Testimony of Brian Cloyd

I still get tested with the temptations of this world, but I believe that if I am obedient to His word He will continue to reveal His plan for me.  I thank God for the blessings he has given me (Matthew 6:33).

Being from Southeastern Louisiana, you were either one of two types of people.  Catholic that went to church  or a Catholic that didn’t go to church.  At least it seemed that way.  Protestant churches were few and far in between if you lived south of I-10 and east of I-49.  I was brought up in the Catholic church .  When I look back now, all I remember is that when I was a little boy they told me, “Do not lie, cheat or steal , for you will go straight to Hell, but God loves you very much.” At least that is what I recall. Mel has taught me John 14:6 where Jesus said” I am the way, the Truth & the Life, nobody comes to the Father except thru Me.” I used to go thru Mary. Mel taught me the power “in the name of Jesus”. At nine years old I first experienced “getting high.”  When the mosquito truck would come around the block, my friends and I would get on our bikes and ride fast and as close as we could right behind the truck.  We would lay down in a yard on the grass and just spin in our heads enjoying the high of mosquito spray.  Kind of crazy now that I look back at it.  At twelve I completely stopped going to church and I did not return until I was twenty-three years old.  Between those years was a whirlwind of destruction using drugs while dealing anabolic steroids and GHB.  However, I was still able to continue my education and landed a career opportunity that at nineteen had me making over $50,000 dollars a year with full benefits and I was no longer dealing or using drugs.  Life seemed blissful.  I was twenty-one years old when a girl that I had been in a relationship with for five years ended our relationship.  I had no friends at the time, so I plugged myself back into old relationships that I had no business getting involved with again.  This is when I first tried crank cocaine with someone very dear to me.  Within six months, I lost everything; two boats, a vehicle, my job, relationships, and most of all, self-worth.  After going to treatment several times, a Baptist preacher knocked on my apartment door.  I let him in and that was the first day I let Jesus Christ into my heart.  However, my drug use continued and so did the treatment centers, but something happened that day at my apartment.  From that day, I stayed convicted and I had a desire to become part of a church.  It took four more years for me to totally surrender to my God.  When I did in 2004, I became happier and began to experience blessings that seemed impossible.  Looking back, I can see how my relationship with Him deteriorated.  I had put other relationships before God.  Now, and prayerfully forever, my relationship is with God the Father through His Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you Mel, for the Arsenal Prayer and your prayers. May God continue to bless you & your ministry.