personal testimonies

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
 
Revelation 21:4
 
I often think about that day when we will be in heaven, walking through the gates, rejoicing with one another, no more pain or tears, just a feeling of completeness and  joy.
 
Before I became a Christian I couldn't imagine what it would be like to be completely happy. There was always an empty spot in my life, yearning for something more. I needed to be someone. I wanted to be accepted, loved and content. I felt I was a failure at everything I did or didn't do. Life had to be better. Somewhere out there was the answer for me. I knew that answer was Christ; I just had to accept it. I had to accept the fact that I needed Christ. Christ died for me, He hung on the cross. The pain that He endured, the blood that He shed, was so that I could have Life. He poured out His love through the blood that He shed for me. I am accepted by Him without a doubt. Christ loves me, and through His eyes I am not a failure; I am a somebody; I am a child of God. Created by Him not by man, He loves me just the way I am.
 
There are times that I feel hopeless and I have to fight the good fight, but I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.  I imagine sitting at His feet, reaching out and touching Him, being at His side and talking to Him. I know God is here watching over me, helping me to continue on. Each day is a new day with new challenges, I call these "character builders." I may fall but God is here to pick me back up. I thank God for opening my eyes so that I could see. No matter where you are or what you've done, the past is the past; God loves me and has forgiven me and that is what life is really about.

Marcella's Testimony

Before I allowed Jesus to be the leader of my life, I didn’t have the strength to stand up for the things I knew were right. In school I wasn’t bad, but I just went along with everything, even if I didn’t agree with it. At the age of 12, I felt compelled to have a relationship with Jesus. I grew up in a Christian family and I knew a lot of rules and regulations, but for the first time I felt strongly drawn to Jesus, to actually having a relationship with him. There was a constant struggle in my mind for several months, till one day, I asked Jesus to forgive my sins and lead my life.
 
Knowing Jesus has guided me constantly to this day. But like any relationship, it has to grow. There is much in my character that God has been working on since that day I invited Him into my life. There were also many false beliefs that have had to be replaced with the truth, as I’ve learned more about the character of God from reading the Bible and learning to listen to His voice. One of the things I have learned is that I don’t have to try to earn God’s approval. He already completely accepts me and not only that; He delights in me and wants to spend time with me personally. I have learned that God is very intimate and real and can be trusted with the deepest longings my heart. I’ve had many experiences of His Spirit telling me “I love you, Martha “ or “ trust me” or other very encouraging and kind things that I have needed to hear. God had also brought wonderful people into my life, like my husband, my children, family and many friends who have blessed my life in amazing ways. However, as much as I need and appreciate all the people in my life, they often let me down and certainly can’t always be there for me or understand when I need them to. Jesus is teaching me that He is enough. When the challenges are much bigger than I can deal with He assures me that “He will do immeasurably more than I could ever ask or imagine.” He kindly says “trust me.”
 
Do you have someone who has never failed you? Someone you can completely trust with all your pain and disappointment, desires and dreams? Do you know someone who, will not only love you, when they find out about every sin you’ve ever committed, but will actually forgive you, heal you, and transform your life? Have you ever met Jesus? “He says, “I have come to give you life, and that you may have it to the full!”
 
Martha's Testimony