Here are two testimonies of God’s amazing power…
The first testimony:
In 2008, I was living at a faith-based recovery/discipleship home. I lived there for six months after God delivered me from addiction. It was an ANOINTED place of God’s grace!
I’d been there since September, and it was in January that the tryouts for the Joy Belle singing group were held each year. It was an opportunity to travel to churches and sing and give testimonies. Looking back now, I realize what a miracle it was that I even tried out! I’m not a singer or a speaker! I was and still am a true introvert. But I soon found out in that place of grace—miracles happened all the time!
I passed the tryouts and became one of the Joy Belles. The week we went on the Joy Belle Ministry trip. I was excited to get to travel with the group and hadn’t thought much about the idea of possibly being chosen to give my testimony in front of one of the churches.
Well, that day came!
I felt an instant adrenaline shot through my entire body at the thought of giving my testimony in front of a huge church in Wisconsin! But I did what I’ve done most of my life, I found pen and paper and started thinking in ink. : )
I started jotting down a timeline of what led to my addiction. I’d given that same history when asked before at secular substance abuse programs. I was usually told that it was no wonder I turned to substances for escape. I was a victim, they told me. Not only was I a victim of abuses but also of what they told me was a disease I had. I was taught that addiction was an incurable disease that I could only have a one day at a time temporary reprieve from only IF I WORKED the program for the rest of my life.
But something miraculous happened as I was writing down all my excuses for why I had ended up addicted to alcohol and drugs:
My heart said no.
God had been working on my heart already for over three months. They didn’t talk about addiction there—we talked about God! I learned that addiction was no match for God’s power! Addiction was the result of my sinful choices. Sin was sin. And the Lord Jesus Christ was the DELIVERER.
That old life was over.
I was following on to know my Lord Jesus Christ more! By God’s grace, I understood that none of those things in my past mattered. Only Who God was and what He had done and was doing mattered!
I tossed the notes.
Then I realized I had no idea what my testimony would be. I didn’t know how I would say it even if I knew what to say. I asked one of the other ladies what she thought I should do. That’s when she shared these two amazing verses with me:
But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
Matthew 10:19-20
She encouraged me to pray and ask God to give me the words when it was time to give my testimony. What else could I do? I prayed and was completely dependent on God. I put all my faith in Him and His Word.
When the time came the next morning at church for me to give my testimony, I walked with my Bible in hand and placed it open on the podium to Matthew 10:19-20. I remember reading the verses to the church and then….
That’s it!
Those are the last words I have ever been able to remember as I began giving my testimony. Though I have never been able to remember my words to the church, I do remember how I felt!!
I was calm, and thankful to God for all He was doing in my life.
I wanted to encourage the church too!
For many years in my addiction, I’d go to church and then later slip back into my addiction. Then I’d come back to church feeling so much shame. I never felt good enough to be there. I realized finally that this was how the Adversary, the devil, tries to keep sinners condemned by making them feel unworthy of God’s church or of God’s grace. So thankful that the Blood of my Lord Jesus Christ cleanses us from sin!
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
I learned to rejoice in my church family as one of the saved by grace! That day at the church in Wisconsin was so supernatural the way the Holy Spirit took over for me! I wish they had recorded my testimony so I could know what I said though! : )
Here’s the second testimony of God’s love:
One year ago today, my car collided with a semitruck. By God’s grace, I have no memory of it. But God miraculously saved my life and no one else was hurt! I was cut out of the car and flown by helicopter to the hospital.
My first memories were a few days later—before the second of five surgeries. It took several weeks before I could think clearly again. I praise God for saving my life! The EMS lady told my daughter that she had talked to me while I was still trapped inside the car. She told her that my life was a miracle. By God’s love, power, and great grace, I learned to walk again after some time in rehabilitation.
After my last operation in April, I was released and stayed with my son and daughter and their families during my first month of recovery. Then four months after the accident, I was finally able to come back home! I’m still recovering and have another upcoming surgery or two. God has covered me and my family with so much grace through this healing journey! I’m so, so thankful to HIm!
I’m thankful for my husband and family’s love and support — they were there for me during the months I was in the hospital and rehabs. I’m thankful for my wonderful church family whose prayers have meant so much! Through it all, God has faithfully provided for our every need. I love my heavenly Father!
Thank you for being here, and I hope you see the LORD high and lifted up through these testimonies!
Great is His Faithfulness!!!
