Members / Ryan Courtoy

My name is Ryan Christopher Courtoy, I am 20 years old and I attend the University of South Florida. There I run cross country and track and Im majoring in Communications. As you can tell Jesus is my life. This was not always the case though. Up until late fall freshman year of college, 2006, I was just like your average rebellious 18 year man. Acting crazy, being lawless, having sex, lieing, cheating,…
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My name is Ryan Christopher Courtoy, I am 20 years old and I attend the University of South Florida. There I run cross country and track and Im majoring in Communications. As you can tell Jesus is my life. This was not always the case though. Up until late fall freshman year of college, 2006, I was just like your average rebellious 18 year man. Acting crazy, being lawless, having sex, lieing, cheating,…
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My name is Ryan Christopher Courtoy, I am 20 years old and I attend the University of South Florida. There I run cross country and track and Im majoring in Communications. As you can tell Jesus is my life. This was not always the case though. Up until late fall freshman year of college, 2006, I was just like your average rebellious 18 year man. Acting crazy, being lawless, having sex, lieing, cheating, you name it. Like many teenagers just getting out of the house, I could not wait for this so called "freedom." Something happened though, this crazy college life style that I had looked so forward to was never going to happen for me. Why? Let me explain. Heading to cross country camp in early august, I met a teammate of mine and future roommate Antonio. During a car ride Antonio took the time to share his testimony with me. He told me about Jesus and about having a personal relationship with Him. He told me about what had happened in his life and how Jesus had changed him. He reminded me that Jesus promised that he would be back soon. After talking with Antonio I was extremely convicted. I knew I was not right with God, I knew how much of a loser I was and I knew that if there was Truly a heaven that I would not be there. I knew how many times I ignored my conscience and hardened my heart to do evil. It was extremely clear to me that I wasnt in write standing with God. Days went by, weeks, then months. During this time I couldnt sleep, everytime I did something wrong ,I would get so convicted, the conviction never seemed to leave. I knew I wasnt right with God, I was tryin, I was readin the bible some, going to church every other week, trying to be a "good" person. At the same time I was tryin to be this christian I was still doin my thing. Acting reckless, chasing girls, the list goes on. One day I was done, I was done trying to be this great guy and decided to rely on Jesus. That day I gave my life to Christ and came under His Lordship. You see this entire time I had been trying to get right with God on the bases of my works(good deeds, being a "good" person) and at the same time trying to hold onto the world. Jesus makes it very clear that you cant do this. He says "Those that wish to save their lifes will lose it, but he that looses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world yet forfeits his soul. He also said "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." The bible says that our good deeds are but filthy rags before the Lord. You see there is nothing we can do to get into heaven. There is no earning it or doing countless good deeds that is going to get you in right standing with God. All we can do is place all our trust in Jesus Christ and RECIEVE what He has already done on the cross for us. Jesus wants to be Lord of YOUR life, He wants to be your saviour your friend, your life. He wants a relationship with you! Jesus wants you to recieve Him into your heart. Jesus says, "I stand at the door and knock, and he that hears My voice and opens the door of His heart, I shall come into him, and dine with him,and him with me."