Candeece McPherson standing firm in her faith
Published:Wednesday | October 28, 2015 | 7:58 PM
Trinityville, St Thomas:
While many 22-year-olds can be found at parties gallivanting and drinking up a storm on Saturday nights, Candeece McPherson is making sure that everything is in place for church the following morning.
McPherson, who has been walking with God for more than six years, says getting baptised was the best decision she has ever made.
"As the Bible says, 'What does it profit me to gain this whole world and lose my soul'? Party is for a time, but salvation lasts forever," she said.
According to her: "I got saved because I was young and wise. I knew right from wrong. I knew that God is to be praised. While in high school, I moved to this community and began visiting a church here. I admired the way the young people loved God and was determined to become a part of them, so I made up my mind to get saved."
McPherson told Family and Religion that ever since, she has seen God's goodness over and over.
She recalled one of her most memorable testimonies.
"In March of this year, I was facing some difficult times, in that I had some big bills to clear. I needed it by the Friday and this was the Wednesday. I had gone to a loan provider, but was denied because my guarantor's net pay didn't meet the required sum," she began.
The young woman said that she had no one to call on but Jesus, so she began praying.
It was Friday and things remained the same.
"I began crying to God, reminding Him of testimonies of people who just go to the machine and money pops up out of nowhere. I was determined to have one of those testimonies.
"I decided to trust God, so I went to the machine and when I put my card in, all that came out was $400. I started to get worried because the time was running down. As I stepped out the machine, a man in a wheelchair asked me for money because he was in need. I gave him the $400. I didn't want it; I was extending my faith. I was going to prove God that day," said McPherson, adding that all she had left was $500 which she was saving to pay the salary deduction in the event she got someone to stand guarantor for the loan.
"I decided to go to the loan place one more time. A bus dropped me halfway to my destination for free, and I walked the rest. When I reached, I asked for my loan officer and was told he wasn't there. By this time, I was walking by faith, so I asked to speak with someone else, who informed me that I could get the loan without the guarantor, and that I didn't have to pay for the salary deduction," McPherson testified pointing out that God is worthy of her praises.
"Thanking God, I rushed to the bank with the cheque, but it was closed. I said to myself, 'I'm going to reach in that bank in Jesus' name.' I saw someone and explained that I needed to get in the bank, and despite others who were there, I was given the chance to enter," she said.
The woman of God was happy to share her testimony and a word of encouragement with fellow youth.
"To those who are saved, continue to hold the bloodstained banner, and to those who aren't, seek a friend before you need one. Don't let too late be your cry. Surrender now. Plead guilty and Jesus will drop all charges," advised McPherson.