Bible Studies

My Christian Testimony

by Mike Stockwell
06/05/13
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When I was in high school I had a "C" average. I went to college, and had a "C" average there, but never finished. When my little house church disbanded (because Ernie and his wife were moving away) I felt called to go back and finish college. I did, and this time I got straight "As"! That's part of the difference Jesus can make in a life. He helped me with focus and persistence in my studies.

The Lord also gave me a peace I'd never known. It was and still is deeper and more constant than I'd ever known. Jesus promised He would give us His peace, a peace the world knew nothing about. And He did.

He also gave me joy. Paul says in Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice always, and again I say rejoice, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Even in my darkest days, and there have been many, I can say truly that I have the peace of God and the rejoicing of the Lord undisturbed in my heart. No one can take those things from the Christian.

And I have love from God coursing through me to others. It is a love for God, a love for those in Christ, and a love for those who are not saved. In fact, 1 John 4:8 states, "whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love." This love of God should pulsate from us as Christians. We should never judge others, but rather love them, forgive them, and call them to Christ.

I know now where I am going for eternity. This is huge!!!! Unsaved people have no clue. Before I was saved I had no clue. My heart goes out to them for this. It is a gnawing uncertainty that deteriorates the soul of a person. "What will happen to me after death? Is that it? Is there a Hell? Will I go there? Maybe if I'm good enough...what do you think? How 'bout you?" And the uncertainty and fear just continue. Much discussion but no consensus. But not for the Christian! I cannot tell you what it means to know that God loves me and wants me with Him for eternity! 

Through my many years as a Christian, my one big regret is that I was not more humble. I thought for a long time that I was humble, but a totally yielded saint listens to God carefully. I did not listen well. I was not fully yielded to God's Holy Spirit, To Christ, to His Word. Because of this, my life has taken many twists and turns. I have too often wandered off the Lord's highway onto rabbit trails leading to vanity and futility.

I tell you this because I do not want you to make the same mistake. Peter said, "Humble yourselves before the mighty hand of God, and in due time He will lift you up." Spend time, lots of it, on your knees before Him and in His Holy Word, which is our milk and our meat for spiritual warfare. There are no shortcuts. Humility means, "Lord, you are the Master, and I intend to listen to Your voice and do whatever You say." And then do it.

God is merciful, and I am glad I have the opportunity to share these things with you. I leave you with words from Micah 6:8, God's heart for all of us: "Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God."   Mike