PERSONAL TESTIMONY OF PEOPLE ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH GOD
Up until the age of 25 I lived without any understanding that God even existed. I lived without love and in the sin of the world: alcohol, drugs, immoral sexuality, different occult practices, and abortions, with animosity, contempt, and mockery I even despised Christians. During this time, I did not search for God or even think about Him. One day God alone came to me, He revealed Himself to me in my heart as God and creator. God opened up His love to me and poured it into my heart, then I experienced His love, peace and indescribable joy. With this experience came the realization that I am a God’s child, I am his dear daughter and He will stay with me forever. God washed me clean of all of my sin, He forgave me and set me free from the power of Satan and his demons. I was washed completely clean and as white as an unwritten paper. At this time God started to heal my heart from hurts and the consequences of sin. In addition He was renewing my mind and my thinking. The Holy Spirit started to teach me, guide me and speak to me revealing God’s will for my life. I also notice that God started to work through and my life revealing His love for others. I witnessed God heal people and set them free as He called people to Himself, changing their lives also … God shaped me into a tool in his hand, a living witness of God himself. God is living in me! I notice that my heart is changing and becoming more like Christ’s. Jesus is my God and He loves me very much. Since I meet Jesus He has not stopped showing me His love which is giving me real joy. God is taking care of me; He stands faithfully by my side in times of trouble and worries. Furthermore God is bringing to me the solutions of life and blesses me everywhere and in everything. God’s ear is inclined towards me and he works in my life for my good, because of His love for me. On account of this love which God has shown me I am able to love in response. He is my life and I want to live for Him until the end of my days. All Glory and Honour to you – Jesus!
In March 2006 a friend invited me to a charismatic prayer group. With no great expectations I went to the meeting. I thought to myself, that this was just a prayer group, where people meet and prayed together, but nothing really happens in their lives. While I was sitting on the chair and listening to the worship I experienced God in a way I have never known or thought possible. The Lord touched me with such a power that tears started to stream down my face. In front of my eyes I saw all of my past, I saw the things that I did which I was not proud of. I asked God if he would forgive me, and He offered me a new start, a new life. With great joy I received God into my life, as Lord and Saviour. God, who I never knew personally, that night entered into my life and I realized that Jesus lives! After that night many bad habits just disappeared from my life. I was also healed from a sickness in my stomach and not only that, the Lord has performed many miracles and signs in my life. Not long ago I was helping in the winery. In the basement there was a large vessel and on it was the electric mill. I poured the grapes from the vessel into this steam machine. The vessel was already full of must (the juice expressed from the grapes) and crushed grape berries. With my hand I reached under the mill to mix the pile. Suddenly I felt in my hand some gentle shaking, so I quickly removed it. The thought came to my mind, "Check under the mill." When I looked under the mill I noticed that the cable and extension cord which the mill was plugged into were sunk into the must. The Lord saved me from death! Today, when I think of that event I can’t even imagine that on that day I could have died. However I didn’t because the Lord saved my life. He showed me that He is the FAITHFUL God. God never allows bad things to happen to those who trust in Him. He showed me about Psalm 91 "No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone." I firmly believe that every word which comes from the Lord’s mouth is for my life and yours dear reader and these will come true! If you trust God with your life, you won’t be disappointed! God will take care of you! The One who created everything that exists will not allow that you would be ashamed, because this is His promise for those who trust in Him.
When I was speaking with my friends last week, we were discussing the holiday season and talking about going to the sea together. During our conversation we quickly arrived at the subject of interest to most young people in the summer – parties! The discussion centered on parties and how to have the most fun in life. As we talked I remembered a friend of mine who most people considered very fortunate. She had all that a young person would want, opportunities to travel, she has a car, a nice apartment, she is pretty and has many friends. Yet one evening she called me and we went of a drink and talked together. While talking she recalled her problems to me. We enjoyed conversation for some time and at the end of our discussion she said, "Anita, I don’t know if I am the only one who feels this way. I have tried everything, I have everything, but I am still lonely. Do you have such difficulties also?" I took the opportunity to share with her about God. I told her, "Every person has a void in their hearts, which nothing else is able to fill – except God. No other person, no adventure, nor any party." In every thing that she was searching I saw that she was actually searching for God, although not realizing it. My friend told me that "Christianity is not for her," and just like many other people she repeated, "Christianity is a style of life. Christianity is when a person has to be calm, always responsible, serious and that parties can not be a part of his or her life. Church is a place of silence and peace," she said. However if Jesus and the Church would be like that, then I wouldn’t be attracted either. God doesn’t desire that we have no fun, rather on the contrary, He crated fun.