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AriseandShine.org

September 2009

A Heart for Youth

9/1/2009

 
Jesus said to him, "Go home to your friends
and tell them what great things the Lord
has done for you, and how He has
had compassion on you." 
Mark 5:19*


As one of Christ's disciples, I have been called to give light of the knowledge of God to a spiritually lost world...
And I thank the Lord for this privilege and especially for opportunities to share my story with young persons. Because, during my adolescent years, and even as a young adult, I struggled with depression, loneliness, lack of purpose, rejection, wanting to fit in with my peers, feeling unloved, and not being successful in school.

In addition, for many years I had thoughts of committing suicide. I was plagued with fantasies of hurting myself and dying young. I was also fascinated with witchcraft and the occult, but I had no idea why.

Many times, as a teenager, I would walk the dark streets of New York City late at night for hours on end. I'd wander through cemeteries by myself. As a child I would often hide in dark closets or under my bed while my mother thought I was outside playing with friends. I shut my parents out of my life, as well. My behavior was bizarre. My actions made no sense.

Now, however, I understand that it was during this period of my life that Satan was preparing my mind for a time when he would use me for his destructive purposes. Little by little he was conditioning me, and I was clueless to what was happening.

And if not for the mercy of God, Satan, I believe, would have eventually destroyed me once he was done using me. Therefore, with this in mind, my heart aches for those who may be dealing with similar issues. Like me, they may be under some form of satanic attack, yet not be aware of it.

Perhaps their individual situations may not be as extreme as mine were. Yet the demons of darkness, whom much of the world scoffs at because they do not believe demons exist, are hoping to destroy these young persons as they once tried to destroy me. After all, the Scriptures declare that Satan has come into the world to "steal, kill and destroy." While the good news is that Jesus Christ has come to save us from our sins, and from the devil. Jesus wants to forgive us. He desires to give us an abundant life once we're ready to turn from our sins and place our trust in Him. Then we could live with peace and hope even in the midst or hardship and difficulties.

Because I love people, I want to do my part to reach as many young men and women that I can with the message of a Savior who loves them, as well as warn them about a devil who seeks to destroy their souls in Hell.

D.B.

*For a full account of a demon possessed man who gets delivered and set free from the powers of darkness, see Mark 5:1-20. 

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    David Berkowitz
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