Testimony Of Bill GreguskaWe all have our own story, this page tells you about my story. - Bill Greguska NeedEncouragement.com

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Even though I was not always faithful, God has been very faithful to me. When  people ask me how I am doing, I tell them, “Better than I deserve.” My life completely fell apart in a few years; due to drugs and alcohol, things got so bad that I considered suicide in my teens and early twenties.  I just wanted the pain to end. Those thoughts haunted me, making life extremely hard to navigate with one foot in the grave and the other on thin ice; Satan was having a field day with me since Satan wants to kill, steal and destroy us.

God had other plans for me that I did not yet know about. Maybe you can relate to my story. Also, your testimony might be what someone else needs to help them with their faith. Please read my full testimony below about how my life was (1) Before Jesus, (2) How Jesus came into my life, (3) And how my life changed because of Jesus. ~ Bill Greguska.

Luke 8:47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed.

 

 

 

 

THIS IS THE TESTIMONY OF BILL GREGUSKA

1. My Life Before Jesus.

Do you need encouragement? Bill Greguska NeedEncouragement.comWe all have our stories to to tell. I hope my testimony can be an encouragement to you. My parents took me to church when I was a kid. I knew a bit of God, yet attending church did not affect my life much. Even though I did believe in Him, His world alone is evidence that He was in charge.  Although I can not boast about anything because I did not live my life for Him. I lived selfishly and focused on what would make me happy and how I could have fun and gain attention from others.

I had problems with my behavior and concentration in school, which set the stage for getting into trouble. My Mom transferred me from public school to private school in 4th grade (St. Gregory’s) because I needed more help. The Lord used basketball as my Mom’s strategy to ensure that I would behave in school and get passing grades. The only thing that kept me motivated was playing basketball. I excelled in basketball from 5th grade until junior high school when my life started getting challenging.

Unfortunately, I got heavily involved with alcohol and drug in my sophomore summer, and life got crazy. I got into trouble with the law, from disorderly conduct to more severe things. Problems and sin started to snowball in my life, and as hard as I tried to be good, I did not have the power to do so. These darker days lasted from 16 years old until approximately 26 years old. I was not a so­-called “bad person,” yet I did many foolish things, mainly because of alcohol and drugs, and to seek others’ approval, unfortunately not God’s approval, at this point.

 

 

2. How Jesus Came Into My Life.

The story of Bill Greguska! NeedEncouragement.comThis is the best part of my story because things got better in a wondrous way! In 1986 I was frightened that I might end up in jail, making me come to my senses. Terrified, I prayed, begging God to give me another chance to get my life back together. Thank God he answered my prayers! Instead of prison, I ended up in long­ term alcohol and drug treatment, which was just what I needed to break the chains of my addictions since high school, which lasted about ten years.

When I was 26 years old, on June 25, 1986, at the Gemini alcohol and drug treatment program, I gave my life to Jesus and became born again. Many people tried to help me over the years, like links in a chain. I got involved with both N.A. and A.A. for about ten years, which helped prepare me to accept Jesus Christ. After abusing alcohol and drugs for all those years growing up, I realized that my life needed significant overhauling.
God did not wave a magic wand over me to make my life perfect, but by hearing His word, reading His Word, and submitting myself to His will, I was frequently getting samples of how life would be better with God in charge. I started to find inner peace and contentment that I had not experienced before. I confessed all my sins, and He forgave me of all my sins (1 John 1:9), yet with some of the sins, there were still consequences I had to deal with, such as homelessness, broken dreams, etc. But even with the consequences, I can again say God was with me and working in me.

 

 

 

3. How My Life Changed Because Of Jesus.

I realized that I did not have the power in myself From basketball to drugs and alchol, then to recovery and Jesus Christ! NeedEncouragement.comthat I needed to straighten out my own life, so I surrendered to God out of desperation. Since then, I have been entirely abstinent from alcohol and drugs, the fuels that messed up my life in the first place. God took away that powerful desire to use drugs and drink, a miracle! My mind started thinking more clearly, and it was no coincidence that life got better!

I started going to Elmbrook Church, and I could see that their ways were affecting me positively, and I could see myself starting to grow, which was very exciting! I knew deep down that I still had a big heart and a good sense of humor, but now I use those gifts to glorify God and help others. Elmbrook Church helped me dig deeper into God’s word, and over time I started to understand that my life had real meaning.
I realized that God had a plan for my life, and part of that plan was to have Him as my Lord and Savior. Now that the Holy Spirit is living in me, it does not mean I am sinless! But being a Christian now means that I do sinless. I still have some struggles in my life and faith, but now I know who to go to for help ­ ­ God and His Word. I have been blessed that God put three extraordinarily loving and dedicated people in my life to help guide me: my dear Mom, my good friend and brother in Christ, Mark Mallwitz, and my friend and big sister in Christ, Sue Sauer. God has also sprinkled a few others in my life that I am very thankful for.

I have had a quiet time each morning when I wake up for some years. I read my Bible, journal, and pray to start the day right. That is very important to me. It is also vital to go to my Sunday Bible study and church. God has led me to hand out encouragement cards to introduce people to Jesus via my website NeedEncouragement.com. God’s grace saved me. It was not nothing that I did except confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior and believe in my heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and that I follow Him the best I could. This is my testimony. ~ Bill Greguska.

 

What God Did For My Life, And What He Offers You!

 

 

Life Is Like A Basketball Game; It Is Not Over Until The Final Buzzer!

There is always hope that God gives everyone to hold on to. I am so glad I could hold on to my life by giving it to God. Have you sincerely given your life to God and trusted His work on the cross to save you from your sins?

Basketball is a part of my testimony. God is the main part. Revovering from drugs and alchohol was antoher major part. NeedEncouragement.com

The three main parts of my testimony are. 1. Basketball. 2. Drugs and Alcohol.3. God and my recovery!

If you do not know your eternal destiny, today is the day to get right with God. I am so thankful that I reached out for help. Because of the direction that drugs and alcohol and my sins were leading me, I was bound to be lost for eternity, if not for Jesus Christ. I am so thankful, and you can be grateful, too, to know your destiny.

~ Bill Greguska

Psalm 46:1  God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

 

 

 

Every One Of Us Has A Testimony!

Basketball, drugs and alcohol, recovery, Jesus Christ! NeedEncouragement.comRealize that your story can help encourage others! My testimony is about my struggle between my will and God’s will. I have learned that God has given us all a free choice, and our testimony is what we do with it. Please read below to know what God has taught me and done in my life. No matter what we are going through, we all need encouragement!~ Bill Greguska

Almost everybody will listen to you when you tell your own story. ~ Billy Graham

John 8:32  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Here Is A Part Of My Story – God Changed My Life, and He Can Change Yours Too! My story starts in high school, where I made some terrible choices, and my life got incredibly messed up. I did manage to play basketball for a couple of years in high school, and I did pretty well, but as soon as I opened up the door to a lifestyle of drugs and alcohol, things quickly changed in my life for the worst.

I allowed my desires to control my life and lived in continual defeat and frustration. There seemed to be no real meaning to life, and I seriously considered taking my life several times. I can not blame abusive parents, poverty, or anything else, except that I allowed my flesh, the devil, and the world to get the best of me. I submitted my life to Jesus in 1986 and finally got out of the driver’s seat, which has made a difference.

 

 

Would You Happen To Know How To Share Your Testimony?

Testimony I Shared At The Milwaukee Rescue Mission on March 3, 2021Thank God that my basketball and my faith worked together for good! NeedEncouragement.com

Hi everyone, I was encouraged to share my testimony with you guys again—this time, I want to share it differently. I am sure my life is not that different from most of your lives with its ups and downs, I would imagine. I grew up in the Milwaukee area. Born to a decent family, we went to church. I got a proper education. One thing, I did get super active in basketball to the point I made it; my God. I eventually learned that was a big mistake. Then I got addicted to drugs and alcohol, which ended any future hope I had to play basketball in college. Because of my addictions, I got in trouble with the law a few times and did some jail time.

Many years later, I got married when I was 37 years old, raised a son, and ten years later, my wife divorced me. We are all old enough to reflect on our lives. When I reflect on my life, the most important thing I did were not playing basketball, quitting drugs and alcohol, stopping getting into trouble with the law, or getting married and raising a son. All those things are all good to a point. I am sure you guys might be thinking about the most important thing you did in your life. I will tell you how I see it.

The most important thing I did in my life was when I was introduced to Jesus Christ and decided with my own free will and the Holy Spirit’s prompting that I would start to follow Jesus. And that is what I did, and I am still doing. I am not sinless, but I can say that I sin less because of Jesus, but He paid the penalty for my sins. Accepting and following Jesus was the very logical thing for me to do. His teaching made sense to me. I did not accept Jesus the first time someone talked with me about Him, but finally, after having my last bout with the law in 1986, I was placed in long-term treatment for alcohol and drugs. I can remember the very last day I did any drugs, and right then, It came to me like turning on a light switch. I cried out to God to help me stop; sure enough, that day was the last time I used drugs or alcohol since June 25, 1986.

My life changed, and from then on, God worked on my heart by helping me change how I lived through the regeneration process. God mentally, emotionally, and spiritually freed me. I then saw that days added up to weeks, weeks added up to months, and months added up to years. I would be lying if I said that I did not hear God knocking at my door during the first 26 years of my life, but I can say that I finally had ears to hear and eyes to start to see how to live to honor God and that is what I hold on to. I can not, or will not promise, that if you accept Jesus tonight, your life will be free of worries, problems, or pain. But I can promise you that you will have an advocate to help you through all your difficulties through prayer and having the opportunity to read His word to supply the strength and wisdom you need in this crazy world we all live in. I ask you to think about what I have said and grab the opportunity to be forgiven for your past, present, and future sins and live life the way God intended for you and me to live here on earth and eventually with Him someday in heaven. If you are ready to follow Christ, then today may be the day for you to do so! ~ Bill Greguska

 

 

 

God Never Left Me; He Will Never Leave You Either!

My mom was my biggest cheerleader, coach, mother and friend! I was bless to have her as my mom!

My Mom encouraged me always to do my best, even when things were not going well.

I needed encouragement and direction, and that is what I got. I have been walking with the Lord by God’s grace, walking with the Lord ever since. Jesus has led me on the straight path, and He can do the same for you. It was not until I fully accepted God’s help that I could put the alcohol and drugs away. After all that I went through and all that I put myself through, I finally realized that I only needed to humbly ask God to come into my life to start making good out of the mess I made for myself by serving God and others. With God’s help, I turned my mess into a message to encourage you no matter what you are dealing with.

We all know that storms do not last forever (my storms lasted about ten years). I was messed up on drugs and alcohol and sin. Sometimes for reasons we may not understand, God allows things to happen for His purpose, even negative consequences like I put myself through. But keep in mind what it says in Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. The only way you can find encouragement is to keep your eyes on God instead of the tossing waves, and things will be much better when we trust God! I had faith in God since I was a young boy, seven years old, but it was not until I turned 26 that the fog lifted, and I knew God had a bigger plan for my life than I was living. Maybe it is time to discover God’s plan for your life is? Do you know God as your Lord and Savior? ~ Bill Greguska

 

 

 

 

Two Situations That You Would  Need To Get Right With God Are:

  1. You have never believed in God as your Lord and Savior.

  2. You have believed, yet your life is not reflecting a life honoring God.

In either situation, God’s grace alone can help you navigate through to get right with God either for the first time or to get back on track. Start with prayer and ask God to open your eyes to the truth of His word. Ask Him to show you the way. Also, talk to a pastor or a Christian friend to help you along the way. You can even speak to a free Christian counselor for more help if need by. Another thing you could do is chat with a Christian online.

 

 

Some Specific Scriptures To Encourage You:

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Hebrews 3:13 ESV 

But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Philippians 4:13 ESV 

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Romans 15:13 ESV 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope.

Ephesians 4:29 ESV 

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Isaiah 41:10 ESV 

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Hebrews 10:25 ESV 

Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

John 16:33 ESV 

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

John 14:27 ESV

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Isaiah 40:31 ESV 

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV 

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 ESV 

Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.

 

 

 

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