Dollar General and the Sabbath Truth
Derek Lazarus
Madeline Ridge grew up attending church. “We were taught God's word, and the Ten Commandments, but in my spirit, there was unrest about the fourth commandment. ‘Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.’ What does the word Sabbath mean and why should I remember it?” After much prayer and searching, the Lord began to answer Madeline’s questions.
It was a summer day when Madeline drove into the parking lot of Dollar General near the Denton First Seventh-day Adventist Church. “The Holy Spirit whispered to me, ‘Madeline, that is the church I want you to attend.’” She took note of the service times and decided to visit. Madeline liked what she heard and began attending regularly. The Lord began to unfold the truth about the Sabbath to her, validated by scripture. “I found the peace I was searching for by obeying the leading of the Holy Spirit.”
Madeline soon shared her new-found truth with her two sisters and invited them to come see what the Lord had revealed to her.
Her sister, Erma White, was curious but skeptical. “All I knew was going to church on Sunday, but there was a void in my walk with Christ, so I joined Madeline one Saturday. I was impressed by what was taught during Sabbath School and the worship hour. I left feeling blessed and wanted to return. After much prayer and studying, I became convinced that the Sabbath was what I was missing.” Madeline and Erma were baptized on New Year’s Eve that same year, beginning their new walk with Jesus.
The youngest sister in the family, Ruthie Terry, also grew up going to church on Sunday. “My older sisters were more involved in church and I struggled to be as committed. Listening to my sisters talk about the Sabbath had me feeling that I was turning my back on God once more. I finally accepted their invitation and attended church with them one Saturday. I felt at home and knew that I belonged there.” Ruthie ultimately joined her sisters and was baptized. “The Holy Spirit led my sisters and me to where God wants us to be!”
