God's Saving Power

Yesterday we had the tremendous privilege of witnessing my brother and sister-in-law's baptism. It was such a joyous occasion to celebrate with them the work of God in their life! I have known them both for seven years. Those years have been filled with many prayers and efforts of showing them the light of Christ but sometimes another year would go by and we would lose heart. Also, they have always lived a good distance away so it made seeing them a rarity. Thankfully God never gives up! His saving power was always at work in their life leading up to the day of their salvation! Well, I could go on and on about God's amazing work but I thought it would be better if I let them tell you. I asked for permission to post both of their testimony's for you to read. I'll start with my sister-in-law's Brandy- only cause I don't have Jeff's yet :-) I wish I could post some pictures for you but we hit the road and I didn't realize it until it was to late that I had forgotten the camera. Their church was an hour away. But I hope you are encouraged by their words. I know I was reminded afresh of the glorious gospel in hearing them share it with their church. All Glory be to God!

*just a side note... her husband Jeff is a police officer and when she speaks of chaplain she means of his department.

Hi, my name is Brandy Daukas. Before I became a Christian, I was an extremely self-centered person, always looking for how things would benefit me. But I was never happy, usually feeling anxious, afraid of failure, and insecure. I didn’t have an identity that had any true meaning. I was powerless against sin. I lived this way my whole life watching my Mom battle Cancer and Diabetes and wondering how “God” could do this to her. But she woke each day thanking God for another day. I am not sure she was a Christian, but I do know that God was reaching out to my heart. But all through high school and college, it wasn’t cool or popular to be one of “those” people who went to church or talked about Jesus. There was no one in my family or circle of friends to guide me to Christ, until my husband Jeff became a believer after our son was born. I saw that he changed significantly, becoming a better husband and father, but I was afraid of what being a Christian meant I would have to change. I had a misperception that “submitting” to my husband meant I couldn’t be strong or have a say in our marriage. I misunderstood what my role as a godly wife would be and how important that role is. Jeff invited me to a Beginner’s Bible Study that the Chaplain was leading for couples. I was willing to go, but didn’t expect anything life-altering from the experience. Once I attended that first class, I was forever changed. Watching the love of Jesus Christ pour through Chaplain Darlene was awesome. The Holy Spirit took hold of my heart, making the words come alive to me, that although I was a sinner (“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23), Christ died for me (Romans 5:8) and the “wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). It became clear to me how lost I was and that Jesus Christ was the only one who could help me find my way. I had my first quiet time with our Lord on April 17, 2006 and asked him to take over as Lord over my life and Savior of my soul.
Since that day, life has never been better. I have such a feeling of peace and security now knowing that I am never alone. As Jeremiah 29:11 states “our Lord has thoughts of peace and not evil, to give us a future and a hope.” I now have an identity – an identity in Christ. My old self has truly died – “For he who has died has been freed from sin” (Romans 6:7). I am happier as a servant than I ever was as lord over my own life. Praise Jesus!