I can relate to this testimony as being an avid reader myself while growing up. I do remember reading six or seven Hardy Boy/ Nancy Drew books after I would come home from school, in one evening!
I even won the reading competition for my whole school. I tried to always avoid "bad" books, but most were worldly nonetheless. I just wasted so much time on nonsense!
The older I got, middle school age, my interest turned more toward spiritual books, missionary stories, Pilgrims Progress, the books by Dr. Ingraham, church history, etc.
I started listening to more tapes in my bedroom as a teenager and would get so blessed. I remember being healed of a bad sore throat instantly while listening to a tape when Bro. Branham called someone out in a prayer line with that. I had such a hunger for God.
My first revelation I remember, although now it is deeper and stronger, was this quote, which did something to me inside:
What is the new Birth then? You’d say, “Well, Brother Branham, what is the new Birth?” It is the revelation of Jesus Christ personally to you. Amen! See?
63-0728 - Christ Is The Mystery Of God Revealed
A family member once told me to be careful not to hear too many tapes, because there was a man who did that once and lost his mind. Now, I realize what a scarecrow the devil was throwing out to try to hide all those butterbeans!
I kept listening anyway and now today, 25 years later, I am listening more than I ever have in my life!
Sometimes I hear five tapes a day, sometimes six, sometimes seven, when I can.
I'm happier than I ever have been! I probably have lost my mind, but my mind wasn't worth much anyway, and if I have, I'm gaining the mind of Christ and that's all that matters!
I can see myself in the Word, on every tape He speaks directly to me. I can identify myself as the little eagle who heard the Eagle scream. I'm free, oh, so free, eating Eagle Food and, thank God, am out of the manure pile! I had always hoped/longed to be "Bride." It was the greatest desire of my heart, but I wasn't sure I was eligible and felt so unworthy (and I am unworthy, but the "Worthy One" chose me, took my place on the cross and predestinated me, put the wedding band on my finger before the foundation of the world and I'm wearing the wedding gown of His Promised Word!). And now God, by His amazing Grace, has revealed that to me and revealed Himself in His Word, too: who He is and who I am!
But all this mystery is revealed only, as He promised, to His Bride. Hell is against this Truth, of the revelation of this mystery. But the Bride is standing on it. That’s Her stand. 63-0728 - Christ Is The Mystery Of God Revealed
I just can't express how happy I am! "How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! If I should count them they are more in number than the sand."
So I'm just praising the Lord Jesus Christ for His wonderful Work. I just can't seem to get enough! I want more and more. I love Him so much! I would like to encourage you to put God first in everything! Even to put Him before first!
Don't let the devil tell you that you should be busy doing something else! One time I remember Brother Joseph said something about not giving Jesus your left-over time, but giving him your best time, to sacrifice something you really wanted to do to spend time with Him.
It has never been a disappointment when that decision is made. Just chop away all unnecessary distractions with His great Sword. Read the Bible every chance you get (it will become a new book to you, by the way). Pray, pray, pray, listen to as many tapes as you can, just love, thank, praise and worship Him!
It's changing my life day by day, and I know it will yours.
Anonymous
USA