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Lying on my bed in solitary confinement, I recalled how a neighbour once branded me as 'the scum of the earth'.. 'You are going to be in and out of prison for the rest of your life.' After my release, I began gambling, drinking and drugs. One day, I asked a colleague what he was reading. He he was preparing a Sunday school lesson. I was indignant. I said 'I know there's a God, you don't have to tell me. If I had a wish right now, it would be that God would take away every bad thing I had done, compress it into a ball and throw it away for ever. I wish I could find the true God.' The next morning, my wish was granted. The Holy Spirit brought me to repentance and saved my soul from Hell. I was born again. (John 3:3,7). Scroll down to read the rest of my story. One morning, a voice said,'Jesus Christ is who He says He is. You must become a Christian.’ '. John 3:3,7.In that unforgettable month of May 1985, I cried like a baby and was born into another world. My mother did not get me that plater's job after all. Divine providence led me to that factory. It was there on an industrial shop floor, the Holy Spirit brought me to repentance and saved my soul from hell. HELLO CHURCH A couple of days after my conversion, I summoned up the courage to go and visit a nearby chapel. As an unchurched believer, I gate crashed the prayer meeting. I asked the minister to make me into a born again Christian exactly like Cliff Richard. The singer at that time was the only born again Christian I could relate to. I am glad that Cliff and the press did not keep his belief a secret. The minister of the chapel obliged and granted my request. He prayed with me. I now considered myself to be an official Christian. TRANSFORMATION My change of heart went beyond an experience. It imparted a difference. The fruits of my being 'born again' soon became evident. I was affected in every way. My girlfriend stated that I was not the same Kevin she knew. She gave me an ultimatum. God or her. I was compelled to choose God. For the first time in my life I was backing an authentic certainty. I placed the reins of my destiny into the hands of the rider of a white horse, who is called faithful and true. Revelation 19:11. This divine jockey Jesus Christ has never failed me yet. Instead the dynamic of my conversion has changed the quality of my life. For example, I was able to stop smoking instantly. I was pleased about this. I had tried to stop smoking on a number of occasions before. Now I was able to kick the habit without making any effort. The craving for nicotine has gone. Furthermore I quit taking drugs. I told my friends that I would no longer be supplying them with illegal substances. My friends laughed. They suggested I was on a bad trip and my religious experience was just a phase. This was 13 years ago, in 1985. They were wrong. I have not used drugs since. In a television interview I was asked if my conversion experience may have possibly been drug induced. I answered the question by explaining that my wife became a Christian at fourteen. She had a conversion experience, but she has never taken an illegal substance. The church I pastor has about eighty members. The majority of which have never taken drugs, but they too have had a life changing experience with Jesus Christ. Some drug takers have become Christians. But many Christians have never been drug takers. It has also been suggested that my experience may have been a nervous breakdown, however someone who has a nervous breakdown is unable to cope with life. My conversion to Christ produced the opposite effect. Since my conversion I have been able to excel in life. I have gained the capacity to cooperate with others and sustain loving relationships. Furthermore I now have a disciplined intelligence. Before I became a Christian I had not read a book, I was virtually unlettered. But now I read widely and have a personal library of one thousand books. I have written articles for Challenge newspaper and Joy magazine. My conversion to Christ has also given me a respect for morality and equipped me with leadership skills that I did not have before. But most of all, since turning to faith in Christ I have gained a real sense of the meaning of life. It is true to say that I am enthusiastic about my faith, but that enthusiasm comes from a sound mind. My parental relationship with my mother has long been reconciled. I was with her when she died peacefully aged 82. Months before her death mom prayed the sinner’s prayer with me and asked Jesus to be her saviour too. One birthday she gave me the money to purchase the complete works of the puritan writer John Owen. She wrote an inscription in volume one, which says, ‘A present with joy and love to Kevin in appreciation of study etc which has been extremely hard work to the lad. From his loving and surprised, thankful mom. God works in mysterious ways his wonders to perform. Mom’. Furthermore I have experienced a redemption lift in my domestic circumstances. By the grace of God, I have been able to pay off all of my rent arrears. I do not gamble anymore, not even on the lottery! Consequently, I have the financial freedom to buy my own house. The house is a small centrally heated three-bedroom semi. It is fully carpeted with a utility room, a garden and a garage. It excels my former accommodation. I am grateful for God's provision I am also married, my wife is named Colleen, I love her very much. We have two sons, Joseph and Nathan. God has been true to His word, 'He sets the lonely in families'. Psalms 68:6. As a teenager I neglected formal education. I am pleased to say God has restored some of the school years, which the locusts have eaten. I was privileged to study at the Birmingham Bible Institute in 1988-1990. I obtained a certificate in theology and a GCSE in English. Modest qualifications I know, but at that time, a personal best. Now I no longer wonder through life, I am conscious that I'm on an exciting journey. In my years of full time Christian ministry I have endured some unpleasant moments and severe trials. But in the midst of difficulties, God's hand of encouragement lifts me safely over the hurdles. I wish I had become a Christian sooner, but even this regret is compensated. Jesus said, 'There are those who are last who will be first.' Luke 13:30. This is a blessed principle. The dying thief on the cross was a no-hopper. He was making his last will and testament. But with Christ he came through to repentance, won forgiveness and picked up the prize of eternal life. Jesus Christ has given me peace for the past, grace for the present and hope for the future. He can do the same for you. Kevin Coley (Revised on 16th April 1999) Click HERE to return to the edited story Click HERE to create a banner that links to this story! Your e-mail address will be kept private!
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