I would like to share a brief testimony that I just wrote to a friend of mine. To God be the glory, great things He has done and is doing (in the spiritual realm)in my life.
8-26-04 Dear Mrs.
I beg your indulgence as I would like to give a better response to your greeting last night outside the church in which you asked, How is the world treating you?
I am happy to proclaim that the eternal life of Jesus that flows through me day by day and moment by moment, by faith, and not by human effort, has set me free from the world, the flesh and the devil. It matters not what the world thinks of my being wedded to Christ, nor does it matter how they treat me. Jesus has set me free and whom the Son sets free is free indeed.
My life comes from Jesus and is no longer dependent on the circumstances of life that come from the temporal realm. It really makes no difference to me what the hand of my dear Savior chooses for me each day as I know it is designed for my good and His glory. So whether in lack or whether in abundance concerning earthly chattel, or concerning this earthly body my soul temporarily dwells in, or concerning any of the circumstances that His providence brings my way, including suffering, it makes no difference to me. His life flowing through me fulfills every desire of my very being! Take the whole world (all that we erringly consider good as well as the obvious bad), but give me (more) of Jesus!
All that I have has been irrevocably devoted to the Lord, and I have irrevocably devoted all of me to the Lord, I have held nothing back
AND HE HAS BECOME MY ALL!!!
This world is no longer my home. Im a stranger and a sojourner here. As Abraham said to the king of Sodom when that king offered Abraham a reward for rescuing Lot and the other inhabitants that had been captured and taken from Sodom, I say to this world I have lifted up mine hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say I have made Abram rich
(Gen. 14:22-23)
Its so wonderful to know that the things of time have no more sway over my spiritual life. No matter what unpleasant circumstances may be affecting my family, business, other money matters, health, et al, and there have been plenty, Jesus Kingdom-life of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit just keeps on flowing! He just keeps holding me up, in the heavenly realms, no matter what comes along. His love never fails! Praise the name of Jesus my Lord, Savior and very Life forever and forever! Oh I have found Him, the Crystal Fountain!
I have also found His promises to be true, experientially, not just in theory, including this glorious promise that I will close with. Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst (for the things of the world and of time); but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14)
A slave of Jesus Christ (what a privilege)!
_________________ Joe
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