| Author | Message | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 166 Registered: 6-2005 |
Do you remember when you first GOT IT? The fact that IT WAS FINISHED at the cross. That His grace was more than enough? I was talking to an academy friend on the phone yesterday, and the Holy Spirit brought the subject up about the Law. We were reading 2Cor. 3 aloud over the phone, and some from Galatians...And the "aha" excitment in her voice just brought it all back to me....It was like discovering it all over again. God knew I needed that, cause It has been a VERY tough weekend in so many ways. Its been great to have that memory to carry me through. I would appreciate hearing if any of you care to talk about your experience with the AHA. Im still in need of encouragement, and its a subject that always lifts me up! Hugs Lori | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 1352 Registered: 3-2005 |
Javagirl, That is indeed a great moment when the spiritual eyes are opened and that veil described in 2 Cor. 3 is lifted! Even though my moment was about 23 years ago, I still remember it well. I was listening to a sermon tape by Desmond Ford when he so vividly described the gospel in a way that truly made sense, and of course it was the Holy Spirit who opened my eyes, but it was a moment of uncontrollable joy when I realized that I would never come under comdemnation again. I will pray for your academy friend. Stan | ||
| Randyg Registered user Username: Randyg Post Number: 129 Registered: 12-2004 |
Javagirl, My "aha" experience was more of an insidious onset, as opposed to an acute attack. I suspect for some of us the slow onset of the "aha" moment is because the old ticker probably could not handle the shock, or like a good cup of java, it is appeciated more if it is savored, and not rushed. Then again, it took months of studying Romans and Galatians to finally understand that I was able to accept literally what the Bible was saying, even if it did not reconcile with what I had previously been taught. I guess I was just a slow learner. Still learning and growing in grace, Randy | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 3445 Registered: 12-2003  |
I had twoóthe first was in May, 1996 when we atttended the Adventist Forum meeting in San Diego and heard Dale Ratzlaff speak on the New Covenant. He drew diagrams on the white board and explained the difference between the OC which was made between God and Israel ("All that you say, we will do...") and the New Covenant which was not made between God and us but between God the Father and Jesus the Son. Jesus keeps the New Covenant for me; I don't have to keep it. Oh, myóI cannot explain how overwhelming that was! The second was about a month later as I read Sabbath in Crisis for the first time. In Chapter 4 Dale explained that at the Transfiguration Moses (the law) and Elijah (the prophets) disappeared, and Jesus alone remainedóalong with God's voice saying, "This is my son; listen to HIM!" I paced around the bedroom realizing that my days in Adventism were numbered. The overwhelming understanding that Jesus was doing everything for me just blew me away. The joy I experienced has never disappeared. I still am in awe. Colleen | ||
| Lynne Registered user Username: Lynne Post Number: 311 Registered: 10-2005 |
Lori, My eyes were opened about Adventism being wrong through the internet at first by Mark Martins website at www.sdaoutreach.com - I finally allowed myself to look at something that talked against the Adventist Church and it made more sense to me than what I was taught by the church. The truth seemed to jump out and grab me. It was accurate. Eventually I found the link to the forum here. For a while, I was very confused about salvation. It has been such a process for me for so many years and I've been so indoctrinated to think that I was not saved if I did not do things right. It isn't biblical to think that. I was way off in left field. And so are the teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist church when you compare those teachings to the essential historic Christian faith. Then I was told here in this forum a couple of times to read Romans. And well, my eyes were opened to the fact that "I am saved" - no ands, ifs or buts about it... I'm still a bit off center, but as far as my salvation goes, I have assurance, the bible tells me so. I am saved. Thank you. | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 2339 Registered: 3-2004  |
Like Randy, my AHA momemts were slow and came a little at a time. It started after Christmas 2004. The SDA pastor at the church I attended challenged us to read all the NT the following year. I took him up on it and started on Jan 1, 2005. I started with Matthew. By the time I got to John and got more than half way through, I had learned that salvation is through Jesus Christ. I had registered on this forum some time in April that year and not too long after I wrote on it and asked something about the process I go through for salvation and that I did not have to do anything except accept and believe in Jesus Christ. Many people answered me. Then I forgot where I had posted it, but I had studied more in the Bible and found my answer. When I finally found where I had posted and saw the answers, I cried. It felt so good, not to have to have all the answers and to be able to say, I do not know. I have had a joy in the Lord since then that no one can put out. I am saved, the Bible tells me so. I believe it. God, You are awesome. Diana | ||
| Benevento Registered user Username: Benevento Post Number: 78 Registered: 4-2005 |
I was thinking just today about how thrilled I was when I read Dale Ratzlaff's book Sabbath in Christ,and came to the transfiguration--and Moses and Elijah disappeared and there was Jesus alone, and Gods voice"Listen to Him!"i was so excited!! so thankful to really understand what it meant. | ||
| Honestwitness Registered user Username: Honestwitness Post Number: 41 Registered: 7-2005  |
My AHA moment came a LONG time before I ever even knew there was an Adventist church. I was raised in the Presbyterian church, but had changed over to the Charismatic church, in the early 70s. There was a lot of excellent reading material back then in Charismatic circles. I got up very early one morning, while it was still dark outside, and sat in my living room reading a book about salvation and justification. I wish I could remember the name of the book, but I can't. The concept I was reading about was how God imputes Christ's righteousness to us, and when he looks at us, He sees Christ's righteousness, not our depravity or any feigned righteousness we might have tried to present to Him. My head was down, as my eyes focused on the words on the page, but my heart was soaring with these wonderful concepts. Then, just as I finished the chapter, I looked up and noticed the sun had come up while I was reading. Directly outside my big picture window was a tall, full, beautiful pine tree. I had seen the tree many times before, but this morning, unbeknownst to me, it had snowed during the night. So, there was the tree standing there completely covered with the purest, whitest snow I had ever seen. At that moment, the Holy Spirit burst into flame in my heart! I realized that God had orchestrated that precise moment for me to see that tree and realized he wanted me to see the reality of how I'm covered with Christ's righteousness, just as the tree was covered with the purity of the snow. That blessed assurance has stayed firmly planted in my spirit ever since then. It wasn't until the 1990s that I began my involvement in the Adventist church, and that was due to my falling in love with a wonderful SDA man. Not long after my journey into Adventism started, though, I realized that my blessed assurance wasn't shared by those around me in the church. It has been like walking through a dark valley these past years, and many times I've wanted to go back to a church that taught the joyful hope of the Gospel. But I stayed in Adventism because I didn't want to hurt my husband. Finally, though, about 4 months ago, I made my final exit and have been drinking at the streams of living water again. This forum is my main watering hole, as I drop in almost daily. But I've been visiting Sunday churches and have found the body of Christ is THRIVING there. They're so much farther along in their progress toward the goal of sharing the Gospel with the world than the Adventist church is! I feel like I've wasted a lot of time in Adventism. But I also know God led me there and kept me there as long as He did, and He must have a reason. If nothing else, the reason is that I TREASURE the "pearl of great price" like I have never treasured it before. | ||
| Belvalew Registered user Username: Belvalew Post Number: 961 Registered: 7-2004 |
Dale Ratzlaff is going to get a lot of "stars" in his crown because of his wonderful books. I had a personal experience that caused me to doubt the teachings of the Adventist Church, in particular IJ, then after reading Sabbath In Crisis and the comparison, side-by-side, of the two covenants I was able to begin letting go. Then I received the second book, Cultic Doctrine, and about halfway through I was hopping mad. I don't get that way normally because I was taught to control my temper and even take abuse rather than dish it out. I had nowhere to turn so I called Dale's number never dreaming that the call would go through directly to him, but it did. Then I expected to get a two-minute mercy response from him, and he stayed on the line with me while I worked my way through all of the lies and hurt that had been dealt me via the teachings of the church. Finally I went to Galatians, and Romans, and the rest of the NT, this time with opening eyes. It was an awakening instead of an aha, but it was wonderful. My love affair with the Gospel gets more exciting every day, and I am so grateful that Jesus loved me enough to clear away the cobwebs, and now to sometimes use my words to help others to get clear about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. | ||
| Wolfgang Registered user Username: Wolfgang Post Number: 61 Registered: 10-2005 |
what book does Dale write that explains the IJ,and anyother that would be useful to be on my continuing exodus? Dawn | ||
| Cathy2 Registered user Username: Cathy2 Post Number: 21 Registered: 2-2006 |
I've had both progressive insights and AHA monents on several doctrines, including the basic Gospel, through the decades. This has got me recalling a lot. The first on the Gospel was about Romans, which I was always confused about, so much I gave up on it. Until Desmond Ford's taped Roman series, I listened to in the early 90's. Pieces fell into place in an AHA way, then. Just yesterday, I had an AHA instance, when Colleen wrote about the Covenents and said that Jesus keeps the New Covenent for us. Instincitvely I knew that, but the way she put it, it hit home stunningly. Thank you! Never stop sharing all of you. The support and Biblical understandfing here is so needed. So many of our experiences are the same. I think it comforts many of us (it does me), since we are treated like outcasts (or worse), when we leave, and may be 'different' in some ways, still, out there in society. I have found it, at times, hard to explain my background to other Christians, who don't understand the preciousness, wonder and AWE of finding the true Gospel because they grew up with it. Of course, like the old saying, no one's more devout than a convert. That's me! Converted to Christ alone. I love God's AHA! moments from scripture, the Holy Spirit and his children! Cathy | ||
| Patriar Registered user Username: Patriar Post Number: 219 Registered: 3-2005 |
Dawn: Dale has a whole book on the Investigative Judgment called "The Cultic Doctrine of the Seventh-day Adventist Church"; also if you haven't read "Sabbath in Crist" (formerly Sabbath in Crisis), it is wonderfully insightful and just plain full of Biblical teaching. You can order both of them and several other good books and audio material at www.ratzlaf.com. Patria | ||
| Wolfgang Registered user Username: Wolfgang Post Number: 62 Registered: 10-2005 |
Thanks Pat I appreciate that alot!! Dawn | ||
| Lindylou Registered user Username: Lindylou Post Number: 129 Registered: 1-2005  |
Hi all, Thanks for sharing your "aha" moments. It is interesting to see the varied winding roads that God takes each of us down. I'm learning that it is the "journey" that is of value - rather than some final destination. Once you give your heart to God, the destination is assured, but we all have so much to learn from the experiences on the road. That idea helps me live life with little regret and with wonder, in anticipation to see what is just around the bend. I would guess that each of you are more richly blessed in your spiritual experience today because of what has happened in your past. And isn't it wonderful to know that God has been holding you close during the entire trip?!! Wishing you all a great week. Linda  |
