What Happened to You?

Ok good question and check it out. My life was radically changed on July 4, 1994. Before that time, I was living for myself, my ways, my wants and my lifestyle. My drinking had become unmanageable and I couldn't go anywhere without getting drunk or drugging. Many of you guys know what I am talking about, you were there. We did it together. Many nights, we were fortunate to even make it home because we were behind the wheel drunk and we don't even remember getting out of the car or how we even survived the night. You guys remember our friend Billy Collins? How could you forget? I remember Billy ‘kinda’ disappearing on us. You know what I am saying? He was like missing in action for a while. We couldn't figure it out! Man where did he get to? Well we all eventually found out that Billy had "found" God or something. You remember he told us about his "conversion" to Jesus. If you were like me, I was saying, "Yeah right, I've heard that before". I was wishing Billy well but deep down inside, I was going to keep an eye on Billy for a while to see if it was "real". I remember trying ruthlessly to get him to "come back" to his old ways. He never did. I mean for me, I grew up in a local church and was "confirmed", sprinkled and all that good stuff. I was supposed to have the same thing. But deep down inside, I knew I was lost and empty-void of any purpose whatsoever. I admit that Billy had something different that I wanted. I knew I was using alcohol to try and fill that empty spot. I knew I was using partying to give me some kind of meaning in life. One time, after a night of drinking and gambling, some friends found me drunk in the middle of Ellisville Road in Louisa County. I remember that night as if it was yesterday. I was so drunk with a mixture of things that I tried to make it home but never did. I was vomiting so bad that I had to stop the car and lay in a ditch around a bad curve. The car's battery was dead because I had left everything on and my friends were able to get the car started and took me to their house where they gave me a bed to sleep in. Later on I realized that they were ready to call the ambulance because my color was terrible and ghostly white. Later on I revisited that site and realized that had a car come around the curve and wasn't aware, I would have been killed. That night was probably the beginning of my quest for God. Somehow, I knew if I would have died, I wouldn't have been OK. Why did I feel weird about dying? I mean, I had church and religion so shouldn't I be set? That same summer on July 3rd, 1994, I drank a case of beer with my friends and drove home to my house where something crazy was happening. All that beer but I was still sober. Strangely, the beer wasn't working anymore. I became depressed and deep down inside wanted to end it all. After all, don't nobody care anymore. The alcohol has stopped working and the pain (emptiness) is still there. I debated on what to do. (Have you ever been there?) I remembered Billy Collins and his words to "Come to Jesus" (John 3:3, "Except a man be born-again, he cannot see the kingdom of God"). That night by faith, I kneeled down on the kitchen floor and cried out to God to save me from my sin. I asked him to forgive me for all the people I had hurt and for most importantly hurting Him. I asked Him to come into my life and make me a new creature. I acknowledged that Jesus Christ was crucified, buried and on the third day, rose again for Josh Turner. My friends, I didn't see lightning or hear thunder but one thing is certain, I had peace in my heart for the very first time in my life. All of my sins had been forgiven by God! I looked at the clock and it was past midnight (July 4th) and I felt real freedom! I called Billy and his mom answered and said that he was asleep. I would later learn that she thought I wanted a ride home or something from being drunk. What I really wanted was to tell him that I had been born-again! He will tell you that he regretted not taking the call that night but he too thought I was in another drunken stupor. Billy came by and we talked and drove around town sharing our faith. I wish I could say that things got easier and life was lived happily ever after but in many ways, things got more difficult and I found a new set of challenges. I realized that my flesh still had the desire to do the same old things but the Holy Spirit inside of me was resisting the urges of the flesh. The war was on! But I picked up my Bible daily and found out, “Man this is what I am going through!” For instance, in Galatians 5:17, the Bible says, “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.” How true this was becoming! As the days moved on, my faith began to grow more and more. I became involved in a fellowship at VA Tech called New Life Campus Fellowship and Collegiate Christian Life. One day when I was working out, I saw their ad over a water fountain! (Again God working). I began to grow under a pastor name JR Woodward who has since then planted another church in Los Angeles. He took me under his wing and while I resisted some of his "parenting", now I see that he was looking out for my spiritual well-being. When I went to church at New Life, the presence of the Holy Spirit was so strong and I had never experienced young people who loved God. There was music, clapping, testimonies and joy! Most churches in my experience were lifeless. While there, in October, I was baptized in the VA Tech Duck Pond! It was freezing! I remember my parents, brother and sister coming for a game and then church on Sunday. I remember my mom reminding me that I had already been baptized. Here was an open door to share that I had been converted to Jesus Christ. That was another step of faith for me. I am not sure what my parents thought at the time. Today they are faithful members of New Life Community Church in Louisa. :) And my brother, I am so proud of him, He has planted The Point Church of Charlottesville, VA (meeting at Monticello High School, Sunday mornings at 10 am). My sister: She has been saved for several years now and her husband Mike is Student Leader at our church. They serve faithfully at NLCC. How blessed could I be? I am not finished yet: While at VA Tech, I met the love of my life, Stacey Smith. When we met, we were just friends because she wasn't a Christian at the time. I knew the Bible forbade us from dating because it would be unequally yoked and it wouldn't work without Christ. I shared Jesus with her for months. One night I got a call and she said, "I did it!". I said, "did what?" "I surrendered to God tonight". I thought she was joking but after months of seeing her life changed also, it became apparent that the Holy Spirit had indeed invaded her heart! I ended up moving to North Carolina where I experienced a deep battle for my faith. I was alone and without a fellowship of believers to encourage and give me strength. I remember sitting by the radio each night listening to Dr. David Jeremiah teach on the Bible. During that time I experienced the chastening of the Lord and had to repent daily for "screw ups". Eventually, I was able to land a job back here in Virginia for a paper company. In the meantime, Stacey and I continued to talk over the phone and I realized (after God's chastening) that she was the one for me! I asked her to marry me and she said "yes!" Even during that period, I could sense the enemy (demonic forces) trying to destroy the future that God had planned for me. Yes just like back on Ellisville Road. After we got married, I could sense God calling me into full time ministry and that's when a dear friend, Roger Bevins of Grace Freewill Baptist Church took me under his wing and began to teach me the things of God. Looking back, God used Roger to prepare me for the future. I will truly be indebted to this man for all of my days. At the time, I didn't appreciate what Roger had done in my life. Now I love this man! In 2002, I had the wonderful privilege of planting New Life Community Church in my hometown of Louisa, VA! Today, I share the gospel of Jesus Christ every week with hundreds who come to hear God's Word. It's awesome to be able to baptize new believers who also have surrendered to Christ! God has changed my life! But I want you to know that He can change your life too, just as He has changed many lives in Louisa. www.newlifeinlouisa.com Now I know that some of you out there are thinking the same thing I thought before I surrendered to God. Here were some of my excuses: I go to church, I have my own religion, God and I have our own thing, my grandmother was a wonderful Christian, I try to be the best I can be, etc, etc. Here is the truth my friend: “all of those are good things but none of them can get you into heaven.” Only a personal relationship with Jesus Christ can save you from sin. The Bible says in Hebrews 9:27, “ 27And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment”. Question: If you were to die today, do you know where you would spend eternity? All of us will die. Today may be our day. I may never talk with you again but I want to be sure that we see each other again in a place called heaven. My friends, today Jesus wants to be Lord of your life. Will you ask him in? If God is speaking to you right now, just pray to him from your heart, these words, “ Heavenly Father:.......................................................................... I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day's of my Life!. Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen. Now my friends, if you prayed that prayer from the depths of your heart, your sins have been forgiven and your eternal destination is secure in Christ forever! Send me an email and let me know that you have been forgiven and are now living for Jesus. Now that you’re saved, it’s important that you find a Bible-believing church near you to attend and grow in your faith. Also begin to tell others about the commitment you have made. God bless you and thanks for listening.