This is a long post, but worth reading to those with questions about their salvation.

The pastor posed a statement this morning at the end of his message that simply saying the sinner’s prayer and saying you’re saved doesn’t necessarily equate to a defining moment in one’s salvation. I have to agree. I know God woos people by the Holy Ghost to draw them near to Him. Not everyone who claims to be saved is indeed saved. I would urgently request of that everyone who professes their salvation take a look inside themselves and examine their intentions and hopefully change (repentance). There will be fruit in your life that shows change.

Now, as for the fact of having experienced salvation, search yourself for what motivated you to make this confession. I remember at the age of 13, God started working on me to come to Him. Many times over the next three years, I felt that calling to the depths of my soul. I even fought against it, because I feared taking that step out of my pew to walk to the altar, because of what people may think. I also feared I would not be able to live up to the standards that I heard the Baptist preacher speak from the pulpit.

But at the age of sixteen, during a revival on a Friday evening in June 1967, the power of God calling me was so strong I made that step from my pew, and I only remember the first step. I think I floated the rest of the way to the altar, where I found myself in front of the evangelist. I remember him asking me why I was there. I said I wanted to be saved. That was a life-changing moment for me that indelibly marked my life from that very day. I also remember asking God that night from my bed as I looked out the window, begging God to come that night, because I knew I was going to fail Him. What a long way I have come from that night.

I managed to attend church until I was drafted at nineteen into the Army. The Army was demanding and I believe I attended Chapel one Sunday during my entire enlistment. I came home and did not set foot in the doorway of a church again until God started reminding me I was called according to His purpose and He wanted me back from the worldly nature I had become accustomed to. By that time I was married and had two sons. I was suffering from depression, although I did not know this was the problem until I was in my sixties, looking back. But the calling of God overtook my depression and I said to God I wanted to return.

One evening in a service I was attending and an altar call was given for salvation. I started to step out, but God stopped me with a question. “Didn’t I save you when you were sixteen? There is no need to do this.” He had something better for me.

He then put a hunger in me to test the waters to further my walk. I had been attending an Assemblies of God church and the Baptism of the Holy Ghost with speaking in tongues was available to my walk, so I asked God if this was real I wanted it. Then on March 13th around two o’clock in the morning after I had ceased crying before God, I looked up and I heard words I did not know start to coming out of my mouth and I was astounded. It was real.

I called my pastor the next morning to report my nightly encounter with the Holy Ghost and he was overjoyed and came over immediately to sit with me and share what had happened to me.

I know beyond all shadow of doubt that I was saved and sixteen and baptized in the Holy Ghost at twenty-seven years old. Then came a whole new level of understanding when I would study the Bible. I could barely get through a verse without it expanding on me.

Then came the testing of God to perfect me and mold my way of thinking to have the mind of Christ. Believe me I have not matured to the level of perfection, but I strive to do so. In the latter years since Libby and I have been married I find she has giftings that have helped me so much to calm myself and I feel she was instrumental in helping me understand one important thing, that being unconditional love. I can still be a totally difficult person, but she still looks at me with that love and it melts my heart. I then realize God loves me all the more.

God has truly saved me. God has baptized me in the Holy Ghost and the blessing of God have never been more evident in my life as in the last sixteen years. I can’t be everything to everyone, but I can be my best. I can’t attend every church service, but I still love all those God has placed me amongst. There are still trials. I’m still being perfected (matured), so bear with me.

If you doubt your salvation I adjure you to exam yourself and talk with God. It’s more than a simple statement of faith. It’s a life-long endeavor to the end. Anyone who is studious will find salvation is a starting point with a continuing progression ending only when you take your last breath.

At my age now I have a fascination of what I will be doing in the eternal realm. I feel God told me. Call me crazy, but I’m going to be a musician in the coming life. I’m not sure, but some of you may have just lost me, but count me crazy.