How did you all find God?

[Big Moose]

I truly appreciate everyone's responses and advice. I have been going through a rough time recently and I have some soul searching to do it would seem.

It was 1977, I was almost 11 years old and I was raised in a Bible believing independent church. So I had a good background in the Bible. But I knew something wasn't right, with me. At a revival meeting, a special church service intended to focus hearts on being saved and rededicating your life to Christ, I came forward at the altar call because the pit in my stomach was so great, I was so convicted, even though I didn't want to go forward in front of everyone.....God (the Holy Spirit) pushed me from within to go forward. It was such an unreal experience. Privately after the service, our Pastor talked with me and helped me understand what I needed to do to become saved. And this is what relieved that guilt, shame, conviction, and that pit in my stomach. If you are going through a rough patch and things are chaotic and you don't feel right about your life, where you are going in the direction of your life, or the purpose for who and what you are..........then you need to get right with God. Period. He is Life. He is Love. God will fill these spiritual things in your life and then you can at least be at peace with God and who you are and your purpose and destiny. This makes it so much easier to then deal with everything else in your life, because you are then anchored to the Rock of Life.
It costs you nothing.....because Jesus paid the cost. Call on Jesus. He never fails, even if in the short term things get crazy. The Holy Spirit will help you with that faith.
You can do it. The Father is waiting for you.

 

[CPerkins]

It was 1977, I was almost 11 years old and I was raised in a Bible believing independent church. So I had a good background in the Bible. But I knew something wasn't right, with me. At a revival meeting, a special church service intended to focus hearts on being saved and rededicating your life to Christ, I came forward at the altar call because the pit in my stomach was so great, I was so convicted, even though I didn't want to go forward in front of everyone.....God (the Holy Spirit) pushed me from within to go forward. It was such an unreal experience. Privately after the service, our Pastor talked with me and helped me understand what I needed to do to become saved. And this is what relieved that guilt, shame, conviction, and that pit in my stomach. If you are going through a rough patch and things are chaotic and you don't feel right about your life, where you are going in the direction of your life, or the purpose for who and what you are..........then you need to get right with God. Period. He is Life. He is Love. God will fill these spiritual things in your life and then you can at least be at peace with God and who you are and your purpose and destiny. This makes it so much easier to then deal with everything else in your life, because you are then anchored to the Rock of Life.
It costs you nothing.....because Jesus paid the cost. Call on Jesus. He never fails, even if in the short term things get crazy. The Holy Spirit will help you with that faith.
You can do it. The Father is waiting for you.

Nice to see you here Big Moose hope all is well in your household.

 

[Choose Life]

I always believed in God. I was unchurched, so don't really know how. I grew up around new age, then became a Catholic pre-teen. I was rushed through the sacraments, just in time for my confirmation, and fondly remember singing 'my God loves me' honestly believing that He did.

I left college and went off the rails. Started drinking, then behaving like most drunkards do. Purely hedonistic. From time to time, I would re-commit, and confess, but then slip back into sinful living again. I was craving holiness, without self control.

Shortly after, I got married, the honeymoon period was over sooner than we'd expected. I bailed out, mentally. Isn't it strange how we can give so little, expecting perfect devotion in return?

We amicably went our separate ways, both relieved that it was over so soon. We hadn't wasted too many years. Thankfully, for them, we were childless, something I would end up regretting to this day.

At an evangelical church, I went for the altar call. I prayed 'Lord, i know that You can't forgive me, but I'm begging You anyway'...when prompted, I asked Jesus into my life, by His Holy Spirit. I cried that night, real tears. I was genuinely sorry for my years and years of wickedness, i was desperate for His forgiveness.

He did! I was on cloud nine. I didn't know that Jesus was God!

I've had a lot of religious dung to work through. Legalistic fellowship, false teachers etc. If there's any around, they make a bee-line for me. I've been so gullible. Having absolutely no discernment. Now I'm alone, and thankful for it. I want to know Jesus, no-one else will do.

Still much to learn...