shareyourstorynow.org

God Dried My Tears

Be glad about this, even though it may now be necessary for you to be sad for a while because of the many kinds of trials you suffer.

[1 Peter 1:6 (GNT)]

Nicki shares:

With the Help of our Heavenly Father I have over come many trials in my life. I have raised to special blessings in my life who have grown into two wonderful young adults. I confessed my faith through Baptism Nov. 16, 2008. During 2009 I faced a trial that revealed every dark corner of my life, every past sin & hurt, God brought me through the trial with 1Peter 1:6,7 – In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Nov`09 I found myself broken within and screaming out to our Father in Heaven “I CAN`T DO THIS ANYMORE“with a river of tears flowing down my face, curled in a ball in my bed.

Before the last word left my lips, I could feel God drying the tears from my face, not a tear to be found. I could feel a peace that transcends all understanding come over me & I could feel our fathers love. The problems were still there but they were in our fathers hands now. From that point the healing began.

//From the SYSN Admin: Let’s thank Nicki for sharing her amazing story by leaving comments on her post using scripture and kind words to let her know how much we appreciate her sharing with us. Also remember to Share YOUR story with us here: http://shareyourstorynow.org/share

————————————–

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.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Story posted on Tuesday, February 1st, 2011 and is filed under Hope, Praise, Prayer, Your Stories. | No Comments »

I knew one day my son would return to The Word.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

[John 5:24 (GNT)]

Donna says:

My son, Keith, was saved as a young child while attending a local church and I KNEW that one day…….one day he would come back to The Word. As the scripture says; He that believeth in ME shall have everlasting LIFE.

I struggled with Keith and his drug addiction for over 20 years. Keith was in and out of rehabs throughout the county we live in and the neighboring counties. He was in hospitals from our city to Jacksonville, FL. Keith lied to us, stole from us and betrayed us. My fear was one day getting a call informing me that Keith was dead.

Two years ago Keith decided to steal my car and drive to Jacksonville, FL which is a 4 hour trip from my house. I was without transportation for 5 days. At the time I was fearful of Keith’s safety, doing drugs and driving. There was no way for me to know where he was. I called all the hospitals in my area, no Keith. I called the jails in my area, no Keith. Finally on the 5th day I received a phone call from a hospital in my town letting me know that Keith was in their rehab wing and that my car was in the parking lot. I went to go pick up my car and Keith had been in an accident in it, there were 2 flat tires…..the car was a mess. For over 20 years I have stood by Keith in ALL that he had to go through but, him taking my car and leaving me stranded and then wrecking my car angered me. It was the “straw that broke the camel’s back”. I called the hospital and informed them that I did not want to see Keith nor did I want him to ever come home again.

They say that an addict has to hit “rock bottom” before they realize what they have done to themselves and others due to their addiction. I did not hear from Keith for over 4 months. In those 4 months I was deeply depressed that I had to turn my son away. I did not answer the phone, I did not go on the computer and I did not watch television. I stayed in my bed for 4 months as the pain was so great in my heart. Each and every day I wondered if he was safe and where he was.

I received a phone call from Keith 4 months later explaining to me that he had found this 18 month program called Boley. Boley is a rehab center but they do more than what most rehabs do. Keith had to stay on their premises 24/7, he went to classes each and everyday to understand his addiction and why he became addicted in the first place. He had to go through the 12 step program. The staff gave him his medication everyday. He could see me only 1 weekend a month until he built up trust with the Boley staff.

On July 17, 2010 Keith has been clean for two years. Boley paid to put him through high school. Boley got him set up to go to college and Keith is now in his 4th semester and I might add is on Dean’s List. Keith is working a full time job and he takes care of me as I am disabled. There are times when I still feel so very bad by turning my son away from me but Keith tells me that he would not be the man he is today had I not done that for him. That was Keith’s lowest point in his life, being cut off from me. Keith is 40 year old and I PRAISE GOD each and every day for Keith and how GOD changed his life around.

//From the SYSN Admin: Please pray for Donna and her son, and leave comments on her post using scripture and kind words to let her know how much we appreciate her sharing with us. Also remember to Share YOUR story with us here: http://shareyourstorynow.org/share

————————————–

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.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Story posted on Sunday, January 9th, 2011 and is filed under Drugs & Alcohol, God's Sovereignty, Praise, Prayer, Struggles, Verses, Your Stories. | No Comments »

There Are No Coincidences With God

You can be sure that whoever gives even a drink of cold water to one of the least of these my followers because he is my follower, will certainly receive a reward.

[ Matthew 10:42 (GNT)]

Brenda says:

At the age of 5 is when I started being sexually abused by a family friend. This abuse lasted until July 4 1976 when I was finally able to stand up to my abuser and tell him “NO MORE!” Not only was it our nations independence day, it was mine also. Now let me ask you, “who was it who gave me the strength to do that?”

Shortly after that I was walking home from school, I met a lady in the middle of the street. She gave me a card with a bible verse on it, Matt 19:14, “Let the children come to me and hinder them not.” Well I came home with it and a friend of my mother’s was there.
“Do you have a bible?” She asked.
“Yes I do.” I replied.
“Well go get it.”

So I climbed to the top of my closet and got out my children’s bible. She taught me how to look up the verse and to this day because of her I know how to look things up in the bible. Her name was Beth. What a fitting name!! I attended the bible study for children the lady in the street invited me to. I don’t remember her name. All I remember was she talked about a boy who stuttered and how he was able to change the world. I was a little girl with a learning disability and wondered if God could use me just as he used that boy in the story. It wouldn’t be till years later when I found out the answer to that question.

Years passed and I thought the worst was behind me but I was wrong. A very dark cloud loomed over my future. Not only had I been dealing with the abuse of a family friend I was also dealing with abuse at home by my mother. As I got older the abuse grew stronger. I found myself having social problems at school and I didn’t feel loved at all. We had moved to a new location and I wasn’t adjusting well at all. In the 6th grade things started to turn for the worst. The sexual abuse started again only this time it was a different person. My dad found out about it and he put an end to it but I still had problems with people at school, then I would come home and have problems with my mom, my parents and my brother would have horrible fights. My family was coming apart and I felt powerless to stop it. No matter where I went trouble followed me. I began to think that nobody loved me at all. Not even God. At the age of 12 I gave up on life.

I was home alone one day and decided to end my life. I got a knife out to kill myself. I pointed the knife to my heart, but then my hands started shaking so bad the knife fell out. I know that was an angel stopping me because what happened next was no coincidence. My mother came home with the groceries and it was my job to put them away. At the bottom of the bag was a free TV guide with all kinds of ads. For some reason I was drawn to it. I opened it up and the first thing I was saw was… “Reading the Bible helps!” Oh my word!! I knew this wasn’t chance. I knew someone wanted me to see that. So I got my bible out and started reading in Matthew. I loved reading the words of Jesus and would get disappointed when I got to Acts and Jesus wasn’t there anymore. So I would start over at Matthew.

Well the little girl grew into a teenager but the past abuses still haunted me and I was still dealing with emotional, verbal, and physical abuse from my mother. My dad was really the only one who really seemed to love me and because of the past sexual abuse, I was afraid of him. I wouldn’t get close to him. I was afraid of my own parents. In 1989 I lost my dad to a lengthy illness. I was 21. My world was devastated.

At the age of 17 I gave my life to Christ. I got on my knees then and promised that I would serve him the way he needed me. God was persistent to get me to that point. He never gave up on me. When I turned 15 he started sending people into my life who were pointing to him. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to, I was just unsure of what they were talking about. I had been raised in a denomination for a long time and thought I was already saved. I meant it when I told God I would serve him.

I did go to college for a little while but the funds ran dry and I never finished but I had to get a job to pay the bills. That is when I got a job working with special needs adults. It was there I found my calling. I loved my job taking care of them. After 4 yrs of taking care of them I moved on to a nursing home where I received my Certified Nursing Assistant. My caregiving had now been expanded to a whole new set of people. The elderly with dementia and who were sick. Jesus said whatsoever you do to the least of these you have done it to me. God held me to my promise of serving him. Every mouth I fed, every tear I dried, every hand I held, every dying person I ever prayed with, every person I listened to and everyone I helped. I was helping God.

The little girl who once felt like she had nothing to contribute is now ministering to others as a lay minister. Counseling other abuse victims.
The little girl who once felt unloved is now loving others with the love of Christ.
The little girl who was once beaten, put down, and sexually abused is now wrapping her arms around other victims and praying with them.
This little girl who once thought nobody loved her now has a wonderful little family who adore her and is now serving God the way he wants me to serve him.

I am no longer a victim. I am a survivor. He was there the whole time, he saw what happened and what the devil did to me he turned around and made it a blessing. He was there in the middle of it all and became my parent when my own parent failed. He is my loving father and I love him with all of my heart and I thank him for never leaving me or forsaking me like the people in my life who I trusted. He will never leave my side and when it is my time to go home, he will walk me home.

//From the SYSN Admin: Please pray for Brenda, and leave comments on her post using scripture and kind words to let her know how much we appreciate her sharing with us. Also remember to Share YOUR story with us here: http://shareyourstorynow.org/share

————————————–

Circle of PrayerCircle 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.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Story posted on Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010 and is filed under Abuse, Death, Divorce & Marital Conflict, Illness, Life Verse, Overcoming sin, Praise, Prayer, Struggles, Suicide, Your Stories. | No Comments »

From Addiction to Redemption

So then, anyone who hears these words of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock.

[ Matthew 7:24 (GNT)]

Erik says:

I used drugs since I was about 16 years of age, and by the time I was 20 I was a heroin addict. I was a “Christian” since I was a little boy only because I grew up in a Christian home, but it wasn’t until 2004 that I really found God.

I still continued to struggle with my addiction until about 4.5 years ago when I finally overcame it. Since then, I met my wife and her little boy, whom I’ve taken as my own and we started building a life together. I always kept the part in Matthew 7 about the “wise and foolish builders” close to my heart, because as I rebuilt my own life I knew I had to build it on a solid foundation.

I’ve used Jesus’ words and other scripture as guidelines for everyday living, realizing that the more I’ve applied Biblical principles to my life, the better my life has become! Today I’m blessed with a beautiful family, good job, and I have the privilege to minister to people who struggle with addictions as I once did.

Glory to God, I love you Jesus!

//From the SYSN Admin: Erik’s story is an inspiration to others. Please comment on his post using scripture and kind words to let him know how much we appreciate him sharing with us. Also remember to Share YOUR story with us here: http://shareyourstorynow.org/share

————————————–

Popularity: 7% [?]

Story posted on Wednesday, December 1st, 2010 and is filed under Drugs & Alcohol, Overcoming sin, Praise, Verses, Your Stories. | 1 Comment »

Redeemed through Christ

I am the LORD your God; I strengthen you and tell you, “Do not be afraid; I will help you.

[ ISAIAH 41:13 (GNT)]

Gail says:

At the age of four I was abused sexually, physically emotional and mentally. Misdiagnosed and overdosed by the age of 18, I was discarded from society by the system. Without hope, genuine love, or support, I ran and escaped from reality for years by abusing alcohol and drugs. Living homeless in snow storms and finding myself in jails, and more institutions then I care to mention, I hit bottom when I finally ended up in a women’s prison. But it was in prison that I discovered the truth: Jesus Christ was the only One who would always be there for me!

I had burned bridges, relationships destroying all that was in my path. And through it all…Jesus was still there by my side. As I wept hopelessly, filled with utter despair He was present with His arms stretched out in that cold single cell. Scared, confused and feeling worthless, I cried out and with sheer desperation, ” Jesus Christ to come into my heart, my mind and to dwell…inside me.” I could feel the Lord speak and say,“ Gail…I have never left…it was you that left me…I am the only way…I am the truth and Life…whosoever…cries out, invites me into their life to take up ownership…You belong to me and always have…I am here with you, I love you and I am holding your right hand. Open my word, talk with me…fellowship with me…ask, seek and you will find…the truth…the way and a new life in Me.”
Today instead of doing time for the county…I work for the county in an honored position to help others who are homeless, helpless and lost. I am more than a number or statistic and my past did not determine my future. I am reborn, a new creation and more than a conqueror. I am a joint heir unto His Kingdom at hand. I am saved, sanctified and forgiven. My mind is renewed daily! I was doomed to die with a lifestyle with gangs, drugs and alcohol, but I was pardoned, protected, with Jesus with me through it all.

I am proof that Jesus Christ is real and he can take anyone, any circumstance and change it in the blink of an eye! Today I live for Christ, because He died for me, he rose on the third day with a gift unlike any other…the gift of the Holy-Spirit who intercedes on my behalf…when I don’t know the way, or what to pray for…He does. God loves us more than we can comprehend. His thoughts and ways are too high for us humans to comprehend. Trust in the Lord, with all your heart! Think to yourself, no matter what issues you have: If God can take a former prostitute, drug addict, alcoholic, and murderer (abortions), and gang-member like me and turn my life and heart around, He can and will do the same for you. He is the Vine; I am His branch. He leads, I follow. His word is a lamp unto my feet. I am a blessed and highly favored woman, of the Most High God. If you don’t know Him…get to know Him by simply talking with Him….like you would a best friend. There is no One like Jesus!
Did I mention….I have a promotion…it just gets better and better each step He leads unto His path of righteousness! Blessings, in Jesus name!

//From the SYSN Admin: What an incredible story of redemption! Please join Gail in rejoicing in the name of Jesus, and commenting on her post. Please also comment on Gail’s story using scripture and kind words. Also remember to Share YOUR story with us here: http://shareyourstorynow.org/share
————————————–
Circle of PrayerCircle 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.

Popularity: 8% [?]

Story posted on Wednesday, December 1st, 2010 and is filed under Conversions, Death, Drugs & Alcohol, Grace, Overcoming sin, Praise, Prayer, Your Stories. | 6 Comments »

To my surprise, I could feel the Grace of Christ!

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

[2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)]

Ritchie says:

I wasn’t born in a Christian family, I’ve been walking on the face of Earth for 13 years already. For 12 years, I lived a life without the Love of Jesus Christ. It was hard, I was a bad child; I cursed repulsively, did bad things, my heart wasn’t forgiving. I had many obstacles in life that I had to overcome by myself.

One day, all of the sudden I just started to believe in Christ, and started to pray to Him. Sometimes, I wondered how it happened. After about a month or two in believing in Him, I went to my aunt’s place for my holidays, I had lots of fun over there, but most importantly, one morning, my aunt invited me to go to church. I was excited yet scared for some reason, probably because of the things I’ve done. So, i joined my aunt in church and worshiped Him there. To my surprise, I could feel the Grace of Christ!

A few weeks later, I went back to my home and school re-opened. I experienced the biggest change of my life. My mouth that was defiled stopped cursing so much, I forgave so easily and apologized so much when I did something wrong which I didn’t use to, I also stopped all the bad things which I use to do. HE even blessed me by helping me overcome my shyness, and unwillingness to join certain activities. Now, I’m like probably the most active person in class. There was something He helped me with too, gaming addiction. Somehow i just had the urge to stop gaming and I deleted my game. I turned back and looked at how much I have changed through the Power of God. ALL GLORY BE TO HIM! It doesn’t just end here, He gives me miracles as well! For example, I go out and have a game of soccer, basketball with my friends on the weekends and sometimes it rains so we pray for it to stop and sometimes it just stops but sometimes it rains and stops, then the sun shines so brightly, the water dries up! Then I fall to my knees and I thank Him.

I play the guitar as well; I was weak at first and slowly got better. Then one day, I heard “Amazing grace” by Chris tomlin, I liked it and asked my guitar teacher to teach me that song and after I learned it, my guitar skills totally went crazy, I was so much better.

Now, I need Him to change my family as well, I don’t go to church cause according to my aunt, I believe my mum has objections in me accepting the Lord as our Savior. If you’re reading this, please pray for my family, that one day my whole family would become Christians and that everybody in this world would come to realize that Jesus is the only way to life.

All glory be to Him!

I LOVE YOU JESUS!

//From the SYSN Admin: Please pray for Rictchie and his family…that they may come to know Jesus as Rictchie has! Please also comment on Ritchie’s story using scripture and kind words. Also remember to Share YOUR story with us here: http://shareyourstorynow.org/share
————————————–
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.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Story posted on Thursday, October 21st, 2010 and is filed under God's Love, Grace, Praise, Your Stories. | 4 Comments »

My Son’s Broken Body, Healed Through Christ

His power has brought us victory— his mighty power in battle!” I will not die; instead, I will live and proclaim what the LORD has done.

[Psalm 118:16-17 (GNT)]

Terry says:

My son Justin was in a terrible motorcycle accident 9/3/10. When I got the call about the accident, before I left for the trauma center, I put in a prayer request for him -mind you I had no idea what his injuries where at that time – I just said he was in an accident, injured, please pray.

On the way to the trauma center I prayed: “Lord, please tell me what to pray for Justin because I have no idea how or what to pray” and I the verse, “he shall live and not die and he shall prosper and not fail” came to me. So I took it to heart and claimed that hope as my own.

We arrived to find out that Justin had a tear in his aortic arch, broken pelvic bone, collapsed lung, bilateral contusions, broken ribs and a 1% chance of survival. According to the doctor, rarely does one survive a tear in the aortic arch. The heart surgeon told us that Justin had a slim chance of survival. Justin had surgery — the doctor placed a stent in his aorta and Justin survived that and went on to have his pelvic fracture repaired and his healing in leaps and bounds.

He was released from the hospital less than 2 weeks later and will have a full recovery. Justin has now rededicated his life to Christ. After the surgery, the doctor told us that someone up there was watching out for Justin and that he had angels around him protecting him because people do not usually survive from this type of injury to the aorta.

Thank you Lord for saving my son, and thank you all for praying for our son!

//From the SYSN Admin: How great God is! Please also comment on Terry’s story using scripture and kind words. Also remember to Share YOUR story with us here: http://shareyourstorynow.org/share
————————————–
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.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Story posted on Thursday, October 21st, 2010 and is filed under Evangelization, Praise, Verses, Your Stories. | 11 Comments »

MIKESCHAIR – GMA 2010 Interview

Leave your troubles with the LORD, and he will defend you; he never lets honest people be defeated.

[Psalm 55:22 (GNT)]

Christian music group MIKESCHAIR discuss the influence of The Bible on their songs, and on their lives.

————————————–
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.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Story posted on Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 and is filed under Life Verse, Praise, Verses, Video Stories. | No Comments »

How Foolish of Us…

And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

[ Luke 22:24-27 (KJV)]

Chris says:

How foolish of us! We always want to make a name of ourselves, and this whole time Jesus asks us, “how long shall I be with you?” We want to be great but we don’t want to be a servant. We want to be exalted by our experiences, successes, strengths and so forth, but we hate to be like David and be behind the curtain.
I speak for myself because there are times when I want to share my thoughts, my experiences, and what God has done with me, and I can’t. I tell you I hate to be silent while others carry away for hours and speak. I also found myself wanting to be great when God is using someone else and not me. Is God really not using you or me because we don’t have this opportunity or spot light? If you are just a water boy/girl, He is using you. If you are quiet and just listening as another yaps away, He is still using you; and greater is your reward. Even If you’re only wiping the sweat off a man or woman of God, the Lord is using you!

In Luke 22:27 Jesus tells us, “For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.” Jesus did not have to serve, he could’ve said: God I know you are not going to make me nothing when I’m somebody, I’m Jesus. Yet He did not say this, and this is why God said “this is My Son who I am well pleased with”.

You see we are quick to say, “nobody acknowledges me”, “nobody calls me to preach or sing”, “nobody lets me talk”, “nobody listens to me”, “they don’t believe in me” etc., but have you stop to realize that it’s only selfish wants/gains to desire to make a NAME for yourself. Learn to serve others and be a servant to God!

————————————–
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.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Story posted on Friday, July 23rd, 2010 and is filed under Missions, Praise, Your Stories. | No Comments »

Seeking To Understand God’s Word

yea, if thou criest after knowledge,and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver,and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD,and find the knowledge of God.

[ Proverbs 2:3-5 (KJV)]

Chris says:

Yes, if you CRY out for discernment, and LIFT up your voice for understanding, if you SEEK her as silver, and SEARCH for her as for hidden treasures; then you will UNDERSTAND the fear of the Lord, and FIND the knowledge of GOD.

I thank God for this scripture because it made me realize that no one was keeping me from knowing God, BUT ME. We know so much about people like our favorite singers, and how much hair they have, and which way they sleep and eat however; we know nothing of Gods will! I learned that I spent ALL my time trying to know the ACTS OF God and instead of knowing His WAYS. The power of God cannot keep anyone, it’s His WAYs that keep you. If you don’t believe me, see ISRAEL, the power of God took them out of slavery but they rebelled against God. Why? Because they lacked knowledge of God. This scripture made me hungry to know Gods ways and instead of SPENDING my time on foolish things that don’t edify, I now INVEST my time in the WORD and I’ve been saved for 3 years and GOD has called me to teach His Word.

I thank God, because once I lacked knowledge of Him and I was easily fooled by Satan and defeated because I had no foundation of Gods Word. Not any more!

Remember this: when Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, He defeated Satan with these words “IT IS WRITTEN” “IT IS WRITTEN” “IT IS WRITTEN” let us defeat the attacks of Satan with IT IS WRITTEN!

————————————–
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.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Story posted on Tuesday, June 15th, 2010 and is filed under Evangelization, Praise, Your Stories. | No Comments »