Testimony Tuesday, June 12, 2007

I was raised in a Christian home with parents that believe the Message with all of their hearts. I grew up listening to God’s Prophet, and I believed every Word. I was proud of my faith, and I didn’t mind showing it (I still don’t). I was in a car one day with some worldly friends who had the radio on. I asked them to turn the radio off, and they just laughed at me. I told them to stop the car, which they did, and I walked home. I was not afraid to stand up for what was right. You will notice that my first mistake was not that I stood up for the Lord; it was being with the worldly friends in the first place.

I never wanted to be something that I wasn’t. I wanted to be myself. My parents were believers and had Caught the Vision, but I wanted my own experience. I wanted to prove to them that I could make it on my own, so I moved out of my parents’ house as soon as I was old enough. I didn’t need them. I was a believer, and I could handle myself. This was another mistake.

Everything was fine for a couple months. Then, a school friend heard that I was on my own, so he stopped by. I remembered when Brother Branham said that birds of a feather flock together, but I didn’t think that affected me. Besides, this was my chance to show everyone that I was my own person. While talking to the friend, a bad word slipped out. Instantly, I bowed my head and asked for forgiveness – right in front of the guy. Before I new it, my old friend was moving in with me, and I was cursing more than ever. I would always tell the Lord, "I will never use Your Name in vain." Eventually, I did start using His Name in vain. The guilt faded day by day.

I started smoking, and then drinking, and then worse. I was always in trouble. The devil starts with the small things and builds his foundation. It started with one innocent ride, and it ended up with drug addictions, lying, stealing, you name it. My parents would call and say, "We are praying for you." I really didn’t want to hear that. Deep down, something wasn’t right.

It was late one night when I heard something within me tell me to call home. I called my parents, and told them I was done and wanted to come home. I thought, "What did I just say?" They came and picked me up. From that time, I have been sealed unto the day of Redemption!

The road back was long and difficult, but the Lord Jesus had mercy. I look back to where I made that first mistake: going for a ride with a few people that were listening to country music. I wish that I had never done those things, but maybe my testimony will prevent another young person from making that first, little mistake.