Jerry A New Beginning

Jerry was a third-generation member of a Sabbath-keeping church, but fell away from the faith in his teenage years after seeing the personal failings of some youth leaders. As many who run away from the Lord discover, life was not kind to Jerry.

“I became an alcoholic and started smoking,” he recalls. Later in life, he quit both of these habits. Though overcoming those addictions was admirable, Jerry was still addicted to his work. “I was a workaholic, working sometimes three jobs at a time,” he says. A neck injury resulted in surgery and eventually Jerry had to stop working due to his disability. “I became extremely depressed and at times blamed God for what happened in my life.” He compared himself to Job, the Bible figure whose family and fortune were upended by an attack of Satan.

Jerry says, “I hit rock bottom.” He attempted to harm his wife and older son, then later tried to end his own life. After eight days in a mental health facility, he asked for a pastor to visit. A Sabbath-keeping pastor answered his call. “God entered my life again at that point,” Jerry says. “With the pastor’s help I started studying the Bible again. I decided I wanted to live and get better.”

A key turning point was studying the Amazing Facts Bible Study Guides and watching the Landmarks of Prophecy series by Pastor Doug Batchelor. “Landmarks really opened my eyes and helped me to remember why we need to turn our eyes to God,” he explains. Jerry made a commitment to be re- baptized, dedicating his life to God and spreading His Word.

“Pastor Doug’s straightforward presentations also made an impression on me,” Jerry says. “He was honest, he didn’t preach brimstone and fire, and he read all the facts from the Bible. There were no opinions given, just facts.” Jerry was re-baptized and reconnected to God’s family with a new life and lifestyle. “I am now eating healthier. I have a very loving wife, and she has been right by my side through this whole ordeal.”

A man who once had problems at home and attempted to take his own life now has a higher calling. “I have dedicated my life to God, I spread God’s Word every chance I get,” Jerry says.

Reflect: Do you know someone who has turned from God? Don’t give up on them; there is hope for every person. Pray earnestly for them to return to the Lord.

Key Bible Texts

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV)