Partaker of Christ
Jan 12th 2009, 01:04 AM
I was not exactly brought up in the faith. None of my family, friends or (known) neighbours, were Christian or Church goers. I guess the only truths I knew about Jesus, was from Christmas and Easter.
At the age of 11 years old, I had what I call my road to Damascus experience.
One day whilst walking home from school, I was drawn to enter this old Church. I felt this being drawn many times, but this time I went in. As best I know, there was no one in the Church. Apart from a light at the entrance, It was fairly dark and dingy.
There was a stand in front of me, and on the stand there were several books that were free to take. I found a very small St Johns Gospel. I picked it up and it was as though I have found some treasure. At that same time I was flooded with this awesome love and engulfed with light. I just knew right then, that this was the Lord. (This is how I can say, I never chose God, but He chose me)
From that time without any prompting, I went and found a Church to attend. I went to the Church most times on own, and for two years I attend almost every meeting, including evening meetings.
At the age of 13 years old, the area were I lived was demolished, and we moved a few miles away to a brand new estate. There was no Church, and very few shops. We knew no one in the area, and I attended a new school. Eventually and for 22 years, I went the way of the world. The Prodigal son.
I had never stopped believing in God, but my lifestyle was that of the world.
When I was at the age of 34 years old, my mother in-law died. This had a very painful effect on me. It was the start of my journey back. I became very troubled in my soul. I knew God, but it seemed I had lost the way back.
After a few months after the death of my mother in-law, my parents had (for the first time in 38 years of marriage) split up. This hurt my mother very deeply. She became very bitter, depressed and even suicidal. I tried to guide her and comfort her, with words of scripture that I recalled as a child. This did not seem to help much, as my mum was a non believer.
Then I lost my job, and struggled to make ends meet. This caused a lot of strain on my marriage. We had a lot of debt and three hungry children to clothe and feed. I was at a loss with all the stress and pressure that was on me. I had to hold all that in, and appear to be strong for my wife, children and my mum.
In my search back to God, I went to spiritualist meetings. I was rather naive and kept asking them if they believed in God and Jesus. One of the mediums called Muriel, told me that her guide had a message for me. First she told me things about myself that were true, and few would know these truths. Then she said that I was going on this short journey, and that it would change my life.
I became very depressed, and one day I just walked out of my home and tried to find a church that was open. I ended up at the Church were we were wed, but the doors were shut. I sat on a bench outside the church, and poured my heart out to God. I told Him that I believe, but that I knew not the way. I felt stronger, but I did not have an answer.
A few weeks later, and my mother had a visitor to her home. It was a Christian named Frank, and on behalf of a local Church, he had called to invite my mum to a Billy Graham crusade in another City. My mum said that she knew of Billy Graham, but she could not afford to go. Frank told her that all expenses would be paid, and a coach is provided. Then she said, can I take my son with me, and Frank said yes we will pay for him also.
After my mother had told me of the invite, I said that I would go with her.
The next spiritualist meeting I went too, I saw Muriel and said "do you know that journey you said I was going on" she said yes. I said "well I am going to a Billy Graham crusade in two weeks time" She laughed and said "I don't think that is the journey my guide was pointing to"
We got to the crusade. It was in a very large stadium, and it was filled to capacity.
Billy spoke about sin, and who this Jesus was. He spoke about the lost sheep, and he spoke directly to me about the prodigal son!!
The Lord had reminded me, that I had asked for the way. He said I am the way.
At the invite to go forward, I grabbed my mother by the arm, and an old lady with a walking stick. The old lady was babbling on about something, but I was taking no notice. When we got to the front will the hundreds of others, the old lady said "Thank you, but I am already a Christian. I came with the others from the Church that brought you here" It was quite funny, but she stood with us, and prayed.
My mother had committed her life to Christ. I tell you the truth, she was a new mum!! So full of joy and love for the Lord and others. Her bitterness and depression had left her.
As I was praying, the Lord brought to my remembrance, that which I had experienced when a young child. He showed me, that He had never left me. That He had always been with me, and He would remain with me, no matter what.
On the coach home, there was much singing and praising God. I shared that how this mediums spirit guide, had told her about this journey, and how it would change my life. By the time we had got of the coach, I knew much about the deception of spiritualism and familiar spirits.
We attended the Church that invited us to the crusade. I gave the pastor a very hard time with all the questions I asked about in scripture. A few weeks later, whilst shopping, I bumped into Muriel the spirit medium. I shared with her about the crusade that changed my life. I told her about familiar spirits, and how they were deceiving her. Within a short time, she was in Church praising the Lord Jesus Christ, who had delivered her from the deception and lies. She told of the very real battle with the principalities and powers in the high places.
For months I was walking around with a silly smile that went from ear to ear. I was so loving and caring. My wife was not a Christian, and she very much disliked her new husband. She said 'it would have been easier to handle, if I had another woman'. She was also very annoyed that I was always going out to church with my mum, or going to her home for prayer and study.
I continually invited my wife and children to come with me, but my wife was very stubborn. One by one, my children came along, and one by one they gave their lives to Christ. This made my wife more and more annoyed, and angry. One day as we were leaving for church, my wife did all that she could to stop us going. I had a rush of blood to my head, and spurted out of my mouth "If you want to go to hell, then that is your choice, but we are going to church"
I could not believe that I said those words. I just ran upstairs onto my bed, and wept. I said Lord how can you forgive me for speaking those words in anger to my wife. I eventually went down stairs, but I could not find it in me to apologise. I felt awful for what I had said and done but I could not say sorry. The enemy was having a field day in my head.
The next time we were off to church, I did not invite my wife. She asked why was I not inviting her?
I said you are always invited, but I will not ask you. She then said she would like to come with us. I was sort of speechless. She then attended a few more meetings, and I asked what she thought? She said we are all nut cases. I asked her 'what made you change your mind to come' and she said "When I told her that she could choose to go to hell, she had this terrifying vision of burning in hell"
I tried to explain that while hell was very real, so is the Love of God. After a few more visits, she also became a nut case!!
I shared earlier about how after 38 years of marriage, my mother and father had split up. Well eventually (after 18 months) my father came home again. He was a claimed to be atheist, and he laid down the rule that none of us speak to him about Christianity or preach the bible to him etc: My mother was allowed to continue to attend church, and read her bible at home. We respected his wishes, but we prayed for him. We played Christian music, and left literature around (as you do)
My parents slept in separate bedrooms, and one night my father went to bed. He woke up in the early hours to go to the bathroom. He shared with us, that when he got back to his room, his room was full of demons. I believe the Lord had opened his eyes to seeing. He was terrified at what he saw. He shot out of his room and ran down the stairs. He knew were my mother had a bible, and he said, he just grabbed hold of the bible to his chest, and prayed. He hoped it would keep him safe. He just stayed there until it was light clutching the bible.
I received a phone call at around 11am that day. My mum told me that she had called the pastor round to their home, and my father had given his life to Christ!!!!!!!! O how my father loved the Lord!! What a loving, gracious and humble man he was.
I am now 57 years of age, and over the years, the Lord has worked through me to bring many, young and old to a living knowledge of Himself. One such young man, 16 years of age. Gave his life to Christ, and around six months later, he was tragically killed at sea. His mother was living with her partner. Both also gave their lives to Christ, and shortly before this tragedy they got wed. The fact that they all knew the Lord, was a great comforter during this time.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
At the age of 11 years old, I had what I call my road to Damascus experience.
One day whilst walking home from school, I was drawn to enter this old Church. I felt this being drawn many times, but this time I went in. As best I know, there was no one in the Church. Apart from a light at the entrance, It was fairly dark and dingy.
There was a stand in front of me, and on the stand there were several books that were free to take. I found a very small St Johns Gospel. I picked it up and it was as though I have found some treasure. At that same time I was flooded with this awesome love and engulfed with light. I just knew right then, that this was the Lord. (This is how I can say, I never chose God, but He chose me)
From that time without any prompting, I went and found a Church to attend. I went to the Church most times on own, and for two years I attend almost every meeting, including evening meetings.
At the age of 13 years old, the area were I lived was demolished, and we moved a few miles away to a brand new estate. There was no Church, and very few shops. We knew no one in the area, and I attended a new school. Eventually and for 22 years, I went the way of the world. The Prodigal son.
I had never stopped believing in God, but my lifestyle was that of the world.
When I was at the age of 34 years old, my mother in-law died. This had a very painful effect on me. It was the start of my journey back. I became very troubled in my soul. I knew God, but it seemed I had lost the way back.
After a few months after the death of my mother in-law, my parents had (for the first time in 38 years of marriage) split up. This hurt my mother very deeply. She became very bitter, depressed and even suicidal. I tried to guide her and comfort her, with words of scripture that I recalled as a child. This did not seem to help much, as my mum was a non believer.
Then I lost my job, and struggled to make ends meet. This caused a lot of strain on my marriage. We had a lot of debt and three hungry children to clothe and feed. I was at a loss with all the stress and pressure that was on me. I had to hold all that in, and appear to be strong for my wife, children and my mum.
In my search back to God, I went to spiritualist meetings. I was rather naive and kept asking them if they believed in God and Jesus. One of the mediums called Muriel, told me that her guide had a message for me. First she told me things about myself that were true, and few would know these truths. Then she said that I was going on this short journey, and that it would change my life.
I became very depressed, and one day I just walked out of my home and tried to find a church that was open. I ended up at the Church were we were wed, but the doors were shut. I sat on a bench outside the church, and poured my heart out to God. I told Him that I believe, but that I knew not the way. I felt stronger, but I did not have an answer.
A few weeks later, and my mother had a visitor to her home. It was a Christian named Frank, and on behalf of a local Church, he had called to invite my mum to a Billy Graham crusade in another City. My mum said that she knew of Billy Graham, but she could not afford to go. Frank told her that all expenses would be paid, and a coach is provided. Then she said, can I take my son with me, and Frank said yes we will pay for him also.
After my mother had told me of the invite, I said that I would go with her.
The next spiritualist meeting I went too, I saw Muriel and said "do you know that journey you said I was going on" she said yes. I said "well I am going to a Billy Graham crusade in two weeks time" She laughed and said "I don't think that is the journey my guide was pointing to"
We got to the crusade. It was in a very large stadium, and it was filled to capacity.
Billy spoke about sin, and who this Jesus was. He spoke about the lost sheep, and he spoke directly to me about the prodigal son!!
The Lord had reminded me, that I had asked for the way. He said I am the way.
At the invite to go forward, I grabbed my mother by the arm, and an old lady with a walking stick. The old lady was babbling on about something, but I was taking no notice. When we got to the front will the hundreds of others, the old lady said "Thank you, but I am already a Christian. I came with the others from the Church that brought you here" It was quite funny, but she stood with us, and prayed.
My mother had committed her life to Christ. I tell you the truth, she was a new mum!! So full of joy and love for the Lord and others. Her bitterness and depression had left her.
As I was praying, the Lord brought to my remembrance, that which I had experienced when a young child. He showed me, that He had never left me. That He had always been with me, and He would remain with me, no matter what.
On the coach home, there was much singing and praising God. I shared that how this mediums spirit guide, had told her about this journey, and how it would change my life. By the time we had got of the coach, I knew much about the deception of spiritualism and familiar spirits.
We attended the Church that invited us to the crusade. I gave the pastor a very hard time with all the questions I asked about in scripture. A few weeks later, whilst shopping, I bumped into Muriel the spirit medium. I shared with her about the crusade that changed my life. I told her about familiar spirits, and how they were deceiving her. Within a short time, she was in Church praising the Lord Jesus Christ, who had delivered her from the deception and lies. She told of the very real battle with the principalities and powers in the high places.
For months I was walking around with a silly smile that went from ear to ear. I was so loving and caring. My wife was not a Christian, and she very much disliked her new husband. She said 'it would have been easier to handle, if I had another woman'. She was also very annoyed that I was always going out to church with my mum, or going to her home for prayer and study.
I continually invited my wife and children to come with me, but my wife was very stubborn. One by one, my children came along, and one by one they gave their lives to Christ. This made my wife more and more annoyed, and angry. One day as we were leaving for church, my wife did all that she could to stop us going. I had a rush of blood to my head, and spurted out of my mouth "If you want to go to hell, then that is your choice, but we are going to church"
I could not believe that I said those words. I just ran upstairs onto my bed, and wept. I said Lord how can you forgive me for speaking those words in anger to my wife. I eventually went down stairs, but I could not find it in me to apologise. I felt awful for what I had said and done but I could not say sorry. The enemy was having a field day in my head.
The next time we were off to church, I did not invite my wife. She asked why was I not inviting her?
I said you are always invited, but I will not ask you. She then said she would like to come with us. I was sort of speechless. She then attended a few more meetings, and I asked what she thought? She said we are all nut cases. I asked her 'what made you change your mind to come' and she said "When I told her that she could choose to go to hell, she had this terrifying vision of burning in hell"
I tried to explain that while hell was very real, so is the Love of God. After a few more visits, she also became a nut case!!
I shared earlier about how after 38 years of marriage, my mother and father had split up. Well eventually (after 18 months) my father came home again. He was a claimed to be atheist, and he laid down the rule that none of us speak to him about Christianity or preach the bible to him etc: My mother was allowed to continue to attend church, and read her bible at home. We respected his wishes, but we prayed for him. We played Christian music, and left literature around (as you do)
My parents slept in separate bedrooms, and one night my father went to bed. He woke up in the early hours to go to the bathroom. He shared with us, that when he got back to his room, his room was full of demons. I believe the Lord had opened his eyes to seeing. He was terrified at what he saw. He shot out of his room and ran down the stairs. He knew were my mother had a bible, and he said, he just grabbed hold of the bible to his chest, and prayed. He hoped it would keep him safe. He just stayed there until it was light clutching the bible.
I received a phone call at around 11am that day. My mum told me that she had called the pastor round to their home, and my father had given his life to Christ!!!!!!!! O how my father loved the Lord!! What a loving, gracious and humble man he was.
I am now 57 years of age, and over the years, the Lord has worked through me to bring many, young and old to a living knowledge of Himself. One such young man, 16 years of age. Gave his life to Christ, and around six months later, he was tragically killed at sea. His mother was living with her partner. Both also gave their lives to Christ, and shortly before this tragedy they got wed. The fact that they all knew the Lord, was a great comforter during this time.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.