When I was young, maybe around 8 years old. I went forward during the invitation at Fundamental Baptist Church. I remember being scared that I would die and burn in hell if I did not get Saved. This was the topic of the Sermon that I had just heard and I was scared. Being scared of burning in hell was really my only reason for going forward and I did not understand Salvation. I said a prayer but it was not a belief of the Heart and I just repeated what I was led to say.
I left my parents home around 17 years old, I had already been engaged in pre-marital sex, smoking, drinking, partying, rock music, looking at pornography, etc etc. I have always been a good employee and had a good job. Most days when I got off of work I would drink, I would party, chase women and I lived like a heathen because I was one. In the world as it is now, there wasn't much difference in my life and a lot of people including the professing Christians that I knew, (so I fit right in). I continued this way till I was 30 years old and divorced. I had two kiddos with two separate women that I was not married too. It was on May 23rd 2010 that I went to Church at First Baptist Church of Cottondale because my Mom was wanting me to go and had been asking me to. I listened to Bro Schimmel Preach a Salvation message on David and Goliath that morning. I felt the Holy Spirit convict my Heart that I was lost and needed Christ. I stood in my place during the invitation and argued with myself and God in my mind whether I was Saved or not. (After all), I had said a Prayer back when I was a kid.
After morning service I spoke with Bro Schimmel and asked him some questions about being Saved and my situation. I still was unsure about my salvation and went home with the thoughts rushing thru my mind. For the next two days I sat in my living room and read my Bible as the Lord continued to convict me and speak to my Heart. I read how I was a sinner and how Christ loved me so, that He died for me and paid my sin debt. I read that I needed to believe in my Heart that He did that and that I needed to put my Faith in Him and repent (turn from my sin). I fully understood that I was lost and headed for hell. It was hard for me to realize this because I had been around Church my whole childhood and attended the Christian School growing up. My parents were Christians and I assumed that made me a Christian. Plus, I had once repeated a Prayer when I was young.
That night on May 25th, 2010 I knew what I needed to do. The Holy Spirit was calling me and I closed my Bible, I got on my knees in the floor of my living room I bowed my head and I spoke with my mouth in Prayer to the Lord. This time the Words were coming from my Heart. I asked the Lord to forgive me of my sin, I asked Jesus Christ to Save me from death and hell, I told Him that I believed in my Heart that He died for me and that He would Save me. I asked Him to enter my Heart and to be my Lord and take me to Heaven. I told Christ that I would love Him and I would live for Him from that day forward.
I got up from my knees I stood there in my living room and I knew that I was Saved, I knew that Christ was my Lord and Saviour and that he was in my Heart. He forgave me of my sin and had adopted me as a Son. I felt such Joy and desire to follow Christ that I immediately felt moved to make some changes.
I had a case of beer in the ice box, a pack of cigarettes on the kitchen counter. They went in the trash. (Haven’t had either since that day). I immediately went thru my movies and music and threw almost all of it in the trash. I felt like anything that was offensive to my Lord, had to go. I was His child now and I had turned from the world and sin. I had to literally erase and recover my hard drive on my laptop because of how infested it was with pornography and filth that dishonored my Lord. These things and others are worldly influences that I sought to immediately destroy as I began my walk with Christ. I desired to Purify myself and be separated unto God.
I was born Spiritually that day. A lot of things have changed about me and it all came about from what changed inside of me. Before I was Saved, I would hear Preachers speak about how the Lord talked to them or how the Holy Spirit had led them in there life, decisions, convictions, etc. Before I was Saved I just thought that these men were making up such things and telling stories. Boy, was I wrong! Since the Holy Spirit came into my Heart He is there guiding me everyday. I have desired nothing more than to know my Saviour and serve Him with my life since the day He Saved me and changed me. I am a servant of my Lord Jesus Christ. I desire everyday to rise out of bed and give Glory to God. Worthy is the lamb that was slain.
As I have followed Christ for over 2 years now. I have grown Spiritually but I know that I have much further to go and learn through Christ. I am still in need of a lot of molding and chastening by my Lord. I am certain that He has a plan for me and as long as I do not quench the Holy Spirit I will be able to be used for His purpose and His Glory.
| | Romans 10:9-11 (KJV)
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
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There is some days at work that I take a taxi back to the office from the airport. It usually takes an hour or so to make the trip with traffic and I always take this opportunity to get to know the cab driver and share the Gospel with them. In most of my taxi rides I have met many people of muslim faith. We usually discuss Jesus Christ and who He is. I have given tracts and been given tracts by many muslims. None of the muslims that I have met believe that Jesus Christ is the Way, The Truth, The Life. He is not the Saviour to them, He is just a prophet and a good man. I have talked to and listened to these drivers for only about an hour at a time but based on what they tell me i believe they are seeking God and want to know God with there heart. They are headed in the wrong direction but honestly want to know God. They seem to be consumed with the task of earning God's favor through various religious systems and traditions. I share with them what the Bible says about Jesus Christ, Who He is and What He has Done for all who Believe. I usually give them my testimony and persuade them to consider Christ. Our conversations have always been very pleasant and informative. I Pray for these men and I hope that they will turn there heart to Christ and accept Him as Lord and Saviour.
1 Peter 3:15 (KJV)
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
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I want to Thank You for visiting my website. I am adding things as I go and there will be more Preaching to come. This website is meant to be an encouragement to Christians.
I received Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour on May 25th, 2010.
As my life has changed dramatically so has my desires and interests.
I spend a lot of time during the day reading, Praying, and listening to Preaching. Listening to sermons as well as Christian music have become a replacement in my everyday life where television and radio use to be. Expository Preaching and Christ Honoring Music are a tremendous blessing to me and I am thankful to have such an endless amount of material right at the touch of my fingers. The internet can be a great thing when used properly. I hope the Preaching that has greatly influenced my life will be a blessing to you as well.
2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
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