New Wine Testimony: Michael

I was living a life of sin and never really even knew it. I have read many testimony's through out this course and most of them all said that they had known the Lord before they were sinning. I just started to get to know Him 3 years ago but I never noticed the signs and things He was showing me tell a couple months before I was lead to setting captives free.

I have played bass guitar since I was 7 years old and started playing out when I was nine years old. It was a band with my two older brothers in the begging and I always tried to be accepted as one of the older guys. I rarely brought home friends my age and just hung out with the older crowd. I guess thats when I first started using alcohol and drugs (I was about 14) I am 37 now and what a blur my life has been. All the "so called" good times I have had with all my "so called" friends... What good are good times if you don't remember them? Although I didn't seek the Lord tell about three years ago I still believe he was there all the time. Somehow I was blessed with a kind caring personality and was able to learn my music well. I almost lost all of it towards the end of my alcohol and drug abuse. I would play shows and think as long as I only had a couple before and drank a few during and after I would still be a promising musician. But without even knowing it the devil was with me stronger then the Lord because I didn't know how to seek His word. I had kids at a early age and married for the wrong reasons not even knowing I was sinning in the first place. I ended up divorced and turned more to alcohol and drugs and remarried to my second wife. Things seemed great, but we both ended up drinking, working and doing everything together. We were inseparable. That is until the drugs and alcohol destroyed us both tell we started looking at the world as a burden. I am still married to her and love her, but we have been separated three years now. She is still deeply involved with her abuse, but calls me from time to time telling me she wishes she could be as good of a person as me? She asked and I said it was Jesus who is helping me. I could go on for ever about my past. It was more like a nightmare. Until now.

Since I first started this course I have gone from a everyday drinker to a guy blessed by the Lord and his Grace. Bands wanted me to play for them but were aware of my alcohol addiction and never wanted to take a chance with me. Now since I started this course I have gotten many gifts from the Lord. I got accepted in a band Titanium Black and will be playing a big show in Chicago with a famous guitar player sitting in on a couple songs in front of 15-20,000 people in just a couple days. But the band is full of great God loving people. My brother, who is the drummer, is also taking classes to be a pastor. I had to choose wisely and not let the devil try and put me in just any band. I am now able to say no to "drinking buddy's", I got to move into a large place with no money and a great job that is just walking distance from my house. I do have a car, but the money I will save!! God has been answer all my prayers so rapidly that I can't get through one day without a smile on my face. All of this in just the past two months!! I have tried therapy, anti depressant medication, hospitals and many other things. If only I had tried seeking Gods word a long time ago.. But I believe it has happened at just the right time, and at this time for a reason. I don't even have to know why because my faith in God since I started this course is all I need. I was told to keep this short, but there is just so much I want to share. Just God Bless Setting Captives Free for teaching me to walk with Jesus instead of pretending to. God is Awesome and will truly work miracles in your life as long as you seek the word of the Lord with all your heart and soul!!