Time Travel Tuesday~Salvation

I was saved at a very young age. My family never went to church together but I was able to go alot with my best friend and was saved in the first grade. I lived in a lot of fear as a child and church and the security of our Father wasn't ever present for me then. The Lord was there of course I just didn't know it. I don't have memories of VBS or many moments of harmony. My mom and dad argued often and my dad drank quite a bit. I'll leave it at that so as not to bring remembrance of the pain to hurt any family who might read this. I was in and out of church through the years, when I was in I was IN but when I fell, I fell hard. I finally made the decision that no matter what or how I messed up I wasn't backing down on God any longer and I gave myself completely to God somewhere around 6 years ago, it was a very long, very hard and winding road. It sounds odd but through everything I had a relationship with Him, I talked with Him daily even though there were times I didn't think He was listening. Sometimes I was angry and mad, hurt and bitter but still He was there. I am so overjoyed that My Father persued me at every corner and never lifted His mighty hand from me.

Now not to down play my salvation at all because I know that is the most important thing in my spiritual walk, the first step, but I have to say that one of my most special times in my spiritual life was in February of 2006 when I was baptized in the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues. I had pretty much been a Baptist all my life and I suppose, to be honest there were parts of me that did not believe in the gifts for today. I was so excited to be speaking in tongues that I didn't want to quit. I was up all night long and then intercessing for days. I felt so close to the Lord and realized at that moment for the first time just how real God is. Somehow it confirmed Him for me in my spirit I suppose because I knew the Lord but sometimes battled doubt and this chased away the doubt! It brought a hunger in me to know the Lord in a more intimate way and left me starved for the Word of God. I delved into studies and hunted down services wherever I could find them. It was all I could do not to shout from the rooftops and grab all my friends and say, YOU HAVE GOT TO HAVE UNDERSTANDING, YOU NEED THIS!! I would have scared them to death! Some of them I believe thought I had actually lost my mind! The Lord really had to slow me down and remind me that things come in His time and not my own. Maybe that is what I'm missing now?! ;) I know it began a new journey for me with my Lord. It opened up doors and how much I have learned and how much I have grown in this short time! But in trials such as the one I'm in the midst of now when I struggle so, I realize how far I have to go.

Another remembrance is when the Lord answered our prayers and brought my husband into the fold. And then my deliverance from fear and experiencing God's power, love and having a sound mind in Jesus Christ. The healing of my precious Meadow when she was but a babe. So many miracles and wonders, so many things to be thankful for. Our God is the great I am, the one true Living God. Hallelujah! How I praise You my Father! How great Thou Art! How thankful and grateful I am for my salvation!

Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

1Co 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

1Co 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

Matt 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Mark 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

Luke 3:16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

John 1:33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

John 7:37-39 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

John 14:25-26 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 20:22And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

Acts 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

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