A Testimony of RESTORATION
 

In 1988, I lost my first wife. My world, my family, my ministry, and my very Christian walk came crashing down. I lost out with God, began drinking and got involved with drugs. And, ended up in jail. All I had to read there was a Bible. One day, I picked open the Bible and began reading at random. Nothing in particular. Just reading to have something to read.

After awhile I laid the Bible on my chest and fell asleep. Later, I woke up and picked the Bible up and began to read again. This is the first thing I read:

Psa 91:14 Because YOU hath set YOUR love upon me, therefore will I deliver YOU: I will set YOU on high, because YOU hath known my name.

Psa 91:15 YOU shall call upon me, and I will answer YOU: I will be with YOU in trouble; I will deliver YOU, and honour YOU.

It seemed as if God was speaking directly to me, saying "Because you at one time knew Me, if you will come back, I will restore all that you have lost". And, eventually I did return. And He kept His promise. He gave me a new wife, a new family (with grandkids- the best kind of kid!), a home, and even brought me back to Alabama. And I quit the drinkin' and druggin' went to school and even took a little college. He restored comepletely.

A while later I went back and read those verses again. Was surprized to see they didn't read exactly like I had read them before. Go back and read Psalms 91:14-15. See how God personalized His Word to me, who certainly didn't, and still don't, deserve His tender mercies. God certainly does speak to us from His Word.

How has God spoken specifically to you?

Re: A Testimony of RESTORATION
 

A great testimony!!!

thank you for sharing it.


It's neat how God has revealed Himself in His Word and how at times he quickens a verse to us personally. Some use the terms logos for the total written word and rhema for the personalized quickened portion of that written word.

Re: A Testimony of RESTORATION
 

OneAccordian,

Great testimony. I also thank you for sharing it. You never know when some backslidden soul in the depths of despair may find it while on the internet and it may speak to him or her the hope they need.

God is the God of second chances. I am glad you availed yourself of yours and allowed God to make you whole.

Re: A Testimony of RESTORATION
 

Oh, I'm not whole. Got plenty of "holes".

But as the old song says,

"I ain't what I'm gonna be,
And ain;t what I wnna be,
But Thank God, I'm not what I was"

Re: A Testimony of RESTORATION
 

Speaking of God being the God of second chances, I was reminded of a prayer I saw somewhere that said


God
of the second chance
and
beginning again,
Here I am,
again.

Re: A Testimony of RESTORATION
 

Thanks OA for a great testimony. You have blessed me.

Re: A Testimony of RESTORATION
 

Thats a good one!

Re: A Testimony of RESTORATION
 

In the words of one song, "He's the God of the 2nd chance, the third chance, the 4th, 5th, 6th, 27th chance." His grace is unending to those who have a broken heart, and a heart to cry out to Him.

Re: A Testimony of RESTORATION
 

Beautiful testimony!

Yes, God has spoken specifically to me many times. Sometimes through the Bible... sometimes through a sermon... and sometimes directly in my ear (do I actually hear an audible??? Not sure, but as good as one...) Each time it was JUST what I needed to hear! Sometimes for correction, sometimes for encouragement, and sometimes just plain communion!

God is good! And when I get down on life, on myself, on religion... whatever ... God brings me back everytime!!!

PRAISE GOD! His reign is supreme!

Re: A Testimony of RESTORATION
 

Good thread, OneAccord!

This scripture has always been so dear to me, above others. It's the first scripture the Lord laid on my heart as a new Christian. When I am going through a particularly hard time, which isn't often, He will remind me of this when I am in prayer.

It's like He is taking me all the way back to when I gave my life to Him and telling me it has all been relevant!

The scripture is very awesome, to me, because I was at a breaking point in my life and needed God, who I did not know and I certainly did not know where to find Him - outside of a Catholic prayer that was not working for me.

I called one of my sisters and told her that I was going to find God somehow and I would call her back when I did. So, I left my whole family. God placed a girl in my life that invited me to a Pentecostal church. Months later, after I was filled with His Spirit, I called my sister and said, "I found God."

Very awesome time in my life and really set the most passionate love in my heart for Him that has carried me through all of these years.

Here is my scripture:

Ruth 2:11:12 "....how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. (12) The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust."

Above All - Michael W. Smith

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7Sn5rV6oM0