I just wanted to share the following testimony I received in email today.
What a wonderful story it is:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Subject: [TheFathersServants] The call to preach--my testimony
I just always knew I had a call to serve God. From the earliest
age, I can remember. I had been dedicated to God by my Uncle, a
Pentecostal Minister before my birth.As my Mother almost died while
carrying me, and he stayed up praying all night, vowing my life to
God if I would just live and my Mother.
I walked with God most of my life. I saw Jesus as a child, and
talked with Him. I didnt realize other people didnt.
But as a teenager I drifted away from Him, due to pressures of the
age and problems at home.
But at age 19 I went to an alter during church and got saved ,
recognizing I was a sinner and needing a Savior.
But the road was still a bumpy one for some time.
I had no peace, no joy, unless I was doing what God told me to do.
I had alot of people --mostly men telling me that I was too young to
know anything about God, or to teach my "elders"(which was just
about everyone at that time) or to upsurt myself over MEN.
They used the ONE scripture about Paul saying women should keep
quiet in the churches...........
So I was literally "tied in knots" . On one hand I was hearing this
stuff from people older than me-in positions of "authority" But on
the inside I was being pulled by the Spirit of God to tell others
about Him. It got to where it just literally BURNED inside of me. I
had no rest.I was literally fighting God & deep down I knew it, but
I didnt know how to answer peoples arguments, except that I just
KNEW deep down inside me, GOD had work for me to do, and I could
not help it that HE made me a woman!!
I was blessed with a wonderful husband , who told me to do what I
felt God wanted and to not worry about "men"
After recieving the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, I could no longer
hold it inside any longer. God put us on the road "evangelizing" We
didnt know where we were going--we just went.We had recently joined
a great Assembly of God church and our Pastor confirmed with us,
God was calling us to go.
So we packed what little we could in our broken down truck ( the
fenders were being held on with baling wire) and we had $80 some
dollars in our pockets and off we went. God giving us directions day
by day.
We would stop at churches as we felt led, and before I would hardly
realize what I had done, I would stand up to "testify" and end up
preaching the entire service in most cases. I kept getting invited
to stay for "revival" and constantly I told them I didnt know how
to preach..........and would run, as fast as I could.
I still didnt realize God was having me "preach" At that point I was
just going as the Spirit lead me, and once it wasnt pushing me to
get up to "testify" my flesh was still running scared......
I was young in the Lord, and in going to "churches" and didnt
realize they didnt all agree........or get along. And God used my
ignorance, and innocence.
He kept sending me to non spirit filled denominations to "testify"
of what the Baptism of the Holy Spirit had done for my life !!! And
only one gave me a difficult time. And they only counseled me
afterwards , trying to "teach me" and wanting me to stay. But they
had allowed me to say what God told me to say.And he admitted I
had "something" he wanted......he just didnt know what it was. He
tried to tell himself it was just my "youthful enthusiam"
I was asked to preach a month long revival at a Baptist church in
New Mexico--to teach the youth in three countys (they were going to
promote it for three county area) about the Baptism of the Holy
Ghost............I was so scared, I had my husband drive around and
around the block........and finally I just went home (where we were
staying temporarily) and never went back. I was just terrified.
There was just a fear that came over me, and I couldnt shake it.
In the world--I had always been VERY timid and introverted. I had
to petition the school board to pass me in the 9th grade, casue my
teacher wanted to flunk me (although I was a straight A student)
for not being able to give an oral book report. Every time I tried I
burst into tears and would run from the room.
As a Christian that fear was getting less and less, but at that
Baptist church it just overwhelmed me.
We moved from the area shortly after that,and went to Southern
California. God led us to a church ,and the Pastor after a very
short spell MADE me the Asst Pastor. Insisting God had told him we
were coming, and that I was to take his place as Pastor when he
retired at the end of the year. He had been Asst Pastor in early
tent days with Oral Roberts. And he was one of the best things God
ever brought into my life. He taught me alot. He got me to where I
did preach. And enjoyed it. That fear left me.I knew I was safe in
his care.I began a Christian publication, jail minsitry, and street
witnessing while I was there. I would go on off nights and minister
at area churches, giving my "testimony" Almost always non spirit
filled type denominations.
They recieved me gladly-but afterwards I would still get the
little speeches from people about women keeping silent..........
I was told repeatedly it was okay for women to "testify" but not
to "teach" or upsurt themselves over a man......any man. Even if he
was the town drunk.
I was praying and fasting asking GOD for an answer to satisfy my
soul. I had scriptures. It wasnt enough. I had to KNOW that I KNOW,
that I KNOW, from the deepest part of me, that I was doing what GOD
had called me to do--and not just my "wanting " to to preach to
others cause I was so overjoyed with what God had done for
me............I loved Jesus so much--if HE had asked me to "keep
silent" in the churches-- I was willing to, even though this burning
desire inside of me felt like I was going to burst if I didnt tell
more people, and the only relief I got from it, was to tell
people..........
So I told God unless HE let me know in some earth shattering way,
I was not going to preach again.
I had already left the church in S. Calif and moved to the San
Francisco area.
We had a German Shepard dog about to have puppies. My husband said
if one puppy was born pure white and a female we should KNOW that
God called me to preach. I wasnt too sure about all that , but
reluctlantly agreed.
I was also tired and hurt from all the fricition I was getting from
members of the body of Christ--and a part of me was looking for an
excuse to get out of preaching. Although I had a burning desire to
minister-- I also was running from it. I figured there was no way
that dog would have a pure white female puppy. It defied the laws of
nature.
The dog needless to say, had one female all white puppie. I still
didnt give in.
I began to go from church to church. Every where I went no matter
what they were preaching--once I walked in the door, they would
switch and begin to preach on JONAH. I got to where I was sick of
it. I couldnt turn on the radio or televison without hearing a srmon
on Jonah. Once driving down the highway , I was channel surfing
trying to find a station not preaching on Jonah, and David Nunn was
preaching. Before I coudl change the channel, he screamed out
something to this effect:
" Jackie dont turn that knob! You had better quit running from God
and answer the call he has on your life, or you are going to end up
like Jonah in the belly of the whale"
My husband laughed so hard he almost got us killed in an accident.
He had to find a place to pull over, cause he just couldnt quit
laughing. I however, did see any humor in it.
I still wasnt convinced.
Time went on, for a couple of years like this. I went to churches
and would hear of Jonah--or get called out and prophesied to about
my "call to ministry" and to answer it.........sometimes by very
famous Ministers.
I still didnt answer. I had been deeply hurt by the body of
Christ,and I had to KNOW beyond any shadow of a doubt.........and I
was still running as well......
I use to pray :
"God why cant I just warm a pew like everyone else......?"
But then HE lifted His Spirit from me. I didnt feel His presence. I
didnt hear His voice. Nothing for almost three long years. It was
horrible. The worst thing I have ever experienced in my life. Even
when I was in sin, I KNEW he loved me-- I knew HE was there........
My whole life turned grey, dreary, depressed.........
Till one day I told HIm I was going to serve Him , no matter
what.......even if I wasnt saved, and went to eternity lost.I would
still serve Him.
Instantly the grey clouds (literally and spirtually) rolled back
and the sun came out, and there was a rainbow in the sky, out of
nowhere......and God spoke to me.
And I have been doing my best to OBEY Him and not man , every since.
In my heart now I KNOW , that I KNOW , that I KNOW He called
me........and it is better to obey GOD than man................
Never, do I ever want to feel that "seperation from His presence"
ever again..........
In Jesus name,
Jackie
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What a wonderful story it is:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Subject: [TheFathersServants] The call to preach--my testimony
I just always knew I had a call to serve God. From the earliest
age, I can remember. I had been dedicated to God by my Uncle, a
Pentecostal Minister before my birth.As my Mother almost died while
carrying me, and he stayed up praying all night, vowing my life to
God if I would just live and my Mother.
I walked with God most of my life. I saw Jesus as a child, and
talked with Him. I didnt realize other people didnt.
But as a teenager I drifted away from Him, due to pressures of the
age and problems at home.
But at age 19 I went to an alter during church and got saved ,
recognizing I was a sinner and needing a Savior.
But the road was still a bumpy one for some time.
I had no peace, no joy, unless I was doing what God told me to do.
I had alot of people --mostly men telling me that I was too young to
know anything about God, or to teach my "elders"(which was just
about everyone at that time) or to upsurt myself over MEN.
They used the ONE scripture about Paul saying women should keep
quiet in the churches...........
So I was literally "tied in knots" . On one hand I was hearing this
stuff from people older than me-in positions of "authority" But on
the inside I was being pulled by the Spirit of God to tell others
about Him. It got to where it just literally BURNED inside of me. I
had no rest.I was literally fighting God & deep down I knew it, but
I didnt know how to answer peoples arguments, except that I just
KNEW deep down inside me, GOD had work for me to do, and I could
not help it that HE made me a woman!!
I was blessed with a wonderful husband , who told me to do what I
felt God wanted and to not worry about "men"
After recieving the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, I could no longer
hold it inside any longer. God put us on the road "evangelizing" We
didnt know where we were going--we just went.We had recently joined
a great Assembly of God church and our Pastor confirmed with us,
God was calling us to go.
So we packed what little we could in our broken down truck ( the
fenders were being held on with baling wire) and we had $80 some
dollars in our pockets and off we went. God giving us directions day
by day.
We would stop at churches as we felt led, and before I would hardly
realize what I had done, I would stand up to "testify" and end up
preaching the entire service in most cases. I kept getting invited
to stay for "revival" and constantly I told them I didnt know how
to preach..........and would run, as fast as I could.
I still didnt realize God was having me "preach" At that point I was
just going as the Spirit lead me, and once it wasnt pushing me to
get up to "testify" my flesh was still running scared......
I was young in the Lord, and in going to "churches" and didnt
realize they didnt all agree........or get along. And God used my
ignorance, and innocence.
He kept sending me to non spirit filled denominations to "testify"
of what the Baptism of the Holy Spirit had done for my life !!! And
only one gave me a difficult time. And they only counseled me
afterwards , trying to "teach me" and wanting me to stay. But they
had allowed me to say what God told me to say.And he admitted I
had "something" he wanted......he just didnt know what it was. He
tried to tell himself it was just my "youthful enthusiam"
I was asked to preach a month long revival at a Baptist church in
New Mexico--to teach the youth in three countys (they were going to
promote it for three county area) about the Baptism of the Holy
Ghost............I was so scared, I had my husband drive around and
around the block........and finally I just went home (where we were
staying temporarily) and never went back. I was just terrified.
There was just a fear that came over me, and I couldnt shake it.
In the world--I had always been VERY timid and introverted. I had
to petition the school board to pass me in the 9th grade, casue my
teacher wanted to flunk me (although I was a straight A student)
for not being able to give an oral book report. Every time I tried I
burst into tears and would run from the room.
As a Christian that fear was getting less and less, but at that
Baptist church it just overwhelmed me.
We moved from the area shortly after that,and went to Southern
California. God led us to a church ,and the Pastor after a very
short spell MADE me the Asst Pastor. Insisting God had told him we
were coming, and that I was to take his place as Pastor when he
retired at the end of the year. He had been Asst Pastor in early
tent days with Oral Roberts. And he was one of the best things God
ever brought into my life. He taught me alot. He got me to where I
did preach. And enjoyed it. That fear left me.I knew I was safe in
his care.I began a Christian publication, jail minsitry, and street
witnessing while I was there. I would go on off nights and minister
at area churches, giving my "testimony" Almost always non spirit
filled type denominations.
They recieved me gladly-but afterwards I would still get the
little speeches from people about women keeping silent..........
I was told repeatedly it was okay for women to "testify" but not
to "teach" or upsurt themselves over a man......any man. Even if he
was the town drunk.
I was praying and fasting asking GOD for an answer to satisfy my
soul. I had scriptures. It wasnt enough. I had to KNOW that I KNOW,
that I KNOW, from the deepest part of me, that I was doing what GOD
had called me to do--and not just my "wanting " to to preach to
others cause I was so overjoyed with what God had done for
me............I loved Jesus so much--if HE had asked me to "keep
silent" in the churches-- I was willing to, even though this burning
desire inside of me felt like I was going to burst if I didnt tell
more people, and the only relief I got from it, was to tell
people..........
So I told God unless HE let me know in some earth shattering way,
I was not going to preach again.
I had already left the church in S. Calif and moved to the San
Francisco area.
We had a German Shepard dog about to have puppies. My husband said
if one puppy was born pure white and a female we should KNOW that
God called me to preach. I wasnt too sure about all that , but
reluctlantly agreed.
I was also tired and hurt from all the fricition I was getting from
members of the body of Christ--and a part of me was looking for an
excuse to get out of preaching. Although I had a burning desire to
minister-- I also was running from it. I figured there was no way
that dog would have a pure white female puppy. It defied the laws of
nature.
The dog needless to say, had one female all white puppie. I still
didnt give in.
I began to go from church to church. Every where I went no matter
what they were preaching--once I walked in the door, they would
switch and begin to preach on JONAH. I got to where I was sick of
it. I couldnt turn on the radio or televison without hearing a srmon
on Jonah. Once driving down the highway , I was channel surfing
trying to find a station not preaching on Jonah, and David Nunn was
preaching. Before I coudl change the channel, he screamed out
something to this effect:
" Jackie dont turn that knob! You had better quit running from God
and answer the call he has on your life, or you are going to end up
like Jonah in the belly of the whale"
My husband laughed so hard he almost got us killed in an accident.
He had to find a place to pull over, cause he just couldnt quit
laughing. I however, did see any humor in it.
I still wasnt convinced.
Time went on, for a couple of years like this. I went to churches
and would hear of Jonah--or get called out and prophesied to about
my "call to ministry" and to answer it.........sometimes by very
famous Ministers.
I still didnt answer. I had been deeply hurt by the body of
Christ,and I had to KNOW beyond any shadow of a doubt.........and I
was still running as well......
I use to pray :
"God why cant I just warm a pew like everyone else......?"
But then HE lifted His Spirit from me. I didnt feel His presence. I
didnt hear His voice. Nothing for almost three long years. It was
horrible. The worst thing I have ever experienced in my life. Even
when I was in sin, I KNEW he loved me-- I knew HE was there........
My whole life turned grey, dreary, depressed.........
Till one day I told HIm I was going to serve Him , no matter
what.......even if I wasnt saved, and went to eternity lost.I would
still serve Him.
Instantly the grey clouds (literally and spirtually) rolled back
and the sun came out, and there was a rainbow in the sky, out of
nowhere......and God spoke to me.
And I have been doing my best to OBEY Him and not man , every since.
In my heart now I KNOW , that I KNOW , that I KNOW He called
me........and it is better to obey GOD than man................
Never, do I ever want to feel that "seperation from His presence"
ever again..........
In Jesus name,
Jackie
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
