Daily Encouragement For May 02:

A Better Way

My testimony may not be as dramatic as some, but I know that in God's eyes there's not one person's testimony that is better than anyone else's because they all have one point in common: He is our Testimony--He is the Author and the Subject of each one when we allow His love into our hearts to change our lives.

I was seventeen when I came to God eight years ago. I was pretty normal by today's standards. I loved music--mainly hard rock and heavy metal, and I had been dabbling in alcohol and drugs for probably a year. I was nowhere near having an addiction, but who knows where I might be today if I hadn't given in to Jesus? I could be anywhere in any kind of condition--it's no mystery what the Devil will do to us if we let him, and if we're not living for God, the Devil has control.

My parents had fallen into financial problems around this time and before I knew it, we were staying with my aunt and uncle who are Christians on fire for God! I went to church a couple of times and became acquainted with some of the other church members. I knew God was drawing me because I had felt it before when I went to church occasionally in years past. I started reading the Bible, too, and the drawing got stronger. It wasn't too long after that I went to a Bible study and someone suggested we go to the church and have a little prayer meeting. Well, it turned out to be nothing, but little for me. An impromptu, but heavily anointed sermon was given by one of the young preachers who was with us. I started to sob and weep like a baby when I realized with my heart (not my head) how much Jesus loved me and how good it felt to call on Him and let Him put his arms around me and welcome me home! I was baptized a week later and felt the power of the Holy Spirit that day inside of me.

One of the most amazing things is how God works in our lives even before we know Him or come to Him. You see, I never really fit in the world. Sure, I had friends, but I never felt like I really fit in. They didn't mind hanging around with me, but they didn't really care about me—not like a church family, and not like Jesus. I just never felt I did enough for them to want me to be apart of them.

But now I see that's how God wanted it! He already had a purpose, a place and a plan for me before I even knew He was there! I didn't fit there because that's not where I belonged. I still love music, but I found a better kind. There never has been, and never will be, anything like singing with the anointing of the Holy Spirit about His love, His power and His Heaven. I used to love to read, but I found a better Book, and God has blessed me with knowledge of His Word that not everybody has. I used to want better friends, but glory to God, I found a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother! A Friend that loveth at all times! A Friend who promised "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end."