My name is Bill Johnson, I was born in Annapolis , Maryland. I was an only child, and all of my early life I heard my Father tell everybody that he would not live very long. He had polio and rheumatic fever as a child and the doctors told his Mom that he would not live, and if he lived he would not be able to walk. He lived, and walked at age 4. As a result of his early illness's his heart had to work twice as hard as a normal one, but...my Father died when I was 11 years old, and that devastated me. I didn't understand and I was full of pain and didn't know how to use it to my advantage. I became rebellious and felt like the world "owed" me happiness. I lived my life trying to please me, even at other people’s expense. I tried everything to find happiness, I was married had a beautiful wife, a great job, two beautiful children, but I was miserable. I couldn't stay in the house, I ran the streets, used drugs, ruined my marriage, resigned my job, and I made all of the mistakes one person could make. I hurt those that loved me, and sought happiness in all of the wrong choices. Happiness was not to be found, I tried everything, I worked hard at it, and I was frustrated with life. Sex, drugs, nothing brought me peace of mind, and I was consumed with guilt, because of my past, my failure with my marriage, my loss of my children, and unhappiness.
After many years of frustration, running the roads, and still miserable from all of my bad choices, I met a beautiful young lady and we were engaged. But she was very sick and was soon to learn that she was not going to live very much longer. She asked me if I would go to church with her. I told her that I loved her and of course I would go to church with her. When we went to church, God started to squeeze my heart, and I ran. I was living with this young lady and I knew that was wrong and I was afraid that I would not be able to live the way God wanted me to. I was afraid of failure! Months later, we were both in the hospital, and an older gentleman came in my room one day and just asked me if I was ready to be saved? To my surprise my answer was yes! After saying the sinner's prayer and asking Jesus into my heart to be my savior, I felt wonderful; I could feel God loving me! I felt all of the guilt, shame, and terrible unhappiness that I had been carrying around begin to subside. I felt a wonderful peace.
God is awesome!!
After I received Christ everything in my life changed. I felt wonderful, and not alone anymore and there is just something inside of you that tells you it feels so good just because it is right. You realize that this is the most important thing that you have ever done in your life!
As I began to learn more and more about God, I didn't care so much about me anymore, but about others. And always doing the right thing was the most important.
Right away I could see the changes that God was making to me and through me!
It's wonderful to know that you are doing the right thing and that God himself is working through you. The most Holy Spirit that dwells in us, guides us and teaches us the right thing to do in every situation.
I heard one man say that since I got saved, "I can't get away with a thing!"
We have God and God has us and that is a great team. By studying His word, following in His steps, prayer, and leaning not on my understanding, I do the best I can in every situation.
God always reminds me,
" All things are possible with God."
You also can have this new life with Christ, free from guilt, free from all of the mistakes of your past, and look forward to a brand new beginning....All you have to do is pray this prayer and mean it from your heart.......(John 3:16)
Lord Jesus, I am a sinner, I need a savior, please forgive me for all of my sins, I believe that you died on the cross, and shed your blood for me, please come into my heart, and be my personal savior, and, with your help, I will follow you all the days of my life..........AMEN
After accepting Jesus into your heart the very next step is to be baptized in water. This is to symbolize being cleansed of your sins and is also a public profession of your new faith.
I have some important suggestions…
Welcome to a new life in Christ Jesus! I want to tell you that you just made the most important decision of your life!
You are about to embark on a special journey, that will take you to places you would never have believed you would ever be able to go. I have a few suggestions for you:
1. Obtain a Bible.
This book written by God is how He talks to you, it is very important to read your bible every day. To learn about Jesus start with the book of John, read it several times, this will tell you about Jesus and the way Jesus wants us as Christians to act. Get involved in a “read through the bible in a year” program, and stick to it. It has great benefits.
2. Get involved in a Bible teaching church.
It is essential that you become involved with a good church, that teaches the Bible, a good sound foundation in the word of God will prove to see you through any difficulties in the future. There are many benefits in being in a good church.
3. Pray every day.
It is so important that you pray everyday. God wants to hear from you, He cares about all of the things that you care about. He wants to be involved in every concern that you have. He wants to help you through all of your difficulties and show you that He loves you. You will find that He is the very best friend you ever had, and He will never fail you.
4. Set time aside each day to spend with God.If you will set aside some time every day to spend with God, you will find it is the most rewarding part of the day. It does not have to be a long time, but enough time to read the Bible and talk to God (pray) and just spend time in His presence. Being faithful to these 4 suggestions will enable you to have a wonderful relationship with God, to be successful and effective in all that you set out to do in life, and much much more... and remember, All things are possible with God!
Not long after I got saved God lead me to a Pentecostal Church (Evangel Temple) here in Jacksonville, Florida. This was one of my first experiences with God's wonderful answers to prayer, I call this....
The Black Jacket
One Sunday evening as I was getting ready for church, I looked in my closet and was about to choose one of my two sports coats, to wear that evening. I had never been a church going person and did not have a lot of nice clothes to choose from for church. As I looked in my closet, I noticed that I had a lot of different color pants to choose from but only had two sports coats. I said, “Lord, look at all of the different combination of pants I could wear, if I only had a black Jacket.” That evening at church a gentleman named Marvin was praying at the altar and was in tears. I was later to learn that he has a lot of pain in his body from a previous motorcycle accident. But I was praying under my breathe for him. After the service was over, I was at the pew getting my belongings together and I could feel someone staring at me. I looked up only to see Marvin standing there with a big smile on his face. He smiled at me and said, “Bill, what size jacket do you wear?’ I replied I’m not sure! Marvin took off his jacket and handed it to me and replied, Here, God wanted me to give you this! I tried the jacket on and it fit perfectly! Do I have to tell you what color it was? BLACK! Please contact me if you have any questions, concerns or if you just want to talk. I will make myself available for you. To contact me: Bill Johnson
794 Libra St.
Jacksonville, Florida 32216
904-551-3870
bill1010@yahoo.com
Web page....http://www.oocities.org/Heartland/1794