Real-Time Testimonies

Bernard's Testimony

At 71, I was reflecting on the many blessings God had bestowed upon me in my life and, at times, I did not even recognize them . Although I still struggle (who doesn't?) in various areas of  my life, I am walking by His faith He has given me through daily time in His Word. What a gift that it is aside from the many brothers and sisters in the Lord that have comforted and encouraged me in my life! Here are the some of the blessings:

1) He gave me a wonderful, loyal and beautiful wife.

2) He gave me such wonderful children and grandchildren. 

3) He gave me a beautiful home, plus 2 more.

4) He gave me a wonderful community to live in.

5) He gave me a fine church to attend with caring congregants.

6) He gave me a bunch of caring Christian brothers that inspire me.

7) He gave me a good education (Masters Degree).

8) He gave me a good job with good benefits, wonderful bosses and co-workers, in order to support my family.

9) He given me a chance to see much of the world.

10) He has given me a chance to be part of a world wide ministry.

11) He gave me good health and sanity.

12) He gave me the opportunity, with others, to be SAVED, to glorify my Lord!

These are just a few of the things God has done for me and I know there are many that I am not even aware of. My hope and prayer for ALL is:

"Dear God. As You have blessed me beyond what I deserve, I am asking that You too will come into others' in my life to do the same for them so they can see that You are the invisible God that creates miracles...especially me! Amen''

COMPANIONSHIP

The Two Boots

Malachi 2:14...the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.

As a child and then growing up into adulthood I was an observer of people and

how they lived, especially my parents. Whether we believe it or not, they were

like gods to us in the ''formative years'' until we began to venture out into the

world with our emotions and our hidden imaginations leading the way. We then

begin to test their authority, as teenagers, as our lives were tossed to and fro as

we lived out the ''fantasy stage'' of our lives. Somehow, after our brains were

formed between 25 and 30, our characters were formed and we began to live out

our lives as we saw fit...according to our personal ''created'' thinking.

My parents were unlike most couples I observed. Maybe because they came out

of a world war, slave labor and refugee camps. They then came into a new land

with no skills and/also not knowing the language or understanding of this new

culture. Their challenges, sufferings, tears and the raising 7 children was a feat

few could or would endure. They always said that without God, they could not

endure. All that watched them called them the "Two Boots", one a left boot and

the other a right boot, walking instep with one another.

What was the secret of this unique unity? My mother, at 18 said she thought she

had to be crazy to go with a man she did not really know. He had behaviors and

attitudes unlike most men in the world. They still  married and then God

intervened in their lives and they both changed, especially my father. They had a

conversion that created a reverence for God. Why is this important? Because a

special companionship is based upon the reverence of the Lord.

If the fear of the Lord is only the beginning of Wisdom, then other evidences must

manifest themselves. Companions weep and mourn together. They follow the

Lord together. They pay attention to the voice of His Word. They pray together.

They travel together. They work together. They go through difficulties in life

together. They are like "Two Boots", in step with each other. Ultimately, they are

of the same mind, thinking about what it takes to help each other to get into the

next life with smiles on their faces.

That relationship may seem unique and yet we see this throughout the Holy

Bible. All of those attributes lie within those pages. Such is the relationship with

God, His Son Jesus Christ and His church. This too should be, with JC and us,

individually. When we get to Heaven, we will live as companions. This Heavenly

companionship comes from loving one another, with God's love. 

The Frustrated Doctor

A few years ago, I met a doctor who treated his patients with stomach problems. He said he would run into impossible problems that traditional medicine could not cure. He realized that he had to create methods that were not yet created. This made him to constantly think and pray for solutions. His answers would always come at 3AM. He would wake up, write down the solution to each problem and then go to his laboratory and create stents for the various areas of the stomach. The stents did work and he then wrote his findings to his fellow doctors around the world.

I talked with him about the process of getting inspiration at 3AM each morning. He said he tried to stay up late and work out any problem, but would just go to sleep frustrated. At 3AM, out of a deep sleep, he would be awakened and hear profound thoughts come to his mind. He did not know the source of those thoughts, but was glad to receive them to act on them.

The doctor was Jewish, as I was, and I told him how in old times, God would appear in the wee hours of each day, to His people, and give them witty inventions, to live a more prosperous life. I also told him that God does not and has not changed. He was not any kind of religious person, but then realized there had to be a connection with God that he was not aware of. 

If you are being awakened in the wee hours, realize that there is a divine reason for it. The best way is read something inspirational, especially your Holy Bible,  to get the ''fog out of your head'', pray, and be ready to write down any profound thoughts that comes to mind. This doctor did and lived out an incredible life!

God is there for all of those in life, whether a ditch digger or a doctor. He respects no one class of person, even whatever race we might be.