I don't think I've ever given my testimony on here. And since I'm getting re baptized tomorrow I thought it would be a good time to do it.

I wasn't raised in a Christian home. I first heard about God from my aunt, my mom's sister. I would go to church with her when I was a little girl. Then when I was 11 years old a sunday school teacher told me about Jesus. I prayed the sinners prayer with her and was baptized.

But then throughout the following years I was in and out of church. I would go for awhile and then stop. I never seemed to fit in. It was like they had something I didn't. And they all seemed so perfect to me. I always felt I couldn't measure up. There was no way I could be perfect as I thought they were.

And somewhere along the way I decided God hated me and there was no use in me trying so I gave up on church altogether. And I had thought of the Christians I knew of, who seemed even more mean and hateful than non Christians, that if they were Christian I didn't want to be one.

Then I went on my merry way. And what a mess I made of my life. I won't go into the details but I hit rock bottom. I so despaired of life I wished to die. I even begged God to take my life and let me die. Then the realization of my sin confronted me. I asked God for forgiveness. And if He would accept me to be His child. And I gave my life to Him.

This was in June of 1998. I felt as if a great weight had lifted from me. Oh what joy! I had never know such joy! And oh what love! I had never known such love before. At first I didn't think God had heard my prayer or that He would accept me. All I knew was that I had such joy and at first I just reveled in it. And then as I read my bible He led me to this verse...

Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

I read that and cried like a baby. To know that God loved me in spite of my faults and imperfections. That He loved me..."just as I am". There is nothing that can compare to God's love. To know the joy of His love is a wonderful thing. And He didn't leave me "just as I am". He began a great work in me, and He's not done yet.

I've been through a lot of trials. Jesus has told us there will be trials and tribulations. But He is with me through all of them. There is nothing that He and I cannot handle. He is my refuge, my fortress, my God in whom I trust.

If you don't know the divine love of God, I pray that you will know it.

God bless you. :hug:
In Christ love, Debra

Debra,
Thank you so much for sharing your testimony.
It is beautifully inspiring. :)

In Christ,
Jen

Thank you Jen :kiss::hug:

Debra, thank you for your testimony. :hug: I read yours tonight and was blessed by it, and reminded of how God's been with you every step of the way. God bless you and your family now and always, sister.

Bless you, my dear sister in Christ.:hug:

Debra, thank you for your testimony. :hug: I read yours tonight and was blessed by it, and reminded of how God's been with you every step of the way. God bless you and your family now and always, sister.



Thank you sis, :hug:
I look back and I see how God was with me every step of the way.

I was sitting here thinking about it and thought I would share some more. There are some things I don't like to think about anymore. Actually they haven't come to mind in a very long time.


I think I spent most of my life running from God. I just couldn't believe that He could love me.
I never knew a Father's love. My father left when I was 5 years old, he was an alcoholic. I was molested at the age of 6 years old by my grandfather. I always felt so dirty and ugly. My mom raised us on her own, we had a very rough life. I had two failed marriages, my first husband on drugs, my second an alcoholic. I was abused mentally and physically.

It took a long time for God to reach me. But He was gentle and patient. I am forever grateful for that. I owe Him my life. I'll never forget that evening when I prayed. And after how He made me feel so clean! I had felt unclean all my life. He washed me white as snow! He cleansed me! And the awesome love He filled my heart with.

I remember afterward I asked Him. Lord, I know I'm saved now and I'm yours but was I saved before? Because I thought of when I had prayed at the age of 11. He then brought something to mind.

It was about a time when my nephew was about three years old and I had taken him shopping with me. I told him that when we got in the store he had to walk beside me and hold my hand. He said okay, he would. Well when we get in the store he immediately wants to walk by himself, so I say okay but you have to walk right beside me because you could get hurt by yourself.

As soon as I let go of his hand he takes off running. I have to run to catch him. I grab his hand again. We walk a little more and he is begging to walk by himself. So I let go and he runs again. I go chase him down and grab his hand again. We do this several times. He looks at me so sweet and innocent pleading to walk by himself telling me he will be good he promises. But as soon as I let go he is gone like a flash! I have to laugh because he is so earnest in his intention to be good and walk beside me but he just can't help himself he just has to run and see what's there.

As I thought back on that I could relate that to me and the Lord. I wanted to walk by myself, I wouldn't hold His hand. Well from now on I will not only walk close beside Him but I am holding His hand firmly in mine. I'm never letting go. I thank the Lord for loving me and that I am His and that He will never let go. He has been so good to me. And He has given me a wonderful Christian husband who I love very much. He is a wonderful husband, who I don't think I deserve, who also spoils me. But I love it! :) I am so thankful for him. I am so thankful to our God. He is an awesome God.

Thanks for your very inspiring and encouraging testimony, Debra. I know the Lord will use it to touch many hearts, as it already has.

God bless you, Debra, you just made my night. :hug: God is so amazing and He is SO faithful to us! It always amazes me how much He brings us through. :) Thank You, Lord!

God bless you, Debra.

That's also cool that your husband spoils you :)

Thanks for sharing your testimony with all of us. It is wonderful how God has worked in your life and brought you to this place..

God bless you as you continue in your journey with Him..

:hug:

turtledove ..(used to be wiseoldowl) :)