Talking with the Lord...

          ​For the past few weeks I have been relying on inspiration from testimonies on the 700 Club.  Every testimony is so unique and a reminder of God’s goodness, His faithfulness and His awesome ability to make the impossible possible. Today I watched the testimony highlighted and was once again encouraged.
          Gary’s faith and trust in his God were tested when it was discovered that his wife, Nancy May, of 42 years had Covid in her bloodstream. He thought that it was just her asthma acting up but tests proved otherwise. Her prognosis was grim and the doctor did not offer much hope. Her right lung was forty percent infected and her left lung ninety percent. She was subsequently put in a medically-induced coma and on a ventilator. Doctors were concerned that her organs would start shutting down so they rushed her to another hospital for specialized care. There was also the concern that she would not make a full neurological recovery if she came out of it. Gary was scared and he asked his friends and church family to pray. He also turned to the 700 Club prayer center for prayer. When the woman on the other end of the line started to pray she began by declaring that they were standing on the truth of God’s written Word. That got Gary’s attention. It got mine as well.
          Standing on the Word of God is something God has been teaching me to do. It’s nice to read it but it’s even better to put it to work. I don’t believe God has given us His Word just for us to read it, talk about it, preach it. He expects us to use it, put what it says into practice, depend on it, especially in those trying, difficult times when all hope seems lost. God has been teaching me to stand on His Word, believe what it says and expect it to do what it says it will do. I believe this is the point from which the prayer counsellor was praying. She prayed the Word of God expecting it to do what it said it would do.
          She declared that Miss Nancy May would live and not die (Psalms 118:17) and added that she was one of God’s daughters and that God loves His daughters. She was not only standing on what God’s written Word says but giving a much-needed reminder that God loves us His children, He cares about us and wants what is best for us. So, I am going to plug in that reminder right here: if you are a son or a daughter of God, God loves you and He wants the best for you!
          Two days after praying with the 700 Club, Gary received news that his wife’s condition was improving but she couldn’t talk. She still faced a mountain of challenges. The doctors were not sure she would ever be able to return home. Gary felt alone and afraid and cried out to God. I love his prayer at this point. He told God that he had not given up on Him, that He was still his God and that he was still going to put his faith, his hope and his trust in Him.
          How many times have you faced challenges that were forcing you to give up and to give up on your God yet you still chose to hold on to Him anyway. I have reached the point in my life where I tell God: “Where would I go God but to You? Who else would I turn to?” You see, I understand that it’s God or nothing! Whether or not things are going your way, turning your back on God is NOT an option. If things don’t go your way and you are distressed, who else can truly comfort you but Him anyway? 
          Two days later God answered Gary’s prayer. His wife was moved out of the Covid ward and he could now visit her. She was healed and just had to go through rehabilitation. Eight days later she was able to leave the hospital and return home to recover. Gary admits he would never gotten through this if it had not been for talking with the Lord. 
          There is power in the Word of God. There is power in talking with the Lord. Don’t ever underestimate the value of both. God is close, nearer than you can imagine. All He is waiting for is for you to cry out to Him, to call out to Him, to simply talk with Him and He will hear, He will listen, He will answer.
          If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as personal Lord and Savior, I encourage you to do so now. God is just waiting for you to come to Him, to reach out to Him. He will never turn His back on you, never reject you, will always want the best for you.

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