shareyourstorynow.org

My son, the angel

Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.

[ Psalm 27:10 (NIV)]

Agnes says:

After losing my only son (Prince Shem) who died on 10th May 2010 at the age of six months, I thought that life wouldn’t continue, because at that time I could not understand the purpose for of living. I longed to commit suicide, and involved myself in drugs and drinking so that I could be relieved of the incredible sadness. Even though I suffered a great deal of emotional frustration and anxiety during my pregnancy, as my child was the result of my then boyfriend raping me, my son’s birth turned that darkness to REAL LIGHT.

My son was my pride and joy, my everything! After a great deal of heartache involving my Son’s father, who left me for another woman, my son’s father started to visit us, which really filled my heart with love. Unfortunately, a great deal of pain and sadness was about to be brought into my life, and a drastic change in my life occurred. I was at work, just like any other day, and I received a call from my brother who told me to come to the hospital immediately. When I arrived, I found my son lying there, dead. I was beside myself, and all I could do was scream, “Why God? Why?!” Later I found out that while my son was being fed porridge, the food went down his throat in the wrong direction, causing his airway to be blocked.

It has been hard but through verses such as Psalm 27:10, I have been strong, knowing that the creator is the taker, he was only my gift for a short time. And God has a reason for taking him away. I always believe He needed more angels and my son was one of the best.

Never question God. He always has a reason.

//From the SYSN Admin: What heartaches has God brought you through? Please comment on Agnes’s heart wrenching story, and also Share YOUR story with us here: http://shareyourstorynow.org/share

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Circle of Prayer

Circle of Prayer is a ministry of the American Bible Society, a Christian ministry that has been engaging people with the life-changing message of God’s Word for nearly 200 years.

Also check out our Bible Search and Scripture journeys tools.

Story posted on Thursday, August 26th, 2010 and is filed under Death, Drugs & Alcohol, Your Stories, Suicide. | 1 Comment »

I can do ALL things through Christ

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

[ Philippians 4:13 (KJV)]

Cat says:

I spent 20 odd years on and off the streets, in numerous addictions, and a continual victim of domestic violence, co-dependency, and in sexual immorality. Through it all I always heard from others about how strong I must be to survive all the things I have survived. Two years ago I was broken in every sense of the word. I rededicated my life to Christ and Thanks to Him, I have overcome all that afflicted my being.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me as it says in Philippians 4:13.

//From the SYSN Admin: Please keep cat in your prayers. What verses of hope and words of encouragement can you offer? Comment on Cat’s uplifting story of overcoming sin, and also Share YOUR story with us here: http://shareyourstorynow.org/share

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Circle of Prayer

Circle of Prayer is a ministry of the American Bible Society, a Christian ministry that has been engaging people with the life-changing message of God’s Word for nearly 200 years.

Also check out our Bible Search and Scripture journeys tools.

Story posted on Thursday, August 12th, 2010 and is filed under Drugs & Alcohol, Your Stories, Struggles, Overcoming sin. | 1 Comment »

My Complete Surrender to God

God raised the Lord from death, and he will also raise us by his power.

[ 1 Corinthians 6:14 (GNT)]

Laura Sue says:

The Lord has opened my eyes. I was a sinner and have recently come to Christ after my husband passed away. I was on my knees and have now been saved. The joy and happiness that now graces my life is unbelievable. This is occurred only through my complete surrender to God.

I was blind but He has opened my eyes and shown me His love and mercy. I have come to believe and I have been blessed with gifts that I have never expected. The Grace of God is working miracles in my life. In can say that I am truly a child of God! My shame and guilt has been lifted and I am free. Free to worship my God with no reservations. His love for me is unconditional. I spread His Word and share my experiences with the world. I was an addict and alcoholic…the weight of that sin has been lifted from me.

Thank you for letting me share. God bless everyone who has shared their stories, we are all gifts from God!!!

//From the SYSN Admin: Have you surrendered your life to God yet? Comment on Laura Sue’s amazing story, and also Share YOUR story with us here: http://shareyourstorynow.org/share

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Circle of Prayer

Circle of Prayer is a ministry of the American Bible Society, a Christian ministry that has been engaging people with the life-changing message of God’s Word for nearly 200 years.

Also check out our Bible Search and Scripture journeys tools.

Story posted on Thursday, August 12th, 2010 and is filed under Drugs & Alcohol, Your Stories. | 1 Comment »

Sin Ate My Life

And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.

[ Joel 2:25-26 (KJV)]

Michael says:

Sin ate 36 years of my life! The cankerworm was alcohol, and the caterpillar my sin nature which kept me chained to the booze. The palmerworm was the evil spirit I let into my body. The army was the events God let me face as a consequence for my desires and actions.

I wanted to retire from the US Navy, but by I had 8 years in due to setting a fire on board the carrier Kennedy while highly intoxicated and drugged up. I was given a bad conduct discharge and brig time. I was married for 13 years and have 2 children, all born again…I wavered in my walk and let the booze and drugs rule me. My marriage ended in divorce in 2002. For 8 more years I lived in sin and looking back I find that while walking upright with Christ Jesus, life was good. But when I turned from Him, I lost everything!

Now he has given me a 2 story apartment, brand new furniture and a monthly income…is my walk constant now like Enoch? No, but I long for it to be. I pray the Holy Spirit cleans my house and restoration takes place, and that I freely give thanks to the lord. I pray that I don’t concentrate on being ashamed of my past, but rejoice in Christ!

Please keep me in your prayers! Grace n peace to all who read this.

//From the SYSN Admin: What verses of hope and words of encouragement can you offer Michael? Comment on his powerful story, and also Share YOUR story with us here: http://shareyourstorynow.org/share

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Circle of Prayer

Circle of Prayer is a ministry of the American Bible Society, a Christian ministry that has been engaging people with the life-changing message of God’s Word for nearly 200 years.

Also check out our Bible Search and Scripture journeys tools.

Story posted on Friday, August 6th, 2010 and is filed under Drugs & Alcohol, Your Stories, Divorce & Marital Conflict, Struggles. | 2 Comments »

I will NOT be afraid!

In him I trust, and I will not be afraid. What can a mere human being do to me?

[ PSALM 56:11(GNT)]

Deborah says:

After years of being deceived, abused and mistreated, I had no one else to turn but to God. Since turning to Him, He alone has healed my pain of past situations, and continues to give me the strength to go through and overcome every trial I face.

So today I know if God is for me then who can stand against me? As Isaiah 54:17 (KJV) says, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.”

I have learned to forgive others and myself and to place GOD above all. Today I know mercy, today I know grace, and today I know forgiveness. I may not always succeed at being my best but I am always praying and seeking the wisdom from Him. Above all it is His Love that I lacked, and having a relationship with God accepting His word as truth unconditionally. Trusting Him, fearing Him, Loving Him and obeying Him.

//From the SYSN Admin: What have you been through in your life that has brought you closer to God? Comment on Deborah’s touching story, and also Share YOUR story with us!

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Circle of Prayer

Circle of Prayer is a ministry of the American Bible Society, a Christian ministry that has been engaging people with the life-changing message of God’s Word for nearly 200 years.

Also check out our Bible Search and Scripture journeys tools.

Story posted on Thursday, August 5th, 2010 and is filed under Hope, Drugs & Alcohol, Your Stories, Divorce & Marital Conflict, Struggles. | 2 Comments »

From Hinduism to Christian Pastor

Those who know you, LORD, will trust you; you do not abandon anyone who comes to you.

[ Psalm 9:10]

I, John David was a born in a Hindu family, in the village of srungavruksham, Thandangi Mandal, East Godavari District Andhra Pradesh, South India. My whole family worshipped the Idol Pakka. We did not know anything concerning Jesus Christ. I was used to drinking Alcohol and smoking and other things that led to such terrible wrongs that all village people were saying that I was a very bad man. I never listened to my father when he advised me of the right things to do. One day a pastor came to my village and he was preaching the word of God. It was door to door evangelism giving cottage prayers and conducting crusade meetings.

One day pastor approached at me, and talked about The Word, but I actually fought him and told him I had no interest in Christ, and instead enjoyed my bad habits. Then, through misfortune, my father became sick in 1996. Un-able to provide proper care for my father due to the extreme poverty in my village, my father passed away the same year. It was too much mourn, too difficult to confront. During that the same pastor approached, when everyone else in my village had written me off, and he gave me comfort and said a Bible verse. From that day forward I was with the pastor in God’s ministry everyday. I used to read Bible once a day in the early morning, and one day I came across Ps. 118:8, which touched my heart. I left my job and dedicated my life to the Christ ministry. I had taken Baptism in 1997, and soon went to Bangalore for B.Th., studies in 2001, and after my studies I came back to my birthplace. I got married, and started to establish church ministries, praying to God everyday for guidance.

One particular instance, we prayed and fasted for 5 days & nights, and God showed us his vision on 4th day. We were to visit a place a small town which was a modern-day Sodom & Gomorrah. We visited door to door but people were saying that already 6 pastors left from the place because of the town’s use of filthy language, public beatings, harlotry, witch craft, pakka idolatry and fornication of all types. We went by confidence in God by faith, doing Gods ministry independently without any support organization.

We rented a hut that acted as a Church where we ran a Sunday school, fasting & prayer every Friday, and all night prayers once a month. By the Grace of God we are now up to 40 Church members, conducting cottage prayers and crusades. God is doing mighty miracles among the sick people of the village. We are given Baptism (Immersion) by father, son and Holy Spirit.

Your faithful servant
Pastor D. John David

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Circle of Prayer

Circle of Prayer is a ministry of the American Bible Society, a Christian ministry that has been engaging people with the life-changing message of God’s Word for nearly 200 years.

Also check out our Bible Search and Scripture journeys tools.

Story posted on Saturday, July 24th, 2010 and is filed under Hope, Drugs & Alcohol, Your Stories, Evangelization, Overcoming sin. | 2 Comments »

God Bailed Me Out

This hope does not disappoint us, for God has poured out his love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift to us.

[ Romans 5:5 (GNT)]

Beverlynn says:

God saved my life, when I was sent to jail by a lady I’ll call, Judge LW. She sent me to a SUS place for people with mental illnesses who were on doctor medication and couldn’t say off street drugs. Boy, was I angry with this lady! But in the end I realized that it was not her fault. If I wasn’t on street drugs in the first place I would not have been sent to jail.

I got my life together, and now I am ten years clean. I have a job, a home and a better lifestyle. I still have seizures and other medical problems but the only medication I take is the seizure medication ONLY because seizures hurt especially badly when you don’t know they are near. God has been an awesome God to me. He gave me a new dream and a new chance with life.

I never would have thought that I would be able to get off SSI even though they say I owed 7,753.00. I owed the fire department for ambulance service when my chest was hurting from stressing and worry about things I could not change by myself. These problems are still in my life BUT the stress isn’t.

I tell people that I am still, and will always be working on my recovery. I have been to Albany, NY a number of times to tell my story…of how the depression had me in its grip. But that now I don’t even take the medication, because when God gave me a job at the age of 52 I got better with my mind.

I didn’t realize how much I missed working. I am a better person because I have a higher power in my life that wakes me up in the morning and goes with me to work at night. I have not looked back since. I have gratitude in my life, and I am happy because my mother and father are still alive. Even though my dad is in the fourth stage of Alzheimer’s, at least my mother still knows and recognizes me, and that is what counts right now. Praise God.

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Circle of Prayer

Circle of Prayer is a ministry of the American Bible Society, a Christian ministry that has been engaging people with the life-changing message of God’s Word for nearly 200 years.

Also check out our Bible Search and Scripture journeys tools.

Story posted on Friday, June 18th, 2010 and is filed under Hope, God's Love, Drugs & Alcohol, Your Stories. | No Comments »

Jesus was the cure to my Addictions

Thus saith the Lord God; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded.

[ EZEKIEL 36:33 (KJV)]

Jodie says:

I stumbled down a road of despair; felt that my voice couldn’t be heard thru the layer of labels & paperwork that grew endlessly in my file each year. Files under the feelings and actions of depression, self mutilation, drugs and even prostitution… What struggle are you facing? – You’re not alone, I’ve been there.

Can u relate in any way? Have u ever felt anger, fear, or hate?

I turned my back on society in a heart beat because I grew sick & tired of people. I decided no-one else was gonna have any control or say. You know how it is: you get a hurt a few times & put the walls up so high within, no one can see in… Yet they are up so high up you can’t see over them either.

I lost track of time as addictions took over, demons had me tripping up everywhere, running in circles from everything & everyone… that’s the game u begin to play, but I never knew- theres no way out, nothing to gain.

At 19 yrs old I woke up & realized I had a choice- Jesus was that choice. Jesus had died on the cross for my sins & in Him I could find peace… I gave God my life, asked Jesus for forgiveness and slowly but surely things in my life started to change. I got to reading the Bible, talking to Jesus thru out each day through prayer, and hope has filled my heart, love & compassion overflowing- freedom came.

What I can say today without question is that you need Jesus in your life today! ONLY He can set you free from your pain.

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Circle of Prayer

Circle of Prayer is a ministry of the American Bible Society, a Christian ministry that has been engaging people with the life-changing message of God’s Word for nearly 200 years.

Also check out our Bible Search and Scripture journeys tools.

Story posted on Friday, June 4th, 2010 and is filed under Drugs & Alcohol, Hope, Your Stories, Evangelization, Grace, Overcoming sin. | No Comments »

Comfort in Life’s Circumstances

The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in fields of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water. He gives me new strength. He guides me in the right paths, as he has promised.

[Psalm 23:1-3]

Carolyn K. says:
This verse provides me with spiritual comfort. It lets me know that God is with me in any
situation. That He is guiding me and my life. That all situations involves Him and that even
if it is one of darkness, that He will protect and guide me through.

This verse has impacted me through the suicide deaths of two of my teenage sons, through a residential fire, divorce, estranged relationships with children, loss of jobs, estrangements from
extended family members because I chose to leave a life of worldliness.

Of being alone and not having those you love to support the direction I’ve decided to live in the Lord.
And that through all this and much more, because I’ve turned my will and life over to God’s care and protection, Ive remained sober and dedicated to the Lord since 1982. And have tried to encourage others to seek and have a relationship with God. That to do so, will both change the person and their lives.

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Circle of Prayer

Circle of Prayer is a ministry of the American Bible Society, a Christian ministry that has been engaging people with the life-changing message of God’s Word for nearly 200 years.

Also check out our Bible Search and Scripture journeys tools.

Story posted on Thursday, March 18th, 2010 and is filed under Hope, Death, Drugs & Alcohol, Your Stories, Suicide, Divorce & Marital Conflict. | No Comments »

Christ gives victory over addictions

They won the victory over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the truth which they proclaimed; and they were willing to give up their lives and die.

[Revelation 12:11 GNT]

Nick J. says:

This verse has definitely impacted my life after knowing Jesus’ loving nature and power. I have been delivered from a 10 year drug addiction since coming to know Christ as my Lord and savior through the Teen Challenge program and my church.

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Circle of Prayer

Circle of Prayer is a ministry of the American Bible Society, a Christian ministry that has been engaging people with the life-changing message of God’s Word for nearly 200 years.

Also check out our Bible Search and Scripture journeys tools.

Story posted on Monday, January 25th, 2010 and is filed under Drugs & Alcohol, Your Stories. | 1 Comment »