Life Testimony

Christianity is not my birth religion, my family is devoted Catholics. Growing up, I also applied the practices of Catholicism. My mother was my first spiritual mentor who introduced me to God as our Creator but, I didn't know about Jesus then, about being our Savior and how important He is. I didn't even know why He died in the cross.

Every Sunday, we go to Catholic church that I became a church-goer, but truth is, I am never satisfied. I still feel the lack and the void that I don't know how to fill. I visit the church, listen to the priest, have the holy communion, pray, and then go back to my normal life without change, without even understanding what I'm doing. Not until, I was introduced to Christianity and being born again that my mind was open to spiritual realms, the truth, and the Good News that Jesus brings to humankinds.

Good thing, I am not devoted to Catholicism because I don't see God as a religion, a practice, a tradition, and a belief. I see Him as our Divine Creator whom we should have a relationship with. 

It was late 2020, pandemic time, when my professor invited me to a Life Group, it's a group of people sharing life experiences, testimonies, and discussing the Bible to each other. I have to admit, I had the sin of pride that I don't want to be included in any Christian gatherings because I have the pride that I don't need anyone to strengthen my faith. Little did I know, how much a believer needs it.

The Life Group continued for months and my life drastically changed. I was encouraged to read the Bible, something I've never done, in spite of being a reader. It was early 2021 when I first read the Bible, the first book I read was John, it is about the life of Jesus (if you also want to start reading the Bible, start from here). After that, I had this strong desire to get to know Him more. I wanted to start in the beginning, so I read the Bible in order, starting in Genesis. Needless to say, it took me until this year before finishing the whole Bible. I included some devotion notes, so it took me that long.

Fast forward to February 05, 2023, my professor that invited me is also a pastor, and I now became part of their church. It was on that date that I got baptized by water and the Spirit. I'm not gonna lie, I felt hesitant at first because I am being persecuted in our family of abandoning Catholicism. But, I didn't let that stop me from being baptized. I am now an adult, who is capable of making a decision for myself. And my decision is choosing Jesus.

(The concept of water baptism can be found in the book of John, Chapter 3, verses 1 to 21. I am encouraging you to read it to better understand it. May discuss it more to following blog posts to come.)

Ever since that day, my life changed, transformed, and evolved into something way better than I could have imagined. That void in my heart was filled, and the contentment I found was beyond human satisfaction. How?

Reading the Bible is not what changed my life, applying it in my life does.

Accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior didn't change my life, letting Him enter my mind, heart, and soul does.

Being born again didn't change my life, but having a relationship with God does.

I'm saying these because there are moments in my life that I am reading the Bible, but I still continued to sin, that is because I didn't apply it in my life. I already accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, but I still let the Devil/Enemy attack me, it is because I didn't let Jesus enter my mind, heart, and soul. I have been born again, but I am still following the ways of this world, it is because I'm not being serious with my relationship with God.

I don't want to be in those moments at all. Thankfully, God delivered me from these, and now I have dominion over these things. 

I went astray, but I am found again. I became a prodigal, but now I'm back in my Father's arms. 

The best life decision I made is accepting God's calling to be in a relationship with Him. And now, I want to honor, glorify, and bless Him through this blogsite and through the talent He has given me to share to the world how I was saved. That, despite my wrong choices in life, I was still chosen, and not forsaken.