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Manny Montes: Passion for His Word [1:11]

O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant

[2 Samuel 7:28 NIV]

Reggaetonero Manny Montes shares with us his passion for the Bible

Story posted on Friday, June 26th, 2009 and is filed under God's Love, Hope, Manny Montes, Bible, Video Stories, Overcoming sin, Praise, Life Verse. | No Comments »

He Protected Me When No One Else Could

Our LORD and our God, you are my mighty rock, my fortress, my protector.

[2 Samuel 22:2 CEV]

Aggie writes:

I was adopted when I was six and raised in a Christian home. I started to stray from the Lord little by little.

I had a lot happen to me through out my life. I will be 28 in just a couple of months. I have been married now for the third time, been through all of abuse you could think of, recovered as an alcoholic, was raped. One lie led to another. I passed bad checks (and was caught after running for about one year), stole (and was caught after awhile), the list was endless.

I then re-married in September 2008. Then my husband was not brought up as a Christian; but was a Christian when I had met him. We started to go to Church the last Sunday in November 2008.

During that time I was asking why am I going to church, I have done so much wrong in my life and don’t deserve to be here. I kept asking myself this, but by the third time we had visited the church I had left all of my sins at the alter. I asked God, “please Lord if you are still there for me and forgive me prove it to me.” I needed comforting and reassuring.

I waited and waited. On January 22, 2009 around, my family and I came around a bin. The road was clear up to that point-but then snow covered with no warning of ice underneath. The front was fine at first but the back went spinning around like lighting. I tried to bring it out of the first spin; but then I heard a voice take hold of the wheel and hold tight.

I closed my eyes after seeing my three children. The kids and I had our seatbelts on, but my husband did not. There is a creek on one side with less trees and then the other side. Praise the Lord He protected us all. We should have all been dead in that wreck.

God put us in the deepest and widest part of the creek with less trees. We were upside down in a cold icey creek. We lost the back window and both the driver windows. The windshield my husband hit with his head.

I had not realized there was a guy out on the road ready to help. I shoved my husband out of the car, then I got the kids and handed them to him. We had a 2ton floor jack in the back, a gallon of milk, a 24 pack of soda, some food, bunch of tools–which all of this missed us.

When I had opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was my wedding band and knew right then all was ok. That night I began to hear the Lord. I fought with Satan up to March 29, 2009. That was the test the Lord gave me.

The Lord never left me, but got me through the time of being tested by Satan. On March 29, 2009 at church that part of the verse just glued to me and it is the first time in my life that I remember a verse!! I am now laid my life back at the alter that Sunday at Church and said Lord–take me and use me for I am ready for what ever comes my way.

Story posted on Thursday, June 4th, 2009 and is filed under Praise, Drugs & Alcohol, Bible, God's Love, Hope, Your Stories, Struggles, Overcoming sin, Grace, God's Sovereignty, Christian Families, Life Verse. | 1 Comment »

Jesus Always Loved Me

” I have died, but Christ lives in me. And I now live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me. “

[Galatians 2:20 CEV]

Victoria writes:

I wanted to share with you my story I was born again 19 years ago, you may use my story how you wish or just read and delete.

Adopted at 12 months old, to parents who were more dysfunctional then most. My father was a career drug addict and my mom would tell me how much she didn’t like me. My father did love me till I was about 7 then he delved more and more into his drug cocoon to escape the wife he did not love. There was a lot of emotional, mental and physical abuse. They adopted another child a boy and a year later she gave birth to a son. I ran away the first time when I was 11 years old.

At 12 I was taken away and put in a foster home, at 13 I ran away and lived on the streets of Oceanside California, where at 13 I was raped by 7 men, became a drug addict and drank whenever possible. At 16 I tried to commit suicide, at 17 I got married to get off the streets we moved to Maine. Unfortunately he was an abusive madman, so again I ran away. I joined a traveling carnival to escape certain death.

At 19 I was strangled and left for dead, at 20 I was locked up in the house of a drug dealer who striped me of any self esteem I ever had……I wanted to die………..at 22 I ran off with a man and found myself in Washington where again I was surrounded by drugs. The mother of my boyfriend at that time invited me to go to church with her, I agreed to go, I can’t tell you what the singers sang nor what the sermon was about but I remember as soon as the preacher started preaching I started uncontrollably crying and I didn’t know why. In my life I had tried everything from white Magic, Buddhism, and Jehovah Witness. In Washington I met a man named John, who like me was just as lost, but boy was he the most handsome man I ever met.

At the age of 23 I hated the life I was living and I knew there had to be more to this life then what I was living! So John and I set out with nothing but the clothes on our backs…We bid farewell to the lies, the drugs, the pit of emptiness that we lived in, and we had a plan we were going to hitch hike to California then to New York and start a new life…………Well we made our way to a lil town in Northern California by Redding, and while waiting for our next ride we noticed an elderly couple sitting in a car marked “Caution Wide Load” we thought nothing of it.

The old man got out of the car came over to us and asked us if we knew Jesus. I told him “I’m cool with Jesus” and John said “I’m mad at God for letting my father die in my arms.” He told us God loves us and cares about us, the old man introduced himself as Russell Mc Connell and his wife he told us was named Carol. We told him our story and our plans, he asked us to come to his house for a home cooked meal before we left town (John wanted to visit his Grandpa that lived not to far from where we were at) We told him we may do that. Russell gave us some money to eat so we went to the dinner near by ate then caught our next ride.

Things did not go well with John’s grandpa, so we left and slept under a bridge and the next day decided to call Russell and Carole, they took us in and fed us, they shared the gospel with us and that night we went to church with them. I was so into what I heard, like my heart was drinking in all that was said, but John was not comfortable he walked out and I noticed that 3 or 4 of the young men about our age followed John out of the church, later I found out they talked to John and prayed with him and ministered to him. The next thing I knew both John and I were kneeling and asking God to forgive us of our sins and to accept us as His own. I totally believed that Jesus was who they said He was.

Two days later John and I were married and then we were baptized. We were like little sponges soaking up Gods word. Three months later Johns’ bronchiolar tube clasped and he went into cardiac arrest, John was 23 years old. He was rushed to the hospital were he was D.O.A., but they revived him and he was on life support where he laid for 3 days. On the third day they stopped the machine and I watched him die for the last time, as he breathed his last breath, a peace flooded me and I knew he was in the arms of the Savior.

Later I spoke to Russell and as we looked back on everything we could see God’s hand everywhere, Russell told me that the day he met us he was called out for a job that’s why he was there, but the load never showed at the meeting area, and the night before he met us he was at church where he heard the Pastor preach on reaching out to strangers…….I am a child of the Living God washed and cleaned by the shed blood of Jesus and set apart. God is so amazing and He loved me before I ever knew Him. I am now part of a family that will never let me go or turn their back on me. I am so thankful to be part of God’s amazing saving grace.

Story posted on Thursday, March 26th, 2009 and is filed under Bible, Praise, God's Love, Hope, Death, Drugs & Alcohol, Your Stories, Grace, Overcoming sin, God's Sovereignty, Struggles, Evangelization, Life Verse. | 4 Comments »

Confronting My Weakness

“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery…I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

[Galatians 5:19,21 CEV]

Cordero writes:

The flesh is weak. Those few words have impacted me so much.

I am a teenage boy always trying to live as a strong man of God. I accepted Jesus Christ as our savior and the son of God many years ago, but the devil has placed major sins in my life, one of them being pornogrpahy.

Struggling with this for at least two years now, I’m beginning to understand how the devil works. He pulls the flesh in through a simple image. This sparks the flesh to search for more. Once the devil has the flesh far enough over the will, he brings in disgust. There is a point where the flesh becomes less sexually appealed, and begins to be self-abusive. Guilt. Disgust. Embarressment. All works of the devil.

How are we to overcome this? KNOW, that the flesh is weak. Though we may stumble, we are children of God. What more to life do we need? There is no need for guilt. We are so blessed with this.

These terrible images and pornography are not who we are. This is the flesh. We are men and women of God. We could have nothing, but have everything. The devil can try, and try, and try, but he will not obtain us. God is stronger and so are we. Praise the Lord for He is life.

The devil targets those he know will be great in God and will do whatever it takes to bring us down, but the knowledge that I am a child of God brings me peace in knowing that the devil will never obtain me and I will forever be directed by God. May our spirits succeed in Him. Amen.

Story posted on Monday, February 2nd, 2009 and is filed under Bible, Hope, Your Stories, Prayer, Overcoming sin, Struggles, Life Verse. | No Comments »

Keeping My Focus On God

“Carefully guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life.”

[Proverbs 4:23 CEV]

Jaime writes:

This is my favorite Bible verse because every day I wish I could date this awesome guy (who just happens to be my best friend), and I’m only 14. So whenever I am tempted, I think of this verse and God tells me to let it go and live my life the way He wants me to live it. And boys are not important at my age. Because the more I think about boys, the more I am distracted. And whenever I am distracted, I loose focus from God. And God wants me to lie my whole life for Him. He doesn’t want me to love Him on the side, He wants me to love him all the way!

Story posted on Thursday, January 29th, 2009 and is filed under God's Love, Hope, Bible, Your Stories, Overcoming sin, Christian Families, Life Verse. | No Comments »

No Matter What I Could Call Upon The Lord

“All who call out to the Lord shall be saved.”

[Romans 10:13 CEV]

Janet writes:

This verse is awesome, it has no boundaries! It really has impacted my life because it reads. WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Meaning I was able to come to Jesus just as I was! And at the time I was deeply involved in the Occult.

Story posted on Friday, January 23rd, 2009 and is filed under Praise, Your Stories, Bible, God's Love, Hope, Conversions, Evangelization, Overcoming sin, Grace, God's Sovereignty, Struggles, Life Verse. | No Comments »

Through the Jungle

“give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

[1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV]

Felix writes:

Walking through the jungle all alone. Surrounded by animals on all sides. Walking faster to escape your fate. No escaping what you cant see. No escaping what you cant touch. You see things that are not there. You want to run but where will you run to? There is a way out of the jungle. You see two paths ahead of you. One path leads deeper into the jungle. Thick trees surround the path on both sides. There is little light as far as you can see. The little light that does break through lets you see a relatively clear path. There are thick tree trunks that have fallen from the jungle. Once you clear these obstacles it gets much easier to walk. You also sense an unseen presence. This path seems to have had little use though. The other path is clear but it winds to and fro. There are many thick tree roots waiting to trip you up further down the road. The terrain is choppy and the earth is twisted. It looks like many others have been down this path before. This path seems very lonely to you anyways. The sun is allowed to shine here. It is an illusion. Look further down and you will see the thickness of the trees choking off the light. Once you get there it will be too late. The path will leave you blind and disoriented. There is no turning back once you choose this path. The first path will lead you to a city of unheard riches. There is only one doorway to this city. The walls and the streets will be built with the finest materials ever imagined. Walls surrounding you paved with gold and precious jewels. With every step you feel the mix of platinum, gold, and the finest silver melted into the most gloriously soft substance ever imagined. The people who made it to the city seem constantly filled with joy. The joy can be seen on their faces as they sing and dance. They do not seem self conscious at all. Everyone here looks fulfilled in every sense of the word. There is no sickness, no pain, no disappointments, just love. Love made this city and love made these people. Love took away the sickness and pain. Love does not disappoint. Love lifts you up. Love gives you what you desire most. Inside the walls Love reigns. Outside these walls are a different kind of life. This is where the second path will lead. Outside the wall there is no rest for the weary. There is no counseling the heart or the mind. There is only the hurt of separation. The people here look very tired. They walk around as if they are dead. They feel every hurt and every pain of being away from Love. There is no love here. There is only deception and separation. The people cry out for help. You can hear their hearts asking for reprieve from a desperately and lonely situation. When these people hear the songs of the people inside the city their hearts become harder. They begin to hate more and more. Inside they are torn apart. They have no hope for themselves. Hate and despair make themselves ready for a long stay here. There are no paved roads or walls here. There is only a dark, bleak, landscape with no life besides the people there. Hard dirt like concrete underneath your feet. You are staring at the two paths. The presence you felt earlier appears before you. It comes like a bright light. Feet like bronze, wearing a robe white like snow. Eyes seem like fire yet seemingly kind and gentle. He reaches out to you and he speaks….

This is how I felt before God saved me. This verse describes how I feel towards God as He drew me to him.

Story posted on Sunday, December 21st, 2008 and is filed under Praise, God's Love, Hope, Loneliness, Your Stories, Struggles, Conversions, Overcoming sin. | No Comments »

God Is Always With Me

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

[Matthew 11:28-30 NIV]

Cassie writes:

when i moved here a year ago i was not a good person. i was 16 and i had so many bad habits. i was living for me not for god. i didnt even know god. i didnt really care…. since then i have worked hard to beocme the person i am today and have found God in the most amazing way….
he’ll always be there for you…. even when you dont even know who he is….. take it from someone who has been there and done that…… not evveryhting will turn out okay……but no matter what comes along in your life…God will never leave your side. I’m 17 now and am happier than ever with my realitonship with God. i still have those days where i wanna give up… but atleast i know now that God is always with me.

Story posted on Thursday, December 11th, 2008 and is filed under Praise, Bible, Hope, Your Stories, Struggles, Overcoming sin, God's Sovereignty, Life Verse. | 2 Comments »

God Freed Me From Shame

“For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.””

[Romans 10:11 NKJV]

Phil writes:

I used to be buried in shame. I had been born out of wedlock to a mother who loved me and a man who wanted me to be aborted. Because of this I grew up without a father. Later, in preschool I was molested by my preschool teachers. A short time after that my mom married my first step-father, who turned out to be an alcoholic. The next seven years were filled with emotional torture, and eventually included physical abuse.

We were poor most of that time, even living on welfare at one point. Because of a number of factors related to that poverty and my upbringing, I was constantly bullied and made fun of at school from elementary school through middle school.
By the time my mom and step-father divorced I was depressed and suicidal. Though I went through counseling and became convinced that God must have a purpose and plan for my life, I turned towards sin and entered into a crippling addiction to pornography.

To deal with the shame I felt at my past difficulties and present sin, I did all I could to cover it up with a happy and fun exterior. By the time I came to college I jumped into the partying lifestyle as a part of that fake exterior. Finally I woke up one morning in a pool of my own vomit because of how much beer, mixed drinks and liquor I drank the night before.

At that point, overwhelmed by shame, I knew something had to change but didn’t know where to go for help. Two days later I went to a church where I heard the pastor say that we can begin to see God when we have been humbled. Since I felt humiliated, I figured I must qualify as someone who was close to beginning to know God.

One month later an evangelist came to my university and preached the Good News of Jesus Christ saying that God would become my Daddy if I would repent and trust in Him. He also said that God knew I would become the father I never had.
The shackles of shame dropped off of me that day nearly 8 years ago when I tearfully put my trust in God. Every day since then I’ve been learning how to keep living without shame as I put my trust in Jesus Christ. I am so thankful to God that he has made me new and clean, and that as I trust in Him I will never come under the power of sin and shame again. Even more wonderful is that He wants to do the same for you too!

Story posted on Tuesday, December 9th, 2008 and is filed under Praise, God's Love, Hope, Sadness, Drugs & Alcohol, Your Stories, Overcoming sin, God's Sovereignty, Struggles, Conversions, Life Verse. | 1 Comment »

God Changed Me

“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”

[John 1:4-5 NKJV]

April writes:

I was gay, I mean really, really gay. I share my story of how I became a Christian all the time, but there’s a big part to “my story” that I have never told but really feel led to tell it now. Here goes, I was the youngest of three girls, often criticized for my skinny and premature behaviors. I would always get harassed by my sisters and friends about why I hadn’t started puberty or why I am not developing like all the other girls. This gave me an insecurity that had me thinking “why am I so different? Am I an accident? Am I pretty? Am I gay?” I went on in my teens and began even more to feel out casted, especially by my own family. At the age of 13, I turned to drugs and alcohol but that is just one of many addictions I had to overcome. I started to grow more and more curious about my sexuality and began watching porn. I was 18 when I decided I was gay, and no one could convince me otherwise. I fell in love with a girl named Elizabeth and felt this was it. I wanted to marry her. I became an advocate for gay & lesbians because of all the persecution I got from ‘coming out’. I even marched in the annual gay pride parade in San Diego. The more people told me I was wrong for being a lesbian the more I fought for the freedom to be one. All the while I never dealt with my insecurities and they certainly didn’t go away because of my new lifestyle. I was still empty inside. I felt a deep rooted question in my heart “if being gay feels so right how it could be wrong? Is it wrong and who says?” but I would never share my wonders with others because I was in it too deep. Elizabeth and I broke off our relationship after 5 years, which was the hardest and only real break up I ever had. I moved far from her but not far from my lifestyle. I continued this lifestyle and had no boundaries to my choices in relationships. I was still empty, even more than before. I worked for a well known gym in LA and the manager of the store was a Christian. He would preach to me all night every night. I would hate it; I debated him every night for 4 months. Until one day to get him off my back I took him up on his offer and went to a bible study with him. It seemed the people at this bible study had something I was longing for my entire life, true joy and love in their hearts. They were full of love and didn’t judge me. They truly had my eternal interest at heart. They helped me understand the most difficult questions I had in my mind about God and what Gods plan for me is through scripture. I came to Christ that very night and did not look back. The funny thing is I didn’t have to stop using drugs first or even be sober or not be gay to believe. All I did was cling to Jesus and His word; believe in my heart what He had done for all mankind. Sure repenting took a little while and I still am learning what Gods eyes see as sin. Quickly I became convinced that being gay was a way for me to place my insecurities away without dealing with them. My insecurities were in charge of my decision to be gay. But once my insecurities were dealt with, and I mean really dealt with deeply, I became more and freer from them and that lead me to choose to no longer live as a gay person anymore. Then after examining my intensions and looking at Gods word I knew that all this time it was an obedience battle. Yes I said it. I was making my sexuality the core focus of my life and when you turn your focus on Jesus and what He did for mankind that changes everything. After time, He changed me. I am so happily married now to a great man and for the first time in my life I feel truly beautiful and valuable the way I was intended to feel. People may call me a hypocrite and I do have to deal with persecution sometimes but at least it’s for Jesus. Nobody could do what He did and certainly nobody else freed me but Him. Thanks for letting me share.

Story posted on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008 and is filed under Drugs & Alcohol, Praise, God's Love, Hope, Homosexuality, Loneliness, Grace, Struggles, Conversions, Your Stories, Overcoming sin. | 4 Comments »