Justin Matthew Reid
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and
keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Friends |
Teachings |
Testimonies |
Links |
Audio |
FAQ |
Email
I, like all people, was created to serve God. For the first 24 years of my life, I did a pretty poor job of doing so. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior somewhere in my youth. I went to church every Sunday with my family. My parents and others taught me Bible stories. I was water baptized when I was 16. Yet, I was a filthy sinner on the inside most of the time.
No one ever told me how to overcome sin and temptation. No one even told me it is possible! Most of the religious world will tell you that you are born a sinner and that you'll sin every day in word, thought and deed. It's an easy lie to accept for those who love to sin yet want to go to heaven when they die. The Word of God says that God will make a way of escape from every temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13)! The Word of God says that we can bring every thought into captivity in the name of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5)! God says not, "you'll have to serve sin every day" but "choose you this day whom you will serve!" (Joshua 24:15) and "go and sin no more" (John 5:14 and 8:11)! The religious world says we'll be godly when we die but God says we must live godly in this present world (Titus 2:12), for whatever state we are in when we die is that which we'll be for eternity. (Revelation 22:11)
Someday we will all be judged by the Word of God (John 12:48), not the religious statements of men. Therefore we must all choose to live by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God NOW (Matthew 4:4), or pay dearly later. God created us to serve Him. He's made a way to be free from sin through the atonement of Jesus Christ (Romans 6). He's provided the way to overcome sin through His Word. He's done everything He can for us. Now we must choose to live for Him for eternity. He's worthy of our obedience. God calls obedience love (John 14:15). If we want to love God by His definition of love, we *will* obey *all* His commandments (John 14:23).
I didn't always believe all this. So what happened to me? In January of 2002 I started studying the Word of God in depth (2 Timothy 2:15). On January 11th, 2004 I asked God for and received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (with the initial physical evidence of speaking in tongues) (Luke 11:11-13, Acts 2:4). Since then I've been growing steadily in my relationship with the Lord. I no longer sin every day. I learned that sin is always an unrighteous choice (James 4:17). Since it is always a choice, I learned that I could overcome by God's Word and the strength of His Spirit in me. It's not that it's impossible to sin any longer. It's more of a "why sin against the God who saved me from my past sin and called me OUT of darkness into His marvelous light?!" (1 Peter 2:9). Sin hurts God tremendously (Genesis 6:5-6) and breaks my relationship with Him (Ezekiel 18:24). Righteousness pleases God tremendously and keeps my relationship with Him! I choose righteousness! This present world and all its lusts has *nothing* on God's Truth.
This website is a testimony to the Lord Jesus Christ. You'll find only things that will glorify Him in some way on this website. Friend, God's Word will set you free if you'll let it. I'm here to encourage you to do just that. Please read the testimonies and Bible teachings. Be encouraged that if God can use this ex-sinner for His glory, He can likewise use you if you'll put away all these sinful habits you've chosen for yourself. Feel free to email me anytime for prayer, Biblical counsel or anything else that is of God. This website is a work in progress (like me!). I'll be adding more to it as the Lord leads. All glory goes to God for every good thing you find here, for every good gift is from above, from the Father of Lights, who changes not! (James 1:17, Malachi 3:6)
Justin at the Detroit Metro Airport in April 2008.