I was in my apartment in Topeka, reading the Bible my Grandmother Ada had given me as a graduation gift upon my high school graduation. I recall pausing to pray that God would tell me if these things I was reading in the Bible were true, and if all the things I learned in church as a young boy growing up in Marshall, Missouri were true also. I had come to question these things while I was serving in the Marine Corps and far away from home in the South Pacific.
Immediately after praying this way, I felt the power of the Holy Spirit come upon me, lifting me up out of my chair and standing me straight up in the room. The power was so great that I had to ask God to please release me, or I might be consumed by it. The Spirit left me, and I fell to the floor, barely able to grasp what had just happened. In the following moments my mind was quickened, and I felt the quiet assurance of the Holy Spirit, which was very comforting and gentle this time
When I realized what had happened, the knowledge came into my mind that my questions had been answered. I knew that what I had read in the Bible, and the things I had learned from church as a child were completely true. From that moment on, I have never once doubted the truth of the experience, or the fact that the Bible and my childhood education in the church were true and reliable. As I share this experience now in this book, I can say without any doubt whatsoever that I know these things to be true. That is my testimony today, the same as it was when I was 21 years old in my apartment in Topeka. I remember the experience perfectly well today, just as if it were yesterday. As to the truth of the experience, I have never once had a doubt.
It is all true, exactly the way I described it.*
*Excerpt from my book, Journey of a Disciple, now available at amazon.com
Gene Groner geneallengroner@gmail.com
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