Who is mattfivefour?

[AndyM]

Adrian, Your posts are truly blessed by God Almighty. I thank God for your presence on this board. God bless you with your walk with Christ our Lord Jeses. In Christian love. AndyM

[FaithInChrist]

The power of the Holy Spirit is absolutely amazing. When the Holy Spirit moves, lives change forever, and for the better. Your testimony is further proof that if we seek the Lord he will fill us with the Spirit.

Your first wife suffered tremendously in her last few years. Your compassion and support is beautiful, even when she accused you at every turn. In today's world "for better or worse", "in sickness and in health" usually results in seperation, when circumstances are less than perfect. Especially, in a case like yours, when her actions gave you every reason to turn away from her. Yet, you stayed humble and faithful and loved her anyway.

You are living proof of what can happen when we move beyond our personal convictions and live in the grace that our Lord has given us. RF would not be the same without you.

I know when I log on to RF I am seeking fellowship with like minded Christians. This is truly a place where we can learn, grow, minister to, and comfort each other. I praise God for each and every brother and sister I have met on this forum. One day we will all be in fellowship together in Heaven.

[Lynn]

Amazing testimony, Adrian! Thanks for posting. It will encourage and inspire everyone who reads it.

[WalterNZ]

your a total Asset in here Adrian

Many Blessings..

[Toothywoofy]

Wow! What a testimony. We overcome by the blood of the lamb and word of our testimonies and this is a reminder of how powerful testimony is! What is beautiful is how the love of the Lord is woven through Adrian's story from start to finish. Thankyou for sharing bro!

[mattfivefour]

Gee, thank you, folks. I haven't visited this thread for months so please forgive me for not responding sooner. I am glad my testimony has helped some people and I glory in the fact that God loves us so much that He takes all of us Jacobs and forms us into Israels ... even though the process at times can be very painful. What an awesome God we serve!

[Momof3angels]

We are called for HIS pleasure, not ours. And all whom He calls, He equips. And all whom He equips, He gives some service to ... to work for Him in the world and to serve one another in the Body. Some of us serve Him in one way, some in another. One is not greater because he serves God in a way the world looks on as special, nor is he lesser who serves God in a way some may overlook. God places each member of the body in the place He wants them. And we can do no better than to try to faithfully serve where we are placed. If you love the Lord Jesus Christ and claim Him as Lord and Savior, don't ever think you are not where He wants you: don't ever despair that your life does not count. It does. As the Holy Spirit says through Paul, "If the foot says, 'Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,' it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, 'Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,' it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you'; or again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.' On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary." (1 Corinthians 12:15-22 NASB) Indeed more than merely necessary, as that word has lost a lot of meaning these days. The Greek is ἀναγκαῖος (anankaios) and carries with it the weight of something "absolutely necessary", something "indispensable".

What comforting words these are, and what an amazing testimony! Thank you so much, Adrian, for sharing your testimony. One of my biggest struggles is whether my life will truly make a difference for God's kingdom. Thanks for the reminder that God has a job for each one of us.

Praying for you,

Susan

[TruthBJesus]

Although I've only been a participant here for a short time, God has drawn me to you, a kindred spirit. How wonderful a Savior we have in Jesus. The text of this incredible hymn continued popping up in my mind while reading your lovely testimony. I have a need to share it as it describes His glorious power to change lives and how we all praise Him for you, Adrian. You are loved more than you realize.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me...
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be...
as long as life endures.

When we've been here ten thousand years...
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...
then when we've first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

[mattfivefour]

Dave, that is one of my most favorite hymns. The life of John Newton has been a great inspiration to me. Just like Manasseh's, whose forgiveness and restoration by God taught me that even I could be forgiven and saved.

I was glad to see you included the fourth verse of Amazing Grace, which sadly has been removed from most hymn books. Also removed from most hymn books is John Newton's fifth verse. Both have been replaced by the words "When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun; We've no less days to sing God's praise than when we've first begun" which John Newton did not write. They are good enough words, I guess; but they lack the power of the two missing verses that John Newton originally wrote. (I guess five verses seemd too much to sing for people who didn't really appreciate what it was they were singing. Too often I have sat in churches and had the song leader rush through the hymns by saying things like, "Turn to hymn 452 in your song book. We'll sing the 1st and 4th verses only." Really? Is it too much trouble to worship God with the entire praise that the hymn writer wrote?)

Anyway, bro, I really love the words to the fourth verse:

"The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures."

What great truth, what great theology is wrapped up in those four lines!!! Such a comfort on this earth. What a shame we don't sing them any more. But I also love his missing fifth verse, which speaks not of this life but of the assurance of the one to come and of the security of God's Presence with us, never to depart for all eternity:

"The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forebear to shine.
But He who called me here below,
Shall be forever mine."

What a shame that churches have removed these two verses! They are the consummation of the hymn. It is great to look back to the Cross and we should ... because Christ did everything there for us. Everything! But we should also look to the present and to the future. The full five verses of Amazing Grace take us on that journey, from despair through salvation through the trials of this life to the blessed hope sealed and guaranteed for us by God's Word.

Thank you for your kind words. Our God truly is the Awesome God!

[ahlecce]

Adrian,

I just read your testimony. I cannot think of adequate words to express how it has touched me. I've had to wait a while to respond due to the tears that flowed. I am sure that Charlotte knew you were with her at the end. I can tell you that from my personal experience being in a similar situation.

I have this youtube link saved on my favorites. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) - Chris Tomlin (with lyrics) - YouTube

Thank you dear brother in Christ. You are truly a blessing and I am so thankful that you are carrying out what God has planned for you.

[Lujack Skylark]

That is a great testimony!

[mattfivefour]

God gives us great testimonies, doesn't He?! Of course, He is a God who does great things!!! I love reading how God has brought others to Himself.

[brethorn56]

I love your posts too my friend. You have been blessed Matt and I know you are in His service. His service!!!

[mattfivefour]

Thank you, my brother. Can you imagine anything greater and more fulfilling on this earth than serving our Lord??? I would PAY for the privilege.

[kristinebrown]

Congrats on your 10000 post and now I've got this beautiful song going through my head. Listen and enjoy Adrian.

10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) - Matt Redman (Best Worship Song Ever) (with Lyrics) - YouTube

[mattfivefour]

Wonderful song, Kristine! Thank you!

[araj54]

Just WOW!! What a testimony. Had me the whole way through. Many of the things early on in your life mirrored my former lost self of which I am deeply regretful. But what an amazing God we serve who is able to pull us from the depths of despair and give us a new life in Christ Jesus.

[LivnForChrist]

Bump.

[SimplyJulie]

ETA: Found the setting and now can view the posts in the proper order. Pre-keyboard malfunction from outdated software(my brain).

[SimplyJulie]

I cried as I read your testimony, Matt. The sincerity and depth of your feelings resonated in the text and the Spirit of the Lord shines through every line. I want to thank you for taking the time to write it and to share it with strangers in this world. I thank God for your love for us and for Him, that is shown in every word, for only one who loves another can share with them feelings so deeply private.

I can't wait to meet you in that long tomorrow and hear it all again... and read your face as you speak it. I think the joy that I see there will outshine the sun and will warm me for long days after I leave your presence. Thank you and I thank God for you!