God Saved Me ~ And He Can Save You Too!

Get Right With God! NeedEncouragement.com   Testimony OF Bill Greguska NeedEncouragment.com    Salvation! NeedEncouragment.com   Free Christian Counseling! NeedEncouragement.com

Please contact us if you have questions or if you need some encouragement.Bill Greguska and I want to let you know that there is hope for everyone! Share your story! NeedEncouragement.com

My name is Bill Greguska, and if you’re feeling like the challenges in your life are too much to handle, remember that you’re not alone, I want you to know that reaching out for help takes strength and courage, something I admire. Life can throw us curveballs that leave us feeling overwhelmed and lost, but take heart in knowing that there is a guiding light waiting for you. It’s time to relinquish the burden of trying to be in control all by yourself and instead surrender to God. He is ready to offer guidance, peace, and support if we open our hearts to Him.

I understand how daunting it can be when faced with addiction or any other issue that seems insurmountable on your own. But let me assure you; there is no shame in asking for support when we need it most. We all have struggles; they are part of what makes us human. However, it’s crucial not to let fear or pride prevent us from seeking the help we deserve. With faith as your anchor and determination as your driving force, anything is possible with God’s help! You don’t have to face these battles alone because there exists a supportive community eager to walk alongside you through this journey toward healing. So don’t hesitate – reach out today and let us show you the hope and healing that come with knowing someone cares. Our website is always open 24/7 (you can always email us) and we will get back to you ASAP because we believe everyone deserves a chance at a better tomorrow. Remember: You have what it takes to overcome this challenge in front of you! ~ Bill Greguska

Matthew 7:7-8  “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

 


 

 

Ten Ways To Discover Encouragement For Yourself:

  1. Encouragement for Relationships
  2. Encouragement to End an Addiction
  3. Encouragement for Your Faith 
  4. Encouragement from Many Topics
  5. Encouragement to Pray Daily
  6. Encouragement from our Ideas List
  7. Encouragement via Chatting
  8. Encouragement from our Sitemap 
  9. Encouragement from a Free Bible
  10. Encouragement from My Book

Find out what God’s Word says about the situation you are in, and what to do about it ~ click here.

 


 

 

 

 


 

I Had A Drug And Alcohol Problem (Before And After)!


 

 

What Do You Think You Need To Do?

It is the Holy Spirit's job to convict, God's job to judge, and my job to love. - Billy Graham / NeedEncouragement.com

You and I can point people to Jesus, but it is ultimately up to them to choose what they will do. Watch this video produced by Billy Graham.

Please contact us if you have any questions, comments, or encouragement.

Thank God that He gave me a good sense of humor. My mom always told me that if you don’t laugh about things, you will cry about them. ~ Diana Greguska

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

Too Many Things Were More Important To Me Than God:

  1. Basketball
  2. Drugs
  3. My Drug And Alcohol Problem

God showed me a better way, so I gave up my old and d I became Born Again!

 

 

 


 

 

 

Only God Can Move Mountains!

Only God can move mountains! Bill Greguska ~ NeedEncouragement.com

To view this book about my life, and God, with the ups and downs that God brought me through click here.

 


 

I Have Accepted Jesus – Will You Accept Jesus Too?


 

 

I Pray that My Faith Can Help Influence Your Faith:My Parents were good parents to me! NeedEncouragement.com

I had a good start in life with two good parents. My mom and dad stuck by me through thick and thin! They were married for over 50 years, not unlike couples today to get divorced when things get complicated. I wish
I had listened to them better.  But I was a good son, my mom always told me because she knew my heart. My faith in God started at the age of six. My parents took me to church every Sunday. They enrolled me in private schools — St. Gregory the Great Grade School and Pius High School. God and my parents met my needs. I was very fortunate to be blessed in many ways.

 

 

 


 

 

My First Real Memory Of My Faith In GodBill Greguska and my future because of Jesus Christ! NeedEncouragement.com

When my dad gave me a penny to put in the basket at church, I thought it was so special to give money to God that I had a unique way to do it: I put the penny in my left hand and closed my fingers on it. Then I made a cross sign with my right hand over my left hand. To me, it was both meaningful.
I liked the holiness in the church, but it was often hard to sit through the service because sometimes it got boring, but that did not mean I did not love God. I became an altar boy and got a religious award in Cub Scouts. That was a sign that, at a young age, I had a deep love for the Lord. Have you decided to follow Jesus Christ in your life?
Do not ever give up your childlike faith because it is so important. Matthew 18:3  And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

 

 


 

 

How To Lead Others To Christ?


 

Basketball Was The Center Of My Life!

Bill Greguska Basketball days! NeedEncouragement.com

Bill Greguska’s high school basketball days at Pius XI.

Basketball, drugs, alcohol, recovery, building wheelchair ramps, being a caregiver for my mom, recovering from a divorce, being a caregiver for Ben Hersh, starting up needencouragement.com, and living my Christian faith have been a few of the highlights of my life.
From when I out nine years old, basketball became very important to me through high school.  On the one hand, basketball was fundamental to me in grade school. I struggled with behaving and paying attention in class, but when my mom introduced me to basketball, she used it as a carrot to motivate me to behave and pay attention in school. That motivation turned into an obsession which was all I thought about. Eventually, I became so obsessed with basketball that it turned my life upside down and squeezed God out of my life, which I believe got me heavy into drugs and alcohol. It was not until I was 26 that I finally looked at my life and realized I needed to change things. Basketball was all I did during the summertime (and throughout the many years) until I was going into my Jr. year at Pius XI. Even so, then, unfortunately, I traded this love for basketball for the love of alcohol and drugs. It devastated me when God allowed the door to be closed on basketball.
You, too, I am sure, have had the door to certain parts of your life closed. Sometimes this is just a part of life. We live and learn. Because of my faith in God, I knew that God still had a plan for my life, even though it hurt. I have learned to put life into perspective and hold everything and everyone with an open palm. That is what my pastor’s wife, Sue Sauer, taught me. Putting everything in an open palm is because if God wanted to take something or someone out of my life, it would not hurt so much. God created this universe and everything, including you and me. He has a right to do what His will is to do. I have learned that even if we have something we, love like I loved basketball, God wants us to keep our lives in perspective and love God more than anything or anyone here on earth.

High School Became A Big Problem!

Bill Greguska...Love and encourage one another! NeedEncouragement.com

This website ministry I started back in 2005. Before then, I had a 24-hour phone helpline. God has been excellent and faithful to me, so I want to encourage others! ~ Bill Greguska

Fast-forward to high school. My faith in God took a beating. First, I was very involved in basketball; later, I got heavily involved in partying, which ended my basketball career. It was tough to juggle my drinking and wild lifestyle with the responsibilities and life of the church and worship God. Something had to go; Many years of regret. I had been taught godly principles to live by, yet Satan, my flesh, and this world got the better of me. I did not have the “ears to hear” that scripture mentions but lived on reactions and impulses that caught up to me and turned my life upside down for almost ten years. Alcohol and drugs tempted me, and I fell hard on my face! Is there something particular that has seduced you to get off the right path?

God Provided a Life Preserver for Me!

Things were pretty bad in my life. On the one hand, I felt God was watching over me, but he was providing me with food, shelter, and people who seemed to care about me — it was me that was making my own life difficult. Times were tough, but looking back, I see the hand of God and the many ways He showed his faithfulness to me. I always loved God but wasn’t near Him because of my life. I had thoughts of suicide that entered my head when I was 16 and again when I was 43. Satan was doing everything he could to steal, kill, and destroy me, but I kept trying to cling to God; I believe He is my life preserver. Do you need a life preserver in your life too?

How Can I Be Saved?


Reaching Out To Help Others ~ Helped Me Too!

I was a wheelchair ramp builder for Faith Indeed with my bosses Ron West and Bill Barry! NeedEncouragement.comWhen I got involved in AA and NA by attending meetings and talking with others, my faith grew, and I took small steps. NA gave me the support and fellowship to get off alcohol and drugs. Praise God that the last time I used any drugs or alcohol was on June 25, 1986, when I was in long-term drug and alcohol treatment and was born again.
I realized I could not help myself but needed God’s help. I got very serious about my faith in God, and with the support I was getting, I grew by leaps and bounds. Did you know that you can get help by praying and asking God to put the right people in your life? My faith grew more after I got out of long-term drug and alcohol treatment. The Lord opened a door for me to get involved at Elmbrook Church, where I worshiped for 23 years.
I got involved in a good Bible study at Mark Mallwitz’s house from about 1991 to 2020. The fellowship of other believers has been a source of encouragement for me. I experienced much growth, which I am very thankful for. If you are not attending a church or Bible study, why not try it? Church and Bible study opened the doors in my life. I built wheelchair ramps for Faith Indeed for my boss Ron West! I enjoyed building wheelchair ramps and got good at doing it for ten years. ~ Bill Greguska

 

Storms and More Damage Still Came!

Bill Greguska NBA basketball photo with Alan Iverson! NeedEncouragement.comIn 1997 I took the step of getting married. It was a great challenge that I felt prepared for, but it turned out that my wife chose not to continue. We received counseling from Pastor Ron Sauer and his wife, Sue Sauer. They spent many months trying to help us piece things together in our marriage, yet my wife gave up hope. That was devastating since I had had the lion’s share of raising her son Chris from four until fourteen. It took quite a while to get over that. It was one of the two most difficult times in my life.
The other time was during high school, getting messed up on drugs and alcohol and having problems with the law. I was diagnosed with a nervous breakdown and felt like giving up. I cried a lot; unfortunately, my desire to live was shallow. Thankfully, my mom helped me out a lot. I remember many times when I started crying; my mom used to say, “There she blows.” That made me smile, and sometimes I laughed and cried simultaneously. Right around that time, my mom was having problems with her health, and my stepdad Charley had recently died, so I took care of my mom from 2006 until she passed away in December 2014.

My Eyes Stayed on the Lord!

I am a man who truly understands the struggles of addiction, and we want to help others overcome their obstacles too. Life can be tough, and sometimes it feels like no one else gets it. But I know that reaching out for help is crucial when we’re feeling discouraged or alone. We believe that with the right support, guidance, and encouragement from caring people and God’s help, anything is possible. That’s why we encourage anyone struggling with addiction or any other issue to get in touch with us – whether you have questions about your life, or just need someone to talk to who understands what you’re going through. We are available 24/7 because he knows firsthand how important it is not to suffer in silence. Don’t hesitate – reach out today and let us show you the hope and healing that are possible with faith, determination, and a little bit of encouragement along the way!
I admit that these setbacks discouraged me, but I still had faith that God would continue to watch over my life as he has since I was born. My life reminds me of what it says in 1 Peter 5:7: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” My life experience has been like a roller coaster, yet I always seemed to stay on track somehow. I give God credit! Who are your eyes focused on?

I Took Good Care of My Mom!

Bill Greguska and my mom Diana Greguska. NeedEncouragement.comIt was a blessing to take care of my mom for the last eight years of her life until she died at age 93. She was a tremendous support while I was growing up, even during my problems with drugs and alcohol. Taking care of my Mom was an honor and seemed the right thing. Mom told me that she did not want to go to a nursing home for years, so I did everything to keep her at home, even though my family was considering it. But I kept my word to my mom and took care of her.
I built wheelchair ramps for Faith Indeed with my boss Ron West, and I enjoyed building them and got good at doing them for ten years. During that time, I made two ramps for my mom, one at her original house and one at my stepdad’s house. It was my pleasure and honor to build them for her, and she loved them. She lived a good life. She loved watching “her” Brewers, going to church with me, going out to eat, playing cards, going to movies, etc. After all, she did to keep me together when my life was in a shamble, I couldn’t imagine her going to a nursing home. Do you understand that when you help someone is like putting perfume on them–you can’t help but get some on yourself? Could you give it a try? ~ Bill Greguska

 

 

Can You Relate To This Man? I Can…


What is the Next Chapter in My Life?

I have put in some miles and learned some hard lessons. I have also experienced God in a meaningful way. Lord willing, I will continue to walk close to Him. I want to encourage people through my website, needencouragement.com, to learn from what I did wrong. I strive to keep healthy and spiritually fit and have fellowship with my friends who love the Lord and those I call “pre-Christians”-those who don’t know the Lord yet. Since I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I know my final resting place will be heaven. It can be your last resting place if you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Have you thought about how you plan to live the rest of your life? Who are you going to live it for? ~ Bill Greguska

 

My Life Hit Bottom But God Did A Miracle For Me!

After I got out of treatment two years later, I got involved with NA and AA for a bit longer until I got engaged in Elmbrook Church. I got out of long-term treatment in 1989. Shortly after that, I regularly attended Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, WI. Elmbrook had an open basketball program that caught my eye. Basketball was the “carrot” that got me back in church again! Looking back, I am so thankful that God put Elmbrook church on my path to help me grow as a Christian under Pastor Stuart Briscoe and the rest of the staff. I was very grateful for all the church and people did to help me. This was back in 1989, shortly after I got out of long-term treatment.

 

While Growing Up ~ I Played Basketball All Year Round!

Year after year, month after month, and day after day, it kept me busy on my teams during the school year. I tried out for varsity my sophomore year at Pius XI, yet coach Joe Bunetta wanted me to play JV to get a lot of playing time, which I did. A considerably massive part of my life became basketball, which I got pretty good at, although without a doubt, alcohol and drugs got the best of me. It ripped my life apart, taking many years of recovery to put the pieces back together with God’s help.

My schooling was very challenging for me. I tried to sit quietly in class and pay attention. I was not dumb, but I struggled with reading until I was almost in high school.  My silliness and hyperactivity made school something I did not enjoy, and I found myself easily distracted, even though I got B’s and C’s. However, the school was frustrating and did not come naturally to me. I was pretty popular due to the fact, I think, that I was on the basketball team, and I had a good sense of humor and was a nice guy. I thank God for the humor that he blessed me with. It is not surprising because I grew up as a guy with a fun sense of humor and a basketball player, which somehow benefited me.

 


Encouraging Links

  • Click here to experience a little taste of my sense of humor
  • “It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.” Vince Lombardi
  • Pete Maravich’s story is inspirational to me!
  • How does Alcoholics Anonymous compare with the Bible?
  • Click here to check out a little of my sense of humor.
  • To the best of my ability, I have learned from the past. I live in the present, and I have hope for the future.  Strive to look at the glass as half full instead of half empty. Thank God that He made Himself known to me through my life difficulties and never left me. ~ Bill Greguska

 

 

 


 

More Encouraging Testimonies

  1. Pastor Billy Graham

  2. Pastor Francis Chan

  3. Pastor Jeff Schreve

  4. Pastor Mark Mallwitz

  5. Pastor Ron And Sue Sauer

  6. Pastor Ron West

  7. Pastor Stuart Briscoe

  8. Ben Hersh

  9. Bill Greguska

  10. Brian Larson

  11. John Wegner

  12. Lisa Stackpole

  13. Lora Kesselhon

  14. Mike Hayden

  15. Mom’s Legacy

  16. Ray Jablonski

  17. Terri Mitchell

 

 

 


 

 

Some Specific Scriptures To Encourage You:

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV 

For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Acts 16:31 ESV 

And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Romans 10:9-10 ESV

Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes and is justified, and with the mouth, one confesses and is saved.

John 3:16 ESV 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 6:23 ESV 

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 5:24 ESV

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment but has passed from death to life.

Acts 2:38 ESV 

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 6:4 ESV

We were buried, therefore, with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

John 3:3 ESV 

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

1 John 1:9 ESV 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

James 4:17 ESV 

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him, it is sin.

Romans 5:1 ESV 

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV 

For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Mark 16:16 ESV 

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

 


 

 

Find Hope And Encouragement From Our Links!

  1. If you just started believing in God, we have a page specifically for you.
  2. If you are dealing with anger, stress, or depression, we have information to help you.
  3. We have phone helplines, website links, and YouTube videos.
  4. Learn more about us, our goals, and our purpose.
  5. If you have a drug/alcohol problem or want to get right with God, you are at the right place!
  6. If you need to talk to someone right away, you can call 800-633-3446 or click here.
  7. Finally, if you have any questions or want to get on our email list, just let us know.

 


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