The main thing that was on my heart was to give testimony of Jesus Christ and the joy and blessings He gives when you follow Him in obedience to do what He tells you to do. Even when that thing He’s telling you to do doesn’t make sense, is beyond your abilities, or is something you think would not make you happy.

Two years or so ago God asked me to go to Bible College. It wasn’t through any sort of audible voice or anything just a thought that I knew wasn’t mine own and wasn’t from the enemy. I was driving by church one day having just recently been fired from my job and struggling in my heart with what am I doing with my life? I had re-made a commitment for the thousandth time to follow God four months before but this time it had been real. God had been pruning me and taking away friendships, allowing chastening, and giving me joy as I read through the Bible every day. Most of the time I didn’t know what I was reading or understand it, but I knew that even if I didn’t feel like God was speaking to me at the time my days were better when I spent time with Him. God had gone after me all the way through my life and I always knew I could turn to Him when I was alone. He was faithful and still is. For example one time (I dont know how old I was, probably 17 or so) I was going to drive off a cliff in Wrightwood after a fight with my parents, I was racing through Wrightwood in my jeep when I finally just pulled over and turned the radio to Air One. I started to listen to the songs and I was reminded of God’s love for me and began to cry and pray. I always wanted to follow God with all my heart mind and soul but these desires kept being stolen away through all the millions of temptations and addictions that are in this world. Usually it was lust that pulled me away from Him and the party scene. Since the age of 12 or 13 when I walked away from God it had been torture, having the desire to serve and worship Him with all my being but then doing exactly opposite of what I wanted to do. I went back and forth but it never really lasted that long outwardly. But God never gave up on me, He was always faithful. He saw into my heart and I never stopped loving Him I just couldnt and alot of the time didnt want to be free.

Now back to three weeks before Bible College started. I was driving by my church as I said and then got a thought “what about Bible College?”. I knew this was from the Lord and not me since the last thing I ever wanted to do was go to Bible College, I thought that’s for like super-saints and religious monk fanatics… they don’t have any fun anyway. I had no idea what it really was because its nothing like that at all. So I shot up a prayer saying If He wanted me to go then I would but in my heart I was hoping He wouldn’t make me do it and the prayer was only just to clear my conscious. But the dead line came after one week and I procrastinated hoping I wouldn’t have to go. The deadline passed by and I thought I was in the clear. Interestingly enough I was driving down to Murrieta (the place where the school is in California) once a week anyway because I was working 2 blocks away from the school. The day after the deadline I was driving to work and my sister asked to go with me so that I could drop her off at the Bible College Campus so she could visit some of her friends there. I told her yes and while we were driving down there she mentioned that she heard on the radio they extended the Bible College application date another 2 weeks. When she told me I knew it was God. I still was wrestling against Him not wanting to go. I told her not to get to excited but that I actually had prayed about going, but that only meant I would turn in an application now. So I waited the two weeks prayed about it with Doug at my church and a few others then finally right before the deadline I knew I had to at least turn in the application. In fact I knew I had to go but I still didn’t want to. So I called up my Pastor Zeke and asked him to fill out the application and that I needed it for tomorrow (it was already night time when I called him) and got a friend to fill out the other part of the application. Then drove down the day of and hand delivered it to the office. But during that drive to Murrieta God just began to change my heart. As I obeyed what He asked me to do He started to give me joy and a sense of purpose. The crazy thing was… I actually wanted to go now. In fact I was afraid that I wouldn’t get accepted and this whole thing would have been a lesson on obey when your told to not 3 weeks later. But I had a sense of purpose and direction in life that I had never had before, I had no reason for existing except to just get by until the next momentary pleasure was possible. It was so satisfying and exciting and I spent the rest of the ride thanking and praying to God.

I got accepted the next day (Saturday) then moved in on Monday. And its been an adventure ever since. My life has moved at such a exciting and fast pace. I left all to follow Jesus and knew almost nothing of the Bible except for what little I had learned in Sunday school. I turned my back on the world when I went to Bible College and reserved to never go back. Sure it was hard and there were many things God had to change me and deliver me from. I still had a bad mouth when I first went to Bible College, was still addicted to sexual sins, had a longing to party. But I opened up my mouth to be filled with His Spirit instead, and He satisfied me. It was a battle every day and it still is. But God has proved His faithfulness and power to me. He has been changing me from the inside out and all I ever did was tell Him that I was willing. And he has done the rest and moved me along and shaped and molded me.

I have by the grace and mercy of God now lived in York England for the past year and half and have seen hundreds come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. From the Prisons to the streets, from young people lost and broken to beggars hooked on drugs having nothing but their addictions to hold on to. I have been blessed to go to Ukraine and show love to orphans and hospital babies… people who probably have never had a chance and will have to grow up on the streets when they hit their teens. God provided for me to fulfill a lifelong dream and go to Rome for a missions trip. Not only did I get to serve God their but I got to see things I had only dreamed and wanted to such as the Coliseum and the Roman Forum. I have been blessed abundantly with friends from all over the world who are like family to me that I know would lay their lives down if it came to it. We have fought alongside each other for the Kingdom of heaven and torn down spiritual strongholds though we may not have always seen it happen or may yet still. God has given me a purpose, a hope, a life. I believe I was saved when I was just a kid cause I remember being God’s friend. But I allowed the things of this world to choke out the seed and desires put there by God to serve Him fully. And there is nothing more fulfilling and satisfying then doing what God created you to do. Which is to love Him and love others, to live a life honoring to Him and to worship Him through your actions as well as your words and even your thoughts.

Now, there is nothing else I want to do in life than serve Him full time. I don’t really know what all that entails for its just one step at a time. But each step is taken knowing that He has gone before me and prepared the way and that He also holds my hand and guides my way removing all fears and doubts that hold sway trusting in the promise that He will not forsake or fail those who call on His name.

This poem I wrote in Bible College for a school assignment. It was one that we were asked to be creative with. I had no creativity what soever… so I prayed about it and God told me to write a poem. I thought there is no way I can write a good poem Lord. But He promised to help me. So my prayer to you is that you will be encouraged by it and that you will never let the things of this world choke out those seeds and desires of your heart to be used by Him. That you would just be willing to surrender all that He asks. All you have to do is say yes and He will do the rest.

In the beginning it's quite clearly stated
That there was One by whom all things were created
Void and without form a sphere resided
Where on the face of the deep darkness abided
Was not even the slightest of motion
Except for the Spirit of God who shook still waters of the oceans
Eternal silence eradicated as words came forth
Let there be light, a joyous chorus followed with mirth
What had been said had been done
For great was the power from whom it was from
Darkness violently torn asunder by the blinding light of thunder
How awesome a sight to behold, mere words containing chaos in order
And so it was that light was named day and darkness named night
This was the end of day one, demonstrated in might

Next came the sound of trumpets abounding
With the voice of the Lord utterly surrounding
All the earth trembled at one small phrase
And all the angels gazed in astounding wonder and amaze
Let there be a firmament so that I can show it conquered
Without delay terrifying storms blundered at the command so rightly rendered
Water reluctantly giving way to the strength of power arrayed
Rumbles and sprays the giant blue roared in dismay
Waters beneath and vapors above
I shall name this expanse heaven so all can see my hard work done in love
Ended thus day number two dual blue giants swaying in tune

Faithful to finish what He began a purpose unfolded
Whispers gently pummeled as water gathered, shaped, and molded
The secret now unveiled dry land ready for birth
Rocks, sand and dirt all came forth from the abundance of the earth
Grass, Herb and Tree he placed ever so diligently
All yielding to its kind their fruit and seed unceasingly
Caring for each tiny detail till He was pleased and concluded glorious day three

Seeing in foresight He placed a great many lights, sun for day; moon for night
Burning flames unquenched and bright, reflecting glory assures and promises darkness despite
Replicated till infinity and more
Just so that earth could dwell in starlit galore
One and a third of the stars drawn by a dragon's tail
Pride comes before the fall cursed in the path of a mortal's trail
Truly a reign established everlasting
Leaving nowhere for darkness a place of resting
Except earth to dwell bitter and exposed in plain sight
Victoriously in delight it was over, the fourth day done outright

Just as the great oceans had started to settle and the winds calm
Another surprise was gracefully given in the greatest of alms
Long and drawn out singing echoed down in the deep
Notes and chirps the winged creatures could keep
Spoken into existence with a simple "let it be"
"Birds of a feather and fish of the sea be fruitful and multiply" said He
Satisfied as life was rampant finished in full was day five
Still yet these were but the least of the presents to arrive

From the bosoms of the elements of the earth
All living creatures were instructed to come forth
This was no small task of two parallel paths able only to meet in the mind of a King
Beast to Bug worship by simply being would bring
Of all that was made something still vital was missing
None could truly relate to the maker of all things living
Communion needed to be greater than all created
Image and form hewn into a shape of that which was replicated
Humble beginnings clumped, lumped and bolted
Dust of the ground gathered and folded
Breath seeping from heart to heart a precious eternal soul it did impart
Undeservingly made His precious treasure destined to be set apart
A phantom of the Almighty Three in One, spirit, flesh and soul
A stewardship given to have dominion with responsibility close in toll
The day of mans observation had begun
Complete day six was with not a single thing left undone

Pulse of creation symphonizing the glory of just one sound
"Holy, Holy, Holy" sung all around
Hallowed day seven arrived, His will fully done
Rested and blessed, sanctified and purified forever to remain until Kingdom come

As awesome a story to be retold the truth is it's such a small part all in all
True love must be made with a choice no desire for a simple thrall
Through one man's sin death instantly resulted
Ashamed and unclean Adam and Eve's Eden abruptly halted
A lesson had to be learned through the curve of pain and sorrows
For through that one discovers that joy always follows
Just and righteous in good conscious this deed could not be left unpunished
In mercy and love a completed plan left unfinished
For one's actions there is a consequence even for a steward's providence
Fellowship shattered and broken, so earnestly desiring to be regained
Looking for hope to come is all that remained

Child of man under guardianship of the Law
Until the age of accountability was held in awe
None able to open the scroll except for Him who died alone
A barrowed throne destroyed without the breaking of a single bone
Because of the death of another salvation reigned
Upon His shoulders He stoutly held bondage of death sustained
Name above all names exalted as the lamb was led to the slaughter
Call out to Jesus your savior for He shall never falter
Believe in your heart and confess with your mouth
This is all that's required to be transformed to His Temple Mount

Lies from the enemy can prevent faith's leap
Self-centered desires of a wicked heart hand over a soul for the enemy to keep
Behold, I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End
I come quickly like a thief in the night so make your amends
If you are thirsty then drink of the fountain of life
For he that overcomes inherits all things without strife
Yet still what you sow, that you reap
Eternal torment, gnashing of teeth, not a moment of sleep
All this for moment's pleasures
None to blame but yourself forever

A sure sign of responsibility
Is the evidence of accountability
This daily choice is yours to make
Words from your heart with actions do take
Not by your own strength can this endeavor be done
But only by the simplicity of humility before The Son

By Matt Camphuis