The Book

 

 The Book
P.O. Box 75691, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80970
Testimony of Ex-Roman Catholic
Jo Ann Shepherd

Isaiah 42:8 "I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images." I was the second born, into a staunch Roman Catholic family with six sisters and four brothers. We lived and worked on a dairy farm in central Minnesota. My parents and siblings are still extremely Catholic.

We prayed the rosary.

Matthew 6:7 "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking."

We always prayed the "Hail Mary" which I learned is against the Word of God.

1 Timothy 2:5 "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."

We did the novenas (lighting candles and praying to and for dead people and statues)

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 "There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee."

Necromancer by definition is "The practice of communicating with the spirits of the dead in order to predict the future, black magic, sorcery, and divination." The American Heritage Dictionary page 834. Idol by definition is "An image used as an object of worship, a false god, a person or thing that is blindly or excessively adored, something visible but without substance." The American Heritage Dictionary page 640.

Cult by definition is, "a system or community of religious worship and ritual, devoted attachment to or admiration for a person, principle etc., a group of followers." Concise Edition Webster's New World Dictionary, 1956, page 185. The book titled "United States History (in Christian Perspective) Heritage of Freedom" page 228 says, "Though cults differ greatly from each other, they all have one basic error in common, - they teach salvation by works rather than salvation by grace through faith."

Transubstantiation is defined as, "the doctrine that the bread and wine of the Eucharist are transformed into the true presence of Christ, although their appearance remains the same, the conversion of one substance into another; transformation." The American Heritage Dictionary page 1289.

Magic by definition is, "the art that purports to control or forecast natural events, effects, or forces by invoking the supernatural, the practice of using charms, spells, or rituals, to attempt to produce supernatural effects or to control events in nature, the charms, spells, and rituals so used, the exercise of sleight of hand or conjuring for entertainment, a mysterious quality of enchantment. Synonyms used for magic are: magic, black magic, sorcery, voodoo, witchcraft, necromancy, alchemy." The American Heritage Dictionary page 753.

The arts of magic, black magic, sorcery, voodoo, witchcraft, necromancy, and alchemy is practiced in Roman Catholic churches throughout the entire world; changing according to the customs, traditions, and rituals of that particular country. Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."

All these things are abominations to Almighty God. Blasphemy is defined as: contemptuous or profane act, utterance, or writing concerning God. "The act of claiming for oneself the attributes and rights of God." The American Heritage Dictionary page 186.

Assumption is defined as: "The act of assuming. A statement accepted or supposed true without proof or demonstration. Presumption or arrogance. The American Heritage Dictionary page 136.

The word assumption comes from the Latin word to assume. Assume is defined as: "to put on, don. To take upon oneself, undertake. To take on; adopt. To feign, affect. To take for granted; suppose." The American Heritage Dictionary page 135-136.

Assumed is defined as: "Pretended; adopted; fictitious; taken for granted." The American Heritage Dictionary page 136.

Assuming is defined as: "Presumptuous; pretentious; arrogant." The American Heritage Dictionary page 136.

The Roman church have taken all the attributes of the one and only LORD Jesus Christ, the Messiah, The Saviour, who is alive in heaven today, and gave these attributes to his earthly mother Mary. Even Mary the mother of Jesus admitted herself she needed a saviour, because she was a sinner. Luke 1:46-47 "And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour."

Romans 3:23-25 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;"
Romans 3:10 "As it is written, There is none righteous, no not one."
Romans 3:12 "They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no not one."
Galatians 3:22 "But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe."

The word "all", includes everyone that was ever born, not just everyone except Mary. The only one that never sinned is Jesus, because Jesus when he was on earth he was total God and total man. It is impossible for God to sin.

Just by the definitions of these ten words, the Roman Catholic church is a religious system that worships and prays to dead people and those that are still living; practices a form of magic in the changing of the bread and wine; puts their own traditions, rituals, and doctrine above the Word of God. The pope takes the place of God in the flesh and calls himself "Father" or "Holy Father" just like the Catholic priests call themselves; calls Almighty God a liar when going with the theory of evolution and anything else God has to say.

Matthew 23:5-10 "But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments. And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues. And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

The Catholic church claims to be the rock of our salvation based on the one scripture found in Matthew 16:13-18. This is where Jesus is talking with his disciples about who do people say that he is (I am), Peter replies to Jesus' question with you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Then Jesus said to Peter, "you are Peter, and upon this Rock (meaning himself Jesus), I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail. The Catholic church teaches that Peter was the rock and the first pope. How could Peter ever have been a pope when he was a Jewish man married to a Jewish woman? (Mark l:29-3l,Luke 4:36-39) The only time Peter, according to God's word ever was in Rome, was when he was imprisoned and later executed by hanging upside down on the cross by the Romans. The Catholic church is a false hope for an individual's salvation.

Psalm 94:22 "But the LORD is my defense; and my God is the rock of my refuge."
Deuteronomy 32:3-4 "Because I will publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgement: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
Psalm 18:31 "For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?
Psalm 18:46 "The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted."
Psalm 89:26 "He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.
Psalm 95:1 "0 come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation."
1 Corinthians 10:4 "And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

The popes changed the word of God to fit their church doctrine whenever people would begin to question where the proof was for their belief system.
Jeremiah 26:2-5 "Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD's house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD's house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word: If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings. And thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD; If ye will not hearken to me, to walk in my law, which I have set before you, To hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I sent unto you, both rising up early, and sending them, but ye have not hearkened;"
Proverbs 30:5-6 "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar."
Deuteronomy 12:32 "What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it."
Deuteronomy 4:2 "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you."

While going to the Catholic church a priest stated in a sermon that the Roman Catholic church is Israel and said Almighty God is finished with the Israelites (Jewish) people. The Catholic church puts things into church doctrine without proof and says "The pope said this under ex cathedra, meaning with the authority derived from one's office or position, The I½merican Heritage Dictionary page 472. Cathedra meaning the official chair of an office or position, as of a professor." The American Heritage Dictionary page 248.

Ephesians 5:6-7 "Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them."

These ten words also include praying to dead people and statues, astrology, divination, worshipping human beings (pope, yogi's, they are one and the same), venerate which is defined as to regard with respect, reverence, or deference." The American Heritage Dictionary page 1341.

Worship is defined as: The reverence over and allegiance accorded a deity, idol, or sacred object. A set of ceremonies, prayers, or other religious forms by which this love is expressed. Ardent, humble devotion. The object of such devotion. Often worship. To honor and love as a deity; venerate. To love or pursue devotedly. To participate in religious rites of worship. To perform an act of worship. The American Heritage Dictionary page 1392. (In other words "venerate" means the same thing as "worship") . The Roman Catholic church consults with familiar spirits by praying to Mary and dead "saints". (Jermiah 44:17-25)

Jerzniah 7:18 "The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.

The Catholic church believes the apparitions of Mary throughout the world are from God. Apparition is defined as: "A ghostly figure, specter. A sudden or unusual sight. The act of appearing, appearance. The American Heritage Dictionary page 120.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

We accomplished the required fasts.
Matthew 6:16-18 "Moreover when ye fast, be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy father which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly."
These fasts include Ash Wednesday; where the priest mixes burnt palm branches with chrisma oil or some other type of "holy oil" and with his thumb, places the mixture on the foreheads of the individuals in the form of a cross, while saying words similar to "from dust thou came, to dust thou shalt return".

Genesis 3:19 "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."We went to confession to a priest, (be he the pope, priest, archbishop, bishop, cardinal, or whatever they want to call themselves - they are still human beings that are sinners in the eyes of A HOLY GOD). None of them can forgive sins, ONLY JESUS CAN FORGIVE US OF OUR SINS. Matthew 9:2 - 6, Mark 2:5 - il, John 5:6 - 14, John 8:10 -11.
Luke 5:20 -24 "And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.

John 8:34 -36 "Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever cominitteth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefor shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."

We did or said our penance (always works) . We also made sure we never missed Sunday mass, because if we did, we committed a mortal sin and were damned to hell forever. We also did the required church bazaars, made quilts, held bingo sessions to raise money for the church, visited the sick in nursing homes, helped the poor, and many other works we did so that we could look good enough to get to heaven. Everything we did in the Catholic church was of works. Grace was never considered.

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
Titus 3:4 -7 "But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

The definition of grace is, "a disposition to be generous or helpful; good will, mercy, clemency, a favor rendered by one who need not do so; indulgence, a temporary immunity or exemption; reprieve, divine love and protection bestowed freely upon mankind, the state of being protected or sanctified by the favor of God". The American Heritage Dictionary, page 570.

Grace is undeserved, unearned, mercy, and favor from Almighty God. In other words you cannot buy grace, you cannot earn grace, you cannot work for grace, you cannot do anything to make yourself look good in the eyes of a Holy God to earn grace. Understand, the grace of God is a free gift. The only thing you can do with God's grace is: either accept his gift of grace (Jesus) or reject his gift of grace (Jesus).

Romans 3:24 -28 "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."

While I was in military basic training at San Antonio, Texas, unknowingly to me the Lord was working in my life, pulling me away from the Catholic church. I simply did not want to be a Catholic. Several of my reasons for not wanting to be Catholic anymore were: I hated saying the rosary, it was boring. (2 Timothy 2:5) I hated praying for world peace, it was stupid to me, when people could not even get along in their own families. Even Jesus when he was praying to God his Father in heaven said:

John 17:9 "I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine." The church mass was boring, it would put me to sleep and it was always the same old mumbo-jumbo over and over again.

Hebrew 10:10-14 "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right had of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

I hated trying to remember which sins I did were venial sins and which sins were mortal sins, i.e. white lies and little lies and big lies, it was all so stupid to me, constantly giving a laundry list for sins which never seemed to change. I found out in the Bible that sin is sin. There is no greater sin or lesser sin. Sin does not have any particular color, or rank. Plain and simple: Sin is sin in the eyes of a Holy God. I hated saying the "Hail Mary" and "The Apostles Creed". Sometimes we would say the long version of the Apostles Creed for whatever particular reasons such as: its a high mass or this is the one you say with the rosary. Then we would say the shorter version because its a low mass. I never could figure out what the difference was between a high mass and a low mass. To this very day I still do not know the difference between them. Several major questions I always had concerning the Catholic church were: "Why all the statues? Why all the kneeling and praying to a statue? Could the statues see me and hear me? I wanted to know why we had to bow down to the pope, because as far as I understood, he was a human being and not God. I also had many questions concerning the doctrine and forgiving of sins?" I found out the answer to these, questions in:

Exodus 20:3-6 "Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy GOD am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that me; And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments."

Psalm 115:4-8 "Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them."

I found out that the popes in Rome, a long time ago changed the original ten commandment of Almighty God. The popes did this to keep the sales up for the buying and selling of statues, graven images, and much more undesirable information. The Catholic church has too much confusion, too much tradition, too many rules, too much of man's own doctrine and man's own righteousness, it completely boggles the mind.
1 Corinthians 14:33 "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints."
Romans 12:3 "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."
Matthew 15:3 "But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?"
Matthew 15:8-9 "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."
After physically leaving the Catholic church, I felt a bit guilty, but I didn't really care anymore. After this I just floated along through life in my own manner of living. I began delving into various types of teachings such as astrology, numerology, dreamology, (Deuteronomy 18:10 - 12).

2 Kings 23:4 - 6 "And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Bethel. And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven. And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people.
2 Kings 23:14 "And he brake in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men."
2 Kings 23:24 "Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD."
I read articles by Norman Vincent Peale on his positive thinking. This positive thinking sounded rather unreal to me because it was saying if you think and say you have money, you have it; if you think and say you are healthy, then you are healthy; if you think and say everything around you is absolutely wonderful; even when your whole world is falling apart at the seams, then everything is going wonderful. This is the Word/Faith false teaching (also known as name - it - claim - it teaching) which is going on in today's churches. I began doing a lot of research into astrology, and I had my astrology, sun, and moon charts drawn up. I followed it for a while, yet I found all of this to be so confusing, since no two astrologers could agree on the same dates and times for the astrology signs.

Deuteronomy 17:2-5 "If there be found among you, within any of the gates which the LORD thy God giveth thee, man or woman, that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD thy God, in transgressing his covenant, And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded; And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, and inquired diligently, and, behold, it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel: Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die."
In 1981, I married a divorced man in a Protestant church. The Catholic church refused to marry us. According to the Catholic church, I would be living in sin and I would no longer be able to partake in the Roman Catholic sacrament of Holy Eucharist and the cup. After our little girl was born, I wanted her to be baptized. I was told that if she died as an infant without baptism she would either go to hell or limbo. It was then I decided to go back to the Catholic church. I was also told that the Catholic church is the only way anyone can get to heaven. As I read through the Bible several times, I never found anything in God's word talking about purgatory or limbo. The only place I found were either heaven or hell, and God gives us the choice. In simple language, God's question to us is: Where do you want to spend eternity?

John 14:1 - 6 "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself: that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
1 Thessalonians 5:9 -10 "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our LORD Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him."
While I was in the Catholic church, I was also following astrology, mythology, numerology, and drearnology I did some horrible things. I considered naming my daughter Xanadu after the ninth muse or fairy of Greek mythology. I did not and would not allow myself to have any real feelings or emotions toward my little girl or for my husband. I got to the point where I had become hard and unfeeling and forgot how to cry and could not cry, even when crying was all that was needed. It was all so sad and destructive.
Timothy 3:1 - 5 "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."
While I was assigned to a remote location, I began having relations with married and single men, knowing I was sinning, since the Catholic church taught that very well. (Matthew 9:2,5, and 6, Luke 5:20 -24, Mark 2:5 - 11, John 5:6 - 14, John 8:10 - 11, and John 8:34 - 36).
1 Corinthians 6:16 "What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh."
1 Corinthians 6:18 "Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body."
Even though I would go to confession to confess my laundry list of sins for the week or the month or the year or for however long it was since I last went, I never felt any relief or forgiveness for my sin.

In 1987, I divorced and received custody of our daughter. In 1988, almost a year after my divorce, I moved in with a man who was also recently divorced, who had full custody of his three children, whom I am now married to. In October 1989, I met Martha Helton. She was the area's Avon lady, since I did like some of the Avon products, I began ordering from her. Unknown to me, Satan had sent in a false prophet who began sharing bits and pieces of scripture with me. After Martha had been sharing her doctrine with me for two years, I decided I wanted to go to heaven. I prayed the sinner's prayer without a repentant heart. In my mind I thought I was saved because I prayed that prayer. Due to the fact that I prayed without a repentant heart, looking back I can now see there was no change in my life. I had no peace, no joy, no comfort, no love, only misery, confusion, turmoil, and destruction. (2 Corinthians 11:13 -15)
Galatians 5:22 -23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

I finally came to the decision where I wanted nothing to do with Christianity. At this point the Lord showed me, Martha was not of him. She was in fact a false prophet that was sent in as an angel of light. Colossians 2:18 "Let no man beguile you of your reward in
a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,".

You see their was no good fruit in Martha's life either, just a lot of arguing, fighting, anger, sadness, death, and destruction.
2 Peter 2:1-2 "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of."
Colossians 2:8 "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."
During the next five years with Martha, my entire life was turned upside down, with chaos, turmoil and confusion. My children were constantly sick. I was physically, mentally, and emotionally drained.

James 3:16-17 "For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."
There were many bizarre incidents that occurred whenever Martha and I were together. It would take a book to explain them all. I will share two of these incidents with you. In October 1991, I had been reading the Word and had learned about the different gifts and the laying on of hands to heal the sick. (Luke 16:17-18 and 1 Corinthians 12:2-10)

I then asked Martha to lay hands on me and she did. As Martha started to pray, I felt something go right through me, and I became so cold. I started to tremble and shake, my teeth started to chatter and I could hardly speak. From that day on I was always freezing, no matter what the temperature. These body chills continued until the LORD Jesus set me free March 4, 1997. The second incident happened to my eldest daughter, who was saved at this time. In 1991, my daughter and I went to Martha's house to visit her. Martha began to share with us, how God was using her (Martha) to fight his battles. This is when Martha told my daughter that the spirit of Joshua (she lost him during childbirth) was following her, because of my daughter's sins in her life before she became born again. I then asked Martha what could be done to stop this from continuing. Martha told me, the only way it would stop is by casting the spirits away from my daughter into herself. Martha sent me to get a bucket. I placed the bucket in front of my daughter. As Martha laid hands on my daughter she prayed in "a tongue". As Martha prayed, my daughter began to vomit a greenish colored slime into the bucket. My daughter and I had unknowingly opened ourselves up to an occultist who was invoking demons.

Matthew 7:15-20 "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."
I was not a new person. The old things did not pass away. If anything, they got worse and worse as time went on.

2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
Acts 3:19 "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;"
There was no true repentance from the heart, only from the mind, and our minds and our hearts are deceitful.
Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it."
Ephesians 4:22-23 "That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind."
At first, I continued going to the Catholic church because I did not know where else to go and I was quite confused. Then I read in Revelations 18:4-5 that we are to "come out of her, that we would not be partakers of her sins."
Revelations 18:4-5 "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. I believed that God said he would teach us the truth by His Holy Ghost, and God cannot lie. Almighty God would have to be the one to do the teaching. Several things that totally confused me while I was still going to this church were: a Catholic priest speaking in the pulpit on "Assumption of Mary" concerning salvation, and telling the people in church that the only way to heaven was through Mary, 2 Timothy 2:5, clearly says the exact opposite. Another Catholic priest said that there are many paths to heaven and to life, when the Word of God says clearly in:
Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

During the past six years (1991-1997), I made sure I never skipped a day of reading the Word of God. The knowledge I learned as a result of diligently reading, researching, studying, memorizing scripture. I learned about how Jesus shed blood for me, died, for me, and how only he could forgive sins. I also learned what the word resurrected really meant. It means Jesus is really alive, he can hear you, and he can answer you. I was also making enormous changes in my life, receiving all kinds of various Christian newsletters, correspondence, reading the writings of other Christian authors, listening to only Christian music that praised the LORD JESUS. This is also when I found out all the information about the cults and the Catholic church that I never even knew. I always had so many questions, but could never get any answers. The more I learned about the wickedness and deceivement of the Catholic church, the angrier I would get. I became so angry about all of this, I could not even be civil to another Catholic. It was as if I was blaming them. Yet the poor Catholics I happened to meet were as ignorant about all of this as I was. After researching, verifying, and learning all this information concerning the Catholic church. I truly believe the Catholic religious system is the largest cult in the entire world.

Romans 3:19-20 "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."

I watched Martha pray in the name of Jesus, ask for specific healings for my youngest daughter, and I would see it happen with my own eyes. All these supposed miracles going on in front of me.
2 Timothy 3:13 "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived."
Then I proudly tried it, and things would happen. Thus I became as a god, thinking that no matter what I prayed, it was going to happen, and for many years it did. Oh how deceived I was about everything, especially concerning my own salvation. On February 14, 1997, my youngest daughter was having a severe asthma attack, and I laid hands on her and was praying and casting away the devils from coming against her. This time however, there was no change for the better. In fact, she got worse. I became so angry that I began yelling like some demented fool. Then I realized, the Lord God Almighty had put a stop to all of these false signs and wonders of the devil.
Psalm 82:5 -7 "They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are the children of the most High. But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes."
During this time my house and life was in total turmoil, confusion, full of anger, hate, and finally the judgment and condemnation of everyone in it.
Romans 8:33-34 "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."
Martha was always quoting scripture to me. Once I began reading the Bible, I noticed she never quoted the entire verse. She only quoted bits and pieces of it. You know, I have always believed that the Bible was the true Word of God, even in this belief, God says:
James 2:19 "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well; the devils also believe and tremble."

Over the course of these past six years, two children left home, because I was in control and basically forced them to be obedient, grounded them for long periods of time, would embarrass them in front of their friends, and so on. I was emotionally and mentally destroying another one, by ignoring her and acting as though she did not exist. One child totally hated me, and did not have any trouble making sure I knew it, I basically ignored her. The youngest just kept on loving me through it all, yet in the last year, she became more and more rebellious. Now she does whatever she wants, when she wants, how she wants, and doesn't care what anyone else says. My husband was hiding away in the bedroom to stay away from all the arguments. I become very religious, although I didn't think I was. I would hate it when people would say to me, gosh you're so religious.
James 1:26 "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain."

My whole life was falling apart at the very seams. There was no joy, no happiness, no love, no guidance, no peace, only hatred, anger, mom in control, and plenty of confusion, turmoil, misery, and destruction.
Romans 3:14-17 "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known:"

During these six years, the Lord had brought into my life a true child of his own. She would share with me the many things going on in my life that they were not of Almighty God, according to his Word. From late January 1997 and forward, I began to pray earnestly to God in the name of Jesus, to change my heart according to his will, to change my manner of speech, to change my phony life, to show me how to love, teach and guide my children according to his will. I did not know how to love my children. I did not know how to guide them. I did not know how teach to them. I did not even know how to speak to them. I could not handle all this commotion, confusion, and turmoil any longer. I began crying out to Almighty God for help. At the same time I asked God to remove all the phoniness from me. I knew I was a phony and if I knew it, Almighty God knew me even better than I knew myself, and he knew I was a phony too. Everything I saw was evil in my children. Nothing, no matter how hard they tried to please me was ever good enough for roe. I had to have my children be absolutely perfect in the flesh.
Romans 6:21 "What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death."

During this time my Christian friend was earnestly praying for me and seeking God's Word for my life. She would share with me Galatians 5:22 -23. She would share with me how there was no good fruit in my life, only corrupt fruit (Matthew 7:15 -20). The last time I spoke to her, I told her I thought Almighty God was giving me Psalm 37 to read and pray about, and she said "Praise God". Yes, God did give me Psalm 37 to read, but it took me two whole days to finally get to reading it. I did not truly understand what God was trying to show me, so God showed our eldest daughter. Our daughter was afraid and scared stiff of me. Yet very boldly and lovingly she told me the things in my life that were deep dark secrets to everyone except God and me. This is when I really began to see how God was truly looking at me. My heart was not only wicked and evil, but I was spreading myself like a green bay tree, devouring and destroying everything in its path. I was forcing my children to sin. This broke my heart. Yet God was not finished with me. He showed me through those around me, my own jealousy, hatred, wickedness, anger, and all those things that were horrible.

Colossians 3:5, 8 -9 "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds."

Now I was beginning to understand why I had so much trouble with all these things during the past six years. I never got rid of them in the first place. As time went on I got lonelier and lonelier, with no one to talk with. I began crying out to Almighty God in earnest, because I did not want to be alone. I knew that I had sinned against him, and that I needed his forgiveness and his salvation. How could I have known or understood any of this except by God's wonderful, never-ending, amazing grace? On the morning of 4 March 1997, I finally gave my Christian friend a call, and I shared with her the things in my life that Almighty God was showing me through Psalm 37.
Psalm 37:3 "Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed."

I did not trust God.
Psalm 37:4 ~'Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."
I did not know how to delight myself in the LORD.
Psalm 37:5 "Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."
I did not know how to commit my way onto the Lord.
Psalm 37:7 "Rest also in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass."
I did not know how to rest in the LORD. I am not patient at all, and I'm always in a tizzy about something.
Psalm 37:8 "Cease from anger, and forsake wrath, fret not thyself in any wise to do eviL"
I'm always angry, and did not know how to cease from wrath.
Psalm 37:11 "But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.The Word said the meek would inherit the earth and I was not very meek. I did not know how to be meek. In fact, I was pretty proud. I have not known a day of peace since this whole thing started back in 1991 and even earlier.
Psalm 37:35 "I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree."

God showed be how wicked and evil I was, by being in control and spreading myself over everything I possibly could. In doing this I was also destroying everyone and everything around me. My friend shared with me the scriptures that God was showing her concerning me. I saw through these scriptures, I was not truly born again as I thought I was.
Matthew 22:11 -14 "And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen."
John 8:44 "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."
This is when I realized, that I was not a Christian as I thought, after all these years. I was a child of the devil and not a child of the living God. I thank Almighty God through Jesus Christ that he looks at the heart.

Jeremiah 17:10 "I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings."
Then all the scriptures came to mind again saying, be sure of your salvation. The Lord God had been trying to show me for almost the entire six years especially since January 1994 since I stopped being a friend of Martha's.
Matthew 7:21 -23 "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

Every time I read these words in the Bible, I never wanted to be one of those that the LORD cast from him. I always applied them to someone else around me, but never me. I turned to my husband before he left for work and asked him to go before the Lord, and pray for the needs in my life.
Ephesians 5:22-25 "Wives submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord, for the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church:
and he is the Saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
1 Corinthians 11:3 "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is man; and the head of Christ is God. My husband came walking out of the bedroom into the kitchen and said, this is what God showed me, and began to read.
Jeremiah 50:31 -39 "Behold, I am against thee, 0 thou most proud, saith the Lord GOD of hosts: for thy day is come, the time that I will visit thee. And the most proud shall stumble and fall, and none shall raise him up: and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it shall devour all round about him. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; the children of Israel and the children of Judah were oppressed together: and all that took them captives held them fast; they refused to let them go. Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name: he shall thoroughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon. A sword is upon the Chaldeans, saith the LORD, and upon the inhabitants of Babylon, and upon her princes, and upon her wise men. A sword is upon the liars; and they shall dote: a sword is upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed. A sword is upon their horses, and upon their chariots, and upon all the mingled people that are in the midst of her; and they shall become as women: a sword is upon her treasures; and they shall be robbed. A drought is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols. Therefore the wild beasts of the desert with the wild beasts of the islands shall dwell there, and the owls shall dwell therein: and it shall be no more inhabited for ever; neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation."

After he finished reading, he anointed me with oil and began to pray for my deliverance. I came before the LORD with a broken and repentant heart, believing on the LORD Jesus and the blood and the cross for the forgiveness of my sins. This is when I realized I had been mocking God all my life, and I never, never, meant to do this. I asked Jesus to forgive me and save me, and be my Redeemer and Savior. During this time my husband kept saying your free, your free, your free. Then I asked my husband to pray in Jesus' name against all the wickedness Martha cursed me and the family with. He did, and after it was all finished, I asked the LORD Jesus if I was truly his child. He showed me and gave me the understanding that I needed. My heart and my mind were filled with such an overwhelming peace. I realized I had never known peace in my entire life until the Prince of Peace (Jesus) came into my heart and washed me in his blood, made me whiter than snow, forgave me all my sins, and made me a new child of his. My children and my grandchildren noticed something different immediately. How I thank God for visiting me and for saving me by his amazing grace.

Jeremiah 50:31b "for thy day is come, the time that I will visit thee."
Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
After six long miserable years of trying (works) to do the best I knew how. Having only
aknowledge of the LORD JESUS, but not having a personal relationship with him. Finally I am set free from the bondage of the devil. I thank Almighty God for saving me by his grace. Now I can truly trust in the Lord God Almighty, Jesus my Redeemer, and the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of truth. You see, before I had aknowledge of God, I was deceived into believing I was saved. Now, I have the true Spirit of God. Praise be to the LORD JESUS CHRIST for saving my soul from hell.

The next morning, I walked into the kitchen and looked at the plaque on the wall which said, "Trust in the LORD" and knew in my head and heart, now I really can trust God. Then Almighty God by his Holy Ghost gave me Psalm 34 to read and assured my heart that now I am truly his child. Psalm 34:1-22

1. I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my My husband came walking out of the bedroom into the kitchen and said, this is what God showed me, and began to read.
Jeremiah 50:31 -39 "Behold, I am against thee, 0 thou most proud, saith the Lord GOD of hosts: for thy day is come, the time that I will visit thee. And the most proud shall stumble and fall, and none shall raise him up: and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it shall devour all round about him. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; the children of Israel and the children of Judah were oppressed together: and all that took them captives held them fast; they refused to let them go. Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name: he shall thoroughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon. A sword is upon the Chaldeans, saith the LORD, and upon the inhabitants of Babylon, and upon her princes, and upon her wise men. A sword is upon the liars; and they shall dote: a sword is upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed. A sword is upon their horses, and upon their chariots, and upon all the mingled people that are in the midst of her; and they shall become as women: a sword is upon her treasures; and they shall be robbed. A drought is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols. Therefore the wild beasts of the desert with the wild beasts of the islands shall dwell there, and the owls shall dwell therein: and it shall be no more inhabited for ever; neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation."

After he finished reading, he anointed me with oil and began to pray for my deliverance. I came before the LORD with a broken and repentant heart, believing on the LORD Jesus and the blood and the cross for the forgiveness of my sins. This is when I realized I had been mocking God all my life, and I never, never, meant to do this. I asked Jesus to forgive me and save me, and be my Redeemer and Savior. During this time my husband kept saying your free, your free, your free. Then I asked my husband to pray in Jesus' name against all the wickedness Martha cursed me and the family with. He did, and after it was all finished, I asked the LORD Jesus if I was truly his child. He showed me and gave me the understanding that I needed. My heart and my mind were filled with such an overwhelming peace. I realized I had never known peace in my entire life until the Prince of Peace (Jesus) came into my heart and washed me in his blood, made me whiter than snow, forgave me all my sins, and made me a new child of his. My children and my grandchildren noticed something different immediately. How I thank God for visiting me and for saving me by his amazing grace.

Jeremiah 50:31b "for thy day is come, the time that I will visit thee."
Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
After six long miserable years of trying (works) to do the best I knew how. Having only a knowledge of the LORD JESUS, but not having a personal relationship with him. Finally I am set free from the bondage of the devil. I thank Almighty God for saving me by his grace. Now I can truly trust in the Lord God Almighty, Jesus my Redeemer, and the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of truth. You see, before I had a knowledge of God, I was deceived into believing I was saved. Now, I have the true Spirit of God. Praise be to the LORD JESUS CHRIST for saving my soul from hell.
2. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
3. 0 magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
6. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
7. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
8. 0 taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
9. 0 fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
10. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
11. Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12. What man is he that desireth life, an loveth many days, that he may see good?
13. Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
14. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
15. The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
16. The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17. The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
18. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
19. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
20. He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
21. Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
22. The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

I am now 40 years old. Thirty -four of those years, I spent in bondage to the Roman Catholic church. For the next six years, although I was no longer following Roman Catholic doctrine, I was still in bondage to deception. Through all of this by God's amazing grace, I became born again on March 4, 1997. I have never known such a peace that surpasses all understanding, a love and joy that overflows my soul, and the freedom and contentment knowing that I will spend eternity with my LORD. John 6:37 "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
John 10:28-30 "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them to me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one."
Romans 5:9 "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Peter 1:23 "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

1 John 2:25 "And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life."
It is so very sad to me, after being in bondage to works for most of my life, that some in the Protestant church would deny the teachings of the finished work of the cross, by believing one can lose there salvation. (Hebrews 10:12) Therefore adding works to God's grace unto salvation. Salvation is a free gift from God.
Romans 11:6 "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
John 8:36 "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
1 Peter 1:18 -19 "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and with out spot:"

The LORD God impressed upon my heart these verses as I finished typing my testimony.
Psalm 94:12-13 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, 0 LORD, and teachest him out of thy law; That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.

In Him
Jabua
March 31, 1997

My Dear Catholic,

If you would like to have the blessed assurance of spending eternity with the LORD Jesus Christ just say this prayer and mean it in your heart: "Dear Lord, I know that I am a sinner and I am sorry for my sins, I have a desire in my heart to turn away from sin and to turn my life over to you. I believe you died on the cross for my sins and I receive you now as my personal Lord and Saviour. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen."

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