Christian Testimonies » Deliverance

Atheist to Jesus Freak

A Child of God — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:24:56 +0000

I grew up going to church in a family of professing Christians. I read my Bible every day and prayed every day. Slowly I let the world work itself into my life. The first thing was masturbation. I considered masturbation a “grey area,” not necessarily sin, so I let it slide. I’m here to tell anyone in the same place, it’s SIN! And that sin will eat you like no other that I know of.

Every day it seemed like I was in front of the computer screen pleasuring myself. At some point I stopped reading my Bible and praying. Eventually I started hating church because, in my estimation, it was full of insincere fakers.

I was very bookish and a new trend had hit academia: “The New Atheists”. I read “The God Delusion” by Richard Dawkins and ate it up. I told my mom, “I don’t believe in God, or heaven, or hell.” And she told me up front that I was serving the devil and was going to hell.

My life just started spiraling downward from this point on. I went to college and did the college things: drugs & alcohol. I was still masturbating almost every day. Two years go by, I start passing out in the shower, while driving, over the stove while I was over the stove cooking.

I go to the doctor and he proscribes a generic version of Zoloft, saying I have “generalized anxiety.” I start taking it and it’s like a miracle drug. I become more outgoing immediately and my mind starts remembering all the things I used to forget. About a month into the regime I run into problems. My mind is on overdrive 24/7. I can’t sleep. I feel like I’m going crazy. One night I returned home, crashed on my bed and thought “if I don’t do something now, I’m checking myself into an institution.”

I called out to God. “I know you’re there and if you save me from this insanity, I’ll follow you.” That night I felt a peace wash over my mind. From that day forward I’ve followed Jesus Christ. Because of what He did for me, I can never again doubt His existence. I owe a lot of what happened to me, to my mother and father’s continued prayers. If you’re praying for someone who’s lost or prodigal, remember God answers prayers!

By: Anonymous

The Danger of Procrastination (The Final Call)

A Child of God — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:59:00 +0000

I am writing to warn you against the very real danger of procrastination, meaning deciding later on to accept Christ as your Savior. In the Bible, Paul writes,For He( God ) says:In an acceptable time I have heard you,And in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.[2 Corinthians 6:2]

Please Christians, pass this link on to others so they may in turn pass it on to others. It’s my hope that thousands read this and understand the dangers of procrastination. If you are reading this and are not a Christian, then please read God’s plan of salvation Toward the middle of this message.

I heard the gospel message several times, the message of God’s love for us,however I was not ready to change my lifestyle and give up my sins. The problem with a decision like that is no one knows how long he or she has on Earth. Every day people die from accidents,natural disasters and disease or they die at the hands of others through a criminal act..

This message is about the most important life and death decision you will ever make. If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your own personal Savior, your soul is in great spiritual danger. This decision will determine where you spend eternity.

My name is Stan Cook and I first heard about Jesus when I was in high school. A fellow classmate named Steve told me about God’s plan of salvation. Steve told me of how we are separated from God because of sin. That separation means we spend eternity apart from God in eternal torment. Steve told me about the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, how his blood was shed, about how he died, the just for the unjust. He told me how Jesus rose from the dead on third day and thereby overcame death. He told me about believing these things in my heart.

I believed without a doubt Jesus is the Son of God, He suffered and died on the cross to pay for my sins and was buried and rose from the grave three days later. I skipped the part about believing in my heart. I had not asked Jesus to come into my life and make me a new person.

There is a common saying: “You can miss Heaven by 18 inches.” That is about the distance between you head and your heart. I had an intellectual knowledge but no heart knowledge. That is, I did not make Jesus Lord of my life.

One day I decided to attend church again. At the end of the morning service, the pastor invited those people who wanted to make a decision to accept Christ as the lord over their lives to go forward. This was the second call.

I immediately had a powerful sense of urgency to go forward to give my life to Jesus. I tightly gripped the back of the pew in front of me and fought the urge to go forward. I really don’t have the words to describe how powerful and urgent this invitation was. I finally told God I wasn’t ready to give up my sinful lifestyle.

Again, I chose sin over salvation…what an incredibly stupid choice. I chose temporary pleasures and what I believed to be the benefits sin has to offer over eternal salvation.

God tried so hard that day in church but I resisted and rejected the call. I understand now why the call to salvation was so urgent. We all have a free will though, and I chose to continue living in sin. The Devil did not make me do it as some claim. Satan can tempt us but It’s our choice to give into that temptation or resist.

The third call came several years later, shortly after my sister passed away. I knew she was a born-again Christian and am convinced she spoke to the Lord on my behalf. Because my sister spoke with God, I was assured God was still interested in my salvation despite the way I lived and the choices I was making.

This time I did ask Jesus into my life. Less than a month later, I returned to my sinful lifestyle.

For a while everything went well, but as time passed, everything gradually went bad. I had a business partnership that went bad. I lost a good job. I faced financial ruin. I lost most of my possessions. But, the greatest loss for me was the relationships I had with most of my family. So, you see, Satan has a plan for our lives also. He will use us to bring sorrow and ruin not only to ourselves but also to the people around us.

I began thinking only evil thoughts most of the day, cursing God, and saying vile and evil things to Him. I felt my face contorting into an evil scowl as I made rude gestures toward Him. My thoughts grew dark and evil. I was literally immersed into evil.

July 4th 2006. I was downtown watching the 4th of July fireworks show. After the show I stood up to leave and almost fell over. My left leg was very weak. My left leg had been feeling weak for a few days but I tried to ignore it.

What I didn’t know was that I was developing what’s called an aortic aneurysm. That’s where a balloon develops in the aorta. This “balloon” pressed the blood vessels feeding the nerves to my legs between it and my spine. This cut off the supply of blood to the nerves to my legs and they died.

Normally this is a fatal condition. The aorta is about as big around as a garden hose. Usually the aneurysm will burst and the person would bleed to death in a matter of seconds.

July 4th 2006 was the last day I walked. What followed were several months of rehabilitation; learning how to get by without the use of my legs. I knew right away that this was a wake up call from God. I know to this day this was a “now or never“ situation. Either turn to God or face the consequences. I had accepted Christ as my savior but I chose evil over good. Who God loves he chastens. By now, I would have given up on myself if I were God. It was clear I had no interest in the things of God.

God is not willing that any should perish but that all turn to salvation. I praise God that he gave me this final call.

I am now in assisted living in a wheelchair. It’s highly unlikely that I will ever walk again; at least not in this life. I grieve over the life I have lived. I would like to turn time back and start over. I caused so much hurt to those around me. I lived for the moment and didn’t care about the future or the consequences. Satan has a plan for us and I chose that way instead of God’s way.

Don’t put off this decision like I did. No one has a guarantee that they’ll live another day.

Again, I ask that you pass this on to as many people as you can and they in turn pass it on to many people. I really believe time is short and now more than ever we need to get the gospel to as many as possible.

God’s Plan Of Salvation
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

We all have sin in our hearts. We all were born with sin.
We were born under the power of sin’s control.
- Admit that you are a sinner.

Romans 6:23a “…The wages of sin is death…”

Sin has an ending. It results in death. We all face physical death, which is a result of sin. But a worse death is spiritual death that alienates us from God, and will last for all eternity. The Bible teaches that there is a place called the Lake of Fire where lost people will be in torment forever. It is the place where people who are spiritually dead will remain.
- Understand that you deserve death for your sin.

Romans 6:23b “…But the gift of God is eternal
life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Salvation is a free gift from God to you! You can’t
earn this gift, but you must reach out and receive it.
- Ask God to forgive you and save you.

Romans 5:8, “God demonstrates His own love for us, in
that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us!”

When Jesus died on the cross He paid sin’s penalty. He paid the price for all sin, and when He took all the sins of the world on Himself on the cross, He bought us out of slavery to sin and death! The only condition is that we believe in Him and what He has done for us, understanding that we are now joined with Him, and that He is our life. He did all this because He loved us and gave Himself for us!

- Give your life to God… His love poured out in Jesus on the cross is your only hope to have forgiveness and change. His love bought you out of being a slave to sin. His love is what saves you — not religion, or church membership. God loves you!

Romans 10:13 “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved!”

- Call out to God in the name of Jesus!

Romans 10:9,10 “…If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

- If you know that God is knocking on your heart’s door,ask Him to come into your heart.

Jesus said,Revelation 3:20a “Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him…”

- Is Jesus knocking on your heart’s door?
- Believe in Him.
- Ask Him to come in to your heart by faith,
and ask Him to reveal Himself to you.
Open the Bible to the Gospel of John and read what God says about Jesus, about you, and about being born again.

This prayer is here only as a guide. I urge you to pour out your heart to Jesus in your own words. It’s important that these aren’t just words, but that they come from the heart.

“Lord, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

God will help you. He loves you!

You need to look for a local church where God’s word is preached. The Bible says that we are to desire God’s word like a newborn baby desires mother’s milk.Aren’t you hungry to know the truth?

Water baptism is one of the ways you first show that you have been joined to Jesus. This is an action, and actions will not save you. However, it is an act of obedience and a symbol of commitment.

The symbolism is this:
When you go down in the water you show that
You have been crucified and buried with Him,

And when you come up out of the water you show that you have been raised to walk with Him in newness of life. (See Romans chapter 6)

You have been born again.
(See John chapter 3)

Your body has become God’s temple.
Your heart is where He lives.

Forgiveness is yours in Jesus.
And you belong to Him.

You were sin’s slave.
But now…

You are a child of GOD!

John 1:12
“As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name!”

The vilest offender who truly believes, that moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
(Song: To God Be The Glory. Fanny J. Cosby and William H. Doanes)

By: Stan Cook

God Saved My Life Several Times!!

A Child of God — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:22:23 +0000

I am a 48 yr old mother of 3 beautiful children 24,18 & 16 and have been truly blessed with all of them (so far). I gave my life to the Lord at 17 with my best friend and went on to lead a very wild lifestyle. I am born and raised in California, but at 17 my dad moved my family to Oklahoma where he was from and everything went downhill fast.

I was so distraught over leaving my friends and family that I started really having a good time and being defiant because I felt betrayed by my dad who had promised my mom and I so many things before we moved across the country and absolutely none of them came through so was not a happy camper.

My mom and I ended up moving back to California after about a year and got back with my boyfriend and he cheated on my so many times and made me feel like a horrible person over 4 yers (which I know I wasn’t) so I ended up going back to Oklahoma to live with my dad who was drinking every night and very unstable all the way around. Growing up he was a drill sergeant so he was completely different at this point which was cool to me, but later on I suffered.

I started seeing a 26th year old bartender (I was 19) and was intimate with him and he was a very rough character, but I liked the excitement and whenever we spent the night together he had a gun laying next to him which scared me and of course the Lord protected me from any harm. This same man later got me into exotic dancing in a very scary place in a bad part of town where the girls were so rough and could of beat me up anytime, but for some reason they didn’t??

I danced for about a year before I moved to Texas with a friend and got a job dancing and met who I thought was the man of my dreams, but he ended up being a nightmare that wouldn’t end. He was a total physical and mental abuser who threatened my life many times and beat me several times and without the Lord I wouldn’t be here I’m telling you.

One particular night after he had been beating me in the car I got out a couple of times and ran trying to knock on doors, but it was too late and I’m sure people were scared to open the door. He got me and put me in the car and we drove off with him hitting at my face any chance he got.

I remember we were at a stoplight when I saw a van across the way and I thought to myself this is my chance to get out and run across the street to get help and the door opened to the van and there were 2 young guys in there and they let me in and I was terrified and let them know what happened and low and behold they were Christians and took me to a hotel and put me up for the night.

I have so many stories to tell, but I believe the Lord wrapped me in his arms and saved my life many times. To this day my dad hasn’t been in my mine or my deceased brother’s life much for what reason I guess I’ll never know. That’s my story…God Bless You All!

By: Sandra Sluka

The Prodigal Son: A Time for Everything

A Child of God — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:05:14 +0000

Although I have been growing up in church all my life, I never really personally believed in God until I was entering grade five. The time I first accepted Christ into my life was during a summer bible camp they were doing a play on the prodigal son how the son did so many horrendous things to his father taking all his father’s fortune and leaving home, once he spent all his money he was in the dumps, feeding pigs and as poor as he has ever been. One day after many years he mustered up all his courage to go home back to his father, carrying with him years’ worth of guilt and shame, wishing that his father would forgive him. When his father saw him, they had an emotional reunion, he ran up to his son with open arms with tears and welcomed him home. His father was not angry but was happy that his son finally comes home. At the end of the skit, one of the leaders asked us to whether we wanted to be like the son, and be loved by this father who would forgive us no matter what we have done. I said yes and he invited us to say a prayer on the backstage, and on that day I accepted Christ into my life.

Even to this day, I still remember why I put up my hand, how I felt at that time. Before I met Christ, I was very self-confident of myself, but there were things I was going through which I felt no one really understood. I felt like I was doing a lot of things I was not supposed to but it was going out control, I want to change but I didn’t know where to start. I didn’t know how to love, to respect, or to say even the simplest words like sorry and thank you. I was lost; I felt people don’t understand, or know what they say or do has a very big impact on the kid. Or whether they ever considered what we really knew and felt as a kid. On the way, home back I prayed another prayer; I prayed to the lord to take complete control of my life and he did.

From then on, my life toke a major turn; at school I began to stop fooling around, and do my homework. While I stopped being the person I was, along the way I lost a lot of friends. Over time I became really scared, and afraid of other people. But because of that I placed God even more before me. For five years I spent a very difficult time battling myself a hope to change for the better, and all that time I was holding back a lot of tears and hiding a lot of pain. How every week i can feel tears coming down every time i approached the bridge from the church entrance. How I could never open my mouth to speak. All of this was beyond my control. But even then I knew that God was with me. I was thankful that God showed me what it was like to feel alone, to feel completely dependent on God, so that I was able to see how other people must have felt, the people who were unseen, those who were alone and what they needed most. From then, I started to appreciate even littlest things in life from the gracious meals to the simplest hello from another. I was thankful for all the precious people he has placed in my life, because of them I never once felt alone at school. When I went on walks, and see the trees and the sky I wondered at his creation, silently amazed by it and gave thanks for it. I walked in every part of this church alone, and I am not afraid to walk alone in the dark. I went to places where no one could find me and silently played piano, whatever comes out I played and it gave me a peace that stills my heart at the midst of everything that’s is happening. I am thankful for the gifts he has given that were there to settle my heart. If you wondered what it means for God to speak to you, sometimes it’s the wisdom he gives you, the insights you would have never imagined yourself to understand. All of it comes from God alone, it is never from us. All of this is a part of me that has been kept a secret for all my life only between me and God. It is not something I can verbalize well, just because he has done too much for me.

I remember there was countless times I made prayers to lord; if you were to give me strength, and opportunity to serve, help me so that I can give my best to you. One of the most memorable promises I have made to God is whenever you give me strength, I will give everything to care and love for the people around me so that they will never feel sad or alone.

Here is the turning point in my life, God answered my prayers. He gave me the opportunity to serve in AWANA. I do not know why but the moment I stepped into this place God removed me of all my fear and he gave me strength. Then I knew God wants me to be here. There are children here and every one of them is different, each child have their own worries and needs, and if I could help to know each one of them personally, let them feel loved and know that they are cared for; they could see God’s Love.

This year is my fourth year serving in AWANA; I am blessed and overjoyed each time I am with this great big family where everyone cares for one another. Even now, every little thing still matters; it may be holding the hand of a child, their smiles and their laughter, hearing them call out your name and running up to you with a great big hug. I have come to love everyone in AWANA and everyone in this church. When I see the kind of love that we have for one another; it says that God is with us, and it really encourages me to love one another not just as a friend but as fellow brothers and sisters. Sometimes I even feel that I am over blessed by God on everything he has given me now. I learned the importance of a Church, family and how it can grow if there is love and support for one another. The privilege to serve is a gift from God; whenever I am serving God and working for his purpose, I can truly do all things through Christ. My past is like nothing in comparison to the present and what God has more me in the future, by knowing so it gives me more hope than anything else. I am thankful for the past, for life and the experiences it brings that shape us to be the people you have prepared us to be. All those years were like training years from the lord so that I could prepare myself to serve with the heart I have today.

Ecclesiastes 3:4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance

Psalm 30:11 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

Psalm 126:2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”

No matter where we are in life, what we are facing. There is a time for everything; God has a plan for every one of us. So do not worry, if we trust in our heavenly Father, he will protect us, bless us, forgive us and provide for us, because His love is greater than any sadness we will ever face.

By: Shirley

Victory Over Temptation

A Child of God — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:25:04 +0000

I give all my thanks, praise and worship to our everlasting and everwise God and Creator who is blessed forever and ever in the name of his holy Son Jesus Christ who sits victoriously at his right hand for he is my strength, my song an my salvation.

Last year was a trying one in the workplace. With the reshuffling of staff replacing the nice and peace loving members with opressors, liars, backbiters, proud boisterous boasters and confusion makers; particularly in positions of authority over me.

Once again I stand alone amongst all the gossipers and troublemakers who continuously set snares for me because I try to follow what is good. On numerous occasions the temptation to reward evil for evil was so overwhelming my only course of action was to retreat to a place of solitude so I could beg mercy from my Heavenly Master and put all things in his hands. And he heard my prayers because in the midst of everything that went on around me I had peace in my soul and melodies of praise to our Most High God in my heart; And by his awesome grace I was strengthened to hold my tongue from evil.

Hallelujah! It’s so sweet to trust in Jesus! So I just want to glorify the God of my salvation for helping me through such a distressing period as I look forward to witnessing the magnificent works of his mighty hands going forward the coming weeks. Glory to God in the Highest, through Jesus Christ his holy son through whom all things are possible. Amen.

By: Sim

Delivered from a Confused Mindset

A Child of God — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:17:31 +0000

My name is Maeshell Matthews. I was born on a southern plantation 68 years ago. My parents were sharecroppers. Our parents were seldom home and us kids had the run of the house. There were eleven of us children. Me being the fifth child between seven brothers helped me to become a rough tom boy. Our home was always noisy, something was always happening. Daddy and mudda (we called our mother “Mudda” were often cussing and fighting each other, we tended to do the same. When our parents fought we would stand huddled together in fear. I was always afraid of the outcome that one of them might kill the other. However, when our parents were away we would abuse the animals, we killed ten little piglets trying to get them to swim. We also vandalized the little church we attended that sat on the end of the dirt road near our house.

We had to strip down to our bare bottom when we were disciplined and beat with three green supple switches braided together that refused to wear out. These modern times those type of whippings would have been child abuse. My parents got fed up with sharecropping and moved to town when I was ten years old. I began to bully other kids when I was in grammar school which continued until I was in ninth grade. I was a mean person. I began smoking cigarettes and drinking early on in my teenage years.

As time progressed I began to gamble, frequent the “honky tonks”. I got married had two little girls but my marriage soon ended because of the constant fighting. I moved to the big city up north to get away from my husband who was stalking me. I found myself in the fast lane drinking, and sometimes gambling playing stud poker, night clubs. I was restless, hardly ever satisfied, I went from man to man, and that did not work either. I met a guy at one of the poker games, he kept a big bank roll and we hooked up together. I found myself with a drug dealer, he was so sweet to me, I was looking for someone to love. I began to let him stash his drugs at my house, he always paid me, he always made me feel special.I began smoking crack cocaine out of curiosity and that was another bad choice, I always made bad choices. My life was no more interesting.

I had a habit of blaming my mother for the way I had turned out. I would get intoxicated and sob on anybody’s shoulder that acted interested in what I was saying. My new flame and I got on very bad terms. I would cut up my clothes, throw away brand new shoes. I soon found myself having nervous break downs. I was diagnosed a paranoid schizophrenic.

I was a wreck, I was at the point to where when I did smoke crack, my pipe would actually light up, the window blinds would open and shut rapidly, I could hear some whisperings inside the walls, characters would stare at me from the television screen, I heard voices when there was no one in the room except me. I felt as if I was trapped inside of my body. One of those Institutionalized stayed, I turned into a harry gorilla as I stood staring down the dark corridor that led to the day room.

I can go on and on about the confused state of mind and the horrible pit that I found myself in. I decided to try going to church and confessing my life to the preacher and see if he could help me. The pastor and five of his members prayed for me and told me to continue in church. That was the turning point in my life of misery. It has been twenty years of walking daily with my Lord and Saviour Jesus. I have learned so much, it was an unclean spirit that had entered into my body. I honor both my parents just like the Bible says. I had to take an evaluation test to see if I still needed psychiatric care but was found in my right mind. I now have the peace of God resting on me. Thank you Jesus!

By: Maeshell Matthews

The Light in My Darkness

A Child of God — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:50:44 +0000

I was nine when I started in a long, downward spiral. It would take two years to hit rock bottom, but I did. I am afraid (yet thankful) that, if I was not so protected, I would have been in a lot more trouble. But, I did not know what was coming nor did I notice the gradual slope down.

It started at home. My mom yelled at me for the tiniest things. She always criticized me. I had no one to talk to about their, either. I kept it bottled up inside. Every night I would cry for about two months. No one noticed, because I would hide in my dark bedroom, tucked away in a closet, my cries muffled by the mounds of clothes.

Next, I joined a site that was a little old for me. This brought me to the realization of drugs and suicide. Self-mutilation was amongst one of the things that interested me (along with pre-marital sex.. yes, I was still nine). After another month or two, I got talking to the wrong crowd, they brought me to self-mutilation.

Nothing could stop me now. The cutting got more intense. I was wise enough at ten to know only to cut on my ankles and shoulders so no one would see except in summer, and I was a rowdy one so no one would care. I lived the next year like that.

Everyday I looked into the mirror. I thought to myself “Who is that?” I begun to get dark circles under my eyes. It looked horrible, like I have not slept in months. I covered it up with make up. I would say to myself “I just have to get through today. Tomorrow will be better.” But I went to sleep every night more disappointed than the night before. It broke me, made me realize there was never gonna be a better tomorrow.

A year past and then I started trying to commit suicide. It got so bad that, after my eleventh birthday, I decided to give myself one week to live, then the deed would be done, once and for all, no chickening out like before.

The good Lord knows I would too, I lived that week as if it were my last. I said good bye and hugged everyone. No one knew why but they asked no questions. My friend ran up to me with an invite to a weekend at a Christian Camp. I, wearily, agreed.

My heart was not set on Jesus. I did not believe in anything after death. I believed you rot in the ground. No soul, no after life. I know now that I was wrong. I hated anything that was Christian. It had no value and was a huge lie to me.

It became the day of the retreat. I finally realized it was the day I was going to kill myself. I decided to wait, I needed time with a friend. Plus, it would be horrifying to kill myself in front of the whole camp. I didn’t wish to scar anyone.

We played games and did camp activities. I cared about nothing. Finally, the sun set. It was dark so they lit a fire and the whole 50 people gathered around it. People were playing guitars and singing. They all sounded beautiful. It got me thinking of what would happen later on that night. I lost it when they started singing “Better is one day”. I poured out my tears.

A soft tap on my hand was the only thing I felt. A complete stranger, a camp counselor I never talked to before grabbed my hand and helped me up. My friend tailed along with us to a nearby boulder. We three discussed what I was going to do. They told me about His undying grace. That God loves me, no matter if the world does or not. I fell even more apart.

She got me some cider and a doughnut and us three went back to the campfire and started singing. I will never forget that night. It felt like the Heavens opened up and engulfed me in a celestial light that came directly from God. Never have I doubted Him.

I would be dead if it were not for God’s undying mercy and impeccable timing. I am grateful, though, that I went through it all. For God let me fall away on purpose. He wanted to call me back so he could tie a rope around my leg and send me back into the sinner’s territory to gain them as well.

Since then, I have brought a small clan of people to the Lord. What wonders the Lord can do with you when you merely have an open heart!

I went to bed that night, not filled with poisons like I thought I was going to. Now, I have great faith in Jesus. I have confessed with my mouth that Jesus is Lord. I know in my heart that He is God and He died for me and my salvation and that of others.

Keep the Faith! Jesus will forgive you Infinity times Infinity! All things are possible with him! And, finally, he is ALWAYS there.. even in suffering, in tears, in the worst times. !!!PRAY!!! He is listening!

By: Emory Allison Monroe

My Road to Damascus

A Child of God — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 06:33:52 +0000

For decades I tried just about everything to find happiness, self respect, love and the answers to the questions, why am I hear and what is life all about. That journey led me from having most everything I wanted and still not being happy, to pain, sorrow, loneliness, homelessness, hopelessness, alcoholism, drug addiction and thoughts of suicide. After years of trying and when the pain was just too much to bear, I fell to my knees and asked God to either end this miserable life of mine or show me how to live the right way. I asked him to come into my life and take over, if there was anything left worth taking. I felt a sense of relief, I let go and I gave up my way of doing things and sought His guidance. It was now up to God to show me the way and boy did He. This is not a story of an instant healing, but instant revelation that God is real, and how He opened my eyes and gradually showed me things I would never have seen without Him in my life. God is real and life is unbelievable better with Him in it. Your experience might not be as dramatic as mine, everyone is different. I ran my life into the ground and could barley think straight so it took an undeniable sign to pull me up out of the hole I had dug for myself. In my case nothing short of a miracle would have gotten my attention. I pray that you don’t have to hurt as bad as I did to find the truth.

In the early part of 2005 I was as low as a person could get. I was sleeping on the floor of a condo that I would soon be evicted from. My girlfriend had just walked out the door telling me that we were through. I had lost everything that I needed to have some sort of normal life. I just wanted all this to end; I laid down on the floor and eventually fell asleep. That’s when my miracles started.

While sleeping I had a dream that I remember completely and still think of almost every day, even though it’s been over five years. It was my future. This dream was very different from all my other dreams. For one think it was in color, I’ve never dreamt in color before. And it was so detailed that I can write about it after all this time. It was what I believe would have happened to me if I did not stop drinking and using drugs.
In my dream I was driving my white van when I crossed the center lane and ran into a car head on. The car was carrying four teenagers, none of them made it. I unfortunately did but would never walk again. The police found alcohol and drugs in my van and the public wanted to see justice. My family suffered terribly from their anger at me, but directed at them. After some time in rehabilitation I was put in some kind of a nursing home where I just waited to die. Even in there I was treated terribly by everyone because of how I ruined four lives. Some time had passed and the only thing I wanted to do before I died was to see my girlfriend one last time, I had no visitors. I didn’t remember seeing her since the accident and did not think I would see her again. Then one day she walked into room, I could see that life had treated her bad since the accident. I could barely recognize her but could tell by her eyes that it was her. Shortly after she left I passed away.

I remember flying like a bird over the area that I grew up in. I started at 12 mile road and went south above Milton. I was about thirty feet up, going side to side just like a bird. I flew over South school where I spent many years playing baseball, volleyball and football, then over the park at Butcher Jr High and then straight up. It was like my last look at my life. I went straight up until I was in total darkness, as black as black could be. I remember being very calm and thinking that I must have died. I had absolutely no fear. I thought to myself that I should pray. I started saying our father, at that time it was the only prayer I knew besides now I lay me down………….. Instantly I saw a speck of light that seemed like it was on the other side of the universe, but I flew straight towards it. It got brighter and brighter and I could tell that it was not one light but many lights grouped closely together. Somehow I forgot the words to our father and stopped praying. I stopped going towards the lights and woke up. I like to think that the lights were family and friends that had already moved on and were there to guide me. I did get to experience what heaven was like in another dream. I’m still trying to figure out how to put that into words.

After I woke up I just keep walking around the room trying to understand what just happened to me. I knew it was something very different. Then all of a sudden I felt something touch me in the upper, center of my back. I felt it slowly wrap around me and as it did I felt warmth and a love that I have never felt before and have not felt since. It may sound strange but it felt like wings, wings made of gold, liquid gold. I felt so safe, so loved, so warm, and so right. I never wanted it to end. Then from directly in front of me I heard and felt the word, REPENT, it was audible and I physically felt it penetrate every cell in my body as it went thru me. It was powerful. I fell to my knees and realized I was in the presence of God.

While on my knees God revealed my complete past. My whole life, up until this moment, was played like a movie thru my thoughts, but it was like looking at it from the outside in instead of from my personnel perspective. It only took a few moments to review my whole life. It was like my brain was a super computer that could comprehend all this information in seconds. I was horrified. My life was all wrong. What a waste. I cried what felt like a lifetime of tears. I felt totally ashamed and at the same time total bliss, because I knew that I was being given another chance to do it right.

My mind was full of questions, I remember thinking questions and instantaneously the answers were in my head. Like mental telepathy at the speed of light. I know the questions were asked and answered, but for reasons only known to God, I was not allowed to remember the questioned I asked or the answers, but I know for sure that I asked and received the answers. All I can tell you is they were about God. After that I still had the wings wrapped around me and I had this undeniable urge to stand in the shower. I kept fighting it because it just seemed too strange to stand in the shower when I’m having a supernatural spiritual experience. But I gave in, I just stood in the shower and let the water pour down on me. It felt like my whole past was being washed away. I didn’t understand then but now I believe it was a form of baptism because as soon as my foot hit the tile floor while getting out, I felt the wings start to open up. I yelled NO, but heard, (not audible) in my head that they would always be there. I felt an incredible sense of renewal and strength.

I was staying at my son’s while in the process of cleaning up my shattered life when I decided to try and start my old van. I had tried numerous times before with no luck but this time it started right up. I was quite surprised. I noticed it was on empty so I drove up to the corner gas station. On the way back I had a strong feeling to pull into a small church parking lot. I watched as people pulled in and went inside. The last time I remember going to church was when I was around five years old with my mom. I was very nervous about going in but felt an overwhelming sense that I really needed to.

It just happened to be a African American church and I was the only white person there, I wondered if I was in the wrong place but soon found out what I was there for. During the service they had a play. The play was about a troubled girl alone in her room; she was at the end of her rope and praying for help. Suddenly she felt a presence and than a load and powerful voice came over the speaker system, REPENT! She was having the same kind of spiritual experience as I did. I found out afterword that the lady that wrote the play was praying to God when she received the idea to do the play. What are the odds that in the entire world, on that particular day, at that particular time and in that particular church, they would be having a play about what just happened to me? I must have had a shocked look on my face because one of the members came over and introduced himself. I quickly told him what was going on and he asked if I would repeat my story to the congregation. The biggest fear in my life was standing in front of a group of people and talking but I managed to do it. I still remember the looks on some of the people’s faces. God was using my experience to build the faith of others and at the same confirming mine.

Another time I was reading in a public place and a stranger walked over to me and handed me a plastic bookmark. When I took a good look at it I noticed it had a picture of a statue, the statue was of an angel. The wings on the angel were made of gold. My mind instantly went back to the night of my awakening and the feeling of warm gold that I had, to me I was in the arms of God that night and have been following Him ever since.

It’s been years since my awakening and my life has changed dramatically. I wake up with a good attitude looking forward to what the day may bring. I still have my share of trials but what use to send me into a freefall is now just another opportunity to grow stronger. I now have a sense of peace and confidence I’ve never had before. Everything makes sense. When you have a good view of the bigger picture life is a lot easier. It’s not all about me and what I want; it’s about all of us working together for a better world. God said that the two most important commandments are, (Matt. 22:37-39) love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy mind, and love thy neighbor as thyself. When you walk thru life looking for opportunities to help your brothers and sisters and make the world a little easier for someone else, your life is more rewarding. And while we’re doing that God is looking out for us.

We all find the truth in different ways. I had to hit rock bottom, you don’t have to. God gave us free will and won’t force himself on us, but if you ask Him, He will be there. If you’re tired of feeling lost all you have to do is ask for directions.

Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

“Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

By: Richard

Better Days!

A Child of God — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 02:02:53 +0000

Through my years of adolescence I was lost and confused. I would look at my life and wonder why our Heavenly Father placed me in such a stressful situation. No father, a single parent that works her butt off to complain about bills, no house to call my own, friends interested in senseless activities, etc. I would sometimes cry, use drugs as an temporary escape, let anger take over and destroy things. Anything to release that built-up frustration inside. Not realizing at that moment I was faithless, didn’t pray often, and had a lack of instruction.

At this point my relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ was not so great. He was definitely there for me, but i was not so much there for him. I was lost in the world and needed to change my perspective of life. One day, thanks to God, a friend of mine urged me to attend a bible study class. I agreed, and the following Wednesday I found myself in a room with about seven other teenagers such as myself discussing the miracles of God (hallelujah). Although feeling pain deep down inside, I maintained my composure. You would probably think i was a happy person without any worries.

At the end of class as I was walking to the front door of the house, the bible study lady approached me and told me that she had a message to tell me from God himself. I was astound. I didn’t even know it was possible for a person to receive messages from our Heavenly Father to relinquish that message to me. My ears where open and I was ready to hear this message that would open my eyes forever.

She spoke, the Holy Spirit spoke, words of God where running through my brain. My message was that I needed to forgive our Father for putting me through such tribulations. God knew my situation was a tough one, but to forgive God? I always thought we should ask to be forgiven (which we should always do), but to forgive God himself. I was confused for a second, but then realized the significance to my message.
God didn’t have to put me in such a situation, but he did. I needed to endure all the pain I witnessed throughout the years of growing up. It all started to make sense. This is how God shaped me. He put me through rough times in-order to make me stronger. In-order to make me greater of a man, to see truth, understanding, wisdom, etc. I quickly forgave Him and my mentality towards life soon changed. The harder your pass, the greater your future.

Now except being confused and frustrated, I’ am now happy and filled with faith. Just because I realized that my unfortunate past was to benefit me, doesn’t mean that I’m out of it. I’ am still in the same situation but now i have this outstanding confidence that my future will be great. It’s not easy sometimes. I must continue to keep my faith, I must put my trust in the Lord, I must be obedient to the words of Jesus, I must be diligent to the will of God, I must pray.

I don’t regret a second of my life. Life is good. Jesus truly saves us from our sins. Our will on earth, as it is in heaven is great. Without hard times we wouldn’t realized the many good times.

I thank God for the many blessing I have. For those people who feel down and troubled, lift your head up. Smile. Everything happens for a reason, there’s better days to come. Pray, simply ask for understanding and guidance. Jesus loves you, show your love for him. I declared blessings upon everyone who reads this. Let God be with you. In Jesus name Amen!

By: Jed Seemungal

The Unconditional Mercy of God

A Child of God — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 01:45:09 +0000

My name is Paul Silwamba from Zambia, aged 17. Long me and my family had a very tough time. Even though my parents were believers,they argued a lot and we suffered instead. However God has helped us and has forgiven them both.

I was about three when my parents split up. Fights still continued and they usually used to go to courts together with me and my brother.my when they came to terms that my mom was to keep us and my father would be supporting us with needs and also come and take us for visits. However my mother became a business woman after she got sucked from her workplace as a police officer. She never was at home as she moved from town to town as well as visiting other countries. My father took advantage of this and would come at home and argue with my auntie in violence then he would take us away to his home.

I knew he loved us but never cared for us. He would go in the morning around 06:00am and come back at 24:00pm when we didn’t have any meal not even breakfast. To make matters worse he locked us outside the house as we starved. I was only five to six years. The worst thing that he liked doing is to beat us. Even though we were young, he beat us like old people and our skin would become swollen. Our friends considered him to be mad. We used to sleep on doormats were there were chicken droppings we usually used to get sick.

My father seemed not to care. One time he even beat me when I was very sick of malaria after loosing something. I had never understood my father even were he took the money after getting paid. He bought us no clothes my mother did everything. He was very selfish. I even thought he had us in his heart.

The other thing is that he loved church very much and offered a lot to church. Church people loved him. However he was still something else in him. My brother had ulcers but he cared less. He used to cry almost everyday. Even after we left him and went to my mother, he continued bothering her. My mother then shifted and went to another town with us. She joined politics and became an ambassador in Nigeria. She taught us the word of God and to love our father.

My brother still doesn’t want him but I have forgiven him and pray for the lord to bless him and forgive him and I know he will. God has now blessed us with things and we children are finished with high school only three are remaining. God loves us and many more things have happened.

By: Paul Silwamba