I was born into a Christian family and so I have believed in the existence of God ever since I could think. Growing up I never had to doubt the existence of God as both of my parents spoke in tongues and we believed in physical healing, which was demonstrated often. Ever since I can remember I saw people falling under the power of the Holy Spirit. As far as I can remember I only doubted the existence of God once and that for a brief moment, I was 16 and was on a trip to California.

However, to become a son of God, that is forever a rightful heir of all that God has, one needs a bit more than just a belief in the existence of God. The Bible says that knowing some information about God and Jesus is simply not enough. Nothing is enough actually. “No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.”   1 Corinthians 12:3. I have felt this Holy Spirit when I was in the Church at the age of 11. The preacher just asked who wants to be saved and know God personally and though I was very shy then, I couldn’t stop myself from going to the front of the Church building. There was something in me that said that this is exactly what I need, that this is exactly what I want. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I have declared that Jesus is the Christ and He accomplished my salvation by His victory over sin and death as He died on the cross and was consequently resurrected and that He will be my Lord whom I’ll love forever. I experienced the realness of God’s love there and then. I took water baptism in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit two years later at the age of 13 in a lake and the same year I also received the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the confirmation of speaking in tongues. The same year I was also completely healed from my stutter after a year of persistent prayer.

The years following my baptisms were not great. I was enslaved to computer games and other sinful lusts. At the time everything seemed good and very enjoyable. But the indulgence of the flesh can never satisfy nor bring true joy. Instead it kills the only real joy there is, love. After years of letting the lust of my flesh rule over me, my heart was hard and far from God. I have now also started drinking and getting drunk. At the age of 18, due to drinking and not obeying my parents I commited some great sins, that I tought I would never do. I was the good man from a Christian family after all. I was shocked as I watched myself repeatedly doing these shameful things.

I was a very proud person. The fact that I knew the truth about God in the midst of the most atheistic nation, that I excelled in my grammar school and my family was quite rich made me very self-righteous. Now committing these sins broke my heart. For a few months I was trying to hide them and pretend I even enjoy them, but deep in my heart I realized my wickedness. God didn’t forget about me, same as the nation of Israel. Both me and Israel had made a covenant with God in our youth and later dishonoured it. But God is faithful even when we are not, for He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13) and so He moved me by His Spirit again and convicted me of my sin. I felt on my knees and confessed that I was a sinner and needed the cross of Christ to live.

I have experienced the cross and what it means to have your sins forgiven and blotted out. However, I was still under the power of sin and couldn’t overcome some of my lustful addictions. But now it was something I hated, not enjoyed. I decided that I really want to know God and I prayed to hear His voice. Our relationship grew, I started giving up all secular entertainment to be with God instead. During the summer 2011 I was greatly filled with the Holy Spirit again and God spoke to me and called me to be a teacher and a preacher. Few months later during worship I have seen a vision of exalted Christ smiling and laughing and displaying His power and glory to me. This made me understand what is the exceeding greatness of His power towards me (Ephesians 1:19) and that I am no longer a slave to sin.

Since then I have been enjoying the deep love of the Father, the burning desire of Jesus and the fellowship and power of the Holy Spirit daily. He is my all and there is nothing better in life or eternity. I wish and pray all could know Him and His love!