July 2023 Encourager
My God Story
Ricky D. Spring Hill, TN
When I was 19, I gave my life to Christ. Before then, if anyone would’ve asked me, I would have said that I was a Christian. I went to a Christian school for most of my life, and to church here and there. It wasn’t until after high-school that I met people that really lived out the Christian life. I worked part-time as a carpet-layer while attending college, and the two men on my crew were Christians. These men were sincerely excited about God everyday to a level I had never seen.
They would often share their faith with others, listen to sermons on the way to work, Christian music while working, and were always full of joy. As interesting as it was to be around them, it never dawned on me to make a change in my life. However, after 3 months of working with them, I had an experience that changed my life. We were headed home from a project at the end of the day, and all the sudden I felt what was like warm oil running down my head and filled with love and joy.
It was so strong that I started laughing. At that moment, my eyes were opened to God for the first time. When I got home, I got on my knees and prayed to God for one of the first times, and committed my life to Him. I immediately went around telling my friends of the experience. Some were receptive, and some weren’t. The next day, I told both of the guys about the experience, and they invited me to their church. That church ended up being my church home where I would grow in my faith for the next few years.
I’m 40 now, and to this day, that moment in the back of the carpet van was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. It positioned my life to live for God, which is something you can’t put a price on. I pray that God does amazing things in your life, and that you find a blessed passion in knowing Him.
Do you have a story of how God has impacted your life? Share your story here, and you may allow us to publish it to encourage others, or have it made into a personal witnessing track for you to share.
Featured Sermon
Pastor Aaron Davis of Citipointe Church of Nashville, delivered a powerful message that challenged believers to not let their experience dictate their beliefs.
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Featured Article
Faith in History
George Washington, the first Presidentof the United States, and Commander-in Chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, may be less known is how his faith, but it played a significant role in his life and military career.
During the Revolutionary War, Washington commanded all military chaplains to "perform divine service tomorrow, and every other succeeding Sunday." He even gathered the chaplains for a meeting when he felt their duties weren't meeting standards. According to Reverend Muhlenberg, a contemporary of Washington, "Washington rode around among his army yesterday and admonished each and every one to fear God, to put away the wickedness that has set in...and to practice Christian virtues."
On July 4, 1775, exactly one year before the Declaration of Independence was signed, General Washington issued a military order for officers and soldiers to attend divine service, and to "implore the blessings of heaven upon the means used for our safety and defense." According to Washington's granddaughter, Nelly Curtis-Lewis, he attended church each Sunday even when weather and roads permitted a ride of ten miles. Lewis said, "I should have thought it the greatest heresy to doubt his firm belief in Christianity."