I was raised in a legalistic church for almost thirty-five years of my life. As I wanted to serve and follow Jesus, I joined different ministries in the church—from music to youth to teaching. But I felt empty and burned out in all of them.

When I confided in my fellow workers, I realized they all felt the same way too. Then I thought I needed to try new things. I joined a Bible school, participated in workshops and seminars, and read four books each month. I thought that if I did all that, I would be accepted according to this verse: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God” (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV). But I was wrong.

Once, I cried out to God when I was in a bookstore trying to find a new book to satisfy my emptiness. I told Him that I was tired of reading all of the books filled with principles and ways of men but neglected the very Word of God. Another time after I organized a seven-day fast, I ended up crying in front of my desktop computer asking, “What should I do?”

It was then I sensed an inner prompting to browse for a sermon or message from the Internet. That was when I came across the gospel of grace preached by Pastor Prince. Because I was taught to stay away from grace teachings, I shut down my computer and went to bed even though it was only noontime. But for the next few hours, I kept hearing the Holy Spirit telling me to watch the video until I finally stood up and said, “Yes, I will watch it.”

I will never forget that moment when I watched and heard Pastor Prince preach about grace and truth that came by Jesus. I raised my hands toward God crying—not because of emptiness but because I was filled with so much love and peace.

Now my whole family believes in the gospel of grace. We have also started a new church that is Christ-centered to preach the freedom that comes from the finished work of our Lord Jesus.
Thank You, Father God, for using Pastor Prince. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for not giving up on us. Thank You, Lord Jesus.

Alvin Bermido | Philippines

January 2016

http://www.josephprince.org/daily-grace/praise-reports/single/no-more-feeling-empty-and-burned-out-started-christ-centered-church/

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I see Grace...