Comments on: Moment of Salvation http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/ Mon, 16 Mar 2009 18:49:09 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: katrina http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/comment-page-1/#comment-93385 katrina Mon, 07 Jan 2008 03:14:05 +0000 http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/#comment-93385 if you look at ian's video, check out the reenactment on google because it's the full testimony. don piper's "90 minutes in heaven" testimony is interesting in that he had been dead for hours and a pastor had obeyed God's instruction to pray for the dead man regardless of his (the pastor's) theology (not praying for the dead). i mention these things just to say we don't know it all. God is not in a box. if you look at ian’s video, check out the reenactment on google because it’s the full testimony. don piper’s “90 minutes in heaven” testimony is interesting in that he had been dead for hours and a pastor had obeyed God’s instruction to pray for the dead man regardless of his (the pastor’s) theology (not praying for the dead). i mention these things just to say we don’t know it all. God is not in a box.

]]> By: katrina http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/comment-page-1/#comment-93384 katrina Mon, 07 Jan 2008 02:58:09 +0000 http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/#comment-93384 did anyone say the testimony of the guy who was an agnostic and when he was dying, God told his mom to pray for him and when she did God gave the young man a vision of his mom praying? so when he saw this, he started praying to the "Christian God" as before he felt he should pray but did not know to who. well, God put the words in front of his face to pray the prayer of repentance and forgive others as he had been forgiven. the testimony is an awesome example of God's mercy on the deathbed of agnostic. www.aglimpseofeternity.org is the website and the video is a beautiful testimony. when i hear stories like this i am reminded of God's mercy. did anyone say the testimony of the guy who was an agnostic and when he was dying, God told his mom to pray for him and when she did God gave the young man a vision of his mom praying? so when he saw this, he started praying to the “Christian God” as before he felt he should pray but did not know to who. well, God put the words in front of his face to pray the prayer of repentance and forgive others as he had been forgiven. the testimony is an awesome example of God’s mercy on the deathbed of agnostic.

http://www.aglimpseofeternity.org is the website and the video is a beautiful testimony. when i hear stories like this i am reminded of God’s mercy.

]]> By: katrina http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/comment-page-1/#comment-93383 katrina Mon, 07 Jan 2008 02:52:33 +0000 http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/#comment-93383 hot topic. my sisters and i were all discussing the "eternal salvation" question today. i recently read 23 minutes in hell and my mom is reading 90 minutes in heaven. i've heard numerous testimonies from christians who have died and gone to heaven and/or hell. including the man who was dead 3 days and was in the mortuary. in looking for clarification in the bible it can be confusing because of the above mentioned scriptures. although only God's opinion matters, i believe that, as God alone knows our hearts and, as He is so merciful and not wanting that any should perish, that He will give you ample opportunity to make Him your first love - even on the deathbed as the thief on the cross. in reading the gospels the other day i noticed that the scripture before the oft quoted "to whom much is given much is expected" states that the punishment is greater for him that knows better but does not do better than for the one that does wrong but did not know. add to that the scripture in romans that basically says that you are judged by the amount of light you had - if you knew better and didn't do it - uh oh. i believe that in His mercy, God gives us more and more light to walk in and as we walk in it, we are, by the power of the Holy Spirit, made more and more Christlike - yet if we don't hunger after the things of God, if we are lukewarm, even as He continues in His mercy to woo us, we risk having our name blotted out of the book of life as it says in revelation. i mean if you are hungry, you may mess up but you repent because you want to continue to be fed by His Spirit. so then He will not let anyone snatch you away. but if you are not hungry for your first love, you won't listen, you won't obey and you may fall away and be blotted out. i'm just trying to understand myself. but i know this much for sure. He is so AWESOME and His presence is the greatest thing that i have EVER felt in my life!!!!!!!!!!! His power in my life has been more than i could have ever dreamed and feeling His presence is more undeniable, unexplainable, incredible, addictive, full of goodness and awesomeness and power that i wish that i could tell everybody. and i tried but people (some in-laws and friends) thought that i was wacko until some of them felt Him themselves. (smile) hot topic. my sisters and i were all discussing the “eternal salvation” question today. i recently read 23 minutes in hell and my mom is reading 90 minutes in heaven. i’ve heard numerous testimonies from christians who have died and gone to heaven and/or hell. including the man who was dead 3 days and was in the mortuary. in looking for clarification in the bible it can be confusing because of the above mentioned scriptures. although only God’s opinion matters, i believe that, as God alone knows our hearts and, as He is so merciful and not wanting that any should perish, that He will give you ample opportunity to make Him your first love – even on the deathbed as the thief on the cross. in reading the gospels the other day i noticed that the scripture before the oft quoted “to whom much is given much is expected” states that the punishment is greater for him that knows better but does not do better than for the one that does wrong but did not know. add to that the scripture in romans that basically says that you are judged by the amount of light you had – if you knew better and didn’t do it – uh oh. i believe that in His mercy, God gives us more and more light to walk in and as we walk in it, we are, by the power of the Holy Spirit, made more and more Christlike – yet if we don’t hunger after the things of God, if we are lukewarm, even as He continues in His mercy to woo us, we risk having our name blotted out of the book of life as it says in revelation. i mean if you are hungry, you may mess up but you repent because you want to continue to be fed by His Spirit. so then He will not let anyone snatch you away. but if you are not hungry for your first love, you won’t listen, you won’t obey and you may fall away and be blotted out. i’m just trying to understand myself. but i know this much for sure. He is so AWESOME and His presence is the greatest thing that i have EVER felt in my life!!!!!!!!!!! His power in my life has been more than i could have ever dreamed and feeling His presence is more undeniable, unexplainable, incredible, addictive, full of goodness and awesomeness and power that i wish that i could tell everybody. and i tried but people (some in-laws and friends) thought that i was wacko until some of them felt Him themselves. (smile)

]]> By: Mike O http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/comment-page-1/#comment-93311 Mike O Fri, 04 Jan 2008 21:10:57 +0000 http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/#comment-93311 Though I never tell it, I have one of those spectacular salvation stories. Don't feel bad if you don't because I suspect that you have to make a terrible mess of your life to have one. I never use it as my experiences are so far from most people's that I don't want it to distract anyone from what is important, the gospel. Though I never tell it, I have one of those spectacular salvation stories. Don’t feel bad if you don’t because I suspect that you have to make a terrible mess of your life to have one. I never use it as my experiences are so far from most people’s that I don’t want it to distract anyone from what is important, the gospel.

]]> By: LC Baum http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/comment-page-1/#comment-93183 LC Baum Tue, 01 Jan 2008 23:52:34 +0000 http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/#comment-93183 Thanks for the post LaShawn. I was saved on June 22, 1998 at the age of 35. To the previous poster who stated that salvation is conditional, I submit Romans 10:13: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord SHALL be saved" (emphasis mine). Not "could be", not "might be" not "will be if...", but "shall". If a person who truly means it in their heart calls upon the Lord to admit he is a sinner and that he deserves Hell for his sins, that Jesus Christ came to earth to live a sinless life and die on the Cross for his sins, and asks that God forgive him of his sins and asks for Jesus Christ to live in is heart -- he is at that moment saved and made a child of God. God does not ever let go of His children. Once saved, always saved. Thanks, LC Thanks for the post LaShawn. I was saved on June 22, 1998 at the age of 35. To the previous poster who stated that salvation is conditional, I submit Romans 10:13: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord SHALL be saved” (emphasis mine). Not “could be”, not “might be” not “will be if…”, but “shall”.

If a person who truly means it in their heart calls upon the Lord to admit he is a sinner and that he deserves Hell for his sins, that Jesus Christ came to earth to live a sinless life and die on the Cross for his sins, and asks that God forgive him of his sins and asks for Jesus Christ to live in is heart — he is at that moment saved and made a child of God. God does not ever let go of His children. Once saved, always saved.

Thanks,
LC

]]> By: James Newman http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/comment-page-1/#comment-93154 James Newman Mon, 31 Dec 2007 02:27:47 +0000 http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/#comment-93154 After hearing the gospel preached for a couple of months I believe and was baptized for the remission of my sins. Next week the first Sunday of the New Year it will be 17th years since the Lord added me to his body. After hearing the gospel preached for a couple of months I believe and was baptized for the remission of my sins. Next week the first Sunday of the New Year it will be 17th years since the Lord added me to his body.

]]> By: mj http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/comment-page-1/#comment-93147 mj Sat, 29 Dec 2007 15:03:24 +0000 http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/#comment-93147 I was living abroad, and because I was out of my comfort zone with the usual things and people to rely on, I started seeking out God, and on the way got involved with dark spiritual stuff. After some major spiritual battles, I was given a choice: follow Jesus or continue down the dark, destructive path. I chose Jesus and received the Holy Spirit, which made me a new creation. That was in 1993. I'll be honest: once you get saved and are on the path of sanctification, it can be a very lonely road because you're not supposed to compromise or conform to the world's standards. And God can keep you in the desert for years before you find where you're supposed to be. I was living abroad, and because I was out of my comfort zone with the usual things and people to rely on, I started seeking out God, and on the way got involved with dark spiritual stuff. After some major spiritual battles, I was given a choice: follow Jesus or continue down the dark, destructive path. I chose Jesus and received the Holy Spirit, which made me a new creation. That was in 1993.

I’ll be honest: once you get saved and are on the path of sanctification, it can be a very lonely road because you’re not supposed to compromise or conform to the world’s standards. And God can keep you in the desert for years before you find where you’re supposed to be.

]]> By: SkyePuppy http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/comment-page-1/#comment-93139 SkyePuppy Fri, 28 Dec 2007 18:10:08 +0000 http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/#comment-93139 Thomas, I carpooled with a friend for a while, and both she and I were having rocky marriages. We talked a lot, and she knew my faith but didn't share it. When she said she wanted to divorce her husband, I told her the Bible said divorce was only OK for adultery, and that wasn't going on in her marriage. After a while, she started coming to church with me and going to Bible studies, and she made some changes in herself that helped her marriage. Then her husband started coming, and then her teenage daughters. And one Sunday they all confessed Jesus as their Savior and were baptized. The youngest daughter has since fallen away, but my friend and her husband and their oldest daughter are still Christians, active in their church. God is so good! Thomas,

I carpooled with a friend for a while, and both she and I were having rocky marriages. We talked a lot, and she knew my faith but didn’t share it. When she said she wanted to divorce her husband, I told her the Bible said divorce was only OK for adultery, and that wasn’t going on in her marriage.

After a while, she started coming to church with me and going to Bible studies, and she made some changes in herself that helped her marriage. Then her husband started coming, and then her teenage daughters. And one Sunday they all confessed Jesus as their Savior and were baptized. The youngest daughter has since fallen away, but my friend and her husband and their oldest daughter are still Christians, active in their church.

God is so good!

]]> By: jennifer http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/comment-page-1/#comment-93134 jennifer Fri, 28 Dec 2007 16:24:02 +0000 http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/#comment-93134 I may be a bit late on this post, but my husbands testimony has me crying every time. I thought we were both born again Christians until 1 Jan. 2005. Bill was a deputy sheriff in a very remote county in Nevada. He had worked the New Years eve and there was an incident so he did not sleep for 27 hours. On the drive home in his patrol car he wrecked and nearly died. He was so broken and torn...now he is the shell of the man he was...using a cane and has permanent back and neck injuries...but 2 Sundays after his accident he asked to stand and speak at church. Not a sound came from the pews as we all knew how close Bill was to dying. Bill stood and confessed that he pretended to be a Christian, so he could have his cake and eat it to philosophy. Then on the night of the accident he reflected awaking to metal scraping the guard rail. He was not able to enact his plan...(call on God at the last moment) instead all he kept thinking about was "How am I going to explain the dents on the patrol car?" You see he thought he had it all figured out. Live for self...loving being a cop...church sometimes.And then it dawned on him that God said " It is time to stop" Now Bill is a pastor in training soon to be ordained(1-2008) and has totally given his life to the Lord. As his wife I cry thinking every day, his closing sentence...if I had died on 1 January 2005 I would be in Hell right now... Oh Praise God for this chance for Bill. Thanks Lashawn for this opportunity to share. Jennifer I may be a bit late on this post, but my husbands testimony has me crying every time. I thought we were both born again Christians until 1 Jan. 2005. Bill was a deputy sheriff in a very remote county in Nevada. He had worked the New Years eve and there was an incident so he did not sleep for 27 hours. On the drive home in his patrol car he wrecked and nearly died.

He was so broken and torn…now he is the shell of the man he was…using a cane and has permanent back and neck injuries…but 2 Sundays after his accident he asked to stand and speak at church. Not a sound came from the pews as we all knew how close Bill was to dying. Bill stood and confessed that he pretended to be a Christian, so he could have his cake and eat it to philosophy. Then on the night of the accident he reflected awaking to metal scraping the guard rail. He was not able to enact his plan…(call on God at the last moment) instead all he kept thinking about was “How am I going to explain the dents on the patrol car?”

You see he thought he had it all figured out. Live for self…loving being a cop…church sometimes.And then it dawned on him that God said ” It is time to stop” Now Bill is a pastor in training soon to be ordained(1-2008) and has totally given his life to the Lord.

As his wife I cry thinking every day, his closing sentence…if I had died on 1 January 2005 I would be in Hell right now…

Oh Praise God for this chance for Bill.

Thanks Lashawn for this opportunity to share.
Jennifer

]]> By: Tammy http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/comment-page-1/#comment-93131 Tammy Fri, 28 Dec 2007 16:04:53 +0000 http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/#comment-93131 I was raised a Christian, was baptized and committed myself to Him at age 16, but I fell into sin in my late teens/early adulthood years (18-21). It was a matter of my mismanagement of my newfound freedom as a young adult. I had led a sheltered life and went wild as a deer when I got out on my own. I finally woke up morning and didn't like that woman whose hair and make-up I did every morning. I told her she was disgusting; that she knew better. I was restored and rededicated myself to Him and I haven't looked back. That's precisely why I've taken it upon myself to start a teenage girls ministry at our church starting the first of this year. I will be GEMS (Girls Exemplifying Mindful Spirit). I'll have 13 to 18 or 19 year-olds. I feel drawn to them. This 41 year-old woman hasn't forgotten how I thought and felt about things as a teen. I'm not going to get preachy with them and say, "Don't do this or that!" They'll only rebel. I'm going to aim at developing their character. If I can keep one girl from becoming the next Spears sister, Paris Hilton, or Li-Lo, it will have all been worth it. I covet your prayers on my behalf. I was raised a Christian, was baptized and committed myself to Him at age 16, but I fell into sin in my late teens/early adulthood years (18-21). It was a matter of my mismanagement of my newfound freedom as a young adult. I had led a sheltered life and went wild as a deer when I got out on my own. I finally woke up morning and didn’t like that woman whose hair and make-up I did every morning. I told her she was disgusting; that she knew better. I was restored and rededicated myself to Him and I haven’t looked back. That’s precisely why I’ve taken it upon myself to start a teenage girls ministry at our church starting the first of this year. I will be GEMS (Girls Exemplifying Mindful Spirit). I’ll have 13 to 18 or 19 year-olds. I feel drawn to them. This 41 year-old woman hasn’t forgotten how I thought and felt about things as a teen. I’m not going to get preachy with them and say, “Don’t do this or that!” They’ll only rebel. I’m going to aim at developing their character. If I can keep one girl from becoming the next Spears sister, Paris Hilton, or Li-Lo, it will have all been worth it. I covet your prayers on my behalf.

]]> By: Mike http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/comment-page-1/#comment-93128 Mike Fri, 28 Dec 2007 10:43:06 +0000 http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/#comment-93128 Some people aren’t exactly sure when they passed from spiritual death into eternal life; others, like my wife and I, can pinpoint an exact time and date: mine at age 23 in 1972, hers at age 24 in 1976. Each person experiences it a bit differently, but salvation is the same for everyone – much like each of us is different in gender, appearance, ability, etc. but all share identical characteristics which define us as human beings. I do not base my salvation upon the spiritual experience I had 35 years ago -- as a pastor of mine once said, the real issue is right now, at this minute, is my faith in Christ for the forgiveness of my very real sinfulness not in anything of myself. You can know for sure whether or not you are saved by seeing if the description of the believer contained in the book of First John reflects you and your lifestyle. John’s main points are that you love Christians and you obey God’s commandments (such obeying ranging from tendency/inclination/regret-when-you-fail all the way up to passionate adherence). Some people aren’t exactly sure when they passed from spiritual death into eternal life; others, like my wife and I, can pinpoint an exact time and date: mine at age 23 in 1972, hers at age 24 in 1976. Each person experiences it a bit differently, but salvation is the same for everyone – much like each of us is different in gender, appearance, ability, etc. but all share identical characteristics which define us as human beings. I do not base my salvation upon the spiritual experience I had 35 years ago — as a pastor of mine once said, the real issue is right now, at this minute, is my faith in Christ for the forgiveness of my very real sinfulness not in anything of myself. You can know for sure whether or not you are saved by seeing if the description of the believer contained in the book of First John reflects you and your lifestyle. John’s main points are that you love Christians and you obey God’s commandments (such obeying ranging from tendency/inclination/regret-when-you-fail all the way up to passionate adherence).

]]> By: fpeay http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/comment-page-1/#comment-93124 fpeay Fri, 28 Dec 2007 01:45:05 +0000 http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/#comment-93124 Thomas: I have prayed for the salvation of many people and am confident that the Lord has answered those prayers for at least two of those people. I also know I was not the only person praying for those two folk. I have never had anyone tell me that anything about my life led them to consider hearing the gospel. I do like to consider and talk about ultimate matters and I am always thrilled when others want to speak and think with me along those lines. Thomas:

I have prayed for the salvation of many people and am confident that the Lord has answered those prayers for at least two of those people. I also know I was not the only person praying for those two folk. I have never had anyone tell me that anything about my life led them to consider hearing the gospel. I do like to consider and talk about ultimate matters and I am always thrilled when others want to speak and think with me along those lines.

]]> By: michael http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/comment-page-1/#comment-93123 michael Fri, 28 Dec 2007 01:42:17 +0000 http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/#comment-93123 I too, have questioned whether salvation is just fire insurance for some people. I really think we are supposed to "stay in the vine" so that Jesus will not say, "I never knew ye". I want to hear "Well done, my true and faithful servant" one day. So I'm sticking with trying to be more Christ-like although I think I'm way short. Anyway, I was a Catholic for a while but not a good one. Then, in the spring of 2003, I ran out of my own steam and had no where else to go. I decided I did not want to keep living like I was and decided to listen to a friend who told me Jesus would take my burden for me and had already paid for my sins. I got down on my knees and confessed my sins and asked for forgiveness and guidance. Instantly I felt a warm cloak over my shoulders. It is not an easy journey and I still have a lot to learn on my walk. But it is gratifying beyond words to know that I will not die as nothing. I too, have questioned whether salvation is just fire insurance for some people. I really think we are supposed to “stay in the vine” so that Jesus will not say, “I never knew ye”. I want to hear “Well done, my true and faithful servant” one day. So I’m sticking with trying to be more Christ-like although I think I’m way short.

Anyway, I was a Catholic for a while but not a good one. Then, in the spring of 2003, I ran out of my own steam and had no where else to go. I decided I did not want to keep living like I was and decided to listen to a friend who told me Jesus would take my burden for me and had already paid for my sins. I got down on my knees and confessed my sins and asked for forgiveness and guidance. Instantly I felt a warm cloak over my shoulders.

It is not an easy journey and I still have a lot to learn on my walk. But it is gratifying beyond words to know that I will not die as nothing.

]]> By: Maggie's Farm http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/comment-page-1/#comment-93121 Maggie's Farm Thu, 27 Dec 2007 23:46:17 +0000 http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/#comment-93121 <strong>Thursday Evening Links...</strong> Al Quaeda claims credit for Bhutto assassination.The good housing news: homes more affordable. Is there a single person in America who didn't know that the housing bubble would burst? Related: The banking business model that came and went. Investing i... Thursday Evening Links…

Al Quaeda claims credit for Bhutto assassination.The good housing news: homes more affordable. Is there a single person in America who didn’t know that the housing bubble would burst? Related: The banking business model that came and went. Investing i…

]]> By: thomas http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/comment-page-1/#comment-93120 thomas Thu, 27 Dec 2007 23:21:42 +0000 http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/12/27/moment-of-salvation/#comment-93120 this is obviously not my blog and i wouldn't think of changing the topic. however=), i can't help but ask a question(s) sparked by reading the aforementioned comments: have you ever prayed for someone's salvation and seen your prayer answered? or, has the way you've lived your christian life influenced an unbeliever to consider hearing/learning about the gospel? this is obviously not my blog and i wouldn’t think of changing the topic. however=), i can’t help but ask a question(s) sparked by reading the aforementioned comments: have you ever prayed for someone’s salvation and seen your prayer answered? or, has the way you’ve lived your christian life influenced an unbeliever to consider hearing/learning about the gospel?

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