When I was 15, I wanted to really enjoy life, I had a desire to step into something new and get carried away by that, I thought that I had to really enjoy this life so I was looking for something that I would make me different from others. I went to high school, where I met a boy, two years older than me. I admired him for the respect that people had of him and his "charisma" ... we started dating. The guy was a Satanist and he also had his own band, which made money, he was also smoking weed, drinking alcohol and drugs weren't too far away from him. After some time he acquainted me with the people around him, I have admired him and tried to be like him. I started to be interested in magic and Satanism, it really attracted me and it felt like something I could dive into, like something pulling me into an unknown and a totally different world ... I smoked weed pretty regularly and I went with him to the hardest music concerts. One day we went to a club, it was tekno, I did not have any idea of such music. But because I wanted to try everything, I went there. I tried the drug, which should bring me into euphoria. On the contrary but I was completely devastated, I experienced a terrible feeling, like when I'm in hell. The next day I still felt sober, but when I got home, I felt awful. Suddenly I was sorry for my parents, when I realized what I was doing to them .. and I thought "if they just knew it .."
After some time, we broke up.
Since that time I was left in terrible anger and sadness, sometimes I hurt myself so that I would "felt better", I was quite mean to people, even though before some people I was hiding it. But still I just wanted to be like him. I listened to satanic bands and I went into clubs, with “the”atmosphere. But inside I felt so devastated and hurt .. when I was 16, I started attending a new high school. During this year I tried several relationships, I went to the pub and I was among the people, who had similar lifestyle like me, but I felt so empty and hopeless when I thought about my life... in class, I met one Ukrainian girl, which is still my very good friend and sister in Christ. I remember that I felt something in that girl, what had very calming effect on me .. and there was me, I once asked her "Are you religious?" And he said that yes, it awakened some hope in me and I just wanted to give it a try…I remember that once I attended church of Protestants, but rather for a new relationship with people. I saw light in her, I could see, that she's got something what I don't have and what I miss and I even I was little jealous. After some time, she invited me to the church where she went, and I came to have a look. When I was there for the first time, somehow I was little tired there, but I thought, what if that God is really watching me and he sees into me? And I also felt that certainly I'm not in vain there, because some words began to touch me. When I went there, and also invited my brother and he liked it, so we went there one time together. But not for too long.Summer vacation started, I was excited about it, I wanted to enjoy them with „no stress“. I have flown to England. The day before , I was at my friend’s. We thought, that we should go dancing to get relaxed, finally we got some weed and got high. And from that part it kind of started .. On that day I remember that my grandfather’s health was very bad, so I was afraid. I returned to the condition, which I had had with the drug. I was in indescribable terrible condition and I knew that was wrong. Inside my soul I cried in pain "When shall this end, this is not reality, why do I live, God save me!" This situation occurred several times throughout the week which I spent in England. In the UK, I said: 'I'll start to follow God and see what will happen to me, I'll pray and read the Bible, and perhaps that God will save me .. There must be God! I believe that God is the only solution that would get me out of it ... Yes, like I said it and I started to hope.. After these words I was getting better step by step and I saw big future in my life, and I looked forward to what will happen after all ... I read the Bible, and although I wasn't able to understand everything, but I felt that inside I was growing, I believed that God was helping me. I started to behave differently to people around me. When I returned from England, my grandfather died while my brother was in New Zealand, where he was involved in a car crash and it was a miracle that he survived, he felt strangely there, and he had to be hospitalized. After 2 months he returned home. Then I thought why did this happen, just as I started changing? "
But the main thing I did was that I prayed to God constantly and thought, "Be strong, forget about who you were before, and go ahead with what you started .." When the school year started, I began going regularly to Church and I felt that I am building my life and that there is nothing better than hearing God's word! And I started to enjoy it, yet I felt such peace of mind .. I was changed very quickly, thank God! I gave my life to Jesus Christ, I was baptized, and I was rescued from all of those things from the past. Only through Jesus can man find freedom. My 17th year of life was a memorable experience that I had and I wish everyone could have .. Now almost all my family is saved. Thank God!
„Candies of the World” Aren’t so Sweet as They Seem To Be
I’m the oldest child of my parents and their only daughter. I’m the desired child of my parents. Before I was born, my parents had a baby – my little brother Peter. He was only three months old when he passed away. My parents were carrying this painful lost it in their hearts for many years. When my brother was gone my parents prayed for the Lord to give them a blessing of another child. And the Lord gave them me. I have to admit that I wasn’t a big blessing during my teenage years however I always felt great love and support from my parents, support that every child needs. I thank God every day for my parents, who are very important and indispensable for my life.
Before me and my brothers were born my parents had been believers. Unfortunately they experienced rejection in their church which together with the pain of their son’s death caused them to leave the church and live on their own. But the Lord says in His word: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Hebrews 13:5.
We used to have some Bibles and Bible stories for children at home in our bookcase but we children were not allowed to take them. In spite of it we secretly “stole” these books from time to time and read them quietly in our bedrooms. During my childhood I visited church two times with my father - because I was small I attended a children’s meeting. I liked the church, the kindness and goodness of the people there and I cannot forget the way they were always smiling.
The years passed quickly and I suddenly turned 15. I began my studies at a secondary school and I graduated. There I met a different Christianity than I had known from Bible stories. Once a missionary came to visit our school and gave each one of us a New Testament. Since that time I have carried my New Testament always with me. On my way home from school I opened the New Testament several times and tried to understand and comprehend the truth and life in it. Unfortunately I didn’t succeed.
In another two years my family got into a difficult situation. My father was sick and went to a hospital. In the beginning it looked like a normal flu but for a long time his condition was not getting any better. After several months he was released from the hospital and was told that this was just flu and he should continue to take Paracetamol pills. He was still coughing strongly. One day when he went with my mother to visit our friends, he collapsed. He was taken to a Prague’s hospital and the doctors diagnosed him with kidneys failure. He collapsed again and this time he met Jesus – the Lord gave him a second chance.
When my father came back from the hospital everything changed. I couldn’t recognize him. You know, my father used to be a hot-tempered and tough man. Suddenly a wolf turned into a lamb. It changed my whole life. My father and brother began to attend a church which later became my home church also. Our family life was transformed.
One day my uncle Petr Mati invited us for a Christian youth meeting. At this occasion I met Jesus who changes lives. I saw it even at home but to meet Jesus personally was a strong experience. And here my battle began – the church or disco, boys, provocative clothes etc. The devil began to be very interested in me because he knows very well the word: “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” – John 8:32. The battle between Jesus, devil and me began. I was a girl that wanted deliverance but didn’t want easily to give up the old life which offered “worldly candies”. It was not a rare situation when on Friday evening I and my friend Markéta went to disco (where we were admired as V. I. P.) and on Saturday morning we traveled to Slaný to the youth meeting. I will never forget of one of the meetings where our leader Dita asked me to say something about myself. At that moment I looked at Markéta and began to explain to everybody that I like disco and boys. I kept on living this way for another 6 months.
The most shocking thing for me was the fact that one by one all our family members were coming to salvation. Michal, my father, Vojta and my mother while, and I was still left behind. It even began to bother me. Then all men from my family went to a Christian summer camp and I stayed at home with my mother. A few days after the camp there was an outreach in our city. I decided to prepare some snack for everybody. I remember brother Kamil Minařík who came by car to help with transports – he praised me for well done preparations. This encouragement was very valuable for me at that time – I was not a Christian and yet they were praising me.
The next day after the evangelization I stayed alone at home. I went to my room and told Jesus: “Jesus, I want to know you. Forgive all of my sins. And if the people around me are not lying, when they say that you are alive and change lives, change my life also. Come into my life.” And he did it. The next day I knew I was saved and my life was going to change. And so it happened, thank the Lord. A girl that danced every weekend in a disco, dated with boys and wore provocative clothes turned into a different person. Now she sings to the Lord in the church choir, takes care of the children that need salvation and her face and life is changing. This change was worth giving up everything for Jesus because he is the way, the truth and the life. Now I believe I am a blessing for my parents and an answer to their prayer. Thanks to the Holy Spirit I managed to come to know the truth.
THE DECISION FOR JESUS IS THE BEST DECISION YOU CAN MAKE IN YOUR LIFE.
Zdeňka Cihlářová
Hi there!
We forgave all people that had ever hurt us and we began to love them. Now I am fully committed to the Lord and I desire to know Him more and more. I sing in the choir and serve in our children’s ministry. I also help anywhere where there is need. I experience wonderful meetings on Sundays whether with the adults or with the children. Especially I enjoy our youth gatherings – God always surprises me. :-) Halelujah!Honestly, I wasn’t curious to go to the camp this year. Maybe I didn’t expect good things or maybe because it is more difficult for me than for other people since I’m the musician in the worship team. But I don’t want to write about such things. I felt better when we arrived to the place: beautiful atmosphere, Christian environment etc. I’ll speed up :).
Even the first meeting showed that we can and we should expect miracles and God’s power or at least God’s presence in this place. And really! It was the greatest and the most beautiful experience of His presence. During various meetings we could sense God’s holiness and love in that way that people could really talk to God and cry, including me, because I realized many things that were against Him. Now, I want to return to my original idea and that is the youth meetings, because I’m part of the youth in our church. In the beginning, I spotted just few young faces at the camp but then I was surprised by the number of young people gathered there. I would say they were about 30 of us but the number isn’t important. The important thing was that there were “a lot of” youngsters.
We were told that youth would have more time together this year and I think it was true. Of course, I was sad that some youngsters, who knew God less or didn’t know Him at all, came just for fun and entertainment and they didn’t take part in things of God. Even though, I believe that God talked to them.
Naturally, at the beginning we had an (UN)official youth meeting, where we got to know each other. Here we got “unusual” tasks in my opinion. Those of us who were older in Christ or maybe more experienced, were put in charge of those less experienced or of those who had no clue about it all. For me being one of those “selected” ones was very good experience, it is nice to feel responsibility for someone and teach him something he doesn’t know.
One day, when it was going to be the official youth meeting, I was sick, I felt dizzy, I couldn’t see any food and so on. I took the last strength I had and got myself to the morning meeting - I didn’t want to leave things of God just because of the sickness. However in the middle of this meeting I had to go to the room to lie down. I fell asleep and woke up after 3 hours. I told to myself “in 10 minutes the youth meeting gonna start. Shall I go or shall I stay”. As I got up I was sick again. “So, what? I GO!” I prayed and set off. During the meeting I was better and better and I started to feel freedom and lightness in His presence.
The preacher of this meeting was pastor from the USA br. Randall McCool, who encouraged me a lot during this camp. Randall was the main speaker on this meeting and I know that God spoke through him to me. He had very encouraging message and he prayed for us all and it was very ‘blessed’ :-). God touched me for the second time at this camp and I could feel His mercy and love – I had to cry, simply it came out of me – all sorrows and sadness – I’m grateful for that. Finally, I felt such freedom and I felt well that I could dance with others as pastor McCool ‘ordered’.
I don’t want to describe the whole camp, it would take too many pages, but I’d like to encourage young people. We are in difficult time and many youth believers fall into sin and world and into darkness and into ‘unconsciousness’. Brothers and sisters, hold onto God. Seek His face for He is righteous and faithful. He gave His Son for me and you and us, so that we didn’t fall into devil’s hands. I can’t stop thanking Jesus that He went to the cross for us. After a long time, this camp was for me a good start into another period of that long race. And God has really given us all these things.
2. Corinthians 10:4-5 “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Chris” After all, even though I didn’t want to go to this camp I was glad I could be there. It is true that God has prepared the best from heaven in the place where we don’t expect it.
Mathew 13:45-46 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
Seek God and you won’t miss Him.
Finally, I want to encourage all: Keep going! Go on!
1. 1. Corinthians 10:13 “ No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
God is faithful. Be faithful as well and you’re gonna win. Amen
Teenstreet
Morning program was very colourful, from praising the Lord, reading God’s word, telling Bible stories exciting way, with innovative short videos and crazy games :o)). Afternoons were in arrangement of individuals who could choose from sports like volleyball, basketball, football or chat rooms for people who have many questions to ask, or variety of interactions as for example face painting or Gospel for Kids etc. You could as well go shopping to Christian bookstore and for artist there were special Art Zone and the best of all – prayer room, where you could touch God’s word and experience it physically.
God can be approached in many forms and each one of us can find the one that suits to us. God is calling you – he has some purpose for you – find it! We have experienced a lot of things but nothing compares to worshiping our God.
Revelation 7:9,10 (NIV) After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Bára Bryndová
The Cross or the Switchblade? (September 2007)
In September a special event focused on youths was held in Krupka, a small city near Teplice. We were determined to draw young people to a place where we hold our regular meetings and cell groups so that they can get acquainted with it.
We prepared a program including two music teams, Christian movie show and open forum. We started at 2 p.m. with a young ladies’ music team. It was wonderful to see many young people standing up and praising our Lord with us. Then G.O.D. Hip-Hop team came up with five songs. Their impressive performance touched the young people so much that they have been talking about it ever since. Young people today are attracted by Hip-Hop and if it is used for the work of Jesus it becomes a strong tool. Then we had snack which the young ministers prepared for their guests by themselves. Then we had time for private talks – sowing the Word of God into the young hearts again. Then we watched the Cross and the Switchblade movie and then we had an open forum focused at topics such as: - Switchblade or the Cross
- Abortion or the Cross
- Drugs or the Cross
- Disappointment or the Cross
We rejoiced greatly over this event because it has brought liberty to preach the Gospel to young people in the streets. I am certain that a great door of opportunity has been opened in the Spirit. The Lord added three saved souls to us. Praise God. I thank God a lot that He is uniting us and enabling us to minister to those in need. It is wonderful and I believe strongly that the revival starting among the youths will bring a mighty harvest of truly saved souls in the future.
In His love, Brother Petr Mati