"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:" Ecclesiastes 3:1	This is a personal story I would like to share of how I came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour. I was born in July of 1979, in the city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. I had the privilege of being born into a Christian home where I was exposed to the gospel and prayed for from a very young age.
"Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." Proverbs 27:1 - "For by grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8,9	I would be taken to gospel meetings on Sunday nights and every series of meetings in the city as well. I can remember being concerned about hell and the coming of the Lord a few times but these periodic concerns kept getting less important and finally ceased. Although I went to gospel meetings regularly, I rarely listened, and even more rarely was I concerned about my soul. Someday I'd be saved, but not tonight. Meetings came and went. I started listening more as I got older. Usually I would get concerned once or twice during a series. Sometime's I would even try to get saved. I didn't realize that Christ did all the work at Calvary. I tried to pray good, tried to understand it, tried to believe, but it didn't work. Preachers would talk with me. I would listen but didn't like taking about spiritual things.
"That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:" Ephesians 2:12	I graduated from high-school in 1997 and worked for the summer. In the fall, I completed a 3 month college course to become a deckhand (lowest form of sailor). I finished that and then I had nothing. No job, no school, no plan for the future, no peace. December went. I applied for a few jobs, nearly joined the navy, but January went and most of February.
"But we preach Christ crucified..." 1 Corinthians 1:23 - "But seek ye first, the kingdom of God..." Matthew 6:33	Meetings came along in February. Mr. Hull and Mr. McIlwaine had gospel meetings at a Gospel Hall two blocks from where I lived. I went almost every night and I became concerned about my future, not only on earth but for eternity. I'd always planned on getting saved some time, and I decided to make it a priority, more important than even getting a job. That week I listened to the preachers. On Wednesday night, I tried real hard to understand and pray and believe. I just got more and more confused, and finally gave up. Thursday night came, I listened but didn't do anything about it. Then came Friday night. I don't remember much that was spoken that night. I think one of the preachers spoke on Isaiah 53, but the only thing I remember that night was walking out of that meeting, knowing I couldn't put it off any longer.
"And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote him with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. And it was the third hour, and they crucified him." Mark 15:17-19,25 - "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes, we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:5,6	As I read my Bible that night and early into the next morning, February 21, I eventually turned to Isaiah 53. It had been spoken on several times during that week. I read Isaiah 53:5,6: "He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:5,6 I read it like this: He was wounded for my transgressions, he was bruised for my iniquities: the chastisement of my peace was upon him; and with his stripes I am healed. I like a sheep have gone astray; I have turned unto my own way; and the Lord hath laid on him, the iniquity of John Hammersmark. Another verse that helped me was 1 John 1:7: "...the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7
"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 - "...Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Romans 8:34 - "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phillippians 4:7	Simply, in my mind, I looked to the cross and saw Jesus Christ hanging there, suffering and dying. At that moment, I realized that he was there for me. That he wasn't suffering for his sins for he had none; He was paying the price for my sins, so that I could go free. Jesus died for me. Not only did Jesus die, but he rose again. He is alive today! Now I have a God in heaven who is watching me, leading me, and comforting me as I live here on earth. Moreover, he has prepared for all of those who trust in him, a home in heaven. I'd like to see you there. Now I have a hope; now I have a purpose; now I have a Friend who never faileth. My destiny is heaven, I have been rescued from the flames of hell. "O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever." Psalm 136:1