Faith and A God Story

He will rescue the poor when they cry to him, he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them. Psalm 72:12

A Fresh Personal Testimony from Sunday, May 18, 2025. This is why I love and serve our Savior.

My friends, we have an amazing God who shows up when we need him. Last week, I mentioned my sister was in hospice care. She passed away on Saturday, May 17, 2025. After I received the text from my niece with this sad news, I started calling our remaining siblings. Losing a loved one is hard. Calling and sharing the news is draining, but also good. There were 8 of us in our biological family. One sister passed a few years ago. Now our precious Carol is gone. Sharing the news that she was with Jesus was expected, but still hard.

That day also held a Senior Life Ministry event that needed my leadership and presence. Our Senior Life planning team was so understanding and helped fill in some of my less than stellar thinking! But by the evening, I admittedly was drained and tired. Grateful for my Alexa app, I asked it to play some worship music while I tried to unwind. The worship tracks Alexa picked were just what I needed. I could feel my body try to unwind.

My alarm went off at 6:00 a.m. for my Sunday morning routine. I felt “off” and admitted I didn’t really feel like going. But after so many years of the discipline of church attendance, I knew I would go. However, I wanted my ‘inside’ heart to want to go too. It’s my habit, while getting ready for church, to listen to Living Word Fellowship, Voluntown, Ct service. Darryl and I were a part of that church family and they still support Impart Ministries. Pastor Kevin has been preaching about the Holy Spirit since the first of the year. He has laid a wonderful foundation for Him. The message this week was based on John 14.

Friends, have you ever simply pushed through doing what is “right”? But not had your heart into it? Me, too. But this time, I felt convicted. Instead of doing the “right” thing without the Spirit’s help, I asked for His help. Pastor Kevin talked about how precious this gift Jesus sent to us was. How He asked His Father to send Him, and I had a fresh revelation of His value. I knew I did not want to waste it. The Amplified Bible makes it clear how valuable the Holy Spirit is. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor–Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever. John 14: 16. AMP.

I thought about other gifts I have been given. Some appreciated, and others not so much. When we were twelve, my parents bought us big and beautiful dolls for Christmas. I looked at her and was so disappointed. A doll? At 12? I can tell you I was not feeling very appreciative. The funny thing is my mother kept her and one of my granddaughters has her! As I meditated on the incredible gift Jesus asked the Father to send us, I teared up. This message was so timely to me. I am not sure if I can truly write the right words to convey how personal God’s presence became. I just knew God had not only heard my heart cry, but gave me even added revelation.

My friends, I know it was the Holy Spirit who drew me to lean into Him that day. I did not lean away, as I so easily could have. He (the Holy Spirit) is so much more than we comprehend. He is definitely more than that doll I so despised. What good is it to have a Helper we never lean on? A gift we never appropriate? If I asked the Comforter to help my sister Carol’s family, including my siblings, do I trust in Him to show up as a Comforter? Do I believe He will fulfill His purpose?

Just reading those job titles in John 14:16 is mind-blowing. Do you believe He wants to be your Intercessor? Your Strengthener? I surely do. But Jesus did not stop with this. He is also the Spirit of Truth (vs 17). The Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you. John 14:17. AMP. One of my mentors described the Holy Spirit as a perfect gentlemen. He will not barge in where He isn’t wanted. I am sure He remains with us, but unless we acknowledge Him, we may not even be aware of Him. I want to remind us all, if we call on Him and He is there.

I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, bereaved, and helpless]; I will come back to you. John 14:18. AMP. That morning, the Holy Spirit came to me in my grief and allowed me to feel His loving care. I was not an orphan, comfortless, bereaved, and helpless. I could feel strength and purpose returning to my soul. It was such a special moment. I could serve my duties with joy, love, and care. Let’s not leave our gift on the shelf, getting dusty and old. Verse 23 in John 14 says: If anyone loves Me, he will keep my word (teaching) and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our dwelling place with him. Now that is humbling and amazing. I wonder how often we settle for less than we could, simply because we are too independent and maybe even stubborn.

Father, I thank you for helping us understand how to really lean on the Holy Spirit in every aspect He is to us. When we comprehend what a difference we have when we access Him as teacher, as Comforter or Friend our lives will change for the better. You truly will be glorified through our lives. In Jesus’ Name, amen.