True Identity – Araceli’s Story

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May 15, 2012

The Oregon Aglow Prison Ministry Team goes into Coffee Creek Correctional Facility weekly. Araceli, one of the inmates, has found her true identity in Christ through the ministry she has received from the team.

Araceli writes, “After being in the world for 27 years, I have finally realized that God has been calling me to fulfill His purpose in my earthly life. I’ve been raped, mistreated by family, friends and other people. I’ve been abused sexually and mentally. I was naïve to what God really called me to be. One day while I was in church here in prison, some women who had faith laid their hands on me and began to pray. Sure enough, God Almighty touched me! At the time I did not have a clue what it was, but I knew something different was happening to me. As the women continued to pray for me, I began to weep and sob, then I fell down to the floor. I’ve seen people fall down when they are being touched by the living Spirit of God, but it had never happened to me before. When I got up and left, I was never the same again!”

“Ever since that night on October 27, 2007, doing time in a California prison, I see life in a different perspective. I’m not the same lady at all. He touched me, and He is continually changing me to what He wants me to be. Prior to this time, I was blinded by the enemy. The Bible tells us that we fight against spiritual forces, the powers of this dark world, not against flesh and blood. John 10:10 says that bad things come from Satan, the god of this world, who comes to steal, kill and destroy us. Satan wants to take what is rightfully our inheritance. He wants to take us to a place of eternal torment where he and all his followers will spend eternity.”

“When we accept Jesus as our Savior, He said He would send His Spirit to live in us and guide us into all truth. He said He would never leave us nor forsake us. I thank the Lord that it is now His Spirit that is in me and makes me holy. God sees each of us as clean and pure in His eyes when we repent and turn to Him.”

“The same scripture says that good things come from God, our Heavenly Father, and He wants to give us an abundant, happy life.So I urge you to accept “the gift” that God has given us…His Son Jesus Christ. He came to give us eternal life with God in heaven. He’s waiting on you just like He waited on me.”

Perhaps you see yourself in Araceli’s story. Life hasn’t been good to you. You feel lost and hopeless. We want to encourage you that you have a loving, Heavenly Father who is waiting for you with open arms. He isn’t angry with you. His heart is filled with love towards you. Romans 10:9-10 says if you will confess with your mouth….if you will call out to Him, He is there. If you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, then He will come right into the very room where you are and what He did for Araceli, He will do for you. Simply receive His love and His free gift of salvation. Allow Him to wash away your past and give you an entirely new future.