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(Acts 1:8) “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses ... to the end of the earth.”
This series is about how GOD is believed to communicate with us all. This next part is through (16) TESTIMONY (witness)—Honest (vulnerable) testimonies always invite — not coerce! GOD uses these Spirit-empowered testimonies to encourage believers and multiply faith as people encounter both the story AND the living GOD behind it.
TESTIMONY - My life was a mess ... I earned a fortune, wore the best clothes, and drove a beautiful Mercedes, but everything was sliding downhill. I couldn't hold a relationship. My drinking was out of control, and my attitude in general was selfish to the point of being demonic. Under tremendous pressure from a caring friend, I finally agreed to go to a meeting of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International.
The meeting began at 9:00 am, and I arrived still drunk from the night before. By the time the main speaker stood up, my patience had gone, and I was already ready to walk out. He looked every bit the English gentleman in a tired tweed jacket with leather elbow patches. This was then his story:
He was one of four brothers—one a lawyer, one a doctor, one a banker—and he, wanting the money and kudos, had chosen the path to become a Bishop. As part of his training, he’d been posted to a remote settlement in Africa during a famine. While the villagers starved, the ship that brought them had offloaded enough food for him and his wife for two years!
One evening, while he and his wife sat on the veranda enjoying iced drinks, a dark figure stumbled out of the bushes. It was a woman carrying a bundled baby that looked nearly dead. In broken English, she thrust the baby at the man and begged, “Quick, pray, heal!” Shocked and unsure, he offered the only practical help he could think of—a Land Rover and a 25-kilometre trip to the hospital. The woman repeated her desperate plea three more times, and three times more, he offered a trip to the hospital rather than her much-needed prayer!
My head was throbbing with the alcohol, and I was looking for a way out when I suddenly wasn’t in the Novotel on the M606 in Bradford anymore. I was transported to that African clearing! Day suddenly became night, and I saw torches flickering and heard crickets chirping. I saw the woman’s hope evaporate, and then Jesus appeared and said to the man and his wife, "Now what are you going to do? This woman has travelled long and hard because she believed that you knew me and could help her—but you don't even believe I exist!" I saw the wife faint. I heard the seemingly dead baby gasp, then cry - it was healed! I heard the mother praising GOD as the whole village arrived and celebrated. I watched as the couple stumbled back into their house, weeping and begging forgiveness. Then I was back in the hotel - sweating, my heart pounding fit to burst!
"This is crazy," I thought. "I have to get out of this crazy place!" Just as I was thinking about how to leave, and at the point where my legs were pushing me upwards into a standing position, the speaker uttered those inimitable words, "If there's anybody here that wants to receive Jesus into their life, please stand up!" People began to applaud me for my decision to stand, and more in shock than joy, I thought, "No...! Turn around and run!"
... (to be continued - Warren)
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Let’s pray, “Heavenly Father, fill me with your Spirit and give me power to be your witness. Remove my fear, steady my steps, open doors, and use my words and life for your glory.” Amen!
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URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS (Please keep checking as more are being added almost daily)