Birthdays

By David Baker - Associate Pastor of Worship Ministries

I've just experienced my 65th birthday. I've discovered a wonderful truth about birthdays- they are indeed good for you! The more birthdays you have, the longer you live!

But even more importantly, 9.09.21 marks my 59th Spiritual Birthday!

September 9, 1962, I was sitting next to my dad in the pew when, during the invitation in the evening service, I felt the need to go forward and accept Jesus as my Savior. Of course, my dad stepped into the aisle and allowed me to go forward to talk with our Pastor, Bro. Harold Whitlock. I was baptized two weeks later.

Just barely six years of age, I wasn't doing drugs or abusing alcohol. Nor was I doing any other terrible things. But I was indeed a sinner. I had lied. I had disobeyed my parents. I had done other things that were wrong. But at six, there's not a whole lot you can do to get in that much trouble. Add to that, I was the grandson of two Baptist preachers. My dad later went into the music ministry. My uncle eventually went to the Baptist Building to lead Oklahoma Baptists in worship ministries. Suffice it to say, because of my rich Christian heritage, there wasn't a lot of change in my life when I was saved.

Fast-forward to my teenage years. At a Youth Retreat at Falls Creek during a stint when my dad wasn't my youth minister, I was being bombarded with attacks from our enemy with regard to the fact that I couldn't remember what I said or prayed at age six. "Are you even saved?" he hissed. Depressed and somewhat defeated I turned to my youth minister. He walked me through several passages of Scripture and helped me see that God indeed had His hand on me. He even led me in the prayer of salvation just in case I couldn't find assurance in my salvation experience in the past.

I did in fact find assurance in my salvation at the age of six. And a powerful image was given to me at that time - "God is bigger than my memory." Regardless of whether or not I remember the details of what I did, God is still holding on to me! And there's nothing I can do that will separate me from His loving hands!

Romans 10:28-29 - "I give eternal life to them and they shall never perish and nothing can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater that all and nothing can take them out of my Father's hand!" God has even saved me from... Me! I am held secure by His mighty right hand, no matter what I remember, or don't remember from 59 years ago! Praise God for the security we have in him!

Because He lives!

David

P.S. One other thought about birthdays: Birthdays are a lot like boogers - the more you have, the harder it is to breathe.... Sorry! Just couldn't resist.