Testimonies

Everyone has a testimony and yours is unique and powerful! I believe that it is vital that you share it. When we share the amazing things that God has done in our lives and how He has proved His faithfulness and Love toward us, we MUST share it with the world so that we can encourage those around us to trust Him and Live for Him.

Send us Your testimony SHARE HERE, and with your permission, we'll share your story on The Forged to Lead Show on SBW Radio. (We will NEVER use any real names or personal information without your consent)

MY TESTIMONY OF CONVERSION

by Chris Meehan

INTRODUCTION

As time transpired, and I watched the world continually changing, it became apparent to me that it would be very important that I made a record of how the Lord Jesus Christ impacted and transformed my life. If the Lord should tarry, I hope it may continue to minister and reveal to it's readers that God can change ANY life that is hungry to know life's purpose, and to know the truth.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

1. BEFORE I ENCOUNTERED JESUS CHRIST

I was raised attending a mainline church by parents who loved me, and did everything that they believed was right to guide me to know the Lord. As I grew older, I grew more and more distant from my creator, as the enticement of this world drew me aside. In time, I found myself bound by many addictions, especially alcohol.

One time a friend called me an alcoholic, and this upset me. I set out to prove him wrong. I determined that I would go two weeks without a drink, and this would prove that I wasn't an alcoholic. It was two of the hardest weeks of my life. Sheer determination saw me through, and I thought I had really proved something. The next day, I fell right back off the wagon, and back to my old ways. I began to realize that I may have a serious problem.

I was made to believe that success was all about making a lot of money. Anything else that happened was just incidentals and was not really important as long as I was financially successful. Yet my misery just continued to grow. My frustrations increased, till it gave way to, I believe, depression and desperation.

I felt like I was frantically searching for purpose in my life, but didn't know where to look. I thought, "surely money would bring me happiness", so I poured myself into my studies as an electronic engineer, and working three jobs, but the emptiness I felt inside seemed to continue to grow.

During that time I wrote a short poem, and just threw it in my closet. I found it years later. It said,

"What it's like for a young guy in the 80's.

Rare to find a woman true, good times are few.

I try so hard to be something real, no one cares just how I feel.

It seems my life has no purpose, yet I tread on, continually searching,

for something real, at least substantial.

Still NO sign of anything."

On the evening of my 21st birthday, I headed out determined to find satisfaction, although I hadn't a clue where to look. I had a wad of money, and some friends to hang out with that loved to spend it. We spent all night bar-hopping, drinking and doing all the drugs I could afford. By sunrise, my money was gone, and so were my friends, yet I still was very empty, unsatisfied, and very depressed.

I bought a six pack, endured the dirty looks by the cashier, (it was about 9:00a.m. by then), and headed to the beach. I sat watching the waves, and fell deeper then ever into a dark dungeon of despair. I began to think seriously about suicide. I remember praying for the first time in a long time, saying, " God, there's got to be more to life than this. If this is all there is, then I'm going to end it. Please show me why I was born!"

I fell asleep there on the beach, using a six pack for a pillow. I dreamt over and over that I was driving into the parking lot at Dipper Dan, the ice cream shop where Suzie Velie worked, whom I had met a short time before. I woke up sunburned to a crisp, and headed to Dipper Dan and asked her out. I had no idea she was a Pastor's daughter. I just knew that I was very attracted to her, and there was definitely something very special about her! I realized in time, that, though she was beautiful, it was the light of God that was shining through her!

2. I REALIZED MY NEED FOR A SAVIOR

Suzie began continually inviting me to go to church, but I resisted. My sister reminded me that she asked me once if she should visit a Baptist Church, and I told her no. We were taught that the church we were raised in was the only true church. Wow, was I wrong!

I finally agreed to go with her to a meeting. Evangelist R. A. West was holding a meeting at the Holiday Inn. That experience was completely different from anything I had ever experienced in my life. People were worshipping God in a very demonstrative and real way. I marveled at their intensity and sincerity.

Then the preacher began to speak. Wow, what power was being demonstrated! Everyone seemed to be fully enjoying themselves, yet, it seemed that, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't even understand what the preacher was saying. So I decided to really concentrate on the words being spoken, to try to understand. As soon as I did, I literally felt something that seemed to just drill down into my soul! It freaked me out! I looked around to see if anyone else had the same experience, but everyone was lost in worship and engaged with the preacher. I told Sue that I would wait for her outside, and I got out of there! I was running scared! I didn't tell anyone what happened, but I knew that, from that moment on, I would never be the same! I knew those people had something that I needed and that I needed to investigate much further. I came to discover some time later that God had planted the seed of His Word in my heart!

From that night on, my life began to drastically change. It seemed no matter how hard I tried to party and have a good time, the thrill was gone! I knew my life was changing.

Sue continued to witness to me and invite me to church. I did my best to let her think that she wasn't getting anywhere with me. She tells me now that I was being successful. She kept telling me that God didn't want me to drink alcohol. I said, "Prove it to me. Show me in the Bible, then I'll believe it." I didn't think it was in there. Everybody I knew drank, even the ministers at my church!

She brought to me a list of scriptures...

Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

These scriptures would apply today to any type of alcoholic drink or mind-altering drugs. God only wants us addicted to Him.

1 Corinthians 16:15 ?..ye know the house of Stephanas, ...that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints...

Thank God He provides something much better than drugs and alcohol through the Holy Spirit. We can get high on Him!

I thought to myself, "God would have to prove to me He is real, and His Gospel is true, before I would EVER commit to such a life-changing decision to serve Him." Thomas Jefferson is quoted as saying, "Question with boldness even the existence of God..." God doesn't mind us putting Him to the test.

1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Of course, we don't have to look to the Bible to see the evidence of God. It's all around us in the wonder of creation! I see God in a baby's smile, I see God as an eagle flies. I see God in the night sky, and I see God in the oceans wide. He truly is everywhere!

But I questioned everything. I was not about to end up in anything false or in some sort of cult like we've all heard about. And God passed every test with flying colors!

I went to a friend's party house where I often went. We began talking about Christianity. Someone there said, "Ya know, we're all going to Hell!" I said, "I'M NOT GOING TO HELL!" I stood up, and walked out. I had made up my mind. I was going to serve the Lord! I never went back to that house.

Many discount The need for a decision, but everyone must make a decision concerning the Gospel. To ignore it is a decision to reject it. Yet we should never approach it lightly. Weigh the evidence! search for truth!

Jesus said, in Luke 11:9-10, And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

God wants us to know the truth.

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth...

3. MY LIFE IS TRANSFORMED

We went to hear R. W. Schambach preach in Fort Lauderdale at the War Memorial Auditorium. I didn't tell Sue, but I planned on surrendering to the Lord that night. We stopped to get gas before leaving Fort Pierce, and a man walked up and asked if he could get a ride to Fort Lauderdale. We told him that it just so happened that we were going to Fort Lauderdale, and we'd take him if he would go to church with us. He reluctantly agreed, so off we went. When we walked in the door of the meeting, there were people at the door, very excited. They said that they knew our guest and was praying that he would make it to the meeting! God was certainly arranging things for more than one that night.

We sat in the balcony, and, after the preacher ministered the word, he called for those that would commit their lives to Jesus Christ to come to the altar area in front of the stage. My heart started pounding, but I was reluctant to move. I knew I wanted to, but something in me was resisting. I thought he was done, and I was disappointed. Then, he said one last chance for people to join the others in the altar. This time I jumped to my feet, and ran down the stairs to the altar area. I felt like I was floating down those stairs! It was like I was steel, and at the altar was the largest magnet ever! I knew that was where I belonged. When I arrived, I had no idea how to pray, but the minister led us in prayer. It seemed as if I could see Jesus hanging on the cross saying, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!" I asked God to forgive me of my sins, and, I tell you the truth, it felt like 10,000 lbs. we're lifted off of me in one moment! I was forgiven! I knew I had just encountered the greatest love in this world!

A few weeks before we were to be married, I broke my wrist, and was unable to work. I was really troubled about what church to go to. I just wanted to be sure that I was in God's will for my life. I had some time on my hands, and really felt that God directed me to the Book of Acts. He showed me that when I find a church that believes like the Apostles in the Book of Acts, I will be in the right church.

Most Christian groups tend to avoid the Book of Acts. I call that pole vaulting religion. They read through the Book of John, then they pole vault over the Book of Acts and pick back up in Romans. The reason is, they don't relate to the Book of Acts because they don't have the power in their church that is demonstrated in the Book of Acts. They say that God doesn't do that any more. The truth is He just doesn't do it at their church because they don't believe He does it anymore! But God has never quit, we are still under the same covenant today! Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever!

The Book of Acts about the actions of he Apostles. It is the only one in the Bible that tells us verbatim what the Apostles preached to the lost telling them how to be saved. The epistles are letters written to churches and ministers- to people already saved! We wouldn't expect to hear of the full plan of salvation there. The Book of Acts also demonstrates the power God wants to work in every believer. It is the story of the birth of THE Church that Jesus created. To be Apostolic is to believe ALL that the Apostles preached and did. God has not quit doing those same things today, and will not quit until He returns bodily to this world at His second coming!

I realized that all the things that were happening to me were exactly what the Bible says will happen to someone who puts his or her faith in Jesus Christ and seeks truth. God was continually proving to me that His Word is true!

The doctor said it would take six months for my wrist to heal. I was due to be married to Sue in three weeks and sure didn't want to get married with a cast on. I went forward at church for prayer for my wrist. My soon-to-be father in law asked me, "Do you believe that God is able to heal your wrist?" I said, "Yes sir, I do!" He laid his hand on my wrist, and began to pray. As he prayed, I began feeling a burning sensation running up and down my arm. I knew that God was healing my wrist! I went home, got a hammer and chisel, and chopped off my cast. I went back to the doctor for my checkup. Boy, was he mad at me! He said that it was now going to take a lot longer to heal. I told him it felt better, and asked him to xray it again. He came back flabbergasted! He said, "You're lucky, your wrist has surprisingly healed quickly!" I knew what had happened! It wasn't luck! God had worked a miracle and healed my broken bones! My wife and I had our special day without a cast on three weeks after I broke my wrist!

Even though I had repented of my sins, and truly felt them lift off of me, I still had habits and weaknesses that continued to trouble me. I would still be tempted to buy some beer, even though I knew I shouldn't. I heard about the power of the baptism of the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit), and that it gives the ability to speak in other tongues (languages). I thought that was one of the strangest things I ever heard of. I told the Lord, "I'll do anything you want me to, but I don't want anything to do with that 'speakin' in other tongues' thing." But as I continued to struggle with the temptations of the flesh, I had to come to terms with the Lord.

Jesus said in 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...

I finally surrendered to God on this point as well. One night I was alone in our one bedroom apartment, I got down on my knees in our living room, and I said, "God, whatever you want me to do, I need power to overcome these temptations! If it takes speaking in other tongues to get the power I need to overcome, then I'm willing. Whatever you want me to do!"

It seemed that I had barely spoken those words when I felt this intense power welling up within me. It seemed to grab ahold of my tongue,and off I went speaking in unknown languages! You don't have to try to speak in tongues to get it, God knows how to speak all by Himself! He just needs a willing, yielded vessel!

I don't know how long I lied there speaking in tongues, but next thing I knew, I woke up hours later with power over the Devil! I have never had another sip of alcohol since then! Praise be to God! Jesus said that we receive POWER after the Holy Ghost comes on us, and I surely did!

The speaking in other tongues really isn't the most important thing, it's what God does inside of us! Tongues is just the outward evidence of the infilling of the Holy Ghost! God filled me up, and it flowed out my mouth in other tongues.

Some say tongues is of the devil, but this Spirit gave me power over sin! It makes me want to love my wife and be a good dad. It makes me try to be a good employee and be a blessing to others! That's definitely not the work of the devil!

Jesus said in John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Jesus Christ was introducing me to abundant life!

I saw in the Word that I needed to be baptized in Jesus' name for the remission of sins. So I moved with obedient faith and was baptized by immersion in Jesus' name by my father in law, in a lake in Fort Pierce.

The Greek word 'baptize' means "to dip something into a fluid and then take it out again." Every example in the Bible is by immersion.

Baptism is necessary for salvation. Jesus said in Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Baptism is not a work of the flesh, it is an act of obedient faith. I needed the record to be changed in heaven. The sins I committed were forgiven when I repented, but I needed the inherited sin from Adam to be remitted. This is done in baptism.

Nowhere in the Bible, from the birthday of the Church on was anyone ever baptized any other way than in the name of Jesus! Man's philosophies have attempted to distort Biblical truth from the start, but God's Word never changes! There is no other name to be baptized in!

Peter said in Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

He also told us plainly the full plan of salvation...

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.

This is the whole Gospel! Just as Jesus died on the cross for our sins, we die to ourselves at an altar of repentance! Just as He was buried, we are buried in baptism in Jesus' name! Just as He rose again on the third day, we arise to a new life in the baptism of the Holy Spirit!

God is still saving multitudes today by this Apostolic Gospel!

4. COME A LITTLE CLOSER

God began revealing Himself to me. He would speak to me through visions and dreams. He showed me that when I pray to Jesus, I am praying to the Father! When I pray to Jesus, I am praying to the Holy Ghost! He is the fullness of the Godhead bodily! Through these experiences, I knew that I was encountering and getting to know personally the greatest power and love that can be encountered anywhere!

He said, "When you see me, you have seen the Father"!

God proved to me that He is one, and not divided into a trinity.

Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

It takes the baptism of the Spirit to see this.

1 Corinthians 12:3 ...no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

5. FINAL THOUGHTS

I lost a few friends when I made the choice to serve the Lord Jesus Christ, but a gained a whole lot more. The Lord has fully given me my heart's desire and more. I have a happy marriage to the amazing woman God gave me. He gave us three wonderful boys who love the Lord and are well-adjusted in life and experiencing manhood. One is married, one is to be soon, and all are living for Jesus Christ, and using their many talents for the Lord. I have been privileged to Pastor a great church with committed and supportive members at the Open Door Apostolic Church for over ten years now! I am very thankful for United Pentecostal Church, with whom I have been a licensed minister for over 13 years.

Jesus has become the best friend I have ever had! He says in His Word that He will never leave me nor forsake me! We can walk away from Him anytime, but He never walks away from us. I've failed Him at times, but He has never failed me! We have had our share of troubles and trials over the years, but God has always seen us through!

There are many other experiences that I could continue to discuss. But these are written so that all may know that there is a Savior that loves you just the way you are, and He wants you to know the reason you were born. It is to serve the Lord!

You may never come to dreams, and visions, and angelic visitations. But that would not make your conversion any less powerful. The Lord has a great plan for your life! He will reveal it, if you will seek Him.

His name is Jesus! He is the way, the truth and the life! He died on the cross, knowing it was our only hope of salvation. He died to pay the price for my sins, and your sins! Just as He rose on the third day, we also can arise to a brand new life!

He'll pick up the pieces of your broken life and put them together again, and give you a brand new start!