Brian's testimony continued...

Brian

In February 2006, I asked Jesus to come into my life...

My employers were very patient with me; there were times when I was off work brought on by my lifestyle and times when I felt like I was losing the will to live, never mind go to my job, but their patience was running out. I needed help, again a gentle "Jesus is the answer" plea came from people, but still I put barriers up. One said, "I can't stop you going your own way Brian, but you can't stop me praying for you" - Something else I never forgot.

After being in hospital, my doctor started me on medication for depression and I felt a bit better for a while, I worked hard and amazingly I was promoted at work to run a department and be in charge of fourteen staff. This made me feel good because I had always felt a failure in life. So, my children were happy, I had a decent job where I felt important and my depression was being helped. Again I tried to convince myself that "this is it, I am fine now", but no, it wasn’t enough. I felt empty and lonely, always had to look for a buzz somewhere, and was drinking a lot.

My son and his mum had been going to King's Community Church here in town and they told me they had "got Jesus in their lives" - that spooked me out! I saw a real difference in them, especially my ex-partner she was much happier. They kept inviting me to go but I kept making excuses, but they never took no for an answer praise God, I was nervous, but I went. I met some smashing people and had a laugh and joke - didn’t expect that in church! There was a great music band and there was dancing...what!!! There was also a serious message from the preacher that Jesus Christ died on the cross to save the sins of mankind and we are all sinners. That Jesus is alive today, and is coming again to gather those who have accepted Him as their Saviour; the Bible says this is the only way of going to heaven and not hell when we die or He returns - whichever comes first. Jesus loves us so much, no matter what we’ve done, how bad we think we are, if we humble ourselves He will forgive us and make us clean before God. "Wow", I thought, "even me". The preacher said, "it's not God's will for any one to perish, and if you are sitting on a chair here today, He’s calling you with open arms".

February 2006 I stopped fighting that calling and I asked Jesus to come into my life - no interrogation in a dimly lit room for hours, no knowledge test, I simply sat with a believing friend and from my heart told God I was sorry for everything and asked would He now save me and help me live for Him. He did; I felt clean and a peace like never before and He has been with me ever since. The changes began in my life that I was worried about in the past: yes I gave things up - heavy drinking that made me feel sick every morning, lying, fretting, when I look back now I wasn’t having fun anyway!

In John 16:33 Jesus said, "in this world you will have troubles, but fear not I have overcome the world". I stand on that word today - I have troubles, like so many others I have had long periods of unemployment amongst other issues, but instead of turning to the bottle or other things, I turn to the one who when He rose from the grave, defeated and overcame death, grief, depression, loneliness, insecurity, everything.

I wasted years running from God; by His grace and mercy I have the chance now to tell others about His amazing love for us. If you are reading this and you don’t know Jesus, don’t waste another day, get the peace, the purpose in your life and the eternal promise I have today.

  • This week's word...

  • "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another."

    [John 13:34-35, NIV]

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