見證分享--Jane Fox

Who am I?

I am the daughter of Robert and Virginia Seiler, born in Toledo, Ohio. My father worked as a commercial printer and my mother was a registered nurse. Both of them grew up on farms near Toledo. Toledo is a city about the size of Wichita, Kansas. It is known for their industries of glass and car manufacturing. Going to high school, my friends were Jews, Polish, Greek, and African American.

I have two older brothers, Mike and Scott, and my younger sister, Laura.

How I came to know Jesus?

My parents took me to Emmanuel Baptist Church in Toledo. I went to Sunday School, VBS, and Good News Clubs after school. I learned the stories from the Old Testament, which I found entertaining but confusing. I learned stories of Jesus, which interested me a great deal because I soon realized, in order to go to heaven, I needed to know Jesus. So I prayed to Him a lot, but I never felt sure that I belonged to Him.

When I was in high school, our church hired a youth pastor. He was energetic and enthused about God’s Word. So I took another look at the Bible. This time, I understood that if God is who He said He was….loving and powerful, then I wanted to devote my life to Him.

I went to college to prepare for Christian ministry. While I was there, I began to understand the significance of the death of Jesus. I realized that He took my shame and punishment when He died on the cross. When I trust Him instead of myself to be accepted by God, He forgives me and gives me eternal life like a gift. II Corinthians 5:21 says, “He made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Romans 5:1 says that we have been “justified by faith.” So I saw that eternal life is a gift I receive when I believe in Jesus, and that Jesus paid for the gift. After I came to this understanding, I have never doubted my relationship with Him. I know I belong to Jesus.

Who am I?

I am a wife, mother of 5 children, and a teacher. I enjoy music, writing, painting, drawing, and gardening.

But first of all, I am a follower of Jesus.

How has knowing Jesus helped me? A Story

Some of you know that my younger sister recently died of bone cancer. She was 54. And no doubt some of you have had someone you love die a painful death as this. How does knowing God help?

1. Knowing God restores relationships. Laura and I were not always really close as sisters. We lived great distances apart and did not see each other regularly. Sometimes I felt jealous of her because her life seemed to be easier than mine….more money, trips, homes, etc. We did not always agree about things. But when I went to see my sister 2 years ago, I decided it was time to put aside our differences, forgive past attitudes and actions, and build a loving relationship with her. And that is what we did. We apologized, forgave, and began to build. God is the one who gives attitudes like that and makes restoration possible. Jesus asked us to pray, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” Forgiveness restores relationships.

2. Knowing God gives hope. Life can be difficult. We don’t understand why things happen like they do….sickness, loss of jobs, moves, lack of opportunity. But God’s plan for our lives is always good, even if it doesn’t seem like it at the time. Romans 8:28 says that we know that God works all things for good, for those who love Him. I love God but how is my sister’s death good? Well, Laura is in heaven. That is good! Lots of people heard about her faith. That’s good. There medical bills are paid. That’s an amazing gift. What about her husband and children? They are in pain. But when we are in pain, we tend to focus on God and develop compassion. Yes, that is good. So even in pain and suffering, God is good, and knowing I belong to Him and my life is in His hands, gives me hope and peace.

Something to think about: Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd. He gives me everything I need.

2 He lets me lie down in fields of green grass.

He leads me beside quiet waters.

3 He gives me new strength.

He guides me in the right paths

for the honor of his name.

4 Even though I walk

through the darkest valley,

I will not be afraid.

You are with me.

Your shepherd's rod and staff

comfort me.

5 You prepare a feast for me

right in front of my enemies.

You pour oil on my head.

My cup runs over.

6 I am sure that your goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life.

And I will live in the house of the Lord

forever.

耶和華是我牧者

大衛的詩。

23:1 耶和華是我的牧者，我必不致缺乏。
23:2 他使我躺臥在青草地上，領我在可安歇的水邊。
23:3 他使我的靈魂甦醒，為自己的名引導我走義路。
23:4 我雖然行過死蔭的幽谷，也不怕遭害，因為你與我同在；你的杖，你的竿，都安慰我。
23:5 在我敵人面前，你為我擺設筵席；你用油膏了我的頭，使我的福杯滿溢。
23:6 我一生一世必有恩惠慈愛隨著我；我且要住在耶和華的殿中，直到永遠。

If you have any testimony want to share with us and encourage us, please email to manhattanccf@gmail.com