Your Best Decision

by Captain Irseris Agosto Santos

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” —Revelation 3:20

“Do you want to read the Bible with me?”

What would your answer to that question be?

A “yes,” or most likely, “Well, I can spare a few minutes tomorrow.”

That’s how I was just a few short years ago. I did not even own a Bible. My five children regularly attended our local Salvation Army for a kids’ program every Friday. Little did I know this was part of God’s plan for me.

It took a few years, but I finally gave in to the pull of my children and the Holy Spirit to attend a Sunday worship service. I was hooked from that day! I felt such love from everyone there, even though I was a total stranger, but the strongest pull was from Jesus. He saved me that day. I went out and immediately bought a Bible. I started reading it once a week. Little by little, I wanted increasingly more. More Sunday worship, more Bible study, and more prayer night.

I have gone from trying to make a name for myself in this world to teaching others about the saving grace of Jesus. From teaching my kids how to get the advantage to win in situations, to teaching them to help others above themselves. From trying to fit in to this world to standing out as a child of God, secure in the knowledge that I am now exactly where my Father wants me. I do read my Bible every day.

I stand firm in the awareness that the Gospel I open to read every day has exactly what I need when I need it. It is now my favorite part of my day, above movies, video games, and shopping. I learn more about myself and my almighty Father every day. It has changed not only my life, but my whole family.

So, let me ask you this again. Do you want to read the Bible with me? It will be the best decision you will ever make.

Captain Irseris Agosto Santos and her husband, Captain Ismael Ortiz, are the corps officers of the Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Corps in the Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Division. Before commencing their studies at The Salvation Army’s College for Officer Training in Suffern, N.Y., in 2018, they served in the York Temple Corps in York, Pa., for 10 years. While there, they were active local officers who served the youth group, men’s club, women’s ministry, and pastoral care council. They have a passion for serving their community and a love to see the Lord transform lives. They are also pursuing theological studies at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky.