<Sent> Ministries
Testimony of Greg Gibson-Bailey
About the song "The Victory"
In 1969, in Fresno California, I walked do the isle of a small
church to ask Jesus in my life. Pastor Cheatwood preached a
message that even a 12 year old boy understood. As I came to
the front of that little church, The Holy Spirit of God fell on me
like a warm loving feeling and saved my life from sin.
You my ask, how does a 12 year old boy have sin? Believe me, I
was full of sin and at an even younger age. A knowing right from
wrong kind of sin at that, In a gang called the SSE’s, out looking
for trouble in Los Angeles California, we had broken into a store
and stole money, food, items, and tore the place apart. I was 11
years old at the time just ready to turn 12. It amazes me even
know how hard young boys can be.
To make this point move on, we got caught, and we all had to
spend time in jail. As I waited to go to court, my mother and
aunt found a place that would take in boys in trouble. So going
to the judge, they asked to have me put in a place called
“Outreach For Youth” in Fresno, CA. He said yes, and I went to
the boys home. This is how Jesus works in a life and lives to
draw you to him. I didn’t know it was a Christian outreach, and I
didn’t know who Nicky Cruse was (at the time). But I soon found
out about Nicky and Jesus. And that brings me back to the in
Fresno, CA. because of God’s working hands, I found Jesus.
(thanks to a man named Doug Linear, my counselor)
The story could end in a happy ever after scenario, but, at age
19, I was not living a life for Christ. Far from it my friends, Like
the typical teen today I knew everything! No body can tell me
anything, I’m right and your not. This is my life so stay out of it
unless I let you in. I became mister party animal with no holds
barred. Drugs, sex, guns became my life. Jesus was at the back
of my mind and sin was the ruler of my life. I thought I was
saved from Hell for all time. After all, I did get saved when I was
12! Right?
On the 12th of June 1976, I was working on a motorcycle engine
in my garage. It was very hot, and I was cleaning engine parts
in a tub of gasoline. Back in the day, sniffing was the thing to do
(huffing now) so as I was cleaning parts, I decided to sniff some
gas. I had had an experience just a year before sniffing lacquer
and was in my apartment sitting on the bed. I knew I was going
to die as I laid down to breath my last. Then I remembered the
name of Jesus from church. And as I was on the bed, my body
laying down, my spirit started to leave me, and I cried out the
name Jesus! At that point as I said Jesus! An angel appeared and
pushed me back in my body and with such force that, I was
bouncing on the bed as I came too.
I thought I was past doing things wrong and I was living right
after that. But I didn’t let Jesus live in me. And I did terrible
things. I became a Satanist, a sex fiend, drugs, drinking, but
thought I was a “Christian” I was so wrong! So, as I was sniffing
gas in my garage, I became overwhelmed by the fumes and the
urge not to stop sniffing. Something in my head was saying
“keep going, keep going” “Don’t stop, “ I had breathed so
much gas fumes that I quit breathing, and then my heart
stopped. And just at the time I was going to pass out, I heard the
engine I was working on start up and moving in a circle around
the garage. As I looked to see if this was all real, a little green
demon on the engine laughing at me hideously was pointing to
the ground. (the garage floor was dirt) and all the sudden, the
floor opened away and darkness was all I could see, I knew I
was dieing and I knew where I was going to go. That little green
demon was there to put me in Hell forever.
Every thought I had pass through my mind was as if I was
thinking them all at the same time. And then I realized, I’m
going to HELL! Why am I going to HELL! I was saved! But,
guess what my friends, I did not live a life of how God says to
live. Unknowingly I turned my back on God and His Son Jesus
to live My Life and it did not include them. Now I realize that
just because I once asked Jesus to live in me, did not mean I
could live the way I choose to.
As I was pushed near the edge of the pit, I remembered the last
time I called on the name of Jesus. And with everything in me I
cried out with all I had in me, JESUS, JESUS, SAVE ME, I
NEED YOU, SAVE ME JESUS!...........And as the very last
breath left my lips and at that very point as it left, My Angel
appeared to me and he reached into my chest and pumped my
heart back to life. As I stood there fully awake and straight in my
mind, I wondered if this was all real? It was real. As I touched
the motorcycle engine and was very hot!. Everything was back
as it was in an instant.
And in my hour of deliverance, Jesus came to me. As I penned
in the song “The Victory” Jesus did deliver me, He did set me
free, He is my Lord and Savior. And I’m hear to tell this
testimony to all who will hear.
Greg Gibson
Why the song starts out with an evil or dark voice.
It is to portray the state of mind I was in when I
was seeing hell and finding I was not living a holy
life, but, one of evil. Then my natural stats to
emerge as I cry out load for Jesus to save me!
The voice is in the whole song and at the end, I
say "I walked beyond the tomb (Death) knowing I
will face death again someday, but, going to Jesus
instead.
Thanks for taking time to come here,
Greg
The Victory