Post by seth on Aug 3, 2009 13:55:14 GMT -5
I hope that as I share how I was converted to CHRIST it will be an encouragement to all who know of or have children, friends or relatives that are 2nd generation "Christian" and are struggling.
My conversion to Christ started with the FEAR of GOD. That is noteworthy and should bring hope to anyone who had or has children in the CHURCH or under the teaching of the scriptures. The word of GOD will not return void. The fear of GOD is the beginning of Wisdom. (I'm purposefully leaving out details about events and such so that I can describe more of the Spiritual dynamics of what occurred in my life.) The Fear of GOD caught up with me! and overcame my rebellion. This was the first part that led to my conversion. I thank God that He shook me up and revealed His power from heaven enough that I began to seek HIM. One thing I should mention is that during the time that I began to Clean up my life and just prior to conversion was a miserable time for me. Not having a relationship with GOD and yet knowing full well that's what I needed. "better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof" ECC7:8. I"m still waiting for the end.! A quick side trail just for reference, I was raised in a non denominational church setting, wonderful experiences watching many people get baptized and converted around me. My father was involved in the leadership of the church my whole life, and still is. I hate to say this but I rebelled with "full knowledge" In fact I would often say that there was nothing left for anyone to tell me about salvation or Christianity, I had heard it all and was somewhat numb to it. During the time that I began to have fresh desires to know God I was still struggling with "was Christianity real". I didn't have saving faith. The LORD eventually led me to a "foreign land". The farthest place from my hometown, but still in the states. I found myself alone with no friends (good or bad), somewhat terrified of meeting new people, coming out of a life of drug use and a bit paranoid. Let this verse encourage you all that Paul said in
2 Tim 3:15" And that from a child thou hast known the Holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."
I began to cry out to GOD for a revelation that HE was true and real. I looked for the answer in the scriptures, 3 weeks went by as I read the bible and one afternoon while reading on my bunk bed I read Col 2:13 "and You, being dead in your sins and the circumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with HIM, having forgiven you all trespasses;
I realized at that moment I needed forgiveness and I needed to repent and turn and live for CHRIST. I HAD and was GIVEN saving grace all my life. My rebellious heart just took me for a longer ride then is necessary sometimes. The seeds are in there, if they were planted. I should point out that there were people strategically put in my path that spoke words and gave directions that eventually led me to the DOOR.
I guess I want to encourage all the fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters here to continue to hope and believe in the POWER of the GOSPEL to overtake our Children, family and friends. As I write this letter I currently have 5 children and so we find that we are all in the same situation together. Faithfully living out the teachings of CHRIST so as to shine in such a way that they might see our good GODLY works and glorify the heavenly Father.
Many Spiritual blessings to all who are a bit down today, keep fighting for HOLY ground.
Seth Gorczyca
My conversion to Christ started with the FEAR of GOD. That is noteworthy and should bring hope to anyone who had or has children in the CHURCH or under the teaching of the scriptures. The word of GOD will not return void. The fear of GOD is the beginning of Wisdom. (I'm purposefully leaving out details about events and such so that I can describe more of the Spiritual dynamics of what occurred in my life.) The Fear of GOD caught up with me! and overcame my rebellion. This was the first part that led to my conversion. I thank God that He shook me up and revealed His power from heaven enough that I began to seek HIM. One thing I should mention is that during the time that I began to Clean up my life and just prior to conversion was a miserable time for me. Not having a relationship with GOD and yet knowing full well that's what I needed. "better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof" ECC7:8. I"m still waiting for the end.! A quick side trail just for reference, I was raised in a non denominational church setting, wonderful experiences watching many people get baptized and converted around me. My father was involved in the leadership of the church my whole life, and still is. I hate to say this but I rebelled with "full knowledge" In fact I would often say that there was nothing left for anyone to tell me about salvation or Christianity, I had heard it all and was somewhat numb to it. During the time that I began to have fresh desires to know God I was still struggling with "was Christianity real". I didn't have saving faith. The LORD eventually led me to a "foreign land". The farthest place from my hometown, but still in the states. I found myself alone with no friends (good or bad), somewhat terrified of meeting new people, coming out of a life of drug use and a bit paranoid. Let this verse encourage you all that Paul said in
2 Tim 3:15" And that from a child thou hast known the Holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."
I began to cry out to GOD for a revelation that HE was true and real. I looked for the answer in the scriptures, 3 weeks went by as I read the bible and one afternoon while reading on my bunk bed I read Col 2:13 "and You, being dead in your sins and the circumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with HIM, having forgiven you all trespasses;
I realized at that moment I needed forgiveness and I needed to repent and turn and live for CHRIST. I HAD and was GIVEN saving grace all my life. My rebellious heart just took me for a longer ride then is necessary sometimes. The seeds are in there, if they were planted. I should point out that there were people strategically put in my path that spoke words and gave directions that eventually led me to the DOOR.
I guess I want to encourage all the fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters here to continue to hope and believe in the POWER of the GOSPEL to overtake our Children, family and friends. As I write this letter I currently have 5 children and so we find that we are all in the same situation together. Faithfully living out the teachings of CHRIST so as to shine in such a way that they might see our good GODLY works and glorify the heavenly Father.
Many Spiritual blessings to all who are a bit down today, keep fighting for HOLY ground.
Seth Gorczyca