Hosanna Restoration Church

(1st John 1 NLT)

As I read this, I became aware that this was somewhat my own testimony, and if you think about it, it is yours as well. Something at sometime made Jesus very real to you. You may not have prayed with Him in the garden or stood at the cross, but something made you see that He is the Word of life. Don’t let anything steal that from you.

I know that there are many people who say that if they had an experience like the Apostle Paul that they could see making a drastic change in their lives. To those people I always say, “if you really want to be struck blind before you will believe, you better be careful. The devil would be more than happy to do something evil to you and then blame God for the trouble.” What I want to encourage you with today is that the way God reveals Himself to you is every bit as wonderful as anyone else’s testimony. And the more you hold on to that revelation and seek God, the greater the revelation you will receive.

So how is this my testimony? Well there were three distinct times in my life from my youth up, when God revealed Himself to me and I never saw it. Later, after I came to know Him, it all became clear. The first time was when as a small child I was scared in the night and when I sat up in bed I saw Jesus in my bedroom. I can remember He was glowing white and because I did not know who He was I did not know what to think. I do remember that my fear went away after I saw Him, even though it was a bit unsettling to have a glowing man in the bedroom.

Another time He revealed Himself as I was singing in a church and a large light hanging from the ceiling began to swing as I hit a particular note in a song about music in heaven. The final time was when I saw Him on the wall of the place where 12 years later Hosanna held church services.

Looking back, it is hard to believe I never realized it was Him. The truth is I saw Him and I felt His presence, even heard Him, but never really knew who I was seeing or what I was feeling. I believe this is the case for many people, both believers and non-believers. Many believers become discouraged because they feel they are not experiencing all that someone else is, when in fact God is doing far more than they recognize in their lives. Really, there I was with God doing everything but writing a note on the wall and I still had no idea that He was for real. It was after I finally saw that He was the way, the truth, and the life and I wanted to know more that my eyes were opened to what had been going on all along.

There are many who say they do not believe who will also say that something told them to do this or that, or that they had a funny feeling about something. All the good that comes into their lives comes from God. They just do not realize it.

Let’s make it a point this year to recognize the hand of God in our lives and give Him glory for it. It will build our faith and the faith of those around us as we declare the good things He has done. And He has done some really good things for you and me, both before we knew Him and since we made Him Lord. Don’t be deceived. Remain faithful to what you have been taught. Then hold on tight for you will behold more and more of the glory of God and His kingdom, now in this lifetime and in the end for all eternity.