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I stumble, but God has not left me

I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will answer you. You will seek me, and you will find me because you will seek me with all your heart.

[Jeremiah 29:11-14 GNT]

Jody says:

For as long as I remember, God had always been a part of my life, but i never really knew Him. I pictured God as a punishing, menacing God who was always watching me… waiting for me to mess up so He could punish me.

When I was 14, I was sexually abused by my step-father. I was scared but at the same time I felt like I was wanted and finally loved by someone, because my parents were divorced. When I turned 16, I realized that it was not right, because I started to hear my friends talk about boyfriends, and it made me feel sick to my stomach. I tried to kill myself by taking pills - that was the start of my in and out of psych hospitals, a string of abusive relationships, and self destructive behavior.

My step-father has since passed on after accepting the Lord as his personal savior. I have forgive him, but it seems like I have not forgiven myself. I’m getting tired of my self destructive behavior - I was just arrested for domestic violence and child endangerment (I am guilty of domestic violence but not child endangerment). For the past 14 years since I had accepted God as my personal savior, I have been hot and cold with my relationship with Him. I want to be back in His arms, where I can be a testimony to others on what God has done for me. He gave me 2 beautiful sons and even though I have fallen so many times, God has never left me nor forsaken me. I know that God’s promise for a better life is coming and I have a strong faith in my God that he will have mercy on me.

Story posted on Friday, January 22nd, 2010 and is filed under Sadness, Hope, Drugs & Alcohol, Your Stories, Loving your enemies. | No Comments »

I’m surrendering myself to Jesus

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

[Matthew 6:33 KJV]

Natalie P. says:

Only a year ago I was fifteen. My world seemed to be caving in. Depression, hurt, failure,and loneliness plagued me and I lived as if I was an old woman beat down by merciless time. I was a Christian and over and over I pleaded for Jesus to restore my life to me. I was tired of living in fear with feelings of rejection from everyone I had ever met.

One day as I was crying and while reading my Bible my eyes fell upon Matthew 6:33 and Jesus laid it on my heart. The words kept playing back in my mind and then Jesus spoke to me. I realized that I had been praying for the wrong thing. I shouldn’t be praying for Jesus to take this away from me, I should be praying that Jesus would bring me closer to Him. I began dwelling on this daily: “I seek your kingdom first and all these things will be added to me.”

Through much trial and error I am learning to surrender myself to Jesus. I am happier, healthier, and living with high goals in mind. I thank Jesus every day for showing me that the more I give my life to Jesus the more He gives me tenfold back. Thank you, Jesus!!!

Story posted on Thursday, January 7th, 2010 and is filed under Sadness, Your Stories, Struggles, Overcoming sin. | No Comments »

The Bible helps through heartbreak of affair

I trust you and am not afraid.No one can harm me.

[Psalm 56:11 CEV]

Melinda F. says:

I have read several verses in the Bible and have prayed tons and i feel God’s presence. My husband is in the military - he was stationed in Turkey for 1 year, and 10 months out of that year he was seeing a young Turkish girl. He was 29 and she was 21. We have been married for 10 years and have two boys together and I am currently pregnant with our daughter! Even though this happened a year ago, he admitted to the affair and somehow we are trying to get through this.

I love him and want to forgive him, but the thoughts of him sleeping with her and being with her when I was in the States alone and missing him so much hurts me! Being that i am pregnant, i am so depressed and cry and cry and cry. He is remorseful but how do began to try to put this behind me? I just need to pray.

Ed.: Please pray for Melinda this week, and other families who are temporarily separated due to military service.

Story posted on Friday, December 11th, 2009 and is filed under Sadness, Your Stories, Divorce & Marital Conflict. | 2 Comments »

Norman Hutchins: Healing From Pain of Past [5:14]

One day, Joseph told his brothers what he had dreamed, and they hated him even more.

[Genesis 37:5 CEV]

Christian Gospel music artist and pastor Norman Hutchins shares his personal testimony of growing up in an abuse home and dealing with poverty.

Story posted on Monday, November 9th, 2009 and is filed under God's Love, Sadness, Norman Hutchins, Bible, Video Stories, Divorce & Marital Conflict, Praise, Struggles. | No Comments »

Anthony Evans: Dealing With Heart Break [1:39]

But those who trust the LORD will find new strength. They will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings; they will walk and run without getting tired.

[Isaiah 40:31 CEV]

Christian music singer Anthony Evans shares how he suffered through a broken engagement and how through worship and His Word he was able to get through his heart break.

Story posted on Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009 and is filed under God's Love, Hope, Sadness, Anthony Evans, Bible, Video Stories, Struggles, Evangelization, Divorce & Marital Conflict, Praise, Life Verse. | 1 Comment »

Our God is Our God Forever and Ever

“Our God is like this forever and will always guide us.”

[Psalm 48:14 CEV]

Abby writes:

Recently my family went through a very big blow. The matriarch of our family passed away. For the past 7 years Maria de Jesus suffered much after she broke her hip. Because of her age and frailty, they opted not to operate her, fearing it would speedy up her passing away.

Those 7 years were spent bed ridden and eventually lead to her suffering from dementia. Even though we knew this day would surely come sooner than later, knowing she had passed affected me more than I ever thought it could.

Growing up most of my childhood in Guatemala I was raised by my grandmother (abuelita) and to me she was truly indescribable. With apron always in tow, she was there to wipe away any tears, kiss any booboos, correct us when we were wrong and love us unconditionally. It’s the things I will never forget.

With her passing my brother and I made our way to Antigua, Guatemala and had a chance to share in many moments of silence, where no words really needed to be said, and moments of contemplation over what had just happened. Tears abounded, but so did laughter in reminiscing of good old times.

We came across this scripture that spoke to our hearts… Psalm 48:14 “For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.”

My mother shared with us how on the last day that my abuelita lived she asked my mom to sing her a praise song she loved “Cuan Grande Es El” (How Great Thou Art). My mom sobbed through the lyrics, but realized that even at the end of her time, all my abuelita wanted to do was give God the praise. And with that, we were put at ease.

My abuelita is in a much better place now… Free of being bed ridden, free of physical pain, free to live with her Heavenly father. Suffering may come for a night, but joy really does come in the morning.

Story posted on Wednesday, May 20th, 2009 and is filed under Hope, God's Love, Team Corner, Sadness, Death, Bible, Praise, God's Sovereignty, Christian Families, Evangelization, Your Stories, Grace. | 1 Comment »

Even In Rough Patches, God Sees Me Through

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.”

[Colossians 3:1 CEV]

Nick writes:

I am 17, and I try to believe every day that everything happens for a reason, and i ask God to show himself to me. But yet i feel as if something isn’t right in my life.

This verse is true because i know their is a God but I wanna know he is listening to me and this verse, helps me realize how life does bring you down and yet at the weirdest times I think about God and its like i had a new spirit inside of me, My grandfather and grandmother died less than 6 years apart and my mom broke down for a small period of time, and then in 2007 my friend at age 15 died at such a young age.

When i think of this verse now, i think back and say wow this would have helped me big time with my life so hopefully it will get me through even more rough times.

Story posted on Monday, February 9th, 2009 and is filed under God's Love, Hope, Sadness, Death, Bible, Praise, Christian Families, Struggles, Your Stories, Life Verse. | No Comments »

Unevenly Yoked and Struggling

“If your husband or wife isn’t a follower of the Lord and decides to divorce you, then you should agree to it. You are no longer bound to that person. After all, God chose you and wants you to live at peace. And besides, how do you know if you will be able to save your husband or wife who isn’t a follower?”

[1 Corinthians 7:15-16 CEV]

Shameika writes:

My husband of 3 years and the father of our two young children (ages 3 & 1 1/2) left 2 months ago saying he wanted a divorce. I am saved and I have had a relationship with God for years now. My husband is unsaved, however struggling to obtain a realtionship with God and to live a holy and separated life.

He believes in His word. He studies and he tries to apply God’s word to his life “with his words”. However, he is hindered with lust of the flesh and the worldly mindset he’s developed. When he left me I was shattered. I found out he’d been seeing another woman that is christian who he claims to have lead him to Christ and that he has developed a “spiritual connection” with her.

I was hurt. So bad. My spirits were broken. My heart was broken. I went on a 7 day consecration with the Lord. I needed guidance. I wanted to be right in God’s sight. I love my husband with Agape love. He was so cold to me. I fell on my face to God and cried out for strength and for wisdom. He showed me myself. He ministered to my spirit and led me to know that I needed to change me first.

I was saved, but I had areas that needed destroying. My flesh. My own will. My pride. My EMOTIONS. And then he dropped in my spirit I Corinthians 7:15-16. I realized through God’s word and then confirmation from my spirit and other men and women of God that there was no need for me to be desperately holding on to my husband. To let him leave.

Recently…he has expressed his apologies and the desire to work things out in our marriage. He is still struggling with salvation. He is still undelivered from his flesh, selfishness and pride. Therefore, this is subject to happen again. I am standing on God’s Word and following his instructions to not be unequally yoked. However, I need to be in the perfect Will of God. I am continuing to pray, fast and see God for direction. It is one day at at time. Please keep me in prayer.

Story posted on Thursday, January 15th, 2009 and is filed under Bible, God's Love, Hope, Sadness, Your Stories, Divorce & Marital Conflict, Christian Families, Struggles, Prayer, Life Verse. | 6 Comments »

I Am Struggling

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’”

[Matthew 22:37 NIV]

Nicole writes:

i dont know why but i always loved that phrase because i do love god with my heart,soul,and mind but i think im not needed, that it would be easier if i was gone so i wouldnt feel the pain.My friends just made it worse by being mad and scared and by that it just put more pain on me with their anger.When i was a little girl my parents got divorced,my brother who i loved so very much was stealing , i felt like it was all my fault even if it truly wasnt. yet i couldnty help thinking. I know god loves me but the pain of what ive been through in my life hurts and now im still thinking about suicide and my brothers in prison. I looked up to my big bro but maybe people wouldnt care if i was gone. im getting help for my depression and i promise i will try!!

Story posted on Friday, December 19th, 2008 and is filed under Loneliness, Sadness, Your Stories, Suicide, Struggles, Prayer, Life Verse. | 2 Comments »

I Know I Need To Let Go

“Your sun will never set again,
and your moon will wane no more;
the LORD will be your everlasting light,
and your days of sorrow will end.”

[Isaiah 60:20 NIV]

Corinne writes:

It has been quite some time since I have shared where I am today with my Faith and grieving the loss of my daughter Olivia. I have been feeling so much pain, depression and darkness in my life. My son continues with his drug abuse, creating chaos in our home. I feel so overwhelmed that I have been unable to work. I have been off for two months, seeking therapy. Tonight, as I write this, my heart feels broken, my eyes feeling up with tears. Then I remembered that my mom’s friend shared Isaiah 60:20 with me. I have been mourning for four years. Yes, I have had good days. I have had days where I felt the Lord’s presence so strongly. Yet, my grief has continued and not allowed me to move forward in the direction that God wants me to go. He wants me to find my Joy, so here I am, writing again. I feel peace and healing when I write about our God. I know that my daughter is in Heaven with Jesus. I know that she is happy, no longer suffering. I’ve made a decision tonight to let go and allow God to begin my spiritual healing. I also need to let my son go, as I did once before, and let God take over. I so want to feel alive again but I know I can’t do this alone. Tomorrow begins the journey of my Spiritual Journey. I know in my heart that with God there isn’t anything I can’t do. I want my life back. I want God to open the new windows of my life. I know that God has work for me to do; now I just have to let him begin the process. I am the clay and he is the potter.

I thank the American Bible Society for their website which allows me to share what I am going through and how God will carry me through.

Story posted on Wednesday, December 17th, 2008 and is filed under Hope, Sadness, Death, God's Love, Bible, Struggles, Prayer, Your Stories, God's Sovereignty. | 1 Comment »