I write this to give testimony and to glorify God, the Father and to Jesus, the living Saviour of the world for saving my life.
Since a little child I've always known God was there. We sometimes went to Sunday school, I was not old enough to read the Word and only remembered that Jesus Loved Me. Although I loved God and spoke to Him frequently in prayers throughout my childhood and teen years it wasnt until I was in my twenties, when I moved into a two bedroom trailer with my 5 year old son that I had the experience of a lifetime. In the bedroom that I slept in, someone who had lived there previously had placed a large sticker over the bedroom light switch that read Jesus Is The Light Of The World, The Way the Truth and the Life and it had a rainbow under it. At first glance, I wanted to take it down but something inside me wanted it there. Why not I thought? And so I left it because it comforted me somehow. I read that sticker everyday when I had to turn the light on and off. I began to think of Jesus and began to pray as the months went on. I didnt know Jesus. But I knew he died on the cross and rose again. My life had not been easy. I had been a single mom for 5 years and in and out of relationships, some very bad ones. Money was not plentiful or food either. I had to seek food from Food Banks and borrow money even though I had a full time job. And it had taken the life out of me and I was giving up.
I began to question God about the religions in the world Catholic, Christian, Jewish, Buddahism etc, and which way was the absolute right way. I began talking to my Grandmother on the phone. I cried because she was so constant and faithful to God and was always praying for me and wanted to help me and didnt want me to give up. It was so difficult for me to be hopeful. Throughout my childhood and adult life I often wondered why Jesus was still on the cross (the wooden statue in the pulpit) at church, it hurt my heart and I was confused. There were so many other religions that seemed gentle but I didnt want to worship a statue, I wanted to know my God was REAL... I wanted to know the absolute right way. I felt in my heart that Jesus was the Light of the World. He was the Truth and he was raised from the dead, not still on the cross. After we hung up the phone, I sat on the floor in the living room of my trailer and pleaded with God for a sign. I cried out in a loud voice to God and to Jesus, if they would hear me, answer me. Please give me a sign, show me which way is the absolute right way! I believe but I dont want to make a mistake and take the wrong path, I prayed out loud. My heart poured out a love I didnt quite understand and I cried silently and felt afraid.
That night, I was awakened at 3:00 am, I know this because I looked at the clock when I woke up and felt wide awake. It was the Lord, and He began to fill my bedroom with His great Presence above my bed. He came in through the ceiling by the corner of the room and as He slowly filled that 12x10 bedroom, I felt fear. I felt that the walls of my bedroom would not be able to contain Him. This Presence had intention, a mighty strength. I felt the walls were going to burst. I was afraid of it and didnt know what was happening, I turned onto my stomach and pulled the covers over my head as if somehow that would hide me from it. And just as I thought the words "I'm afraid!", the mighty strength of His Presence suddenly was replaced by overwhelming Love. As if He was protecting me. Telling me not to be afraid. A tremendous Love filled my room. It was compassion, love, purity, tenderness, love I cannot describe... I slowly pulled down the covers and sat up. And He asked me, Why do you doubt your heart? You KNOW the WAY. And He showed me the sticker on the light switch. The only way, He told me, was through Jesus, the Light of the World. I AM The Way, the Truth, and the Life, He said. He asked what I was waiting for? Why did I doubt my heart. Did I want to stay poor. I knew He meant worrying where our next mouthful came from, how I was to pay my bills. Did I want my child to grow up without the knowledge of Him. Did I want to stay unhappy and have a sad life.
I thought about all that He said as I sat on my bed. I did not see Him, or even hear an audible sound. But He was there and I heard Him. I cant explain it. He told me to get up and go into my son's room and to look at him sleeping there. I actually wondered if His Presence would still be there when I returned. After I did this, I saw the reality that my son would grow up without a father, that he would take the wrong paths and get in with the wrong people as he got older without the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and with a mother who wasnt living a spirit filled life as an example to him.
I went back to my bedroom and yes as I stepped over the threshold to my bedroom door, He was still there. It was like walking from nothingness into life. A feeling I never wanted to leave. I sat on my bed with His loving spirit around me and told my Savior "ok, you have me, I'm yours" I gave my life to Him then and there. I felt such overwhelming love in that room. I didnt want it to end. I'll never forget that for the rest of my life. It was like He was embracing me. He told me to "Go and be baptised." But I didnt know where or what church. He replied, "In the little church up the street that I passed by each day on my way to work." I promised I would and I know He was pleased with me.. He lingered with me there, holding me. The intimacy of the moment was like no other. And slowly He turned, and began to move away from me towards the ceiling of my little room....I cried "please dont go" tears beginning to fill my eyes.... And I know He turned back to me but I knew He had to go. And He left my room the way He came, His Presence flowing up with him, and I couldnt sleep after that I wished He hadnt gone, I wanted more. My bedroom was once again empty and felt like nothingness. But my sadness was replaced by joy when I remembered His words, I had purpose and knew without a doubt God was Love.
When I told of this time to others, they confirmed that it was a divine visitation. I remember the expression on the pastor's face 3 days later, as he said my face was radiant. I didnt understand that until about 12 years later when I read these passages from the bible: The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being Hebrews 1:3, When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spokenwith the LORD. Exodus 34:29 At the time, I didnt know what was happening then. Just that I was being answered. I didnt realize it then, or even perhaps appreciate it then the way I do now. Perhaps because now, I wish it would happen again. I cherish the memory of the gift He gave me that night of His presence in that little room. A gift given to me, a nobody in the world but a child of God who in her heart loved Him deeply before she realized why.
After that, I did go to that little church with the mission of doing as the Lord told me, and practically ran to the alter and confessed my sin and was saved (formally). I went on to get baptised and was fully submerged under the water. It was a great day. I was completely new and it felt amazing. I had a smile on my face for a long time after that day. I was given the gift of joy of the Holy Spirit.
I went on to dedicate my son in the church. My son has grown into a good man. God has blessed him and my life. Life isnt always easy, Jesus didnt say it would be easy, but in Christ, He is a joy and comfort in my heart. (I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Phillipians 4:13) He is always with me.
I'm here to tell you, if God wanted me, an unmarried, immoral woman, with a child who was living a sinful life, He wants you too, you are very special to Him. God loves you completely, Jesus loves you and died for you and for me. He is real. Listen to your heart and let Him speak to you. He is faithful and He will answer. I was not answered right away but He will answer you in His time, or through other people, things etc If you keep your eyes open you will see and listen with ears to hear.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
Jesus answered, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him.
Revelation 3:20
Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.
Isaiah 65:24
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans 10:13
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.
John 10:9
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:11
I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father- and lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
John 10: 14-16
Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
John 20:29
I have come into this world as a light so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
John 12:46
I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
John 8:12
If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture said, from his innermost being will flow rivers of living water."
John 7:37-38
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Romans 10:9
Since a little child I've always known God was there. We sometimes went to Sunday school, I was not old enough to read the Word and only remembered that Jesus Loved Me. Although I loved God and spoke to Him frequently in prayers throughout my childhood and teen years it wasnt until I was in my twenties, when I moved into a two bedroom trailer with my 5 year old son that I had the experience of a lifetime. In the bedroom that I slept in, someone who had lived there previously had placed a large sticker over the bedroom light switch that read Jesus Is The Light Of The World, The Way the Truth and the Life and it had a rainbow under it. At first glance, I wanted to take it down but something inside me wanted it there. Why not I thought? And so I left it because it comforted me somehow. I read that sticker everyday when I had to turn the light on and off. I began to think of Jesus and began to pray as the months went on. I didnt know Jesus. But I knew he died on the cross and rose again. My life had not been easy. I had been a single mom for 5 years and in and out of relationships, some very bad ones. Money was not plentiful or food either. I had to seek food from Food Banks and borrow money even though I had a full time job. And it had taken the life out of me and I was giving up.
I began to question God about the religions in the world Catholic, Christian, Jewish, Buddahism etc, and which way was the absolute right way. I began talking to my Grandmother on the phone. I cried because she was so constant and faithful to God and was always praying for me and wanted to help me and didnt want me to give up. It was so difficult for me to be hopeful. Throughout my childhood and adult life I often wondered why Jesus was still on the cross (the wooden statue in the pulpit) at church, it hurt my heart and I was confused. There were so many other religions that seemed gentle but I didnt want to worship a statue, I wanted to know my God was REAL... I wanted to know the absolute right way. I felt in my heart that Jesus was the Light of the World. He was the Truth and he was raised from the dead, not still on the cross. After we hung up the phone, I sat on the floor in the living room of my trailer and pleaded with God for a sign. I cried out in a loud voice to God and to Jesus, if they would hear me, answer me. Please give me a sign, show me which way is the absolute right way! I believe but I dont want to make a mistake and take the wrong path, I prayed out loud. My heart poured out a love I didnt quite understand and I cried silently and felt afraid.
That night, I was awakened at 3:00 am, I know this because I looked at the clock when I woke up and felt wide awake. It was the Lord, and He began to fill my bedroom with His great Presence above my bed. He came in through the ceiling by the corner of the room and as He slowly filled that 12x10 bedroom, I felt fear. I felt that the walls of my bedroom would not be able to contain Him. This Presence had intention, a mighty strength. I felt the walls were going to burst. I was afraid of it and didnt know what was happening, I turned onto my stomach and pulled the covers over my head as if somehow that would hide me from it. And just as I thought the words "I'm afraid!", the mighty strength of His Presence suddenly was replaced by overwhelming Love. As if He was protecting me. Telling me not to be afraid. A tremendous Love filled my room. It was compassion, love, purity, tenderness, love I cannot describe... I slowly pulled down the covers and sat up. And He asked me, Why do you doubt your heart? You KNOW the WAY. And He showed me the sticker on the light switch. The only way, He told me, was through Jesus, the Light of the World. I AM The Way, the Truth, and the Life, He said. He asked what I was waiting for? Why did I doubt my heart. Did I want to stay poor. I knew He meant worrying where our next mouthful came from, how I was to pay my bills. Did I want my child to grow up without the knowledge of Him. Did I want to stay unhappy and have a sad life.
I thought about all that He said as I sat on my bed. I did not see Him, or even hear an audible sound. But He was there and I heard Him. I cant explain it. He told me to get up and go into my son's room and to look at him sleeping there. I actually wondered if His Presence would still be there when I returned. After I did this, I saw the reality that my son would grow up without a father, that he would take the wrong paths and get in with the wrong people as he got older without the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and with a mother who wasnt living a spirit filled life as an example to him.
I went back to my bedroom and yes as I stepped over the threshold to my bedroom door, He was still there. It was like walking from nothingness into life. A feeling I never wanted to leave. I sat on my bed with His loving spirit around me and told my Savior "ok, you have me, I'm yours" I gave my life to Him then and there. I felt such overwhelming love in that room. I didnt want it to end. I'll never forget that for the rest of my life. It was like He was embracing me. He told me to "Go and be baptised." But I didnt know where or what church. He replied, "In the little church up the street that I passed by each day on my way to work." I promised I would and I know He was pleased with me.. He lingered with me there, holding me. The intimacy of the moment was like no other. And slowly He turned, and began to move away from me towards the ceiling of my little room....I cried "please dont go" tears beginning to fill my eyes.... And I know He turned back to me but I knew He had to go. And He left my room the way He came, His Presence flowing up with him, and I couldnt sleep after that I wished He hadnt gone, I wanted more. My bedroom was once again empty and felt like nothingness. But my sadness was replaced by joy when I remembered His words, I had purpose and knew without a doubt God was Love.
When I told of this time to others, they confirmed that it was a divine visitation. I remember the expression on the pastor's face 3 days later, as he said my face was radiant. I didnt understand that until about 12 years later when I read these passages from the bible: The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being Hebrews 1:3, When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spokenwith the LORD. Exodus 34:29 At the time, I didnt know what was happening then. Just that I was being answered. I didnt realize it then, or even perhaps appreciate it then the way I do now. Perhaps because now, I wish it would happen again. I cherish the memory of the gift He gave me that night of His presence in that little room. A gift given to me, a nobody in the world but a child of God who in her heart loved Him deeply before she realized why.
After that, I did go to that little church with the mission of doing as the Lord told me, and practically ran to the alter and confessed my sin and was saved (formally). I went on to get baptised and was fully submerged under the water. It was a great day. I was completely new and it felt amazing. I had a smile on my face for a long time after that day. I was given the gift of joy of the Holy Spirit.
I went on to dedicate my son in the church. My son has grown into a good man. God has blessed him and my life. Life isnt always easy, Jesus didnt say it would be easy, but in Christ, He is a joy and comfort in my heart. (I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Phillipians 4:13) He is always with me.
I'm here to tell you, if God wanted me, an unmarried, immoral woman, with a child who was living a sinful life, He wants you too, you are very special to Him. God loves you completely, Jesus loves you and died for you and for me. He is real. Listen to your heart and let Him speak to you. He is faithful and He will answer. I was not answered right away but He will answer you in His time, or through other people, things etc If you keep your eyes open you will see and listen with ears to hear.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
Jesus answered, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him.
Revelation 3:20
Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.
Isaiah 65:24
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans 10:13
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.
John 10:9
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:11
I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father- and lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
John 10: 14-16
Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
John 20:29
I have come into this world as a light so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
John 12:46
I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
John 8:12
If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture said, from his innermost being will flow rivers of living water."
John 7:37-38
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Romans 10:9
