Drake Mariani

Founder, MemLok Bible Memory System

I just wanted to continue my self-centered lifestyle, even if it meant others were hurt in the process. Me first. That seemed to be my inner goal.  I wasn't really sure there was a God when I turned 21. In my heart, I feared there must really be one, but if I admitted it, I knew I was accountable for my lifestyle. That didn't excite me much for certain!

So, I always felt "empty". Lonely too, since I didn't really have deep friendships. I started realizing it wasn't going to get any better and one evening, as I saw the wonderful stars, I thought. "Maybe there IS a God!" That really worried me, because I didn't really think I'd be in very good shape if I had to meet my maker any too soon!

While traveling with a college tennis team, a friend pointed out to me that God loved me and proved it by sending His Son Jesus Christ to earth. The God-Man. He said all other great religious leaders are 6 feet under the earth. Not Jesus. Hundreds of eyewitnesses saw Him months later on 6 different occasions. Even a crowd of 500 saw Him. Certainly not mass hypnotism! He said Christ's disciples and thousands since have died by choice, rather than deny Christ is God the Son. One doesn't die for a lie he argued.

My friend said God's Plan for me couldn't be known because I, like all humans, live a life choosing selfishness, not God, and Love for mankind.

I had to admit that was totally true in my case.

He said the Bible said that if I died in that condition, I would be separated from God forever. No relationships. None at all. That would be Hell.

I did NOT like what I was hearing.

But, He pointed out the Bible says FORGIVENESS is only available by trusting in the paid penalty (Death), by Jesus Christ. Romans 6:23 says "The wages of sin is death." Separation from the body is physical death. Separation from God is spiritual death. Also, he said The Bible says, "It is appointed to man to die ONCE, and after this, the judgment."

Finally, he said I couldn't just believe what the Bible said, I needed to trust it too. Like putting all my weight on a chair, trusting it would hold me. But, I needed to sit on it. He said Jesus was knocking on my heart to become my Lord.

I said, "No Thank You!" So, I lived a terribly rotten life for about another year.

My roommate, Rich, prayed I wouldn't be able to go to sleep, thinking about my eternal future. So, God answered that prayer. I kept him up for hours, regularly peppering him with all my questions.

I got deeper into sinful living for months. One day, after having a lump in my throat for hours - I didn't know why I was feeling this way, I pulled over to the side of the road and prayed to God. "God, if what Bob said last year is true about Jesus Christ, I want to believe it."

I wanted to change. The Bible calls that repentance. But I couldn't do it alone.

I experienced the 4th truth Bob had told me from the Bible. I had kind of believed him the first time.  Jesus Christ loved me, died for me, ROSE and His victory over death could make it possible for me to experience God's plan: receive forgiveness, and live with God forever (eternal life).

BUT, I had only believed it with my mind, not my heart. Now, I wanted FORGIVENESS. I simply gave my life to the Creator of the universe to do with as He wished. I WANTED TO KNOW GOD PERSONALLY.

I was forgiven! "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved." Romans 10:9,10

Guess what? I had peace in my heart. I realized I was accepted by God just as I was (not too great a deal for Him, I thought). God gave me a reason to live. I saw everything I did as a way to serve Him. I wanted deep in my heart to stop living selfishly and help others.

God gave me a great woman. He taught us to rely on Him as we learned to grow in our marriage. It was tough at first! He gave us three kids who have grown up to love God. He allowed me to have a full-time job being a youth minister, and today, I get to help people learn about God's Love for them!

Finally, I have complete confidence that if I died this very minute, I'd be in heaven with the Lord - not because of how I've lived my life, but because Jesus paid for all my sins. I'm forgiven!

Is this what you want? Don't waste months or years as I did. You might die Today.

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

PS. Gina always reminds me to include this story when I share how the Lord got my attention. When I was the least interested in God, I was on a date and trying to become too intimate. The girl I was with stopped me and said, "Can I ask you a personal question?" I said "Sure!" She said, "What do you think about Jesus Christ?" This stopped me in my tracks! But the most amazing thing is this. The identical scenario occurred with two other girls! The point is, you may not be interested in what I'm saying to you about my journey, but God is longing to have a personal relationship with you. Just tell Him Yes.

I'm available if you want to talk. And here's a great short video making things much more clear than I have. 
The "Bridge" Illustration - YouTube Answer the first question he asks.

Drake Mariani 562-714-8100 PST cell