MY TESTIMONY

My name is Jaswinder Singh Sira eldest son of Avtar Singh and Manjit Sira. I was born again in the Spirit to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit on Monday, February 26, 2018, when I gave my life to Christ and accepted Him as my Lord and Saviour.

I was born into a Sikh family and have always loved God and have a relatively good understanding of the Sikh and Hindu religions, with some knowledge of Islam and Buddhism.

I was always seeking God through other religions and faiths and had not experienced a close encounter or relationship with him as I have now. It took me almost 44 years of pain and suffering to find the true God. I used to binge drink for days on end, take drugs, and sleep around, and it did not prick my conscience whatsoever.

I used to swear in every other sentence. I was quite a well-connected guy, but at the same time I was educated, had a good job as a financial consultant, and had my own businesses. I got married to a beautiful woman and have two beautiful daughters. I had everything in the eyes of the world. But true joy still eluded me until I found Jesus. The devil broke up two marriages, kept me in drink, drugs, and sex—this was all but his trap to keep me enslaved to him.

Just like drug dealers keep addicts addicted, Sin is an addiction, and you want to break free, but you're not strong enough, and many people don’t even realize they are in sin. Like the addict who is content with his addiction and drugs and can't see anything outside of his or her life. It is God who delivers us from this bondage of slavery to misery, but we have to cry out to him for help and forgiveness, as he is a God of free will. We need to want to come to him with our whole heart, not half-heartedly. I went through a divorce, and not being able to freely speak to my daughter tormented me.

To make myself feel better, I further indulged in alcohol, drugs, one night stands, and flings. I spent thousands of pounds on temporary happiness, which always led to sadness and loneliness. Before I hit rock bottom, I had tried everything and every religious path but Jesus. I remember on that Monday, February 26, 2018, when my friend Mr Hushan Randhawa a gifted Man of God, introduced me to Pastor Phil, a humble man of God who prefers to be called "brother" as do I, prayed for me and baptized me in the Holy Spirit.

I remember crying and feeling relief; prior to this, I was in such a bad way. People were saying to me, "You won't be living for long; you have to stop." There was no magical, supernatural, out-of-this world experience. But I felt lighter after I gave my life to Christ; he had taken on my burdens. I made a conscious decision: is God more important than my friends and worldly ways? I chose Jesus. So I deleted myself from WhatsApp groups where they sent porn and vulgar jokes. I was careful with what my eyes watched and what my ears heard. By making these simple but radical changes, I found myself getting closer and closer to God. I started viewing the world differently.

Jesus changed my life, but he can only do so if we allow him to. We have to continue to work with Him until the finish line. God has used me in a mighty way, and I am humbled that he called and chose a sinner like me to be used as a vessel and servant to do his wonderful work. I have had confirmation from quite a number of men and women of God that God is going to use me in a mighty way, and he has and is. The same God that changed my life and brought me peace and joy in all situations including the storms.