Right Side Up - a Testimony to the Power of God
by Lydia Najera(35)About a year ago, if you would have told me I would be on fire for the Lord, I would have said you were nuts, to put it nicely.
What was He to me? As far as I could tell, if there was a God he wasn’t good, and he didn’t love me. Or else why would he have allowed so many things to go wrong in my life. Things that caused me to live the lifestyle I did for all these years…
My mom came to cuddle with me for a little while as she often did. It was warm and sweet, but when I woke every morning, she was gone. Not this time, she slept and slept and slept. I was seven years old when my mom died with me in her arms…
During this time, my dad was already involved in another relationship, which eventually had its destructive end. Time past and then he disappeared – for a very long time. Sex, drugs, rock-n-roll, and eventually a lifestyle of homosexuality defined me. Pain. Consequence. Medicate. A cycle that repeated it self well into my early 40’s.
Then in 2008, everything changed. Apparently, my dad and every single person he knew began to pray for me the moment he surrendered his life to the Lord – another great testimony – many years ago, and God began a work in me that I didn’t understand or want. Although looking back, I can see how he had his hand on me all along. Sparing me, giving me time to make the most important decision I would ever have to make.
I was one of the many that lived out John 1:5…”And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
God was relentless; he pursued me and did not give up. Over time, I began to feel the conviction in my heart – I was no longer enjoying my lifestyle and in August of this same year, I surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
In many ways, I experienced the peace and freedom that is promised when one comes to a place of true repentance. Shame came over me and suddenly I felt unworthy. I went from not caring about God and what he thought; to feeling like there is no way he would accept me or my prayer. But he did. And the shame was taken away and replaced with feelings of joy and excitement that God would make time for me after all I had done.
I gotta be honest with you though. There are times when that old lifestyle calls to me, and there are some definite struggles within my mind. But God is faithful to give me all I need to stand firm and strong. Daily I am experiencing God’s power to overcome those temptations. What amazes me more than this is that the longer I walk with God, the more those temptations fade. In this past year, I have come to understand the meaning of Philippians 4:13, which says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”, in a new and powerful way.
My life has been restored; turned right side up. I see now for the first time that I was not free to “live and let live” I was bound by the snare of the devil and I was a slave to my lifestyle and I was deceived.
More and more I hunger for the knowledge and presence of God – I can relate to the apostle Paul when he says we are either a slave to sin or a slave to Christ. To me this means that out of my grateful heart and freedom from my past, that I am free to be the real me and I desire to put myself under the mighty hand of a loving and forgiving God, just the way I put myself under the destructive power of sin.
My heart’s desire is to go out into the highways and by-ways and find those who are in the streets trapped in a world that I can relate to, and snatch as many souls out of the hand of the devil as God would allow.
I have had the privilege of working along side of my dad for a time to do just that. A biker ministry – go figure. God has changed me, he has received me, and he has given me the faith to have confidence in what he has done. I no longer rely on my own power. I won’t soon forget where that got me, but I rely on the power of God through his Spirit who now lives and works in me. I will spend the rest of my life telling of all his wonderful works. I am not proud of my past, but I am no longer ashamed and I will allow God to use it for his glory.
God has become my Lord, my friend, and my husband. I am content. I am free. I am on fire.
This is the power of God.
(C) Lydia Najera 2009
** With the Holy Spirit’s guidance, my cousin and I will tell my tale of hopelessness and depravity to freedom and overwhelming victory that is found in Christ Jesus our Lord.**
Article submitted Wednesday, July 08, 2009 & read 658 times.
Leave Your Comments:
» left by Teresa Ortiz (1 year 62 days ago.)
Lydia, I am blessed and encouraged! We serve an awesome God. It takes courage to share and I commend you for this and trust God will be glorified and many hearts will be touched for your obedience. On a more selfish note, I am sooo glad and blessed he brought you back into my life. God is amazing to reunite family :-) Big hugs, TeresaRespond to this comment
» left by Cathy from Clearwater, FL (1 year 62 days ago.)
Hi Lydia,
My son went through a really hard season (13 years) with alcohol and blaming everyone but himself for the trouble he was in. Teresa can tell you how many prayers went up for him (she's a true prayer warrior).
He was dying and God stepped in and showed us a place where he could heal - a place called Teen Challenge International (he was 33 at the time). He started saying that until you change your thinking, you can't change your situation. If you keep doing what your doing, you will keep getting what your getting. He always quoted Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Thank GOD he is doing fine now. He spent 3 years in the Teen Challenge International program . One year as a student, one year as a Teen Challenge International Ministry Institute student, and one year as an intern at his church working with high school students. He's been happily married now for three years and has his life on God's track!!!
Thank you so much Lydia for sharing your story. It helps to know that God knows who we are and where we are every minute of our lives, and when the time is right, He steps in and transforms us to be approved to His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Keep up the good work and always remember that God loves you all the time.
God Bless You!!!
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» left by Lydia Najera from Spangle, Washington (1 year 62 days ago.)
I am so glad that you were able to share with me about your son. God is a just a far God, and is here to be with us all.no matter what we think or do. Thank you for your blessings ya'll are in my praiers.
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» left by Bart(28) (1 year 61 days ago.)
Lydia, thank you for sharing your testimony. I am blown away every time I hear of God's transforming power in a person's life. We serve an awesome God!! May our Lord continue to richly bless you, as you step out for Him. By His Grace, BartRespond to this comment
» left by Lydia Najera from Spangle, Washington (1 year 61 days ago.)
Thank you Bart your words are encourgeing.
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» left by Marijo Phelps from mountain meadow in CO (1 year 61 days ago.)
He is SO incredible, isn't He? Many of us were not born "teething on a Bible" but God is so faithful and makes such a change in us. What an encouraging story of Jesus you have to tell. Rejoicing with you, Lydia! MarijoRespond to this comment
» left by Lydia Najera from Spangle, Washington (1 year 61 days ago.)
Yes Marijo Phelps it is so true that we serve an awsome God ,and I am so glad that I am with him because I would not want to be against him at the second comeing of Jesue. Thank you so much for reading my facts of me. God Blessyou always.
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» left by Anonymous (1 year 57 days ago.)
Lydia, you are a beautiful testimony to the Lord's power and love. Thank you for sharing your story. I have enjoyed watching God transform your life and look forward to our times together, serving Him. With Love, CharlotteRespond to this comment
» left by Lydia Najera from Spangle, Washington (1 year 57 days ago.)
Thank you Charlotte I am really glad you are in my life> Love in Chriast our Lord and Savior. Lydia
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» left by Brenda Sue from Texas (1 year 57 days ago.)
To my friend,Glory to the Lamb of God. I cry with tears of great joy for you. KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS. WOW!!!! It's been along journey girl...Thank you God for keeping your promises!!!!! I love you Lydia...Forever grateful, Brenda SueRespond to this comment
» left by Lydia Najera from Spangle, Washington (1 year 57 days ago.)
Brenda God is an awsome God and I am so glad that I really gave my life to him because I do not know where I would be without him. I love you as well. In Christ our savior Lydia
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» left by Rafael Luque Najera from Yucca Valley (1 year 56 days ago.)
Thank you Lydia, for sharing part of the old Lydia, the one that died on the cross with Jesus and the start of the new Lydia.when your father would talk with me he always ask us to pray for you. my prayer for now will be that you stay on fire for the Lord; until he comes. we thank the the Lord for answering his promise that if two or more agree on anything, according to his will, he hears us.His will is that,not any should perish,but that all should come to repentance.2 peter 3:9 thank you Lydia for answering his call. YOUR uncle RafaelRespond to this comment
» left by Jess from Eugene, OR (1 year 52 days ago.)
as i read through this, me heart feels deeply for you, and all the hurt that you have endured, but, i also see that you are in such a great personal state of mind, that you need no sympathy, i feel your happiness radiating through my computer screen, and i look at my life and am truly desiring the feeling of knowing my place in the world, you have greatly inspired me to look into myself, and search within, to find the faith that will give me the courage to follow your footsteps and fully understand what it is i have to gain, and that there is nothing to lose by giving myself to christ.Respond to this comment
» left by Lydia Najera from Spangle, Washington (1 year 51 days ago.)
Thank you Jess for all that you have said because that is how the Lord works . If he would have given up on me like I gave up on him I would not be here to share The power of Gods love with you and others. May God bless and keep you close to his heart as well as his loving arms around you so that you may grow further to him as I have.Lydia
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