And if you want to find peace, happiness and true meaning in life, please take time to read this Gospel tract. What is related here is for everyone. The devil is real and he is out to destroy lives. But not only is he real, he is a thief and a liar. I want to tell how God delivered me from rock music and alcohol.

I was brought up in the town of Lurgan, and privileged to have parents who loved God. Early in life I was sent weekly to Sunday-school and church where I learned that, even though I was young, I was a sinner who needed a Saviour. But I was also taught from the Bible that God loved me and sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on a cross for me. When I was 15 years of age I rebelled against all that I had been taught. I had a great love for music and it really influenced my life. But the kind of music to which I was attracted led me into the ways of the world. I began to listen to a punk rock group called the Sex Pistols, and their lyrics included much swearing and blasphemy. The startling thing was this, that the more I listened to their music the more I became conformed to their lifestyle. I began to act and dress like them. It was also at this time that I began to smoke and drink. I then bought an album of a heavy metal band called AC/DC. Their songs included titles such as "Hells Bells'', "Hell ain't a bad place to be'', "Highway to Hell'', and many more with satanic sounds and lyrics. Other albums which I had included songs such as "Black Sabbath'', "Judas Priest'', "Iron Maiden". These groups, and many more, were really satanically inspired and the lyrics suggested suicide, rebellion to parents, witchcraft, murder, and blasphemy against God.

The devil is very clever and he is determined to destroy the minds of young people through this kind of music - indeed, not only their minds, but their lives. In the end the devil will pull you down to hell, so be very careful what kind of music you listen to! In the Bible we read these solemn words... "Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." (1st Peter 5 v.8).

I got married at 21 and became a father at 22. When I was 25 I was separated and later divorced. After the break-up of my marriage I began to drink heavily, and as a result I lost my driving licence for one year. I held wild parties in my house, where loud rock music was played throughout the night. We also consumed a lot of alcohol and smoked dope (marijuana). In 1990 I lost my job through stealing.

Every night I would either go to the pub or bring drink home from the carry-out. My life consisted in smoking, drinking and listening to rock music. I thought I was really living, but it was a mere existence. In August 1991 I left Lurgan and travelled to Israel where I found work in a commune called a Kibbutz. I enjoyed my time in that beautiful land and made friends with some wonderful people. I saw Nazareth where Jesus lived. I saw the hill of Calvary where He died on a Roman cross. I saw the empty tomb where He lay, and remembered that He rose again.

It was around this time that I began to think again about God and His love for me. I was drinking more than ever, because alcohol in Israel was very cheap. But, much as I loved the land of Israel, I felt it was time to return home. In 1994 I came back and settled in Lurgan. For some reason I could not stop thinking about God and death! I knew for certain that if I died as I was living I would end up in hell, and this frightened me very much.

I became more and more dependent on alcohol, even though I knew it was ruining my life. Dear friend, when the demon drink gets a grip on you it can destroy your life, change your personality, cause you to fight and destroy property, steal, blaspheme, and so on. Many people have died as a result of excess drinking, And of course I have no need to tell you that drugs are just as deadly. Remember that the pleasures of this world are only for a little while. The only lasting peace and joy is to be found in Jesus. Jesus Himself said, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out?" (John 6 v.37).

But even though drink had taken control of my life, praise God He had not forgotten me. I came under deep conviction of sin, always thinking of Jesus and His death for me on the cross. Christmas 1998 was terrible. My girlfriend and I had broken up and I was drinking every day. Since alcohol is a depressant, the more I drank the more depressed and moody I became. I knew within myself that I needed God, so I went to see the Pastor of the local Baptist church on New Year's eve and promised him that I would come to the evening service on the following Sunday, which was the 3rd January 1999.

As I sat in that Gospel meeting on the first Sunday of a new year, I knew in my heart that I had to make a choice – it was now or never! There is a verse in the Bible which says that God's spirit will not always strive with man. For me it was either continue to live the old life and end up in hell forever, or repent of my sin, turn to Jesus, and spend eternity in Heaven with Him.

A terrible battle raged within my soul. Dear friend, the devil doesn't give up easily and he will do all in his power to keep people from believing in Jesus. He hates the Gospel. The Bible says of the devil "The god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not LEST the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, the image of God, should shine unto them." (2nd Corinthians 4 v.4). The devil is referred to in the Bible as The Father of Lies, and he kept telling me that night that there was plenty of time. But God was convicting me of all my filthy sin, and I could hear the Pastor speaking to the people and asking the question "Are you prepared to die?" I knew I wasn't prepared to die and meet God in my present state.

At the end of the meeting I waited behind and gave my life over to Jesus. Praise God, He set me gloriously free. I was delivered from alcohol, smoking, rock music, swearing. The Bible says "If the Son makes you free you shall be free indeed!" (John 8 v.36). Yes dear friend, the Lord Jesus put a new song in my mouth — Glory to His Name! The Bible also says that "If any man be in Christ he is a new creature, old things are passed away, all things are become new." (2nd Corinthians 5 v.17).

The Christian life is not easy, but God is with me all the time. He has promised that He will never leave me nor forsake me. I don't fear death any more, because God has put joy and peace within my heart. On January 3rd 1999 life really began for me. I was indeed 'born again', as the Bible says, and I am looking forward to spending eternity in Heaven with my Saviour Jesus.

If you are not saved, or you are unsure of where you will spend eternity, why not come to Jesus, as I did, and put your trust in Him. You may say to me, "...but I have not lived the life you lived, I have not smoked cigarettes or taken dope, or drink, or listened to the devil's music....." Maybe not. But the Bible says that "ALL HAVE SINNED" (Romans 3 v.23), and that includes you and me. And because we have all sinned we all need a Saviour!

Thank you for taking time to read this tract. It is my earnest prayer that you will see your need of God and turn to Him in repentance and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for Salvation.

For further help please contact Philip Livingston, 174 Hill Street, Lurgan, BT66 6BH, Craigavon.