Toshiv Shrivastava sharing his testimony at the ICPF (Bhopal Chapter) One-Day Retreat on 14th April, 2011.
Following is the testimony and I believe that it will encourage you:
I was 14 years old when I accepted Christ and Christ accepted me. It was chilled January winter. And on 17th day of the year 2004, a droplet of faith fell in my life, which gradually turned into an ocean poured with love of Christ. The light of Christ brightened my life that day and made me a new creation in him. That experience is beyond explanation. I hope you understand what I am trying to say.
I was in class 8th in those days. It was 6:30 of a cool morning, when sun was soon going to sprinkle its radiant rosy rays all over the deep blue unending sky. When birds were out of there nests, singing melodious songs welcoming the dawn, when half of the world was still in the arms of sleep.
Gripped with a peculiar phobia of approaching exams, I was sitting on my study desk, placed perpendicularly to the mash laden window of my tiny room. Laying my face on my left palm, cramming again and again a single harassing history answer, I got fed up. I started staring out of the window to see what's happening out. Within an intense fog I could see that as usual there were few guys playing football in the ground, Again a group of aged people were on road with their walking sticks, and enjoying their morning walk,
Again the "Holy redeemer's church's" warden was unfolding pipe to water the beautiful rose plants in church premises.....
Stop! But this time the red building behind the church warden caught my attention. Perhaps I knew something about it; yes! It is the place for Christians for worshiping their lord, Jesus Christ.
Then suddenly I went into the memory lane, in the days of my childhood when I was in a catholic school. One day, before school assembly, without telling teacher I went into the school church. There was a deep intense silence over there, and there was no one there except me. I saw several aligned wooden chairs heading towards the front wall. I looked upwards, and my eyes moved with the photographs hanged in a line on the wall. Suddenly my eyes stopped on a wounded man who was hanged on a cross like structure. He was bleeding profusely, and it seemed horrible to me. I got scared and ran out of the church.................
Those memories touched the chords of my heart and I was eager to know more about so called Christian God, Jesus. At that moment I felt a great peace in my mind. I felt as if Jesus is calling me, saying "come and follow me, I shall neither leave you nor forsake you".
That day while returning from tuition class in the evening, I purchased a small wooden cross locket from a road side vendor near railway station.
I started keeping it with me in my pocket always. I didn't know how to pray, so I used to read the prayers printed in my school dairy with that cross holding in hands.
One of those prayers is like this:
"Abide with me fast falls the eventide, The darkness deepens, lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abides with me!
Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day, Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away.
Change and decay in all around I see, O thou who changes not, abide with me! I felt a deep change in my life slowly. One day when I told mummy and papa about my new faith, they were laughing at my childishness and were sure that this would not last for more than a week.
But slowly Jesus became my passion and I lived for him only.
Well, this was about when my thinking was childish and I used Jesus as my genie, who would fulfill all of my needs.
2 years later I got a Bible from my school library. And I started reading it daily. Then slowly I was getting strong in faith. Slowly as I was getting somewhat mature, I understood the meaning of the living God, word in flesh and the real meaning of sacrifice of Christ. The Gorgeous Gospel according to John, mystery of revelation, beautiful and inspiring psalms, and thrilling story of Job, courage of Esther, betrayal of Joseph, the anger of Moses and the scandals of Samson etc. would fascinate me.
One more thing that has a catch is my name, When I was Born My mom gave the name Toshiv. Just because it sounds good. But 2 year ago, I found my name in Hebrew dictionary , it read, "A partial convert who agrees not to worship idols."....and that is my life is.
I thank lord from the depth of my heart for coming in my life and changing my life completely. I even can't imagine my life without him!
Be all the glory and honor to the Lamb of God.
Amen.
Thy brother,
Toshiv Shrivastav.
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Bro.JOBY'S TESTIMONYby johnisac15,092 views
The prayer & Toshiv's testimony are an encouragement to many...!!!!
God Bless u Bro.
23prezadonai 10 months ago