“When I read John 12:25 “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” I just started praising God because I can tell you with 100% certainty that I hated my life up to that point and I was so eager to receive what God had planned my life”.
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When we moved to Coffs Harbour my family bought a fish and chip shop. We befriended some people who turned out to drink a lot and smoked pot. That opened the door and I stepped into that life.
Christians often think anyone immersed in drug culture is automatically a bad person, that is not the case.
I can assure you that some of the most kind, beautiful and selfless people I have ever met are a part of that community and believe me, God uses them.
We come to church to seek healing, these people look in the pub for theirs because they haven’t yet met Jesus.
My life became so bleak, I was looking for something that I could not find; drugs, alcohol, women and nightclubs, nothing could fix it, I was miserable.
When I accepted Jesus I got totally addicted to the Bible. I finally understood myself and realised that wasn’t the life that God designed me for. I was constantly having eureka moments as I read scripture. In the end I could finally make sense of my own suffering and start my own journey to healing.
I still go through trials and tribulations, but I now have that powerful hope. I don’t get into the deep dark places that I used to drop into and I praise God for that.
I love my life now, I have my family, a place to call home and I love my church family here at Hinkler.
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Matthew is a Deacon in our church, Husband to Casey and Father to Destynee, Anastasia, Myiesha and Micah