Summary: David turned off his alarm clock and stretched. Sunday morning's message still bothered him. Pastor Hill had stressed the need to trust Jesus as Savior, and David had almost decided to talk to the pastor or his dad about it. Maybe I should have, he thought, but . . . oh, well, I'm almost sure I'm saved anyway. He shook the thoughts from his mind. Right now he had other things to think about--baseball, for instance. David was shortstop for the Lions. Today we play the Bears for the city-wide championship, he thought, jumping out of bed. I can't wait! Finally it was time for the game to begin, and both teams were eager to win. As the game progressed, it became obvious that they were well matched. First the Lions were ahead, then the Bears, and then the Lions went ahead again. Unhappily for David and his teammates, the Bears scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning and won the championship. "That was a great game!" Dad said as they drove home. "You played very well." "A great game?" David shook his head. "We lost!" "You ended up as the second place team in the whole city. You should feel good about that," said Mom encouragingly. "Yeah," his sister agreed. "Your team almost won!" "Well, almost isn't enough!" mumbled David. He seemed determined to be discouraged. Dad gave him a thoughtful look. "You almost persuade me to become a Christian," he murmured. "What?" David frowned. "What are you talking about?" he asked. "I was thinking of King Agrippa's answer to the Apostle Paul. Pastor Hill referred to it in his message Sunday morning," Dad replied. "And you're right, David. Almost isn't enough--neither in winning baseball games nor in getting to heaven." David was startled. He was almost certain he was saved--but what if he wasn't? He had considered talking to someone about it last Sunday. Now he knew he shouldn't put it off any longer. Being almost sure he was a Christian was not enough. "Ah . . . Dad, can we talk when we get home?" he asked. "I have to make sure about something." How About You? Are you almost sure you're a Christian? Perhaps you hear your parents, pastor, Sunday school teacher, or other Christians talk about trusting in Jesus Christ, and you think you're a Christian, too. In fact, you're almost sure of it, but not quite. Make sure right now. See the ABCs of Salvation at the end of this book. If you need help to understand, talk with a parent, teacher, or other mature Christian. Don't wait any longer. Receive Jesus as Savior today and know that you are truly saved. Today's Key Verse: Agrippa said to Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian." (Acts 26:28) Today's Key Thought: Accept Jesus today
