Testimony 07  - Roger

"Another Chance – Investigated by the FBI"

by Roger
 

Hello Guys, I joined this group a while ago but haven't written in a long time. I have been extremely busy and haven't had the time to write. I wanted to share a story with you that I hope can help you guys out. I feel the tug of the Holy Spirit to share. It all started for me when I was about 12 and came across a dirty magazine. From there it was to computers. I came across p and sowed and sowed for about 6 years.

During my sowing I ran across illegal p. I joined a new Church last year around Feb. and felt it was time to clean up my act. A month later in March after deleting everything I had the FBI at my door. I was questioned for about 2 hours on the illegal p I ran across. For the first time I had to admit that I looked at p on the internet. It was the hardest thing to do in my life. I told them how I was cleaning my life up.

Somehow by the grace of God I made it through and they left.  I have to check in with them every month to let them know how I am doing.  I know got a second chance though.  I have to say I truly understand the laws of the Bible on sowing and reaping. After they left I was sick to my stomach. I got an hour sleep that night and for the next week I couldn't eat, I had to force myself to eat. I lost about 10 pounds during that time.

During that time all I did was read the Bible, pray and depend on God's help to get me through everything. I did and for the first time I felt God truly loved me even though I was such a sinner. He never gave up on me. He forgave me for my transgressions just as he promised. For the first time in my life I give it all to him. I am seeking his will for my life, because I feel that I messed it up on my own.

Please know how hard this is for me to write. As hard as my situation was, I am thankful that God allowed me to go through it. Since that time I have admitted to my brother and he realized he had to clean himself up of p and has done that. I have had a closer relationship to God since then. I read my Bible daily (and for the first time in my life I am understanding it and am going to finish it, I'm almost there), pray often, and depend on him daily. I was recently baptized in Church. I have made awesome Christian friends.

I haven't watched TV in months. And God works so great. Last month my Church started a group for young adults on sexual temptation and how to overcome it. I joined it and that is why I have not been in this group. I am so involved with Church that I don't have the time. I feel I have messed up so much and I owe a lot to God. But more than that he has put such a passion to know him on my heart.

I love to seek him, to hear him speak through preachers, to see his footprints all over. That is why I share my story. Plus God tells us in James 1:19 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." God gave me a chance, even though I made a mistake. It is amazing how God restores us and how great his love is for us. No matter what you do, how badly you sin sexually, God's grace is sufficient. Trust me, I was a selfish prideful little punk but God still saved me.

I wanted to leave you guys with some resources I have found helpful. My church group is going through the book, "Every Man's Battle" by Stephen Arterburn. It is an awesome book.  Also there is a great website called, www.pureintimacy.org that has great testimonies.

Lastly I would like to leave you guys with a prayer. "Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing me to share my story with these men. May you help uplift them and sustain them daily. Thank you for your continued forgiveness and grace. May these men know how much love you have for them and how to rely on you.

Please help each one of them daily to remember that you are God, you are in control, and that we don't have to accept the devils lie and we can become pure. May they see that right now, you love the, even when they sin, but you expect more from them. You died for us and broke the power of sin in our lives, let us all remember that. It's in Jesus' name I pray." Remember guys, this is a daily struggle.

Thank God each day and continue to pray and study his word. You have no hope alone, the Lord is with you but you have to seek him and trust him. And if you fall, get right back up, repent and state your place as a child of God. I wish you all the best of luck. God's in the business of changing lives, give him a chance to change yours. And thank you for listening to my story.

God bless you all,

Rog

I love the word so much and hope you don't mind me sharing some great verses:

Romans 6:20-22

When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness and the result is eternal life."

Romans 6:10-14

"The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace."