I need an answer

[Athalia]

I think God led me to this forum to get some answers. First, I am Christian, I have been all my life. That is kind of my problem. what I mean is this: Some people you talk to and see on tv and hear their testamonies and they all talk about how the moment they got saved affected them and touched them so very deeply.

I don't remember asking Jesus into my heart. I know I did because my grandma and mom have told me about it. But I don't know, why doesn't it seem like it was WOW and awe and all of that? The affects of Jesus and God and my faith you can see in my everyday life, but that moment, I don't remember.

About 8 years ago this bothered me so much that I would lie awake at night and cry and cry and ask Him into my heart over and over again, I was so terrified that if I died I wouldn't go to heaven. I never told anybody. I don't think that anymore. But I am trying to get some stuff sorted out and I do feel the need for an answer to this. it really bothered me, and occasionally it still does. can someone please help me. I prayed hard about this And like I said, I think God led me here to get help.

 

[RED that's ME]

If you don't mind I will PM you so we can talk more privately.

 

[Lyle]

You have the promises of God to over ride the fears... You have a strong testimony of how God has saved you from eternal destruction... If that is indeed the case.

The only reason I myself remember when I got saved, is that I can remember just about everything.. But remember this, for some the change is sudden, for tohers it comes as the gentle dawning of the day..... No matter, Christ is still working in your life, whether it was all at once or no...

 

[aVb]

I was brought up in church too.

It is harder than the alternative, like getting 'wildly' saved from all the bad stuff...

But its also better, because we havent had to go thru all the muck~ Theres not a great big list of stuff to get saved FROM.

SO, it IS harder because you dont have a big point of reference for pre-salvation days to remember your huge conversion.

Dont base too much on feelings.

Theres a great prayer to pray that I do a lot. When the father in the new testament was asking Jesus to heal his Son? Jesus says just believe? Then he prays...

"I do believe. Help my unbelief."

You sound really sincere about your faith. Go get 'em.

 

[thereselittleflower]

Can I ask if you were baptized?

Also, take a look at my sig line . . Salvation is a process, not a one time act at some point in the past . .

Those of us who have had dramatic conversion experiences can point to a specific moment in time and say, this is where it began . . but those who don't have such an experience are no less saved . .

There is a lot of hype out there to have an "experience" . . God approaches us in different ways . . but the "hype" is not what it is cracked up to be and the emotionalism can in fact later on, turn into a hinderance in one's spiritual growth . .

If you love God, and you believe in Jesus as your savior, then He IS your savior ..



I ask about baptism in case you have not been baptized . . . this is something you can do if you haven't already done so to make this real for you . . let me know and I can explain more why I am asking . .


Peace in Him!

 

[Mrs. Enigma]

You could try looking under some other sections in this forum for discussions on "once saved always saved?" or 'is baptism necessary for salvation'? People have been discussing these in another section. Sorry, I can not remember which.
I believe that at the point of salvation you do not need a wow wierd feeling. The devil wants us not to trust in what Jesus has done for us, and the devil wants us to have no faith in God's saving grace.
You can not earn salvation by saying a prayer over and over, doing lots of works, or getting baptized a bunch. You can choose to accept God's free gift of grace and recieve the gift of the Holy Spirit. You do this by accepting it on the terms God asks of you. You must be sorry for your past sins and become a new creature. God will wash your sins away for you in immersion. See Acts 2:38, Mark16:16

 

[sawdust]

I think God led me to this forum to get some answers. First, I am Christian, I have been all my life. That is kind of my problem. what I mean is this: Some people you talk to and see on tv and hear their testamonies and they all talk about how the moment they got saved affected them and touched them so very deeply.

I don't remember asking Jesus into my heart. I know I did because my grandma and mom have told me about it. But I don't know, why doesn't it seem like it was WOW and awe and all of that? The affects of Jesus and God and my faith you can see in my everyday life, but that moment, I don't remember.

About 8 years ago this bothered me so much that I would lie awake at night and cry and cry and ask Him into my heart over and over again, I was so terrified that if I died I wouldn't go to heaven. I never told anybody. I don't think that anymore. But I am trying to get some stuff sorted out and I do feel the need for an answer to this. it really bothered me, and occasionally it still does. can someone please help me. I prayed hard about this And like I said, I think God led me here to get help.

Please don't let the devil deceive you. Laying awake at night, crying your eyes out, doubting your salvation are words from the Liar not Jesus. I'm one of those people who had a really big "WOW" experience of salvation but do you know the only testimony I remember, that belongs to someone else, is one very similar to yours above. I went home crying asking God "why couldn't I have that sort of life"...no crud to work through, no memories to assail me. But I got my life and you got your life and I'm thankful that someone as sweet and dear as you doesn't have to remember the things I do. I've had to pay a price for the "experiences".
Trust me when I say you have the greater faith. "Blessed are they who believe and yet have not seen".
Please be at peace Athalia.
Your friend and servant.

 

[ShetlandRose]

Horsefeathers! Children can become believers in Jesus Christ. I did. I sat at my grandmother's knee and learned about Jesus when I was a very young child. I cannot remember when I did not believe in Jesus.

I attended a church once where they insisted that if I could not remember the exact memory of accepting Jesus Christ I was not saved and had to say the "sinner's prayer." So, they believed I had to be saved all over again. They also would not recognize my Presbyterian baptism and required I be baptized a second time by immersion.

Some people have desperate, traumatic lives and their moment of salvation is quite an event, with considerable changes. If you were saved as a child, you were fortunate indeed.

ShetlandRose

 

[Mr.Cheese]

Romans 10:9-10.
Jesus is more than an experience. Some people are delivered from things that cause them to drastically restructure their lives.
But that's the key.
It's what you do with Jesus after you believe in him. You live your life for him.

People with big testimonies would trade you in a heartbeat because they have to live with their past. That sucks. I don't like living with the mistakes and stupid things I've done. Sure, they're forgiven, and in the past. But I can't go back and undo them.

You follow the way things are supposed to be done. Your parents raised you as a christian. Thank God for that and go live your life for the one who saves you.

 

[pmarquette]

I think God led me to this forum to get some answers. First, I am Christian, I have been all my life. That is kind of my problem. what I mean is this: Some people you talk to and see on tv and hear their testamonies and they all talk about how the moment they got saved affected them and touched them so very deeply.
have you prayed the prayer : Romans 10.8-9 ? a mixture of 2 Chronicles 7.14 , Ezekiel 36.26 , and a profession of faith .... Father God , ask your forgiveness for what I have done and failed to do , I ask you forgiveness ; I belive you love me , sent Jesus to die for me ; and he rose on the third day by the power of the Holy Spirit , Jesus I desire to make you the Lord of my life .... come into my heart , open my eyes that I might see you , my ears that I might hear your voice , and my heart that I might believe ... in Jesus' name , amen ...

I don't remember asking Jesus into my heart. I know I did because my grandma and mom have told me about it. But I don't know, why doesn't it seem like it was WOW and awe and all of that? The affects of Jesus and God and my faith you can see in my everyday life, but that moment, I don't remember.
read the above aloud , take a step of faith , rejoice in your salvation , thank God for hearing and answering you ...

About 8 years ago this bothered me so much that I would lie awake at night and cry and cry and ask Him into my heart over and over again, I was so terrified that if I died I wouldn't go to heaven.
Hebrews 11.1 ; 1 John 5.14-128 assurance we have in him that when we ask He hears and answers us ...

I never told anybody. I don't think that anymore. But I am trying to get some stuff sorted out and I do feel the need for an answer to this. it really bothered me, and occasionally it still does
proverbs 24.16 get back up , go again , pray again , rededicate , back under the blood ... go again and again till you get it right within you ...

. can someone please help me. I prayed hard about this And like I said, I think God led me here to get help.

check out : 1 John 5.14-18 ; Psalm 118.5 ; Psalm 103 ; Psalm 139 He will not leave , nor forsake you , with you , hears you , loves you -- John 3.16

 

[Athalia]

thanks for your replies. Maybe I should explain a little bit as to why this question has come up at this point in time in my life. I have been doing a great deal of praying as to what direction God wants me to go in, since I have to make a decision. I feel that I am headed right, and I hope that I always do.

When I talked about crying and praying about my salvation all those years ago... at the time my grandad had luekimia and my nana breast cancer and my grandpa was diagnosed with skin cancer - it turned out to be the kind where you get spots and have to wear a lot of sunscreen. But I did not know that at the time. I was facing what death might mean for the first time in my life. And I didn't know what to do. I didn't feel I had anyone to talk to. I was afraid to talk to my parents because I didn't want to see them upset - they would have never shown that they were, but I knew my parents better than they thought.

This bottleing up of emotions led to me having something kind of like mild anxity attacks in which time I would cry for no reason, and be afraid to be alone and be afraid of the dark. Looking back now, I know I acted stupidly if I had just told someone what I felt I wouldn't have suffered like I did. But the I was I just didin't do that. I felt like I was growing up too fast too soon.

Sorry if I am rambling, but that is a hard thing for me to say. And this is the first time I have ever told anyone what I went through.

I am trying to get my past sorted out, and to see how it affected and still affects me, so that I have a better understanding of myself. Which is why I asked my question. The reason I am doing this, is rather silly perhaps but I feel that it is a good thing for me to do.

The reason is this, my dad's job transfered us to a town that is predomitatly mormon and athiestic four years ago. So I, having decided along time ago that would never date anyone who wasn't Christian have not paid attention to boys much at all. Recently I met a very nice Christian guy who is great fun. Nothing came of it - or most likely will, but he is a nice friend to have. But I realized that I don't really know myself good enough to know what I want, so I think I should get myself sorted out before I ever start a relationship. Maybe that is stupid and crazy, I don't know, but it is what I am doing.

I was baptized when I was a baby, my little brother and sister were not. Personally I don't feel the need to be baptized again and I also think that when kid is old enough then they are the ones who should decide if they want to be baptized or not. It is my belief that just like you don't have to speak in tounges you don't have to have been baptized to go to heaven.

Someday I may feel that I should be baptized, as an adult, if that happens then I will be baptized.



"Horsefeathers!" Shetlandrose LOL I am ROFL that is too funny and way better than the alternitive LOL

 

[FervidPrincess]

Athailia,

I was surprised to see this post. I am like you...I dont have a big story to tell either. I was raised in a Christian family and concidered myself a Christian, when I got older I always held on to Christianity. I always gave God credit for everything and still do. But, I just dont have that big story to tell of when I changed. This has also bothered me in the past. I really cant say when a specific incidence changed my life...other than when I met my husband. My life changed dramatically at that point. I went to Church when I was younger with my Grandma too. I felt the Spirit in the Church and inside me even at a young age. However, I was never baptized (by water) until Christmas of 2003...My life has really changed even more since then... I chose to take my Faith in God way more seriously. I am studying more than ever before and have learned alot by doing so. I give my day to the Lord each and every day now...I let my day be of His will. That makes me feel so much better to know God is in charge of my day.

I will pray for you that you will see that you dont need a big dramatic story to tell and know that your true measure of faith in God is known by Him.

In Christian Love,
FervidPrincess

 

[marc37]

Maybe your religious faith needs to grow some more just like everything in life grows.keep learning.

 

[RubyRose]

Athalia! Pretty name! My 19 yr old daughter (whose name is Talia - very similar to yours!) had the same predicament you have! In her discipleship class, they had to write down their "salvation testimony" so they could learn to tell it to anyone - short and sweet. She was so upset because she didn't really have one!

We went to the pastor and he was so sweet! He told her she had the BEST TESTIMONY OF ALL! She never had to go through the bad sin and mud of the world..... She is so grateful!

You are OK.... just pour it out to God! And rest in Him!

 

[Athalia]

thanks for the replys, it's nice to know that I am not the only one that feels like that... I guess I just get lonely, I live where it is all mormons or atheists - and we don't got to church since there is not really one of our denomanation in town and the closest one is an hour away and. since my dad works for the railroad we never know if he will be home, or if he is when he will be called to go back to work....

*I just thought I might let you-all know that I am already noticing that even chatting with you guys has affected my behavior - you are all seriously influenceing me - dangit!

seriously though, thanks.