Church of God - Jackson Youth

YP: Sister Robinson, do you tell your age? 

MR: Yes, I'm 72 years old.

YP:  How long have you been saved now?   

 MR:  I've been saved 40 years.

YP:  How did you learn about salvation? 

MR:  Pastor Hampton witnessed, and God convicted me. 

I prayed through at home and repented and God saved me.

YP:  How did you get to the Jackson congregation? 

MR:  I prayed about going to the Church of God congregation.

YP:  When you first came to the Church of God, where was the Jackson congregation located? 

MR:  I started going to the Church of God in Jackson when it was on High Street.

YP:  What was the congregation like? What are some of the memories that stand out in your mind about the Church of God? How did you know that it was the true way? 

MR:  There were older people there.  A brother came home from the service and witnessed to a lot of young people and they got saved.  I was skeptical about the church but God convinced me that the Church of God was right. One person said, "anybody knows the truth when they hear it".

YP:  What was the secret to you gaining a stable relationship with God?

MR:  I used to tell the young people, "I was the weakest of all".  I fought with doubts, fears, and accusations.  If God can save me, he can save anybody.  I would talk with older saints and have them pray with me and read the word as well as have certain fast days.

YP:  How did you know when you were sanctified? Oftentimes as young people, we are not confident in our sanctification and are afraid to claim it.  We may think we have it and later find out that we really don't.  How can we KNOW?

MR:  "I saw the death I had to die; a death in which my soul did cry".  When you put all on the altar, you know what you've done and God witnesses to this.

YP:  How can a young person MAINTAIN a solid experience?

MR:  Don't try to judge your experience by someone else's.  Follow on to know God for yourself.  One tick at a time to stay saved or one day at a time.  Be an individual; don't follow the crowd.  Love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength!

YP: Sister Robinson, you've been saved for many years and no doubt have been through many things. Can you share a part of your story with us please?

MR:  I've had tests in different areas; had an unsaved husband.  I went through things that the sisters with unsaved husbands experience now.  I quit my job to stay home and take care of my children.  I've been living by faith for many years.  God supplies my needs in spite of the economy.  I've traveled around the country and out of the country by God's provisions.  Before I was saved, I was very ambitious and covetous but I've learned trusting God is a better way.

YP:  When going through hard trials, how do you avoid getting distracted spiritually or how did you avoid discouragement?

MR:  When you have hard trials, you have to pray more which makes you get closer to God and he supplies more grace.  Also, remember what he's done in the past; recall your memorials.  The story about the train..."I think I can, I think I can" helps me!  The scriptures, songs, and resisting the devil and the thoughts he brings.

YP:  What is the secret to keeping our minds and attitudes completely pure at all times?

MR:  Admit when something effects you and ask God to help you with it?

YP:  What has helped you to stay focused spiritually?

MR:  The scripture says, "exhort one another daily lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin".  Daily exhortations helps us encourage one another and helps you to stay focused.

YP:  Sister Robinson, one of the outstanding things we've heard about you from our parents or other saints is how you instilled Bible scriptures and even entire Bible chapters in your children when they were young.  They would stand on a table in front of the church and quote scriptures for the saints.  Your daughters still have good relationships with God today.  How did you teach your children to memorize entire chapters at such a young age?

MR:  We would quote the scriptures at night during nightly prayers and they memorized them.

YP:  What is your favorite scripture and why?

MR:  Joshua 1:3 and Joshua 1:5. That's my promise!

YP:  Is there any other spiritual advice you want to share with the young people?

MR:  Matthew 6:33; Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you; whatever you need, GOD will supply it.

Thank you for your time and your words of encouragement, Sister Robinson. We love you and we thank God for your example as a pillar in the Church of God.

                                         Interviewed by Sister Vitiana Boyd and Sister Carina Hall