shareyourstorynow.org

Losing my Sons

He will wipe away all tears from their eyes. There will be no more death, no more grief or crying or pain. The old things have disappeared.

[ Rev 21:4 (GNT)]

Linda says:

I have lost 2 out of my 3 sons, as well as several other loved ones in my life. This verse [ Rev 21:4 (GNT)] was my youngest son’s favorite, after losing his older brother. 11 yrs later, he was also gone. I took comfort from this verse knowing he also believed in Jesus and is with his older brother, in Gods’ arms.

//From the SYSN Admin: Please pray for Linda and her family, and the tremendous heartache in her life. What verses of hope and words of encouragement can you offer? Comment on Linda’s powerful story, and also Share YOUR story with us here: http://shareyourstorynow.org/share

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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.

Story posted on Thursday, August 5th, 2010 and is filed under Death, Sadness, Your Stories. | 1 Comment »

Angie Smith - blogger and author of ‘I Will Carry You’ [4:00]

[Psalm 27:14 (GNT)]

Angie Smith, blogger and author of “I Will Carry You” talks about confronting and dealing with the heartache and difficulties of losing her child.

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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.

Story posted on Sunday, August 1st, 2010 and is filed under Parenting, Death, Sadness, God's Love, Video Stories. | No Comments »

Trusting God to Save My Marriage

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

[ PSALM 56:11(CEV)]

Melissa says:

My husband has slept with 3 other women since we got married. The 1st two were one night stands on business trips, but the 3rd was a full blown emotional affair. He told me he was leaving me and our children to be with her, but through the grace of God that affair has ended. We are both Christians.

While I believe he loves me, he has little remorse, has done little to repair our marriage, and refuses counseling. I feel very distraught. We have befriended a Christian couple who are helping us, and I am trying to pray and rest in the lord.

It’s so difficult knowing he really is not committed to our marriage. I fear he will cheat again, but I am relying on God to heal our marriage.

Any words of wisdom?
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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.

Story posted on Sunday, July 25th, 2010 and is filed under Loneliness, Sadness, Your Stories, Divorce & Marital Conflict, Struggles, Christian Families. | 9 Comments »

I found my way back to Him

But we had to celebrate and be happy, because your brother was dead, but now he is alive; he was lost, but now he has been found.

[ Luke 15:32 (GNT)]

Mary Jo says:

My story begins years ago when I first began struggling with being Bipolar. I fell away from God and into a life of terrible sin. I knew I was doing wrong, but could not turn from the temptations that stood before me. Eventually, I found myself on an ER gurney, waiting for admittance to another psychiatric unit. My perspective on life drastically changed.

It was decided I would go home to Iowa and stay with my Dad and stepmother, Barb, while I worked to regain stability. Shortly after my arrival, I popped in the Gaither Vocal Band Reunion DVDs Dad gave me. I found myself in tears at the Vocal Band member’s testimonies. It grabbed my heart and made me take a good look at what had become my life. I realized the downhill spiral that awaited me if I continued living the life I’d been living. Watching the performances and watching as the men bared their souls made me want a personal relationship with God.

One early morning I was walking through my church’s sanctuary. I had just finished cleaning the prayer room. “Gentle Sheppard” began playing on my mp3 player and I was lightly singing the words. Half way up the aisle Gloria Gaither began praying in the middle of the song. Something told me to stop and I looked down at the pew I was standing next to. With my finger I began tracing the carving of the cross on the end of the pew. “If only you could help or want me God”, I thought to myself. That was all He needed to hear! At that exact moment I felt two of the strongest, yet most gentle arms embrace me. I began sobbing. With every tear that fell, more pain, anguish, shame, guilt and fear left my body.

Eventually my sobs quieted and then I felt something guide me to look at the simple red banner that hangs above the sanctuary entrance. Through tear filled eyes I made out the words, “Those Who Walk With God Always Reach Their Destination.” I’d found my way back to God. He touched me. He showed me that He loved me no matter what I had done. Daddy’s little girl came back to the Father.

The following days were so full of energy. A sudden urge to read Scripture was upon my heart. I began writing Christian poetry again. I was drawn to Christian radio and television programs, as well as all Gaither Homecoming DVDs or tapes I could find. The church gifted me a large print study bible and Pastor Bailey opened his personal library to me. I devoured book after book. I wanted to know all I could find out about God, The Holy Spirit and The Lord, my Savior Jesus Christ.

Easter Sunday I joined the church. I spoke my statements of faith with my Dad, in his choir robe, standing next to Barb. Easter Sunday was the perfect day for me to join since it was the official beginning in my new life. A new life of being dedicated to serving God had begun. As we finished with the profession of faith, Pastor Bailey instructed us to take our seats. When I took a step down off the altar I had to look up. There before me, hung the banner and the words I will never forget, “Those Who Walk with God Always Reach Their Destination”. It cemented that through all walks in life we MUST have God with us.

I’ve discovered that no matter what you have done, you are still a child of God. He loves you. I have spent years searching in all the wrong places for true love. It’s funny; I left Iowa searching for myself, trying to find me. And, it was when I returned to Iowa that I not only found myself; but also the personal relationship with God I’d always craved. I was home! I have found Him.

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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.

Story posted on Wednesday, July 14th, 2010 and is filed under Sadness, God's Love, Your Stories, Struggles, Overcoming sin. | No Comments »

I Love God Because God Loved Me First

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

[ ROMANS 8:28 (NIV)]

Keith says:

In my life I was living like the rest of the world and seeking things of this world trying to obtain things of this world. As a Christian I was trying to be like the world. Then I would go to church and talk to God about my problems, like…”God why don’t you help me and my family? Why don’t you just pay my dad’s bills? Why don’t you just make me a singer?” But God did not respond. There came a day when I realized that what I thought was life here on earth is not really life, and that God wasn’t seeking to please my selfish needs and wants.

I thought to myself and then I said to God, “SAVE ME from what I do not know! God I know that there is nothing good in this world for me and I want you to be my good! My desire! Give me love wisdom and hunger! God I want to know you! Like my father!” Then, during Bible study Romans 10:17 popped out and said to my heart, “Faith Comes through hearing and hearing from the Word of God, then another verse that says We saved by Grace through Faith, which is a gift from God not by works so that no one may boast about it!” I then realized this Faith was impossible for me to find! I could not do this! I could not put my faith in God till I began to seek him! He had to give me that faith!

It reminds me of that story with the rich man where Jesus told him to give everything he had to the poor. But the rich man walked away sad because he couldn’t do it. Then when Jesus explained to the disciples that it would be difficult for a man to make it to heaven…and they said well none of us can make it!

We cannot do everything! We are not perfect! But Jesus said your right for man it is impossible but for me all things are possible! HE was not talking about how for him it is possible to pay your bills or give you a perfect life here on earth! That’s not what he wants to give you. Jesus always said put your treasure in Heaven where a thief will not come and steal it. Where your treasure is your heart will be also! Where is your treasure? In the world? Then that’s also where your heart is.

You see I came to realize, after seeking God, that it’s not about what I can do for God or how good I can be. Because the scriptures say there is no one Good but God alone.
I realized that for me it is impossible to obtain salvation! For all men it is impossible! Only for God it is possible! When I realized that I was sick, born a sinner and in need of someone to save me… I found that Jesus Christ was the only one who offered his life as a sacrifice for my sins!
He became my medicine.

AND I’m only 17.

So then now, I do not serve him because I have to. I do not worship because I’m sad. I do not seek him, for treasure, or for heaven. I do not give to him for something in return for I know he is not in debt but I am. I do not love him because it will save me or he will satisfy my needs.

I love him because he loved me first. I give to him because all is his. I come to him because I am sick and he is my healer. I worship him because I know he is worthy and he heals my brokenness! I live for him because I died to self and he lives in me. I go out and talk about him because through all of this, at the same time he is satisfying my needs. He is giving me everything according to his purpose. I am free!

That is what Jesus my Savior did for me.

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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.

Story posted on Monday, July 12th, 2010 and is filed under Sadness, Hope, Your Stories, Evangelization, Struggles. | No Comments »

God is the ONLY solution

In view of all this, what can we say? If God is for us, who can be against us?

[Romans 8:31 GNT]

Emily says:

As a sixteen year old who has suffered depression and overcame three years as a cutter, I believe that God heals all wounds! Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” It has been almost a year without having a blade touch my skin and amazingly, I do not have any more scars! They have disappeared, no medicine, no science can do that…only GOD!

I don’t think I could ever explain to you how alone, how abandoned I felt, leading up to the things that I did. The one thing I found out though is that God is the only answer, the only solution to my problem. I still have problems with trust and being close to people. However, I have never in my life felt closer to God than I do now. God is my one friend that I can always depend on. Nothing I can do will ever take His love away, even when everyone else has left me.

If it wasn’t for God, I don’t know if I would have ever stopped cutting. I don’t even know if I would be alive! I think it is important for every single person to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ and establish him as your personal LORD and SAVIOR! He will never leave you no matter what, and if you have him, you don’t need anyone else.

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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.

Story posted on Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010 and is filed under Sadness, Hope, God's Love, Your Stories, Struggles. | 1 Comment »

Cry out to God

For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.

[John 3:16 (GNT)]

Truc says:

I was an ordinary teenager, no different from any other till one day that all began to change. I had lost sight and interest in all my goals, I was lost in depression and began to get a sinking feeling that the world was against me. I thought to myself that it’s because I’ve been hurt that all these unlucky things were happening to me. So, in my hour of need, I read The Bible and cried out to God. I said, “Father forgive me,” knowing that everything is God’s Will, and God is a Just and loving God. Now, I am getting better, I am hopeful and looking to the future. I learned that we just have to share ourselves with God, and He will know how, and with what, to response to us with.

I believe in God, as He is always in my life.

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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.

Story posted on Friday, May 7th, 2010 and is filed under Sadness, Hope, Bible, Your Stories. | No Comments »

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.

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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.

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!!!

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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.

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.

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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.

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