shareyourstorynow.org

From Homelessness to Salvation

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

[Philippians 4:13 NIV]

Richard H. writes:

I am a 56-year-old divorced man living in Florida.

I had a really messed up childhood, starting at the age of 3, when I was adopted. I felt unloved and unwanted from the very beginning, which resulted in a lot of trouble at school, in the service, and in my marriage of 12 years to my high school sweetheart, who divorced me in 1979.

I could not hold down a job. Every job I would get I would get fired or quit for one reason or another — but the real reason was drugs and alcohol.

Eventually I lost my apartment because I could not pay rent and ended up being on the street homeless. I stayed that way for 4 years.

I thought my life was over, and I contemplated suicide many times, but I didn’t want to go to hell so I decided against it. But I was extremely miserable and had no friends.

I finally got out of the homeless camp and broke into a warehouse, where I lived in a 12×12 room.

One night I was sitting outside my warehouse, drunk as could be, when a man leaving the corner bar came walking down my street. As he approached, I saw myself in him.

This part is hard to explain, but I will do the best I can. As he got closer, I started to weep and I cried out, “God! Help me! I cannot keep going this way! Just take me out of here! I don’t want to live any more!”

And for 20 minutes or so I wept on my knees till I was exhausted. Then I got up and flopped myself down on the old broken-down couch I used for a bed and drifted off to sleep.

At six o’clock in the morning, I was awakened by someone calling my name, “Richard, Richard, Richard, you
must stop drinking, you must stop smoking, and you must go back to church.”

And as he said that, a feeling of warm liquid flowed through my body, starting from my head to the bottoms of my feet, and I yelled out, “Thank you, Jesus!”

I knew instantly that Jesus Christ had healed me, and this was before I knew what any of this meant. But I knew that I would never need drugs or alcohol ever again! I knew it!

He put a love into me so amazing that there are no words to express it. He totally turned my whole life around.

I put my trust in him and asked him to lead me to the church he wanted me to be a member of, and he did. I asked him to find me a home and a job, and he did.

And the good news is I have never looked back. I have the same job and go to the same church that he led me to.

But that is not the best news. The best news is I know where I am going now when I leave this world — I’m going to heaven. And I know why I am here, and it’s to serve him — and I do with all my heart.

He is real! And if you don’t know him, I implore you to get to know him. He waits for you with open arms. He will be the best friend you will ever have, and he loves you very much.

God bless you! And thank you for taking the time to read my testimony.

And if you know of anyone who needs to hear this, please don’t wait! Send it to them. This might be the last chance they will have to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal savior.

Story posted on Friday, May 9th, 2008 and is filed under Drugs & Alcohol, Loneliness, Praise, God's Love, Hope, Your Stories, Conversions, Grace, Struggles, Divorce & Marital Conflict, Suicide, Life Verse. | 1 Comment »

Homeless But Not Hopeless

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

[Romans 8:38-39 NIV]

Michael W. writes:

I am one of three men in Raleigh, NC, who are true life miracles of God’s undying love for us all.

In March of last year, we three were singing on the streets of downtown Raleigh when approached by a cameraman from WTVD 11 ABC, who asked if he could film us singing, and we said sure.

From there it led to two big stories, aired by the news station’s anchor Barbara Gibbs.

Here’s a brief update about us from the local ABC news website: “Homeless Singers On the Road to Success.”

Since that time, we have appeared on numerous programs and in churches. At one point, I was contacted by the producers of The Ellen Degeneres Show. They had received an email I sent them about us, and they may be flying us to Hollywood to have us sing on their show … we’re just waiting on one more phone call.

This is all so unbelieveable!

I mean it taught us all that God will use whom he will to do his will.

One thing that blesses us the most is the magnitude with which we are blessed when we bless others with our voices.

It is so beautiful, and it reassures us that absolutely nothing will ever seperate us from the love of God, which is in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Story posted on Friday, May 2nd, 2008 and is filed under Hope, God's Love, Praise, Your Stories, Verses. | 2 Comments »

Downhere: Lay Down Your Life [1:14]

You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.

[John 13:33 NIV]

Glenn Lavender from downhere talks about the importance of John 13:13 - laying down your life for your friends.

Story posted on Thursday, May 1st, 2008 and is filed under downhere, God's Love, Bible, Video Stories, Verses. | 1 Comment »

Sean Smith: God is Faithful [3:25]

For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

[1 Thessalonians 5:2 NIV]

Sean Smith shares about his CD, Real. Sean says God realizes that we aren’t “good enough,” but he calls us because he is faithful and is who he is.

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Story posted on Thursday, April 24th, 2008 and is filed under Sean Smith, God's Love, Bible, Video Stories, Verses. | 1 Comment »

Michael Olson: Song Based on Scripture [3:04]

the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the LORD, saying, “Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good; his love endures forever.” For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,’ says the LORD.

[Jeremiah 33:11 NIV]

Michael Olson shares about some of his songs from his latest album, and how they are based on Scripture. He shares some interesting insights from Jeremiah

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Story posted on Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008 and is filed under Michael Olson, God's Love, Bible, Video Stories, Verses. | No Comments »

God Can Use Sickness for His Glory

When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

[John 11:4 KJV]

Kim I. writes:

God can take sickness and use it for His glory. He can take the trials of life and turn it for good, no matter what the problem or circumstances. God is bigger and able to use it and you to bring glory to himself.

For 18 years I was strung out on crack cocaine. I was half way out of my mind and just about to give up all hope of being delivered.

My family was tired of me and shutting me out of their lives. I even had grown tired of myself. I remember crying and asking God if He could do anything for me!

I was sick. I was tired mentally and physically.

Then one day when I went to go purchase some drugs, I got into a heated argument with the dealer and was shot in the chest at point-blank range with a 38 caliber hand gun.

As I was driving away to get help, blood was running everywhere and I knew I was dying. At that moment I began to call on Jesus to save me! I asked Him to come into my life. I was scared of going to hell!

I passed out and woke up in the hospital with the bullet laying near the lower vertebrate of my spine. After seventeen days in the hospital, the doctor released me in this condition.

My sister picked me up and took me to church, where I received prayer. Four hours after getting home, I began to cough. And on the third cough, I felt something hit me in the mouth. It was the bullet! Hallelujah!!

I thank the Lord for Jesus … not just for the miracle of healing and deliverance, but for the miracle of salvation!

This sickness was not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby!

Story posted on Friday, April 11th, 2008 and is filed under Bible, God's Love, Hope, Praise, Drugs & Alcohol, Struggles, Conversions, Your Stories, God's Sovereignty. | 3 Comments »

Sienna: God’s Plan [0:50]

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

[Jeremiah 29:11 NIV]

Sienna shares how she had to trust that God had everything under control when she was struggling to keep a full time job and enter her singing ministry at the same time.

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Story posted on Friday, April 11th, 2008 and is filed under Sienna, God's Love, Bible, Video Stories. | 1 Comment »

God Delivered Me From Alcoholism

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

[Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV]

A. Clark writes:

My story is of God’s deliverance, healing power and restoration in my life. It’s about his love.

God delivered me from 20 years of alcoholism and pornography. Between 1985 and 2005 I was just out there. I always had a good job, and some people thought I was a nice guy (they didn’t know). But, I was always high or drunk.

As I look back, there was no real stability in any area of my life. John chapter 15 helped me understand what I was missing.

In August of 2007, I started feeling very tired; I was unable to conduct my regular activities and started having chest pains.

In September I went in to see my doctor. My EKG and stress test came back negative. With the symptoms continuing, the doctor suggested that an angiogram be performed because my symptoms sounded like a heart attack.

Their findings were that two arteries of my heart were blocked. A main artery was 99% blocked and the second, a smaller artery, had 80% blockage. My doctor described my situation as, “A major heart attack waiting to happen at any time.”

Stents were used to open up the arteries. There was no heart damage. The doctors’ explanation of why I didn’t have a heart attack was because of a collateral circulation that took place within me.

Collateral circulation?? Collateral circulation provides alternate routes of blood flow to the heart in cases when the heart isn’t getting the blood supply it needs.

The Doctor told me that I was lucky. I told him “No!!! That’s God!!!”

A Life of abundance has been given to all that will receive it through Jesus Christ. All sickness – healed. No more of the walking dead. The darkness can be lifted.

John 14:12-15: I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. If you love me, you will obey what I command.

Restoration of my relationships, opportunities, dreams, hopes, purpose and health has begun. I thank God I’m getting to KNOW Him more and discovering, developing and distributing my God-given gifts/talents and becoming all that He intended me to be.

Story posted on Wednesday, April 9th, 2008 and is filed under Bible, God's Love, Hope, Praise, Drugs & Alcohol, Verses, Conversions, Your Stories, Struggles. | 2 Comments »

Alex Ellis: Fearfully and Wonderfully Made [2:25]

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

[Psalm 139:14 NIV]

Alex Ellis shares how Psalm 139:14 impacted his life as he struggled with self esteem and insecurity - learning that God has made him in His image.

Story posted on Tuesday, April 8th, 2008 and is filed under God's Love, Bible, Video Stories, Christian Families, Life Verse. | 1 Comment »

I'm Moved By Jesus' Compassion

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”

[Matthew 9:35-37 NIV]

Michael D. writes:

All through the gospel I see Jesus’ compassion for everyone.

When Jesus used the analogy between sheep and Shepherds, it reminded me of myself. I was lost and wandering, completely lost. My life was so empty.

One day I found myself on my knees, praying for forgiveness. As I looked up to the sky, the clouds formed two distinct hands. I knew right there and then that God welcomed me home. I am so grateful that Jesus’ compassion for all of us is real.

Today I’m in the candidacy phase of becoming a pastor. I love the Lord so much.

I have only one regret, and that is I should have answered the call Jesus put on my life so many years ago. I can say with all certainty that nobody will ever take God out of my life.

Story posted on Monday, April 7th, 2008 and is filed under God's Love, Praise, Your Stories, Conversions, Verses. | 1 Comment »