Testimony

A Christian should be the most thankful for his or her testimony.  God gave His Son that we might be free from the power and consequences of sin.  I know in 21 years of following Him He has changed my heart and mind so much.  Here is how it all got started.

I was 16 years old at Calvary Baptist church in Salem.  Steve James, my Sunday school teacher, taught a lesson on how hell is a real place and Jesus Christ did EVERYTHING he could to keep us from going there.  He asked at the end of the lesson for us to close our eyes and not look around.  He told us to raise our hand if we want to be saved.  I wanted so bad to raise my hand, but I didn’t.  I guess I cared too much about what my “friends” would think if I did, not once even considering they might be happy for me.  While looking at me, he told us if we needed him to talk to him, call him anytime.  Well, late that night, I knew there was no way I was going to sleep until I made things right.  Somehow, I just knew I was going to die in my sleep and wake up in Hell.  So, I called Steve.  He came and picked me up, took me to Stamp Creek Landing and led me in the Sinner’s Prayer.  I loved that feeling of the weight of sin just lifting off.  I felt light.  I felt free.

I wish I could say I lived it out after that.  For 5 years I was pummeled by Satan telling me I really didn’t get saved because I didn’t do it in front of my friends.  I thought that because I was ashamed of Him, now He was going to be ashamed of me.  I thought every time I said a cuss word or lied, I must not have really gotten saved.  I tried to do good, but the more I tried, the more I failed.  It wasn’t until I was 21 years old that I knelt by my bed and told God He could have my life.  I told Him I’d no longer try to “fit in” with the crowd.  I told Him I’d no longer try to keep one foot in the world, and one foot in church.  I decided I would do what He told me to do…no matter what.  This was the second time that weight lifted off of me (How much weight was I carrying anyway?)  I no longer felt I had to perform for God, I just had to live for God.  I began to hunger and thirst for righteousness.  I couldn’t get enough of the Bible, praise and worship music, church.  I just filled my mind and heart with Him for about 2 years.  If there was a revival somewhere, I was there!  If there was preaching on TV, I was watching.  If there was a tape to be heard of someone preaching the Word, I was listening.  Somewhere in the middle of all of this, I was transformed.  That put me on a series of steps that led me to right here, right now, and there is NO PLACE I’d rather be!  God is faithful, God is good, God is REAL…and if you want Him…Go get Him!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Adam

If you are willing and have time, consider writing out your testimony this week.  If you don’t mind, post it on WMD or e-mail it to me so I can post it.  You absolutely never know who might read it and begin their own journey with Him.