FOLLOW UP

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This is a 2022 follow-up to my testimony, which took place in the 1970’s.

My ‘Water’ Baptism, as detailed in my testimony, was my ‘Believer’s Baptism’. It is only now, when I am in my 7th decade, that I am learning about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said in John 3:5, “Truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit”.

It has been over forty years since I first came to know the Lord. Life has taken many unexpected twists and turns as time marches on.

I wish I could say that I became a wonderful, kind and loving follower of Jesus after my baptism. For a while I tried to be exactly that. And for a while, I superficially succeeded, according to my standards, that is.

The years passed quickly.

I was 45 years old when I knowingly, willfully and intentionally sinned against my Lord, myself, my family and another person and his family.

But that is a story for another time.

The pain of that sin has, to this day, long lasting consequences for all concerned.

1 John 1:8 clearly states that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

I am so thankful John didn’t stop there, but went on to say in 1 John 1: 9-10:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Sin has consequences. While God forgives our sins, he does not always remove the consequences. Those consequences are used by God to teach us, guide us, and even bless us and those against whom we have sinned. Our God is a righteous God. He is also a merciful God. He promises to ‘lead us in the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.’ When we accept and submit to God’s guidance, our lives will be blessed. And so will the lives of those against whom we have sinned. These blessings are in God’s time, not ours!

There are choices that I want to make in my life as I write this. Alas, I can’t make those choices because of the circumstances I created for myself when I disobeyed the Lord those many years ago.

The Lord has blessed me while I wait. It has not been an easy wait but it is definitely a beneficial one.

It is beneficial because the Lord is using this time to teach me more about Himself than I ever could have thought possible.

It helps me to know that even Paul was delayed because of his disobedience when the Holy Spirit told him not to go to Jerusalem.

Paul’s story is recorded in Acts 24, 1-23

My story is recorded here: Divine Delays.

In closing, I leave you with this promise from Matthew 7:7.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

Each of us in this journey we call life has been given a choice. My prayer for you is that you, too, will seek the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Ask the Lord, in prayer, to be your guide.

God is faithful. He will hear your prayer and lead you in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake, no matter what circumstances in which you currently find yourself. And that applies to me, as well!

Life is a journey. Its destiny: Eternity!

Where will you spend yours?

My hope and prayers is that someday I will meet you there and we can rejoice in the Lord together!

Thanks for reading this long story.

I was blessed by sharing it. I hope you will be blessed by reading it!

If you have not already done so:

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him! (Psalm 34:8)