My Testimony.
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I am raised in a “dysfunctional” background, and in the Dutch Reformed Church. I went to Sunday school, and even attended a protestant non- Pentecostal Bible institute. My wife JoAnne, is raised in a Mennonite Church.
While growing up, until my 15th.-16th. year, I learned a lot about God, but I really never knew God. Not that I blamed them for my spiritual condition, but I never knew you could have a personal relationship with Jesus.
After finishing school, I took for the first opportunity I had, and left my home and became a sailor. There, while in a rebellious condition I got saved on board of a ship. We were at the Baltic Sea at that time. The cargo started to move, lifting the motor, the prop, and the rudder out of the water. In a moment of terror, I cried out to God. I knew I was not at the right place doing the right thing. I knew that God had a better purpose for my live then being a sailor. I also knew that I had run away from my own responsibilities. I had been blaming every body else for my problems, without recognizing that I was responsible for my own actions. After a moment of souls searching, Bible reading, hoping for a Word of comfort, (I had a little pocket Bible in my suitcase.) praying for forgiveness, and promising God to leave the ship, and would live for Him when I was going to survive. I received my conversion experience, followed with the infilling of the Holy Spirit. At that moment, God saved and changed my live, and for the first time in my live I had peace of heart and peace of mind. I learned I could have a personal relationship with the KING! I learned first hand that HE loved me! I learned the about the difference between being religious, and having a personal relationship with God. And that God had a plan for my life. I also learned about the need for the Holy Spirit in my live. Jesus said, (John 15:4-5) “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing…” Much more can be said about this experience. Perhaps the time will come that I will be allowed to share the rest of the story. I can tell you this. Choosing to live and serve Him, JESUS, has been the best decision I ever made! I hope that any one who has read this short version of my testimony will make the same decision I made a number of years back. I know you will be blessed too.
When you want us to pray with you, or pray for you, We would love to hear from you.
God Bless You !!!
Pieter G. Bos
