My name is
Mike Williams. I grew up in a divorced home from birth leaving my
mother to raise my brother and me. We went to a Catholic church
raised in all their doctrines just as my mother’s parents had raised
her. We tried to live according to the teachings of the Catholic
Church as it’s all we ever knew and hoped we would find Jesus for 8
years. One day my mother was a Christian came and spoke with my
mother telling her of Jesus. I couldn’t understand it at the time
but there was a noticeable change in mom’s life. For the next two
years she attended a Baptist Church in Fairfield until mom felt like
the LORD was leading her elsewhere. About that same time mom was
re-married to my Stepfather Randy Johnson and we visited a church
called Indian Springs Baptist in Fairfield Township close to where
we live. That first Sunday we attended I heard God’s Holy word
explaining salvation for the first time in my life. I was only 10
years old at the time and thought I had been saved. Though I went
through the motions and understood the words the man who witnessed
to me didn’t realize my heart was still empty and that I did not yet
have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I had missed out on
salvation not knowing I had until 4 years later. We had a church
camp out. While sitting around a campfire listening to a message
from Tom Ryan (a retired Pastor) explaining about hell the judgment
for sin and how Jesus set us free from it. I received Christ into my
heart as my friend and savior. Understanding what sin really meant
separating me from the love of God and my need for his forgiveness
and his sacrifice to take my place. Soon after the camp out I was
baptized into the church in obedience to our Lord’s command. The
excitement of being saved and knowing Christ was amazing but over
time I got busy with this life and lost my excitement. I went with
my family to church on Sundays and Wednesdays and thought that was
all I needed to do. However, I didn’t read the bible anymore and
spent more time trying to fit in at high school. I wasn’t in prayer
and fellowship as I should have been. Soon I began making poor
decisions and hanging out in places I never should have been. I
compromised so many things because I wanted to do it my way and not
God’s way. Soon I was Caught up in friends, sports, and all the fun
of high school leaving God out of the picture. The LORD convicted me
of my sin many times I would just toss the conviction aside. As with
all good parents God’s chastening came from the decisions I made.
At the time I didn’t think anything of it. Then I hit 20 years old.
Heading down the same wrong road left me feeling miserable, lonely
and discouraged. I couldn’t make sense of my life until the Lord
impacted my life again like he promised never to forsake me.
Reading God’s word I began attending Church regularly again. While
searching God’s word Jesus became so real to me. God showed me
there is more to the Christian life than just getting saved and
going to church. It’s about fellowship with my LORD and Savior.
There is a purpose and meaning to this life we live. PRAISE GOD!!!
He has always been there for me through all my troubles and trials.
Even through every mess I put myself in. So I can’t blame anyone
else except myself. The Lord has taught me a great lesson through it
all. He says in his Word, “He will never leave us nor forsake us”
And how true that is. Jesus Christ has become “my everything”. I
love him more than anything. Praise the LORD!
(Col 1:10 - 11 KJV)
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being
fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto
all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
(Titus 3:4-7 KJV)
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man
appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but
according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration,
and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly
through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace,
we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
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