will be healed there. It's May 30/31, but he's only going to the one in the evening, May 31.
My whole family struggles in this together...my mom has run ragged and hardly eats three good meals a day--which concerns me. I thank God that I found a good friend online who I write to nearly every night, and nearly every day I get a reply back...with encouragement, food for thought, and advice. I don't know what I do without this friend. I finally called my best friend today because I haven't spoken to her in ages and I miss talking to her, and she told me I could vent to her and she'd write me back in my spare time. My neighbors are getting concerened, because I'm becoming reclusive....life is hard, what else can I say?! I lie to everyone who calls and says "How are you?" because the last thing I'm going to say is something that will discourage my siblinsg who are always near enough to hear! Or they ask about my dad, and he is in the room or the next one over! Anyway........that's where we're at.
Thank you again for your prayers.
May God bless each one of you, and know that I pray for each of you every day!
Love and Prayers,
LPP
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