Good morning, brothers. Welcome to this new week of Freedom Fighters. Thank you for engaging with us each week.
Did you ever take a moment to reflect on the goodness of God in your life? Did you ever step back and reflect on the tough times you have experienced and looked to see how God used that tough time for His glory and your good?
You have probably heard this phrase at some point on your journey: “If you have never had a test, you can never have a testimony.”
We all have them. We all go through them. If you haven’t, I’d love to talk to you.
Yesterday I spoke with a long-time friend who has been diagnosed with stage four cancer that has spread in her body. She shared that she wants to see God get the glory in all of this, and she is using her cancer as an opportunity to testify to the grace of God in her life. Already several people have said “Yes” to Jesus.
I love this story that I read in Dr. David Jeremiah’s book, OVERCOMER. Check it out:
When Jim Jones was five years old, he was shuttled from his family home in Mississippi to northern Michigan to live with his grandparents. The trauma of the move caused him to stutter. Hating school because other kids snickered when he spoke, he learned to speak as little as possible, consoling himself by writing poetry.
When Jim was a teenager, a new teacher came to the school—Donald Crouch, a devout Mennonite retired professor who loved poetry. Crouch found out Jim also loved poetry and wrote it. He urged the boy to read it aloud. Jim just shook his head and turned away. But in class one morning, Crouch tricked him. The boy had turned in a poem he’d written, and the teacher said, “I don’t think you wrote this.”
When Jim, stuttering, insisted he had, Crouch forced him to prove it by reading it to the class. With his knees shaking while the other kids smirked and whispered, Jim began to read. He found, as many who stutter have discovered, that the rhythms of poetry enabled his words to flow naturally. That day, Jim did not stutter. He continued to practice reading poetry and learned he had an excellent, resonant voice. After he graduated, he got his college degree, served in the army, and returned to study drama on the GI Bill.
Today we know Jim as James Earl Jones, a superb actor famous for his acting talent and for his sonorous, inimitable voice. Who can forget him as Darth Vader’s voice in the original Star Wars films? But again, that’s not the end of the story. Years later, at the pinnacle of his career, Jones was asked to record the New Testament. He remembered Donald Crouch—the man who had given him victory over his disability all those years ago—and dedicated the reading to him. As Jones put it, Crouch “not only helped to guide me to the author of the Scriptures, but as the father of my resurrected voice, also helped me find abundant life.”
Jeremiah, Dr. David. Overcomer (pp. 16-17). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
Wow! You might be smack dab in the middle of a test. How will God use it to get the glory? Will you allow him to give you a testimony? I guess that someone totally gets this, and you are right there. Maybe God will bring into your life someone today who can be encouraged because of one of your past victories. Let them know how God turned your test into a testimony.
Living in light of the gospel,
Bill Welte, President/CEO
America’s Keswick
You can write to Bill at bwelte@americaskeswick.org
Check out this song from the Gaither Vocal Band — Through
Written by Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his childhood sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 12 amazing grandkids. He loves music and is an avid reader.
Think About This: “On your very worst, most rebellious, and most faithless day, you can run into the holy presence of your heavenly Father and he will not turn you away.”―
The Daily Bible Reading: Reflection | You can download our 2021 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here.