Narrowing down everything The Lord has done for me, I would say the most impacting blessing has been the change in my self esteem. I used to view myself as unimportant to everyone, including my mother. I didn't have any positive thoughts about myself. I would always say that if I were to die today no one would miss me. Then The Lord showed up and told me how beautiful I am and how he died just for me. God gave me purpose and worth and showed me how important I really am and that He has plans for me. I became important to myself for the first time ever. I was fire proof after I gave myself to him completely and now no one can change how I see myself or bring me down. I know I'm not perfect, but with God I am a better person and I will continue to grow in Him.- Estefani

Unfortunately I made some bad decisions in choosing my friendships starting at an early age. All of this happened even though I grew up in a Christian home; I surrounded myself with many bad influences and these only taught me a number of negative things that were definitely not pleasing to God. I remember thinking at first that most youth must have the same negative experiences I was having and I ended up taking all of this in stride as if it was a game. Everything bad that I was doing was simply one more game to play in my mind but the truth was that I was blinded to the tricks the enemy was using against me to pull me further and further away from God by making me do many things that God did not approve of. Many years went by and I even as an adult, I continued my silly games, I was so used to certain things that they literally felt “normal” to me. I knew very well what the Bible said about my actions and there were times that I felt very guilty, ashamed, and even dirty but at the end, I would fall in the enemy’s trap and continued my bad behavior. I used to convince myself that as long as I wasn’t hurting any third parties, everything would be okay. I was certain that I had my life totally under control, I even thought I could control when to do or not to do certain things but the reality was that I was wrong, my bad behavior ruled me. Sin had penetrated the deepest part of my being and my body was used to so many negative things that it craved even more sin. There was a period in my life where I was able to control certain behaviors somewhat because I had already gotten married but when I least expected it, all those things that were still in me, crept right back in. I almost lost my marriage in more than one occasion because of my addictions and even though I was back in church I had never truly surrendered my life including my addictions to God. I had never truly repented for my bad behavior and mindset, thinking that sin was okay as long as others did not know. I would try to take care of things myself and stop what I thought was “normal” but I would fall time and time again in this vicious cycle. This time around it was very different because now, it did affect a third person which was my wife; the person I love the most in this world. She forgave me many times and tried to help me but the day came when I hit rock bottom and almost lost her completely as well as ruined everything that God was trying to do with my life. In the midst of my agony and pain, I was able to recognize that I was never going to be able to fix this problem by myself. I finally recognized that I needed to surrender these issues completely to God and also needed to sincerely repent and ask God for help. I knew I practically had to start from scratch and give my life fully to God this time, 100% not partial…He deserved at least that from me. When I was finally able to deny myself and surrender everything to God I was also able to clearly see how God was always there, he had never forsaken me. Even though I saddened him with my decisions and my actions he had not forgotten me. He never turned his back on me and it was only through his love and loving people that he placed in my life like my pastors who God used to teach me many things.  I learned that there is no problem God cannot handle and helping me with my addictions was not impossible. It was only God and God alone that changed me and restored my marriage; I was finally able to understand what the Word means when it says you have to be “born-again”. Thanks to his amazing love and power, today I have a new mindset, a new heart, and a new body free of any addictions, totally renewed! I know the enemy may try again to bring many temptations my way but with God’s love and faithfulness I will stand firm against any of the enemy’s plans…I will walk faithfully holding God’s hand…I will not go back even if it was meant to gain momentum, I am moving forward, with God.- Roberto

               Sometime ago the Lord told me He would bless me, but my reasoning would question Him and through this process the Lord has taught me to believe in Him. He has established His promises in my life and taught me that what He declares, He also completes. God has freed me from doubting Him so that I can enjoy the over abundant blessings that He has stored up for me and not only in the tangible, but in all of the blessings He has in store for me. I asked the Lord, where will my provision come from in the future? And that same Sunday a prophetic word came to me where he said that He would be my provision and my future would be in full time ministry in His house and service (A Holy priesthood unto God). God did not delay in responding me because He is never late and is always faithful and just to answer the prayer of the righteous! Pablo

        When I was 21 I was diagnosed with a medical condition where I would lose the ability to have kids within a 5-6 year period. It was a great shock for me since it was so unexpected and I was very young at the time. I went into the doctor’s office for a routine check up and ended up at the specialist and walked out with devastating news. It was especially hard for me to receive this diagnosis when a big dream of mine was to get married and enjoy the birth of my kids alongside my future wife. I fell into a depression which led me to make so many bad decisions, which in turn brought consequences to my life that were not good. I had not given my life to the Lord at the time and didn't want to know anything about God after hearing such bad news. I ended up blaming God for what the doctors told me and pushed away from what little relationship I had with Him.   Fast forward, years later, I gave my life to the Lord. I asked for forgiveness for all the blame I had put on God for things He did not wrong me with. I dove deep into the Lord and when my time for marriage and kids came He did what the doctors said would be impossible. He gave me what the world said I would never have. His promises are yes and Amen. His word is above all other words and above all other confessions. The words of disaster that were spoken over me became a miracle and an act of Hope that would fuel me to be grateful to this day. Every time I look at my children I am reminded that Greater is He! - Robert

             Our names are Jamie and Yansylia Paucar. God has impacted our marriage in such a way that is unforgettable and priceless. It all started 5 years ago when I (Jamie) knew who God was, but drifted away from  Him and because of that, I wasn't able to bring my wife (Yansylia) to God. Our relationship wasn't always picture perfect because we struggled with jealously, infidelity, and communication issues. We separated for three months and had plans to get a divorce. Throughout those three months my wife (Yansylia) sought God like never before and got saved. My wife (Yansylia) made a promise to the Lord that no matter what happened she would still serve Him and joined the Dance Ministry and became a dancer through worship for the Lord. After three months of difficult times, the Lord convicted and confronted me (Jamie) and did a work over my life that allowed me to do His work unconditionally. Through God our relationship was restored and made whole. It is an everyday battle, but because God is first in our marriage we are able to communicate and trust each other better as the days go by. Our love towards each other is unconditional the same way God's love is towards us. Be blessed and stay strong as God is by your side. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-13 - Jaime & Yansylia

              I never understood the concept of tithes and offerings. From my perspective, I always thought that the church only wanted your money. Watching controversy after controversy televised to the public made me not want to give to the church, and from my catholic background I thought a couple dollars was more than enough. When God opened my eyes and touched my heart I understood that I was robbing God by holding back what was already His. At the same time I was robbing myself of the blessings that come from this action. As soon as I began to be more faithful and honest with what was Gods, He began blessing me with even more. He blessed me abundantly all around to the point where I can say he has increased my earnings year after year after year, and I know that it all comes from His providing hand. Time and time again God has proven His promise for us to lack in nothing, and as long as we remain faithful to God, I know He will remain faithful to us! - Felix

             I was raised a devote Catholic and got saved eight years ago and the Lord recued me and changed my life for the better. However, after suffering a major betrayal, I walked with a spirit of un forgiveness for almost two years.  Harboring these bad feelings kept me in darkness and I couldn't move forward.  My human nature wanted me to hate and kept me in that funky state of mind. Something that Pastor Joell told me was to pray for that specific individual whom I was harboring unforgiveness towards.  My initial thought  was, are you kidding?
The following day I put this situation in prayer and I did just that, I prayed for that lost soul who had chosen to be used by the enemy.  I didn’t see an immediate result, but through faith and understanding of God’s Word, I remembered in the Bible where Jesus said: "Father forgive them for they do not know what they're doing".  If Jesus was able to do it, so could I!  I can honestly say that I know that I've forgiven and that I have peace in my heart and feel complete happiness and I thank God for my new transformation.   I AM FREE! - Awilda
           
     

                   I grew up in a home where we learned about God and went to church but lived a life not according to God's instruction. I saw dysfunction and abuse; I ran away from home several times and eventually ran away from The Lord. Once on my own, I sought happiness and fulfillment in the things of this world and did more harm than good. On occasion, I would visit different churches, but did not reconnect with God for a few years. I remembered to pray of course during "times of crisis" and God being the merciful God He is, spared my life in situations like shoot outs, car accidents and homelessness.
           After sometime, I had two children and was in a relationship that was not Christ centered. I was depressed and knew I had to get serious with God again. I decided to rededicate my life to The Lord. Shortly after I did, I found out I had stage 3 cervical cancer and separated from my boyfriend. I felt like I had accepted The Lord again but it was too late. I stayed in church this time, sought pastoral counseling, prayed and studied the Bible like never before. I believed in spite of things seeming to get worse before getting better, and as God promises, He never left me. I'm cancer free almost 7 years now; my "boyfriend" accepted God and is now my husband. Life is not perfect, but we are blessed to be raising a family together in a God fearing home and have shared many victories together and look forward to many more. - Cynthia

 

          About 5 years ago I was living very reckless, I was drinking and using drugs everyday and slowly destroying my girlfriend (at the time) and children, but she as well as members of her church and people in my family prayed for me to change my ways and give my life to God. Initially when I came to church I really didn't want to be there, but I knew that I needed to be there or I was going to lose everything. From that very first time I entered the church, something happened that can only be explained by God's love and power. Fast forward to today I'm happily married to my girlfriend (at that time), I don't drink or do drugs anymore and I am in love with God! I never went to any rehab facility either! I was delivered by God! Once I stopped running and surrendered to Him completely, He turned my life around and if God did it for a no good dude like me, He can and will do it for anybody!- Wayne

       Growing up in a Christian home, I was supposed to be the example in all areas of my life. I was surrounded by youth groups, pastors and a whole lot of scripture. When I was thirteen my family moved to Ecuador and my family became less involved in church. For the next few years, I would be living a dual life as a teenager. At the age of Sixteen, I moved back to the United States and finished my last year of High School. Everything that had been engraved in my heart was faintly there, even though I still believed in God, there were a lot of other distractions in my life. At the age of Seventeen I started college and moved into the dorms, away from all boundaries and restrictions.  My heart was far from home and so was my mind. My first semester in college was instrumental to show me the cruel reality of what is out there in the world. I tampered with a lot that I shouldn't have, but God had a different plan for me.  The next few months served as a time where God ministered to my heart and I listened. I reconnected my prayer life and quickly dove back into what God had in plans for my life. I'm thankful that God saved me and set me a side during this time where I was exposed to much perdition. -  Maria
 

         As a teenager growing up I didn't have a close relationship with my parents. I felt like I could never go to them if I had problems because they would yell at me or didn't understand. When I turned 18 I started rebelling going out clubbing/ drinking every weekend with friends. I ended up getting kicked out stayed with family and friends. Until one day I decided to go back home, my mother asked me if I wanted to go to church with her. That's where everything changed I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I now have a great relationship with my parents and thank God for all the amazing things he has done and continues to do in my life. Things I would never imagine myself doing. “Serving God is not my religion, it's my lifestyle" - Jennifer

          After my parents divorce (I was only 5) the relationship I had with my father was practically non-existent. I craved for his love, his care, his advice, his provision, and at times all I really wanted was a hug from him, no questions asked, but I couldn't even ask for that little. Various circumstances like distance (we moved to a different country), bitterness, anger, and lack of forgiveness between the adults made everything much worse, and the relationship in my mind and heart was dead, buried, and with no resurrection power as far as I knew. I spent 23 years of my life aching, wishing, hoping, longing for in one way or another to be able to get my father back in my life. Of course that my Heavenly Daddy was always there, He never failed me, always protected me, always provided, never ceased to give me His love.

          After all those years, one day after a very serious but loving conversation with my hubby, God used him to tell me something that sounded very simple but I just didn't know how to do, he told me: "Stop trying to fix it yourself, let it go, and put it in God's hands." I thought to myself: “that has crossed my mind and heart many times but why should I let go?” Of course it wasn't easy but it was worth the try; so one day I just decided to do it; I let it go, yes that's right, I let it go! Not the desire to have my dad back but the control of my situation and emotions, I left it ALL in God's hands for real this time. I let go of unanswered questions that truly didn't matter anymore, I let go of any judgment ideas and thoughts others had placed in my heart, I let go of any lack of forgiveness or bitterness the enemy had planted in my heart and I cried to my Heavenly Father like I had never done before. I first thanked Him for never letting go and for always treating me as His little princess, I asked Him to forgive me if I ever acted or said anything that made it look or sound as if He wasn't enough but I also asked Him to give me all the love possible in my heart for my dad, to heal all my wounds, and to help me find a way to establish some type of good relationship with him. Needless to say, if you have any idea of how God works, you could start to imagine what started to happen. All the sadness, anguish, and pain for the lack of my father and that relationship I yearned for so long during those 23years started melting away, I started shedding some spiritual burden pounds and it felt really gooood!! It felt awesome to feel lighter but yet filled with so much love for my dad that it was bursting at the seams of my being. God took over when I let go!! and the rest of the story only gets better.

           My dad and I reconciled 7 years ago and today thanks to God's resurrection power, our relationship is very much alive!! We enjoy a very, very healthy relationship filled with love, care, kindness, acceptance, understanding, protection, and forgiveness. We both let go of the past and started focusing in our present and future and God is doing the rest. It feels so good to have my daddy back and I mean really back. Not just birthday or Christmas time calls, we talk every single week and trust me, when we get the opportunity to spend quality time together (we still live in different countries), we enjoy each other's company to the max. We spend hours talking and laughing over coffee, we enjoy to the fullest each walk together, each trip together; each hug…God has made our relationship even better than I could have ever imagined. God can fix anything that is broken and all he wants is our happiness, He is “the expert” on the impossible, just trust Him, do your part, and wait to see how His works will never cease to amaze you.- Laura

                  I had graduated from a four year college in May 2009, during the time the country declared itself as being in the middle of an economic recession. The topic of all conversations were about the recession. You will hear discouraging statements about how there were no jobs available, and how the future did not look promising. Not to mention, I was a "Baby" Christian at the time and hearing these statements, really crushed any hope I may have had. During one of the Sunday services, I remembered Pastor Joell preaching about "How the world's economy is not equal to God's Economy"! From then on, I decided to ask God to open the doors of opportunity for myself, and for those who are in need of work! I had a part-time job at a NYC public Library, and during my days off I would take the time to apply for different full-time jobs . I had submitted a total of 20 resumes in a few short months. I was hoping for a response from one job in particular, in which I had applied a few years prior to me graduating, but the position was on hold due to the economic recession. God knew that I had set my heart for this particular job, therefore I put  it in my prayers. A few months passed and no response from any employers. I became agitated and impatient. I remembered going to work early on a Friday morning, thinking I was scheduled to work, and finding out that they had placed my name accidentally on the schedule. As I sadly made my way towards the train to head back home, I ask myself why am I feeling like this? Why am I not trusting in God? In that moment I closed my eyes and asked God to forgive me for thinking negatively and doubting Him. The next day (Saturday), I had the opportunity to visit my dad who I had not seen in a few months. We talked about God and how everything is on His time. Later that day, my husband picked me up, and he mention that a thick envelope had come in the mail for me. I was extremely curious to find out what it was, and as soon as I got home I rushed to open up the envelope. Words cannot come out of my mouth of how excited I was. The letter read " you have been selected for an interview on October 14, 2009. I jumped up and down that day, thanking God. To my surprise on the day of the interview, there were only 29 positions available and the place was filled with 150 applicant's. Wow! I said to myself, I don't know how, but I know God will make it happen and that day I walked out with a job and most importantly with the job that I desired. God does fulfill the desires of your heart! To God be the Glory!- Deborah

                                                                  

          It was a cold Sunday afternoon and as I was siting in church, the Pastor kept speaking on healing and all that came to mind was the diagnoses that I received earlier that week that I had a tumor in my brain and the doctor didn't think I had much time. My concern wasn't that much my life but the life of my small children (4 children 12 yrs old and younger). I passed to the altar and believed the Word of God and when I went back for a follow up scan the tumor was gone. The doctor had a hard time believing it so they scheduled me for another scan and once again there was nothing there! I am healed and it was my Lord that did it! - Martha

           It was a Sunday morning service and all the talk of the recession was going around and even though my foundation is Christ I was still concerned. Time went on and the talk of the recession increased and when I got to my worst point I prayed and the next Monday I walked in and my boss told me that he was giving me a promotion and wanted me to receive a percentage of the income from all the people in my office! is that favor or what? -  A grateful servant

           It was Sunday morning in kids ministry and the teacher was talking about offerings and tithes, now I thought to myself I don't even have a job where am I going to give from. Nonetheless the next service came and I happened to have my last dollar in my pocket and decided to give it in as an offering. That same day I was sent to the store by my parents and asked to purchase something, once I got home I went to my parents and gave them the change from the purchase and my parents told me because you were so diligent in doing what was asked and were honest enough to bring the change and receipt I could keep the change! My dollar became eleven dollars in a matter of hours. Thank God for his promise. -Adam

            It was a sunday morning and I had a couple of cents in my pocket and decided to give them in as offerings during children's ministry. In faith I did it because I didn't have anything else, would you believe that week I found money all over the place. I was at the beach and a ten dollar bill washed up at my feet, I was walking in the street and I found a dollar and finally my father walked in from work and had a bunch of change accumulating and gave it all to me. God is good! - Kayla