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  #1  
Old 05-15-2007, 07:54 PM
Hesetmefree238 Hesetmefree238 is offline
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Location: Tennessee
Posts: 407
My Story

In the summer of 1982 as a 16yr old teenager, I made my first trip into a
Pentecostal Church, which was to be an eventful and life changing experience.
First, let me tell you a little of my background. I was raised Southern Baptist,
taken to Sunday School regularly by my mother. My father was a medical
professional. He was the president of the local country club. Growing up,
my attitudes and ideas concerning pentecostals was very negative. I thought
they were eccentric, extreme, over the top, etc, etc..... I came from a
social background in which we looked down on Pentecostals, so the last thing
that I ever thought was that one day I would be one of them. They were the
"across the tracks" religious folks that I did not want to identify with, but
all of this was soon to change.
So, back to my story, I made a visit to a UPC church in the summer of 1982 to
visit a girlfriend whose mother had been filled with the Holy Ghost. It was
revival time, and my girlfriend invited me to go. Of course, I was not interested
in going for the religious aspect. All I wanted to do was see my
girlfriend, but oh did God have something in store for me that night.
The church was in revival with Bro. Cecil Robinson. As the service started
and people began to lift their hands, pray out loud, praise out loud, I was
totally entertained by it all, and in fact I remember laughing to myself that
this was very funny and entertaining. When the evangelist read his text and
began to preach, I remember I really began to listen to his sermon. He was
preaching from the book of Revelation, and I had always had a fascination
with this book. As he began to preach, and I began to really listen to what he
had to say, a warmth flooded my soul and melted my heart. It was the most
wonderful feeling that I had ever experienced. I knew that it was Jesus. I
felt his love for me, and I heard him calling me to repentance, compelling me
to surrender my life to him. I resisted what I felt, because I felt like I was
having too much fun (living the party life) to quit doing the things I was
doing. Eventually, the feeling left me, but it had forever impacted me. I went
home, woke my mother up and told her what I had felt, and that if I ever
started going to church it would be in that Pentecostal church. My opinion
of Pentecost had forever been changed by one experience with the presence
of God.
Months later, my life was in such a mess from drugs that I would have killed
myself had it not been for the mercy of God and for my belief in heaven and hell.
I was tormented by LSD flashbacks and nearly lost my mind. In desperation, I
started going to church, and yes it was in the Pentecostal
church where I had felt God's spirit. Months later I was baptized in Jesus name
and filled with the Holy Ghost. It was the most liberating experience that I have ever felt.
I have been living for God for 23 years. They are without a doubt the best years of my life.
I tried everything the world had to offer, and I would not
trade Jesus for all of the pleasures of this world.
Not only has God blessed me spiritually, but he has given me a wonderful
family. Also, two years ago he led me into a career as a Financial and Investment
Advisor, and I have been blessed financially as well.
God has been so good to me. It all started with one visit to a Pentecostal
revival. I love the Pentecostal Church. I love the gospel of our Lord Jesus
Christ. I love Acts 2:38. I love true holiness. I love the church and God's people. God bless you.
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Old 05-15-2007, 07:58 PM
SDG SDG is offline
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Our God is good ... I praise him for the miracle that Hesetmefree is ....
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Old 05-15-2007, 07:58 PM
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CC1 CC1 is offline
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SetFree,

Thanks for the inspiring testimony. I always love to read stories of how God has changed peoples lives.
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Old 05-15-2007, 08:08 PM
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Scott Hutchinson Scott Hutchinson is offline
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What a miracle of grace praise God.
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People who are always looking for fault,can find it easily all they have to do,is look into their mirror.
There they can find plenty of fault.
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Old 05-15-2007, 08:08 PM
Hesetmefree238 Hesetmefree238 is offline
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Tennessee
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Guys, never take this experience for granted. I came from a Southern Baptist background. I had no idea that an experience of being filled with the Holy
Ghost even existed. We have truly been blessed with the most glorious experience this side of heaven.
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Old 05-15-2007, 08:10 PM
OGIA OGIA is offline


 
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AWESOME! To God be the glory!!
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  • And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one. [Zechariah 14:9]

  • Ignorance of the Identity of the One True God is not a valid reason to practice idolatry.
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Old 05-15-2007, 08:10 PM
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Scott Hutchinson Scott Hutchinson is offline
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THE SBC is big where I live I know the damage that OSAS does.
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People who are always looking for fault,can find it easily all they have to do,is look into their mirror.
There they can find plenty of fault.
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Old 05-15-2007, 09:09 PM
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Tech Tech is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hesetmefree238 View Post
Guys, never take this experience for granted. I came from a Southern Baptist background. I had no idea that an experience of being filled with the Holy
Ghost even existed. We have truly been blessed with the most glorious experience this side of heaven.

Great testimony brother.Thanks for sharing.Do you know any Beechams around Lexington?
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  #9  
Old 05-15-2007, 09:44 PM
Hesetmefree238 Hesetmefree238 is offline
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Location: Tennessee
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tech View Post
Great testimony brother.Thanks for sharing.Do you know any Beechams around Lexington?
Never heard of them, just kidding. Brother Beecham has been my pastor for
22 yrs.
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  #10  
Old 05-15-2007, 09:54 PM
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chosenbyone chosenbyone is offline
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Location: The Lone Star State
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It's great to hear good news, brother. Thanks for sharing your testimony.
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Isaiah 53:5: "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."(KJV)

"God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves." Dwight L. Moody
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