You came to the Lord... When... Why... How...???

victoria

After reading the thread that Tiger started on churches and who goes where, I was wondering about how some of you finally came to know God? Was it a slow process or did it happen really fast? Was it hard to make changes in your life after becoming a Christian?

It occurred to me in thinking about our beliefs that early Christians spread the Word, by stories, word of mouth and testimonies. They did not even have the bible then. So why don't we share about how we came to faith; what prompted it; and what did you do about it? How do you live it out now?

Some how about some stories? It will be interesting to learn about one another, don't you?

So let's roll (to coin a phrase)
God's Blessings,
Victoria

Tiger75

Tiger's Story

I was born in and brought up in Liverpool, England. My father being a Pastor (of a Baptist Church) and my mum being a keen Christian (I praise God every day for the loving and godly family He placed me in.) So as you can probably imagine I didn't have much choice in my initial introduction to God, Jesus, the Bible and church however I loved it all and it was very precious even as a child.

For my fifth birthday I received my first ever bible from my grandma, (Who wasn't a Christian at the time - but that was soon to change praise God), who after consulting my parents (I think) wrote a verse in the front "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" Prov 3:5.

I was very keen in Sunday School, loved to memorise verses, soon learnt all the books in the Bible and within about sixth months of receiving my Bible could find a passage quicker than any of my peers which won me lots of prizes . This is when the Lord started to speak to me. Every prize I won, pencil, pencil sharpeners, eraser, bookmarks etc all had the same text on them: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" Prov 3:5.

That year not long before my sixth birthday there was a Children's mission at my church. Even then at that age things were all too familiar by now, Bible stories, yet for the first time I was really taken up with Jesus and the Cross (His death). The way He had been treated and yet all He had ever done for anyone whilst He lived was good and helpful so I asked 'Why did God let them treat Him so nastily?'.

It was explained to me how Jesus had come with the purpose of dying because people had offended God by their wrong. It was even more amazing that God had done this Himself, Jesus was God in a body! I didn't need telling I'd done wrong and upset people and God I knew that quite well so I wanted to get rid of my wrong and start to please God and the people around me. I asked my Mum how I could get clean again she told me to believe in Jesus and what He had done for me. But I couldn't understand it all - that is when turning point came - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" Prov 3:5 I remembered my verse, I saw that I didn't need to understand it all just believe. That point in time was when I believe I 'found' faith and started my Christian journey as New Creation.

I loved my Saviour and was never ashamed of Him despite what all my friends thought. When I got to my new School I was keen to attend the Christian Union and Bible Studies but when I got to my second year (Age 13) the 'god' of football took over - I was quite good and loved it. Thjs seemed to replace everything and one day (age 14) in a stubborn fit of rage after being fowled in a game I stood up and kicked my opponent very hard, twice. I broke down in tears in front of everyone, ashamed (it was as though the Lord Jesus was stood right next to me and said 'my children don't behave that way'.) From that day I gave up football and Jesus was to be the priority.

I read my bible again and really for the first time I can remember I read the verse after 'my verse' Prov 3:6 and discovered where I was going wrong: "Acknowledge Him in all thy ways and He shall direct thy paths." This was a 'life changing' discovery. I learned that I had to yield everything to my Saviour. All those years now and I've never regretted it, never looked back and there's plenty more tell but I've already written my longest post yet, I think. So your turn now … Love in Christ,Tiger.

Van

Thank you Tiger, your testimony is both powerful and true.

victoria

Thank you Tiger for the story of your journey. It is really beautiful.

I will spill my story later. You know me and my long posts... sorry. But I hurt my right hand and am picking this out with my left hand. It has taken me some time.

So, mine comes later when I have two paws to do it with.

By the way, I am happy that your post was longer. You are a wise man and long posts are a blessing where wisdom resides. Thanks Tiger
God Bless you
Victoria

Zathrus

As briefly as possible:
When: the mid '70's, when I was less than 10 years old. The Sunday school teacher at our Baptist church told our class if we prayed and asked Jesus to forgive our sins, we wouldn't have to go to hell. I certainly didn't want that so I asked Jesus to forgive me.

Later, in high school, I began going to a charismatic praise meeting with some friends and it was then I decided I wanted to know the Lord better because of the joy and fulfillment I saw in the other people at these meetings. This had a much greater impact on my life than coming to God out of fear as I did when I was younger.

So to answer your questions Victoria, I believe my meeting the Lord was an instantaneaous event, but cultivating a deep relationship with Him has been a long process.

My acquiring a hunger to know Him more deeply when I was in high school could be considered a quantum leap, but I think since then there have been more quantum leaps, with periods of being at a plataeu between them.

How do I live it out now? These days I think the best way to do that is to be who God made you and do what He put you here to do.

Van

Zathrus - wise words, thanks for sharing.