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Your testimony is not a tale of woe, baring what the devil did to you; but a story of joy, sharing what Jesus Christ did for you. You are living proof of God’s saving power.
God never tires of testimony of his Son. |
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I was born into and raised by a “backsliding” Christian family and was baptized sometime before my 11th birthday. After that, I spent 25 years living in rebellion against God and having nothing to do with his Son.
I was a “good person” by the world’s standard:
· I made good grades · Mostly did what my parents asked · Never got into too much trouble · Made a good living · Helped others when it was convenient
Looking back, my major vices were:
· Drinking and smoking · Regular profanity · Occasional blasphemy · Looking with lust · Materialism
None of these things, however, were the outstanding factor that drove me to my knees, begging God to forgive me and asking Jesus to take over my life. My career began to put pressure on me to the point that I was suffering from anxiety and insomnia. This led to a regimen of prescription drugs that were supposed to help me through it. Instead, they took my mind and my body out of the one thing that was important: loving and supporting my family.
Life was pretty bad, so I decided to take a rare trip to grandmother’s house one weekend to “get away from it all”. It had been my regular practice for years to drop her off at Sunday School, go home to get ready, then meet her at church. This time, however, I was compelled to sit in her pew in the sanctuary adult class. On that Sunday, February 19, 2006, I heard a message from the book of James comparing God’s heavenly wisdom to the world’s wisdom… and God opened my eyes to his truth, and what had been wrong with my life for over a quarter century. From that moment on, I realized that the world was wrong and God was right, and he was giving me a chance to be right with him.
It couldn’t happen until I was broken, discouraged and at the end of my rope. I was like Peter drowning in the sea of his circumstances, until I held up my hand and asked Jesus to save me. I did that one night shortly after coming home to my family. God spoke to me that night, in words that were just as clear and audible as any I have ever heard; yet, these were words I would never forget nor forsake:
“You take care of my work, and I’ll take care of your work”
God made a promise to me that he sums up in one verse of scripture: These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
James 4:8 says “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” That’s what I did and that’s what he did. I haven’t been the same person since I surrendered my life to Jesus; all those vices, He took away, proving 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” I could not have done it; He did do it.
I am living proof of the truth of God, the miracle of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. God’s work for me is to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” In return, God gives me eternal life through his Son Jesus Christ and takes care of my needs because I now live in obedience to him according to scripture: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
I want you to have the same peace and joy the Lord gives me everyday despite my circumstances. God is totally faithful and trustworthy; he keeps his promises. Put your trust in God and faith in his Son Jesus Christ today for your salvation and to secure eternal life. Nothing is more important. |
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“…at the end of my rope. I was like Peter drowning in the sea of his circumstances, until I held up my hand and asked Jesus to save me.”
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me..
(Matthew 14:30) |
