shareyourstorynow.org

I'm a New Creation

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

[2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV]

Toni writes:

When I rededicated my life to Christ in Jan. 1994, 2 Cor. 5:17 was the first verse I memorized.

It’s special to me because it assures me that I’ve been forgiven and made new in Christ.

When I decided to make Jesus my Savior and Lord, my life changed for the better. It didn’t happen overnight, it was a process, but it happened.

I don’t have to live in the past of sin and death anymore. I have been created new and am continuing to learn and go forward in the things of God.

As a sinner I lived a life that was fulfilling to me. I thought I knew what I wanted, but in all actuality I really didn’t know. I made bad decisions and suffered the consequences of them.

When I was six years old, my mother and father divorced. I was angry, became bitter and had unforgiveness in my heart. I didn’t want to ever get married or have children when I grew up. I started to experience alcohol and would have become a teenage drunk.

I truly believe the prayers of my maternal grandmother were heard and the mercies of God were upon my life. I moved to live with my grandparents, which was the best move for me. I received godly influence from my grandmother at that point.

I believe this verse of scripture (2 Cor. 5:17) really put my life in perspective when I read it, heard it, and meditated on it.

I was renewed in the spirit of my mind. I put on the mind of Christ Jesus.

My confidence and self esteem increased a great deal after reading God’s word. The word of God is life changing and is still changing my life today.

I now have been married for seventeen years and am the mother of a beautiful daughter. I have co-pastored a ministry and now am assistant pastor, along with my husband, of a great church.

I thank God for the power of His word. There are so many scriptures that have impacted my life, but 2 Cor. 5:17 is my favorite as a true believer.

Story posted on Monday, May 12th, 2008 and is filed under Praise, Bible, Hope, Drugs & Alcohol, Your Stories, Struggles, Divorce & Marital Conflict, Conversions, Life Verse. | 1 Comment »

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 »

Thanks to Jesus, My Life Turned Around

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

[1 Peter 4:12-14 NIV]

Melissa writes:

Well it has been a year since I met my savior, the one who helps me get through life! Jesus.

My life before I met Jesus sucked, it really did. I used to go out every Saturday night, get drunk, drive in random cars, all the while my mom was thinking I was at a friend’s house asleep in bed.

I used to always get in fights with friends, and life wasn’t good at all. I started hanging with people a year ahead of me; those were the people I’d get drunk with. I just wasn’t complete and didn’t know where I was heading in life.

Then october last year my friend had her baptism, and I went and watched. I felt something in that church - I felt the love, hope and faith that there was through all the people.

That night was the start of my journey.

Although of course the journey was not easy. It took three more weeks to get back into the church. It took seven weeks to give my life to God and like ten weeks to start actually making friends.

My school friends didn’t understand my choice and my decision. They hated me going to church. After a while they ditched me.

I felt like everything was dropping from beneath me. I was wondering why God was doing this.

I got home one day and was crying. My youth leader texted me and said, “Look in the Bible I gave you, it has all the answers.”

So I sat there on my bed and opened it up to 1 Peter 4:12-19, which is a scripture about suffering for being a new Christian. And I mean it was all about how God gives us trials to see how we handle situations and how we get through them.

A week after I found that scripture, everything went better. I found new friends, who believed in what I was doing, and everything was great.

I believe that that night on my bed, when I found that scripture, God was speaking to me. He doesn’t have to speak through words of mouth, but he spoke to me through scripture, and I’m forever grateful for that.

My life a year after has changed so much, I can’t believe it. My family and friends have noticed.

I know pretty much everyone at church. I’m in the band, and I do kids camps for unfortunate children. I do kids transport to school, and I don’t get drunk on Saturday nights.

I go to the best youth group in the world, and I’ve got the best leaders and mentors, who are pretty much my family - I couldn’t live without them.

I’m planning on getting baptized myself in March next year. And, well, for my relationship with God, well, I’m still learning. But I’ve learned so much already! I love him. He’s my world. He died for me, and I’m so pleased about how my life is.

I still have hard times, but there are many more good times than bad.

Story posted on Wednesday, April 30th, 2008 and is filed under Praise, Bible, Drugs & Alcohol, Your Stories, Verses, Conversions, Struggles. | 3 Comments »

Right Verse at the Right Time

God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

[Acts 17:27 NIV]

Caroline M. writes:

It is my practice to pull out my pocket New Testament when I’m on the bus. This is not my devotion time, but a little habit I developed when I received an e-mail that asked, “What if we treated our Bible like our cell phone?” I don’t have a cell phone, but I did get the idea.

I’m reading Acts now, when I’m on the bus. And today the bus was particularly noisy due to a “one-man show” a passenger decided to put on. As I read, I may as well have been reading the ingredients on the back of a package of cookies, for all I got from my reading.

In Acts chapter 17, I read down to verse 26 through 28 — and the words were branded on my spirit.

My daughter had been witnessing to an e-mail friend, who is a serious seeker of the Lord. When I talked to her, she told me that she told her friend that the Lord was very close to her now.

I remembered that verse (Acts 17:27) and read it to her. She was e-mailing her friend at that moment and included the verse. The decision is hers.

What impressed me was that the only verses that even registered with me were the ones I would be needing in a few minutes. He is a great God, Who truly knows the end from the beginning.

Story posted on Friday, April 18th, 2008 and is filed under Praise, Bible, Your Stories, Evangelization, Verses, God's Sovereignty. | 2 Comments »

I'm Still Grieving, and Feeling Hope

Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion.

[Isaiah 30:18a NIV]

Corinne R. writes:

Another Season and the Yellow Butterfly

As I look back now, I don’t even know how I survived. I didn’t think it was possible to live another day, another week, another month and another year, but I have.

My grief journey continues to this day, such hard work, every day. For those parents who have lost a child, you all know too well how difficult this journey is.

Along the way, I felt as though I were stuck, unable to move forward and, of course, not wanting to. By moving forward, I felt that I would be leaving Olivia behind, accepting life without her.

I have moved on, but in a different way. I will always have a broken heart, my life is not filled with joy, nor do I look forward to the future. It’s too hard to look beyond today.

Well, about two years after Olivia’s death, I noticed that I was paying special attention to each season, seeing and appreciating the beauty of each one. This was something that I had not done before.

It was as if I was seeing through different eyes, eyes that were filled with much pain, eyes that still cried so many tears, eyes that longed to see my daughter again. Yet, I could see the beauty that each new season would bring.

As spring approaches, I find myself feeling so sad, crying more, as this is the anniversary month, another year.

I just want to see my daughter again, then it happens. I will go outside to look at the garden I planted for Olivia and while I’m outside, the Yellow Butterfly flies past me, as if to let me know Olivia is ok.

I see the Yellow Butterfly all the time now and I smile.

Yes, another Season and The Yellow Butterfly, my reminders that my daughter is always with me, always in my Heart. She is free, free to Soar, free to Fly, like the Yellow Butterfly.

“Peace your inmost soul will fill
When you’re still …”

Corinne Ruiz
Mom of Olivia Corinne Hoff

Story posted on Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 and is filed under Death, Sadness, Hope, Praise, Your Stories. | 3 Comments »

Miraculously I Paid My Bills

God is faithful …

[1 Corinthians 1:9a KJV]

Barbara K. writes:

This last fall, I received the news that there had been an error by the government in my income payments, and that the government would be withholding what amounted to half my monthly income for six months!

This was a great blow to me, and I did not see how I was going to “get by” on half my income and still “make ends meet.” (Because I am partially disabled, I did not have the possibility of an extra job.)

I know, however, that “God is faithful”, and that I can trust Him completely, whatever He sends my way. I continued to give my tithes and offerings regularly during the time the income was cut back, and took one day at a time.

Miraculously, all my bills were paid on time, and I did not have to borrow any money! I am very grateful to God for His faithfulness. We need to depend on Him and not on our income or our bank account.

Praise His holy name! “God is faithful.”

Story posted on Monday, April 14th, 2008 and is filed under Praise, Your Stories, God's Sovereignty. | 2 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 »

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 »

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 »