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Matt shared his testimony with the members and attendees of The Orchard Arlington Heights, and how he has seen God work throughout his life.
My name is Matt and I grew up here at this church. I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart on the first day of second grade but I never really thought more about Jesus until my sophomore year of high school when Pastor Brad gave me a book on theology. With that book I grew to understand more of who Jesus is and what he had done. Unfortunately, that only lasted until I went away to college.
Although I still read my Bible and multiple other books daily, I didn’t fully comprehend the personal implications of what I read. I still lived my life the way I wanted. If someone wronged me, I’d hold that grudge forever. If I didn’t feel like praying in front of people, then I didn’t. (Or I’d do it secretly so that others wouldn’t notice.) I lived my life how I wanted, and I only obeyed Jesus when it was convenient.
It was not until Spring of 2024, when I came across a chapter talking about pre-destination that I came to the realization that there is a God who loves me so much that before the world was created, He chose me to be with him in heaven. It is from that that I decided I wanted to honor this God by proclaiming his name and doing what he wants me to do because of the love he showed me.
A verse that helps me a lot is Matthew 10:32 which says, “everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,” It can be scary proclaiming Jesus’ name and doing what he wants whether that is openly praying at work, treating others how he wants us to, or even being up here getting baptized. However, whenever a situation comes up like that, I ask myself, who do I fear more? And who has loved me most? I belong to Jesus and He is Lord of my life.
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