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Greetings, my friends, You are listening to GOING BOLD with Dr. Judy, and I want to thank you for tuning in to hear another true salvation story from ON THE ROAD OF LIFE.  Please be blessed as you listen to today’s program.  You’re never too old to be born again.

I’m sure you’ve heard the expression: “Age is just a number.”  I believe that is true but that number really represents our years of life and experiences.  So our age – that specific number we are today, isn’t the most important consideration as we each grow older one day at a time.  In the eyes of God, our age means nothing. Our standing with God has nothing to do with how many years we’ve accumulated… or how many good works we’ve done… or how long we’ve attended church.

Jesus said very simply, “You must be born again” – and that goes for both the young and the old.

THERE IS NO AGE REQUIREMENT!

Katherine learned this lesson at the age of 78.

I met Katherine one day when I was playing my guitar at a retirement village. She had recently broken her hip and was moving along slowly in a wheelchair.  After visiting with her for a few minutes, and hearing about her injury and some of her life, I asked Katherine what she believed would happen when she died.  With a big smile, she told me that she knew she was going to heaven.  I asked her how she knew that and she proceeded to tell me that her priest told her whole congregation on several occasions that anyone who was a member of his church was sure to get to heaven.  He assured her personally that she had nothing to worry about when she died because she had been such a good servant and had done so many wonderful things to help support the church and its people.

And with a little laugh Katherine added: “My priest also told me that if there was any problem, he’d say an extra prayer for me and speak to God himself about getting me in.”

You know Katherine’s beliefs aren’t that uncommon today. As I listened to her, I also prayed for the Lord’s words to speak through me, and I gathered up my thoughts and my boldness, then I told Katherine a little about my own childhood, always hoping I would get to heaven based on my good works.

As I held out the wooden cross I wear around my neck, I asked her if she knew why Jesus died on the cross.

“Oh Yes,” Katherine answered. “He died to pay for the sins of the world.”

You are absolutely right, Katherine, Jesus came to die for the sins of the World, I repeated.  And let me share with you one of my favorite Bible verses, I continued.   In God’s Word He tells us that it is by His grace that we have been saved through faith, and that it is not of ourselves that we are saved; it is a gift from God, not by our works, so we can’t boast.”

This verse really puzzled Katherine, so I asked her if she had ever done anything wrong, and she nodded her head in agreement. Then I explained that we’ve all done things that are wrong, and the Bible calls it sin. If we tell a lie or get angry — those sins are why Jesus died on the cross.

You know Katherine, we both agree that Jesus died for the sins of the world. So let me ask you this, “Does that mean that Jesus died for the sins that you and I have committed?”

Oh Yes, she agreed. “Well, Katherine, the Bible tells us we are to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and we shall be saved. Do you understand what that means?”

“No,” she admitted in a very confused voice, “What are we saved from? What does saved even mean?”, she asked.

I explained that there’s a penalty for our sin.  And then I asked her, “Katherine, have you ever gotten a driving ticket?”

“Well, Yes,” she admitted, “but it was a long time ago.”

“Well, there’s a penalty for breaking the law, isn’t there?  With a speeding ticket we can pay the fine or serve time in jail, we actually have a choice.   “But how do you think we can pay for those things that we’ve done wrong against God? Those sins, the lies, or moments of anger – or even worse.”

Katherine said she believed all her good works would count in her favor, like a scale that was being balanced. “The church had taught me these things since I was a little girl, and the church couldn’t be wrong”, she added. But then Katherine admitted there were others things that the church suggested she do that would help her on her heavenly journey– she was a little bewildered.

I held out my cross again and I asked Katherine, “If you and I could be good enough to get to heaven, why did Jesus die on the cross? Why did He have to go to the cross to pay for our sins if you and I could earn our own way to heaven by being good or just doing lots of good deeds?”

I continued to explain that Jesus died to set us free from the penalty of our sins and to open the gates of heaven for us.  When we believe and receive His gift of salvation then we are saved from the penalty of our sins which is suffering and death and separation from Jesus for all eternity.

The truth had finally reached Katherine’s heart. Tears welled up in her eyes … and at 78 years of age Katherine was practically pleading with me, “Judy, please tell me more. Please tell me about the truth of Jesus and salvation.  Please tell me how I can know I am saved and going to heaven.”

And so on that beautiful sunny afternoon, in a little retirement village in southern Kentucky, Katherine believed the truth of God’s word, of His death, burial, and resurrection.   She surrendered her life to Jesus, praying, repenting and asking Him for forgiveness of her sins.

Before I left, Katherine said: “I can’t wait to tell my priest — and my family, friends, and everybody here — about Jesus and what it means to be saved.”

Dear friends, I believe we all need to realize that just because people go to church, or belong to a certain denomination or serve on committees, or do good deeds — it doesn’t mean they’re saved and going to heaven.

I want to encourage you, my fellow believers, to PRAY, yes to pray for the Lord’s Divine Appointments and then to take time with people you meet every day to share with them this simple truth of God’s love and His free gift of salvation.

I believe we must Always be ready to SHARE with people God’s Word and show them His love, His truth and His forgiveness.  In 1 Peter 3:15 this command is given to each of us: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you for the hope that you have in Jesus, and do it with gentleness, love, and respect.”

Remember telling others about Jesus is a matter of  life and death!

And did you hear how excited Katherine was after she learned the Truth, after she surrendered her life and came to know Jesus?  She immediately wanted to share her salvation experience with everyone she knew and would come in contact with.

Dear friends, do you have that same zeal and enthusiasm?  If not, please ask the Lord to show you how to use your gifts and talents to reach people with the Truth of Jesus.

As I reflect on this “Divine Appointment”, I realize that a simple hour of playing the guitar at a retirement community led me to Katherine.  What a blessing that the Lord used me to lead her to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  These kinds of opportunities are waiting for you too.  Be ready, and then go and be bold for God.

And remember this, my friends – in God’s eyes, you’re never too old or too young to be born again.   Age really is just a number!

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If you are not sure where you’ll spend eternity, please contact me or this station as soon as possible. We have some GOOD NEWS we want to share with you.

If you would like to purchase my book UNTIL THE ROAD ENDS, receive a free copy of my testimony tract, Where’s the road to HEAVEN, ask any questions or make comments, you can contact me personally at judy@wheelpower.org.  And be sure to visit our website, www.wheelpower.org.  God bless you today, my friends!