Ways To Give

Refueled for Life

This is the story of a changed life, as told to Power to Change Ministries

I was on top of the world – or so I thought. In my second year at the University of New Brunswick, I was the president of Harrison House, a men’s dorm. I was also captain of a successful intercollegiate sports team and I was dating a lot of girls.

Yet, when I went to sleep at night, I felt empty – none of my achievements were ever enough. No matter how many trophies I had won, I still needed one more to make me happy. No matter whom I dated, I wanted to go out with someone different. No matter how hard I tried to be the best, I never seemed to measure up to my own expectations, or those of other people in my life, such as my friends and family.

Then one day, a friend in my residence asked me to come to a Bible study. I had read the Bible a bit on my own, knowing it was a “good book.” I had also attended Sunday school as a boy, so I thought a Bible study wouldn’t be too threatening. Since other friends in the residence were going, I decided to join them.

During the study, we read from the Gospel of John. Suddenly I was confronted with a message I never recalled hearing. The name of the man John was talking about in this gospel was familiar – Jesus. Yet, his message was not. He was promising a full life, saying that he himself was the way to experience this fullness and go to heaven when our time on earth was over.

I knew firsthand that all my efforts at filling my life had failed. So, one night in my room, as I reflected on Jesus’ promise, I prayed: “God, forgive me for the rotten things I’ve done in the past. If you are real and your promises are for me as the Bible says, then I want what you promised. Please, enter into my heart and help me get my life in order.”

There were no lightning bolts. But I experienced a sense of freedom from guilt and the certainty that things were going to be OK.
I began to read the Bible regularly to discover more of God’s promises. It was so good to know God loved me just as I was and made me this way for a reason. My self-worth was back and I didn t have to rely on people or events to make me feel good about myself.

I started to notice my prayers were being answered in real and tangible ways. After I received Jesus into my heart, I broke up with my girlfriend, who thought believing in God was dumb. I prayed God would bring in my life a woman who loved Him as much as I did. I not only met such a woman, I eventually married her.

Even though life still throws its share of troubles at me, I have the peace of knowing that God is in control and has answers for all my problems. I’ve shared with others how God has changed my life and watched as He also turned their lives around. I know that no matter what struggles people are experiencing – addiction, depression, greed, selfishness – God can give them a new and fulfilling life.

Take a look at your life. How would you describe it? Contented? Rushed? Exciting? Stressful? Moving forward? Holding back? For many of us it’s all of the above at times. There are things we dream of doing one day, there are things we wish we could forget. In the Bible, it says that Jesus came to make all things new. What would your life look like if you could start over with a clean slate?

Living with hope

If you are looking for peace, there is a way to balance your life. No one can be perfect, or have a perfect life. But every one of us has the opportunity to experience perfect grace through a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here’s a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You can pray it right now, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.

Is this the life for you?

If you invited Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you’ll experience life to the fullest.

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