You probably know my story. My past was bad: I got abused as a child and I fell into all sorts of addictions. I fell into sin and couldn’t get out. For many long years, I got really broken. I was ruled by shame and insecurities. I was so messed up.

But I thank God I went through that, because I understand the sinner who is seeking God. I feel that because of what I went through, my life and my mission is completely fixated on welcoming every kind of sinner in this world.

Here’s what I noticed: Religious leaders who have been broken accept broken people. This is one of the reasons why we accept anyone in the Light of Jesus Family–adulterers, thieves, prostitutes, drug addicts, alcoholics, gamblers, perverts… (They’re all sinners like me!)

Let me declare this from the housetops.   My little communityis 100% for the unchurched.

  Here’s an insight from another preacher named Steven Furtick. If you found Jesus just last week at the Feast (that’s what we call our prayer meeting), then that was the last time this community was for you. After you found Jesus, the Feast is no longer for you anymore. You’re no longer my target. You’re no longer my market. You’re no longer my audience. You’re no longer my customer. You should now be my co-worker!

You shouldn’t be in front of me; You should be beside me. You shouldn’t be the person I’m serving; you should be serving WITH me, shoulder to shoulder, hand to hand, blessing the world together. Because this Feast is no longer for you.

       Let me share with you a powerful story…

The Story of Joyce Meyer

       I was in Sydney last month and I heard Joyce Meyer share the very moving story of her life.

       As a child, Joyce was sexually abused by her own father. Because it was a pattern and would happen at specific days of the week, Joyce knows how many times he abused her–her father molested her for more than 200 times.

       And sadly, her mother let him.

       Joyce grew up from that horrible past, gave her life to Jesus, and went on to preach the Gospel. And God asked her to forgive her father–which she did.

       Twice in her life, she mustered courage and told her father that she forgave him–but in both times, he denied ever doing anything wrong.

       But one day, God didn’t only ask that she forgive him. God asked her to follow the Bible when it says, If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.(Romans 12:20)

       Her parents lived far from the city and they were growing old. That was when God spoke to her heart, “Buy a house for them in the city near you, so you can take care of them.”

She couldn’t believe what she heard. But she obeyed. At first, she wanted to buy a small ugly house and fill it with second hand furniture. But ultimately, she bought them a nice house for them and cared for them.

For 30 years, her father never said, “I’m sorry” to Joyce. 

One day, 3 years after they moved into their new house, her mother called up and said, “Can you visit your Dad? He has been crying non-stop everyday for 3 weeks.” So Joyce visits him. And this is what her father said, “For the past 3 years, I’ve been wanting to say this to you. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for what I did to you when you were a child. I didn’t know it was going to do so much harm.”

Joyce learned that her father’s family was incestuous. It’s true that hurting people hurt people.

The next Sunday, Joyce brought him to church and he gave his life to Jesus. Joyce said she thought she was buying a house. Actually, she was buying a soul.

Growing up, Joyce went through horrific pain–a pain that God never intended her to have. But it was a pain that shaped her in a way that made her stronger, better, and wiser.

Today, Joyce Meyer is being used by God to heal thousands of broken women who have also been abused.

What pain have you gone through?   I believe that your purpose is connected to your pain.

Remember…

“Nothing just happens.”

       May your dreams come true,

       Bo Sanchez

PS. There’s nothing like it in the world. Guaranteed. It will lift you up, bless you, and change the entire direction of your life. What am I talking about? The biggest inspirational event of the year and of the country: Kerygma Conference 2012: Champions Arise! November 24-25, at the MOA Arena and SMX. For more information, click the link below:

Yes, I’d like to be a Champion in my life;

Tell me more about the Kcon 2012!