This was by far mine and probably everyone's favorite activity in our last study! Let's share how we came to know Christ. Since some of us did this in our last group, you are welcome to copy and paste what you shared before or share a little piece of your walk with God, whether it be the very beginning of your walk or something along the way.
Get ready to be blown away at how God works in each of us! I can't wait!
*Note: I am struggling with writing my own testimony! I feel like sharing my own experiences, having been raised in an LDS background (myself and family and friend relationships), and leaving or disagreeing with the LDS church is hurtful to friends and family or any LDS church members that may be reading this. I had posted a video on facebook awhile back that showed differences in Christianity and Mormonism. I shared it because most of my facebook friends are LDS and I know that the differences are very real and important. Sharing this video caused some major hurt to many friends and many hurtful things were said to me because I shared this on my page. I've been weary to share anything that is directed toward the LDS faith (or any specific faith) since. It's silly, because this is my testimony and these are my personal experiences and how God has intervened and shown me truth in Him! I have been typing and deleting over and over because I'm worried that my testimony might hurt or offend someone.
Dear God, I can feel Satan trying to scare me from sharing your truth! Crush him! You are bigger! You alone are God! I can't believe I'm struggling with my own testimony! You have worked in me and my heart has been forever changed through the life experiences you have given me! I am where I am because of you. You got me here. You SAVED me from death and darkness. You have a spot in heaven waiting for me! That I KNOW is true! Not because of anything I have done, but because of what you have done. Thank you!
Now let's try this again...
Growing up, most of my extended family and my friends were LDS. I was baptized when I was 8 in an LDS church. I remember going to church, but not consistently. I remember not feeling like I fit in with my friends and family as far as a church/religious setting. I don't have a memory of why I was baptized, besides knowing that being baptized is what you do when you turn 8. And having family being very excited about it.
I have a memory of a friend telling me when we were little that I wouldn't be with my family in heaven, because we weren't sealed in the temple as a family. That memory stands out to me. I remember thinking, "I don't believe God would separate my family for not being "sealed together". We were just kids and I don't know the exact details of temple sealings in the LDS church. I'm stating this, because I remember having doubts about this church at a young age. Later some things about this church troubled me. I didn't agree with temple marriage and wondered who would I marry, because I didn't want to be married in one of these temples and the friends I had would only be married in the temple. I didn't understand getting married and my own parents couldn't attend, because they weren't "temple worthy". These are just some of the doubts that I had. I remember thinking there had to be something different. I did not know about any other churches/religions. I grew up in a very small town and my friends either were or were not Mormon.
My mom got remarried and my step-dad was Christian. She became a Christian and took me to church with her a few times. She bought me Christian CD's and WWJD bracelets. She gave me a Bible (that I never read). I remember thinking it was all so weird. So different. I thought being a Christian meant believing in God. I didn't know who this God was, but thought "Well I believe in God" and called myself a Christian. I thought I knew so much. Ha!
Later a friend started asking me questions about being a Christian and I answered her the best I could. Somehow, my answers maybe gave her confidence to join some friends at The Rock (or maybe she already had gone and was questioning it all). She eventually invited me to The Rock to listen to her boyfriend playing in the band. Luke and I went and listened just months after we were married. We liked the church and haven't stopped going. The next couple times we were there I remember hearing the same verse during announcements. Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." It was just what I knew in my heart all along. It was that simple. Hearing that verse solidified it for me. It is by the grace of God I am saved, not by works! It is not what I can do!
I was baptized. This time I knew why I was being baptized. Not to earn anything. Not because it will get me a step closer to heaven. Simply to show the world that I am living my life for Jesus. As an outward display of my love for Him. I love Jesus!
Since, I have learned more and more about who God is. I don't want to just believe in God. I want to know who God is. I want to be like Him. I know that I am so far from being good enough. The more I know who He is, the more I know why I need Him. I am so unworthy of His grace. So unworthy to be able to be with him in heaven. But, He made it possible by coming to earth as a man and living a perfect life to pay for my sins. He made a way! He is THE WAY!
1 comment:
Awesome and more awesome!! Love you!
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