Madhu Ahuja, India
Friday August 22, 2008

My Dad (a Hindu) does idol worship. He prays in front of non living and tangible idols like Ganpati, Laxmi, Sai baba, etc. Hindus pour milk, rice and water on these stones or wood made dead idols. And that is what I saw my entire family doing. My dad expected me to do the same as well. But wasting milk, rice and water on dead idols made no sense to me. Instead of pouring milk, rice and water on non living objects, I’d rather give it to someone who is hungry and needs milk, water and rice. That’s when I told my family that I am not going to do any idol worship. Also, even after praying to these dead idols my Dad’s character and attitude towards my mother, my elder brother and me was and is bad. My Dad is short tempered, uses foul language towards us and curses us. That’s another reason I wanted to back out from idol worship because these non living idols are not able to change our character for good towards people around us. That’s when by God Almighty’s grace, I met many Christians in my life who showed me the way to our living LORD Jesus Christ. I love a faithful Christian way of living because it corrects our character and attitude in the sight of our Heavenly Father. There is no tangible idol involved in Christianity because our GOD Almighty is not seen with our eyes but HE is within each believer of LORD Jesus Christ. I realised that I have fallen short of GOD’S way of living. So I realised that I am a sinner. I repented of all my sins and got myself baptized. Even after living as a Christian my life is full of humiliations, sufferings, injustice and mild persecutions. But my focus and faith is on Jesus Christ alone. It says in the Bible, 1 Peter 4: 19 - "So if you (repentant sinners) are suffering according to God's will, keep on doing what is right, and trust yourself to the God who made you, for he will never fail you." Remember, my spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ, Jesus Christ is the True Bread from Heaven.  Jesus Christ is always faithful.  Jesus Christ is victorious over demons and all human beings.  Jesus Christ is the Most High Priest. (Hebrews 3:1)  Jesus Christ is the Head of a Christian church.  Forgive every human being.

Daniel Butler  USA
Monday June 09, 2008

I have always believed in Jesus, but in my childhood I would never spend any time praying or reading scripture.  I used to spend most of my day watching TV or playing video games which was laziness in every aspect including spiritually. I was addicted to sexual pleasures of the flesh for years. The ways of wrong were in my daily activity. I was disrespectful to my parents. In my speech was filth and profanity. I did not have the Lord in my life. When I was nineteen a serious revelation in my Commitment to God occurred.  I realized that I wanted a stronger relationship with my God.  I at first was crushed emotionally thinking it was to late to develop a deep relationship with God. I viewed myself as such a wretched sinner, that I deserved hell. I condemned myself. I knew that in everyway I was guilty and wondered would God forgive me. I hated the actions I committed in my past . My spirit was crushed and burdened.  Godly sorrows flooded my heart, but then it hit me - God's mercy is everlasting. I cried out to the Lord, asking Him for a fresh heart.  Soon after things changed. A deep love for God developed, through the scriptures getting to know God and our Lord Jesus Christ. I developed hatred of sin in my daily life. I am in no way perfect but through much sincere prayer, and Christ which strengthens me, I sin much less and stay away from things of the flesh and am spiritually minded. I have by the mercy of our loving God been reborn and have received the Holy Ghost. I want to help others know truth.  I am forever humbled that God's grace that came upon me. Jesus Christ rules my heart and guides me in the ways of truth and has strengthen my spirit. “I once was blind, but now I see“. The Lord can help anyone who asks, who humbles themselves before him. Thank God our heavenly father for our savior and Lord Jesus Christ. 

"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of." (2 Corinthians 7)

"A new heart also will I give you, and new spirit will I put within you.  And I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a fresh heart." (Ezekiel 36: 26)

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.                    (2 Corinthians 4: 6)

Brooke from Florida
Saturday November 24, 2007

The Lord has delivered me from drugs, witchcraft and lesbianism.

David Dobkins
Wednesday January 28, 2004

14 years ago, I came to the most desperate point in my life... In February of 1989, I was on the brink of being sentenced to prison for several years as a result of excessive drug abuse and consistent criminal activity. By the time I was only 20 years old, I had dropped out and been expelled from school multiple times, became addicted to several illegal drugs, was arrested and placed in jail 6 times (the first at age 14), and was heading into certain self-destruction. Having grown up in a Christian home in Phoenix, AZ with both parents present and a younger sister, I also had close ties to very encouraging relatives and extended family, relationships with many friends and leaders in the Church, plus the knowledge of loving God and His son, Jesus, sent to pay for my sins. There was every opportunity for me to grow in grace and exhibit it toward others in the world. Yet, I began to make choices that led me away from God and my family... At first, making seemingly inconsequential decisions to follow the "cool" kids and trying to fit in was very easy. I caught a glimpse of a whole other world. One in which I could experience new and exciting things, go where I wanted and do whatever I thought would impress others and make felt good. Soon however, there came a harsh awakening when fun and games turned into more serious times. I found myself committing various types of crimes, then getting caught and having to pay the consequences. Not fun any more, I thought for a moment or two. Yet somehow, the now frequent trouble wasn't enough to deter me from selfishly seeking the ultimate high or greatest thrill. So I still managed to keep making the worst decisions any young person who grew up in Church would never dream of even considering doing... My actions did not only affect me however... My family was being torn apart. Everyone close to me had to deal with my destructive behavior. My parents were forced to call the police on me more than once and my younger sister saw me change from the brother she looked up to into a lost person, trading my dreams and talents for a horrible existence without any joy or peace in my life. Fortunately, God had better plans for me! Through a Bible-based program of disciplined rehabilitation called Teen Challenge, He provided the Life Saving Restoration and Encouragement I so desperately needed. After only two weeks into this program, I again stood before a Judge in Phoenix, again facing familiar charges for yet another crime, plus pending prison time for not meeting several requirements of my probation. Yet, this time I had a new cleaned up look, a representative of Teen Challenge beside me, a Bible in my hand and God was the ultimate presiding Judge in that court room. By what I can only account for as a supernatural miracle, in spite of numerous attempts by the prosecutor to press the charges and remind the Judge I had not completed my terms or probation, she carefully looked over my file and stated to the prosecution "It looks like he has completed his requirements and I am inclined to order him to remain in Teen Challenge and complete that program". Hallelujah! I later told my Probation Office that I had not done what the Judge said I had done and she told me that the Judge had ruled it was done. Again I say... "Hallelujah and Praise His Mighty Name!!!" In June of 1990, I graduated from Teen Challenge and embarked on the greatest journey anyone can take... getting to know Jesus Christ and helping others know Him too! The Lord has since blessed me tremendously and see no end to His abundant provision. He has given me a new mind and spirit, refreshed my body with good health and filled my soul to overflowing with peace and joy in the midst of whatever troubles this world presents me with. I am married to a wonderful wife, Deanna, and have been entrusted three beautiful children, Elijah, Heaven and Cherish. For over 10 years now, God has faithfully provided for our every need. I have enjoyed meaningful work and am currently working with a Christian organization that helps make a positive impact in the financial side Christian Churches, Ministries, Businesses and Families. You might be asking about now... "Is life a bed of roses for David Dobkins now days?" Well, was it for Jesus? How about for any of His disciples? I certainly will never liken my own character and faith to that of those to whom it was accounted faithful in the Bible - and absolutely never to Jesus Himself. Yet, with God The Father in charge of my life, with The Holy Spirit to guide and direct me and with Jesus, a friend that sticks closer than any brother, by my side... things work out. And, I know for sure, without a doubt that, I will be in Heaven one day with all of them. Praising Him in His Holy Temple... Experiencing an unfathomable relationship with Jesus, face to face... and living in the glory and home He has prepared for those He welcomes into His presence for eternity! Yes, I fail and fall short... frequently. Like Paul, I often ask God "Why do I do what I shouldn't and why don't I do what I should?" Still, His Amazing Love covers my multitude of sins. In God's Kingdom, I am His child and He loves me like no other can or ever has.

Vicki
Monday December 30, 2002

My name is Vicki, born in Pennsylvania in September, 1968. In my short life I had endured quite a bit of abuse; I had been raped by a male acquaintance of my mother's at age 5, then verbally, physically and sexually abused by my older brother from ages 7 to 17, and raped twice by an uncle at age 19. As a result of the sexual abuse and violence that occurred, it led me into a path of destructive behavior and a life of utter confusion and feelings of inadequacy. I firmly believe that due to the abuse and sexual violence endured, it resulted in me dealing with many problems and psychiatric issues. From an early age I struggled with feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, anger and hatred toward men. As a child I was in therapy, a bed-wetter, had strong desires to be a boy and often dressed as a boy. As I entered her teens, I endured a sexual identity crisis, dealt with self-destructive behavior, developed anorexia and bulimia, was an alcoholic, dabbled in drugs, was in and out of therapy and entered the Marines. By early adulthood I was causing self-inflicted injuries on my body as a way of coping, in Eating Disorder Units, psychiatric hospitals, dealt with suicidal tendencies, bouted with numerous suicide attempts, was diagnosed with clinical depression and Borderline Personality Disorder (BDP). By age 25 I had self-injured my body by cutting and burning (1, 5" scar & 1, 4" scar from 3rd degree burns & over 250 scars from cutting). I had been involved in various relationships, led a homosexual lifestyle, was in a gang, had an abortion, claimed bankruptcy due to high medical bills, was on psychotherapeutic medication (17 pills daily), had battled with mental illness and was in and out of psychiatric hospitals. As I approached 27, I was dependent on psychotherapeutic medications, totally exasperated and felt as though I was just existing and taking up space. She was at a point in her life where she was looking for her life to change. Although I thought I had tried everything possible to get better, I was still open for help. It seemed that whatever I tried that it was only good for a few hours, a day, sometimes if I got "lucky" it lasted a couple days. One Sunday in March of 1995 I was invited to church and reluctantly went. It was my first time going to a church in over 15 years, and this was no church like I had ever been to. From the moment I stepped through the doors, I sensed something different. When I walked into that church in Florham Park, NJ I remember sensing such love and peace. (I honestly thought it would be over once I left) I wasn’t quite sure what my beliefs were, mainly Agnostic, as I spent most of my life blaming God or questioning to him why all this happened to me. I was at a point of my life where I was not ready to be let down again. All I knew was that when I walked into that church, I felt great and didn’t remember feeling so much peace like that before. And I knew it was real. No medication made me feel this alert and alive, I knew it was real. I wanted so much to be normal but had no clue how to do it, as everything esle I tried proved a failure. After going to that church I asked God to make himself real to me. Within days I had noticed that I was more peaceful and desires that I had were not so strong. Even though it seemed so small of a change, for me it was big just to see a change, at that moment I knew that God was real! A few weeks later, I bought a Bible and it opened right up to the book of Mark, and I began reading in chapter 5. As I read, I saw that a guy who had cut himself day and night and appeared to have mental illness; he was healed by Jesus. I became very agitated with God and threw the Bible to the floor. I just didn’t understand why I wasn’t well; if he had healed this guy so long ago. I began to yell at Jesus/God: “!@#* you God, if you are real, then why the hell can’t you help me? Why can’t you do for me what you did years ago for that guy? I’m tired so tired of this !@#*, and tired of living this way. Don’t you understand that I’m tired of crying all night long, cutting and drinking because I cannot cope? Life isn’t supposed to be this way. I don’t want mental illness. Please help me.” I do realize now that swearing to God may not have been the best thing, but at that time I wasn’t accustomed to talking with Him and tried my best to be nice. After saying this, I pleaded with God, I truly petitioned him for his help. I figured my last resort was this Jesus who I wasn’t even so sure about. I put all my doubts aside and immediately I began to pray to God, actually I challenged him that I wanted answers and that I would give him 3 weeks to “prove himself” to me. Even though I wasn’t sure if I believed in God, I thought it would be a good idea if I at least put my efforts into it. I wanted my life to change and was looking for a difference. I figured that I had done everything possible that I guess I could at least give God a chance. It seemed as if nothing else had worked, but I have never thought of including God because I mainly blamed God, part of me thought that what happened to me was His fault. Additionally, part of me wasn’t convinced that he even existed. I wasn’t sure what I believed in, not even certain about God. I "challenged" God and my life has never been the same! Within days I noticed that I was more peaceful, able to think clearly and the negative desires she had were not so strong. What happened over the next 1 1/2 years was absolutely breathtaking! With the love and mercy of God I learned to cope with the past and look forward to the future; there is hope and there is a better way of life. I learned that I don’t have to live my future based on my past. I am not sure why all that happened to me did, but I do know that what was meant for bad is now being turned around for good. I have completely healed, recovered and overcome in every area! I was married to a wonderful Christian man in April, 1999. It is my hopes that every person will come to the realization that they can overcome anything in their life, as nothing is hopeless! Whatever a person has gone through or may be facing right now, they can get through it just like I did and lead a normal healthy life as God intended for them! I know God will heal anyone of anything anytime!

Mabel Harris
Tuesday September 17, 2002

Once my heart was tossed with sin. No room for Jesus there within. I loved the world and all its mirth. My treasures only on this earth. Then Jesus came along one day and found me on the "Broad Highway." He beckoned me to come to Him. Said He would free me from all sin. I shook my head and went astray boasting I'd turned Him away. He did not scorn as he left me there, but hung His head in anxious prayer. My sins were growing day by day, while I shunned the "Narrow Way." I oft ignored another's pain, for I was proud, and my heart was vain. But Jesus in His precious way, asked me again if I would pray. I resolutely turned from Him, while on my face there played a grin. Into the theatre he followed me. My bondaged soul He sought to free. He whispered, "If this place should burn, to Satan's abode your soul must turn." On the dance floor He found my side. Plead with my soul, "In Me abide." He said, "If lighting strikes this place then you could never see my face." O why did I not turn back there and come to Him with heart-felt prayer? Knew not in Him I could rejoice, but I heeded not his tender voice. At last my prayer was crushed with grief. To Christ I came to find relief. He pardoned my every wayward sin, then entered my soul to resign within. Now I am free and on my way to my Heavenly Home and Endless Day! To wear a starry Crown up there on the Streets of Gold, in a Mansion fair!

"Ye must be born again." (John 3:3) Read the entire 3rd chapter of John. Also read the entire 55th chapter of Isaiah and especially notice the 7th verse. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

(1 John 1:9)  Oh, let us humbly go down before God, pleading Jesus' blood to cover our sins, asking God's forgiveness and the forgiveness of those you wronged. Then will you hear from heaven and peace will come in, with God's pardon on your soul. Go and live for God and sin no more! Never be ashamed of Jesus! But confess Him before men!

David Campbell
Thursday May 16, 2002

A Prodigal's Return

 I (David Campbell) would like to give a testimony of the way I came to know the Lord Jesus Christ. I was born April 25, 1959 and born again on April 23, 1972. I was brought up in the Church and asked the Lord to come into my life and be the Lord of my life and to save me from my sins at the age of 13, on April 23, 1972. As I became older I drifted far from the Lord. I started partying with friends at school at the age of 17. Had to move out of my parents house at the age of 18 because I was too wild. I decided to join the Army after that in hopes it would help me. WRONG - it was like throwing gas on a fire. The partying became worse. After 3 years in the service I decided to get out and moved back home. Still partying and running from God (and preachers that would come to our house) yes I would go out the back door as they came in the front door. I actually thought that the Church was full of hypocrites and did not want any part of it. I ended up spending 3 days in jail for DUI and causing my parents more and more grief. Needless to say I was living a life that was not pleasing to the Lord.  I would rather tell what the Lord has done for me then to get into more details of the bad things I have done. I have a Christian Mother who prayed for me constantly. At the age of 26 I came to the end of my rope. I knew about Jesus and some of the Bible. I really did not want to be a Christian because I did not think I could be one and thought that it would stop all the fun I thought I was having. But by the grace of God, He brought several genuine Christian men into my life and they actually were full of the love of Christ. Imagine that, it was the fruit of the spirit in others that finally got my attention. This Christian thing was real not just and act I was living in a one bedroom apartment at this time by myself and knew I had to do something to get my life straightened out. I knelt down by my bed and told the Lord I wanted my life to change and I needed Him to help me. I ask Him to forgive me of my sins and ask Him to help me to live a life that was pleasing to Him. I told Him I could not do this on my own and I definitely would have to have His help. In November 1985 I rededicated my life to Jesus Christ. I wanted to tell people I was saved so I went forward at Church and told the Church publicly that I had repented wanted to rededicate my life to Jesus Christ. I also wanted to be baptized again because I was not sure I did it for the right reason the first time. I was baptized again to show my faith and obedience to Jesus Christ. Since then the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit has changed my life.  LIFE IS GOOD now that I know I am saved by the grace of God and the blood of the Lamb. I have had many days that the old self has shown its ugly face but it is great to know that Jesus died for my past, present and FUTURE sins. I am so glad the Lord changed me because I know I could not have done it myself. I still have a long way to go and know that I will never be perfect until the good shepherd takes me home to be with Him. I am presently trying to spend as much time as I can seeking the Savior as I know that the more time you spend with someone the more you will start acting like them.  I was and still am very excited and enthusiastic about the fact I am going to spend forever with the Lord Jesus Christ. The one that bought and paid for me with His very own blood. I look forward to the day that God will call His Church from this earth to be with Him. This encourages me every day as I think about it.  I am married. My wife (Pauli) and I have been married since December 5, 1986. We have a daughter named Carla and a son named Caleb. I praise the Lord for blessing me with my wife, daughter and son. He was merciful to send me such a help mate and wonderful family. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

A Prodigal Returned,

David Campbell

1 Timothy 1:12-16

"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life."