Hello everyone!
I'd like to implement something I'd like to call "Testimonial Tuesdays," where instead of a message, we'll have a testimony from someone whose life God has blessed. In fact, I would like to invite you all to take part in this as well, if you feel led to do so. If you have a testimony of something special that the Lord has done in your life - big or small - we'd love to hear it and share it with everyone else! You may choose to remain anonymous or not; it is completely up to you, but we would love to hear from you regardless! Remember, the power of a testimony knows no bounds!
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, (2 Timothy 1:8-9 NKJV)
Today's testimony comes from a web-ministry I've shared on occasions past called Setting Captives Free, and I enjoy this particular testimony because it shows us that no matter the depth of our sin, no matter how long we have been held captive by its deceitfulness, the Lord can and does lead to true repentance and salvation without regret - praise God for that, and for this testimony of His grace from a gentleman who recently completed the "Way of Purity" course.
"At age 16 I was introduced to pornography by my uncle. That began a downward spiral through college and my twenties into sexual sin. My mind was on fire and I could not stop...or would not stop!
When I was 30 I revealed the sin to my wife and she demanded that I get counseling. I went to counseling and later SAA, but nothing really helped over the long term because Christ was not the center. 10 years later my marriage ended in divorce, which began another spiral downward into more porn, selfish gratification and lust.
One day, after crying out to the Lord and begging him to help me, I Googled the words "sexual addiction" on my computer and up came the Setting Captives Free website. I visited it, but did not start the program until 5 months later due to my pride and hardness of heart. Finally, by Gods grace, and after much more pain, I started the course.
Since that time God has been so gracious to lead me through this process of true freedom - He is restoring the years the locust have eaten. I give him all the glory! For the first time in 30 years, I have hope, true peace of mind and God is giving me freedom from the slavery of pornography and the devil. All praise to his holy name!"
"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified." And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations." (Isaiah 61:1-4 NKJV)
Let us all rejoice in our God, who indeed has the power to free the captives, comfort those who mourn, and to give them "beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness!" And please remember, if any of you have a testimony you'd like to share, please do! It does not have to be as "weighty" as the one I shared here; simply something wonderful the Lord has done in your life.
Blessings,
Andrew
I'd like to implement something I'd like to call "Testimonial Tuesdays," where instead of a message, we'll have a testimony from someone whose life God has blessed. In fact, I would like to invite you all to take part in this as well, if you feel led to do so. If you have a testimony of something special that the Lord has done in your life - big or small - we'd love to hear it and share it with everyone else! You may choose to remain anonymous or not; it is completely up to you, but we would love to hear from you regardless! Remember, the power of a testimony knows no bounds!
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, (2 Timothy 1:8-9 NKJV)
Today's testimony comes from a web-ministry I've shared on occasions past called Setting Captives Free, and I enjoy this particular testimony because it shows us that no matter the depth of our sin, no matter how long we have been held captive by its deceitfulness, the Lord can and does lead to true repentance and salvation without regret - praise God for that, and for this testimony of His grace from a gentleman who recently completed the "Way of Purity" course.
"At age 16 I was introduced to pornography by my uncle. That began a downward spiral through college and my twenties into sexual sin. My mind was on fire and I could not stop...or would not stop!
When I was 30 I revealed the sin to my wife and she demanded that I get counseling. I went to counseling and later SAA, but nothing really helped over the long term because Christ was not the center. 10 years later my marriage ended in divorce, which began another spiral downward into more porn, selfish gratification and lust.
One day, after crying out to the Lord and begging him to help me, I Googled the words "sexual addiction" on my computer and up came the Setting Captives Free website. I visited it, but did not start the program until 5 months later due to my pride and hardness of heart. Finally, by Gods grace, and after much more pain, I started the course.
Since that time God has been so gracious to lead me through this process of true freedom - He is restoring the years the locust have eaten. I give him all the glory! For the first time in 30 years, I have hope, true peace of mind and God is giving me freedom from the slavery of pornography and the devil. All praise to his holy name!"
"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified." And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations." (Isaiah 61:1-4 NKJV)
Let us all rejoice in our God, who indeed has the power to free the captives, comfort those who mourn, and to give them "beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness!" And please remember, if any of you have a testimony you'd like to share, please do! It does not have to be as "weighty" as the one I shared here; simply something wonderful the Lord has done in your life.
Blessings,
Andrew
