SHARING TESTIMONIES

Debra Isenbletter
Springfield, Missouri

Testimonies are a  blessing, whether they are about the power of the Lord working on our behalf in our lives or about the power of the Word working in our lives. I have been meditating on the importance of tribulations in our lives. The Word is so rich and precious in how it encourages us.

In Romans 5:3-5 I see the Fruit of Faith. This shows how our character is developed through tribulation. It begins with tribulation. Tribulation tempers us and teaches us who we are and what our potential is. The fruit begins with accepting and embracing each experience. Our attitude and our actions are put on display and both man and God see how we respond to tribulations. Through each experience we show the love of God and our love for God. These are spiritual character traits from lives tested and tempered by fire. We are made stronger. This is the testimony of an overcoming life. This is the testimony I want in my life.

Paul begins with “we glory in tribulations.”  This was his testimony, and the testimony of those with him, They experienced tribulations. He assures the saints that what he has done, they can do. He leads by example. I want this to be my testimony also. Paul saw the “glory of God” on the road to Damascus. He saw Jesus in all His glory. He never took his eyes off Jesus. This is a declaration of victory. It is a cry of joy. It is the testimony of an overcomer. When we see “the glory of God”  the way Paul did, then we can “glory in tribulation also.” When Jesus fills our vision, when we see the power of the grace of God, then that grace meets every need and glory is the result. The Lord used tribulations. To strengthen our faith, prove our faithfulness, make us reach out for that glory.

Linda Skadeland
K. C. Missouri

I love these verses about God “Himself.”

I Thess. 5:23 – “Now the God of Peace Himself sanctify you entirely.”

II Thess. 3:16 – “Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance.

Psalm 68:35 – The God of Israel Himself gives strength and power to the people.

I Peter 5:10 – The God of all grace…will Himself perfect, comfort, strengthen and establish (settle) you.

Amazing to think the God of the universe Himself comes to us! Praise Him!! 

A THANKSGIVING  
Carolyn Brown
Springfield, Missouri

I have a Bible study once a week with my oldest sister, Mary, who has breast cancer and was given 6 months to live last May 2025, having denied her condition and refused treatment. Well, she is still with us and we’re having wonderful studies in the Bible. We began with the book of Acts because I wanted, Mary, still a Catholic, to see for herself the simplicity of the Church in its early beginnings without all the traditions of men added. My sister, Rita, comes on Mondays and takes her to mass at the facility where Mary lives and I get together with her on Thursdays for Bible study. I am praying the truth of God’s Word will expose the darkness of that system. She has an amazing ability to remember scriptures that she has read, and she spends a lot of time reading her Gideon Bible. Last week she asked me what “saved” means. What an open door! Because of her mental illness it is hard to know just what she is taking in but I am counting on the Word of God to not return void.

There is a 90 year old man named Gail who has been joining us for our study. He has told me more than once that he has never heard things like we study before. Last week he asked me if I believed in the rapture of the Church before the tribulation so I had a great opportunity to share the truth about ranks in the resurrection & translation. He said, “In all my life I’ve never been taught that.” He is a solid Baptist and tells how he witnesses to different residents at the facility. He is such a blessing to have in our study. Sometimes he clarifies something for Mary that I maybe make too complicated. It’s so hard not to pour out everything one knows when we finally have an opportunity to share these wonderful truths. Praise God for the wealth we have in the unsearchable riches of His Word!