After opening up to some Christian friends about my problems, they invited me to seek help in their church. I went, but nothing caught my attention. The pastor of that church was also enduring difficult trials and was divorcing his wife. I lost interest in attending their meetings and decided not to convert.

However, everything changed when I found the Universal Church. My friend’s mother-in-law was a member of the Church in New Zealand and she wanted to see the church when she came to visit her in Australia. She knew about my problems, so she asked me to go with her and participate of a deliverance meeting. She explained how the bishop uses the power of the Holy Spirit to deliver people. I asked her, “What is the Holy Spirit?” I had never heard that name before. I declined her invitation and she became very upset with me. She said, “Aren’t you tired of suffering? Why won’t you give it another try? What do you have to lose?” So, I gave in and went with her.

I’ll never forget my first day of church. It was like the bishop knew who I was; everything he said was intended for me. I cried a lot, but this time I felt relieved. Finally, I knew I had found the right place. That was the beginning of battle to overcome my problems.

I spoke to the bishop after the meeting and explained my situation. He explained how my problems were spiritual and how I could overcome them in Jesus’ name. He also determined that God was going to reunite my family again, despite all the religious controversy. The truth was that I didn’t want them back in my life and I even thought that the bishop hadn’t grasped the severity of my problems. But, he had. The difference was that he was looking to Jesus and I hadn’t learned yet, how to trust in God.

From that day forth, nobody ever had to push me to go to church. I even quit my Sunday job after I learned the importance of attending Sunday morning meetings. I faithfully attended on Fridays and Sundays. After some time, I began going on Wednesdays as well.

Often, especially on Fridays, I would feel troubled before going to church. I knew it was the devil trying to stop me. All of a sudden, everyone was inviting me to go out on Friday nights. But, I persevered. Some of my friends stopped talking to me, but I was determined to change my life.

It took some time for me to be completely delivered. I had a lot of doubts, so I would seek the pastors for counseling. I felt like a newborn baby, taking in all this new information. What surprised me was that the pastors were always available and willing to help me. Nobody ever judged me. They were always supportive, encouraging me to move forward. They helped more than I could have ever asked for. Through the Church, God was able to show me what true love really is. He isn’t cruel like my religion had led me to believe. I had never felt loved by my family, but at church it was different. Jesus is different.

Whenever I saw the Star of David or some other Israeli symbol on the church flyers, I would get a bit uncomfortable. Throughout all of my childhood, I learned that Israel was my enemy. But God wanted me to put my past completely behind me. Three months after I started going to church, I decided to get baptized in water.

At first, I didn’t tell anyone about my new faith. I was afraid that it would get back to my family and they’d confront me about it. I had run away from home and now, to make it worse, I had converted to Jesus. I figured it was better that nobody knew. But as I got stronger, I decided to tell them. Jesus said that if we denied Him before the world, He would deny us before the Father, and I definitely didn’t want that. So one day, I called my brother and told him the truth. He was shocked; he didn’t want to believe what I was saying.

I began praying for my family. I persevered for over a year. One day my father called and left a message saying, “I don’t care what religion you belong to. You can change religion, but you can’t change the fact that I’m your father. You’ll always be my daughter.” A miracle had just taken place. I was glowing – God had answered my prayers. My friend suggested I meet with them in a public place, just to be on the safe side, but I was certain that God had changed their hearts. I was in the faith.

The day I met up with my father, he embraced me and wept. He asked me not to leave him out of my life any longer. My mother and brothers took longer to accept me. I would go to their house and they wouldn’t even touch me, but at least they allowed me to come over. In time, I believe they’ll come to Jesus. There were times when they’d call when someone in the family was sick and ask me to pray for them.

I am completely free from my spiritual problems. I no longer have depression and can sleep very well. I was also healed from a stomach problem that didn’t let me eat anything without causing pain. Furthermore, God has blessed my financial life. Over the years, I’ve been employed in excellent jobs, one better than the other. Impossible doors have opened unexpectedly. Currently, I’m working in sales and despite not having much experience, I’m one of the top sellers in the company.

I live on my own, just like I dreamt. I regularly visit my family and they all see the power of God in me. They recognize that I am strong and respect my faith.

For all those who are facing battles, I say: Stand up and fight. Join your faith with the pastor’s faith, pray and you’ll be amazed at the power of God. Don’t look at the size of your problems because nothing is too hard for God.

Lily Freeman – Australia