Scripture References: Psalm 103; Isaiah 55:1-3; Hebrews 10:19-23; Psalm 119:105; 1 John 1:9; James 5:16
Intro: Good morning. Guest speaker Pam Strain shares personal stories today, not just about God's doctrines, but about encountering the living, active, faithful God. These testimonies aim to stir faith and encourage us to believe God wants to meet us powerfully, reveal His glory, and give us our own testimonies of His goodness.
Key Points:
- God Meets Us in Our Need & Disappointment:
- Testimony: Praying against bad dreams, feeling disappointed when they returned, but then God revealing His glory through angelic presence and peace.
- Principle: God doesn't always answer prayer our way or remove problems instantly, but He does meet us, often revealing more of Himself in the struggle. His presence brings peace beyond understanding.
- God Calls Us Despite Insecurity:
- Testimony: Feeling unqualified for missions, being the "only one sitting down," throwing away the flyer, yet God clearly calling, leading to selling everything and joining YWAM.
- Principle: God sees beyond our perceived limitations and insecurities. He chooses and equips those He calls. Our part is to say "yes," trusting He will provide.
- God Redeems Our Past & Pain:
- Testimony (Serving): Connecting with a disabled girl in Tonga due to familiarity with disability (speaker's sister).
- Testimony (Cooking): Realizing childhood chores she resented equipped her to serve practically in ministry later.
- Principle: God doesn't waste our experiences, even painful ones or seemingly mundane training. He weaves our unique history into His purposes for His glory. Don't despise your story.
- God Speaks Specifically & Keeps Promises:
- Testimony: Hearing God promise their sold house back, facing contrary circumstances (house occupied), but God miraculously fulfilling His specific word.
- Principle: God communicates personally. We must learn to hear His voice (often a whisper) and trust His specific promises even when circumstances seem impossible.
- Knowing God Through Experience: These encounters transform our knowledge about God into personal knowledge of God. Like Job, trials can lead to deeper intimacy. We know Him as Deliverer, Provider, Healer because we've experienced Him that way.
Conclusion: God is actively involved in our lives, longing to reveal Himself, provide, deliver, and use us. He meets us in disappointment, calls us despite insecurity, redeems our past, and speaks specifically. He invites us into a personal relationship marked by His tangible faithfulness.
Call to Action: Don't settle for knowing about God; seek to know Him personally. Be bold! "Go for a testimony." Step out where you sense God leading, even if afraid. Pray specifically. Trust His promises even when things look bleak. Expect Him to show up. Come forward for prayer for deliverance, freedom, or a fresh encounter.
*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI.
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