Hey, Everybody! I was thinking about something early this morning that turned my thoughts toward you. I’d just been going over my memory verses and started reflecting on the whole journey of faith. The ups and downs, the twists and turns. The pain and then sometimes the dullness that scared me twice as much as the pain. Then something would happen and revival would come and back in the saddle I’d go again. His Word would jump back off the page at me and I’d feel fully alive and wonder why I’d doubted. I rewound even further back to the years that I hoped so much that this God I’d been told about was real. I needed Him so badly. I found my heart believing and I deliberately placed my faith in Him. Then I thought about a specific season through which I went from hoping He was real to knowing He was real. Don’t get me wrong. I am still challenged to faith in many other matters and always will be, because “faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen” and “without faith it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:1,6) But I seldom sit around and wonder if God exists and still speaks and still acts. Like you, I still see as in a mirror darkly and I wonder why some things happen the way they do and how it will all work out and what some things in Scripture really mean. But “I know the One I have believed in.” (2 Timothy 1:12)
We have so many new believers and even a sizable population of seekers in this community. Praise God, we do! We need to question our effectiveness the moment we don’t. So many of them would probably like to ask us how we “know” this God is real. So I ask those of you today to whom this applies to share a season in which you became convinced to the marrow of your bones that this is FOR REAL.
Think it through and be deliberate in your testimony. Please limit your story to one meaty paragraph so that we can read as many as possible. I can hardly wait. Let’s testify, girlfriends.
Wow, Beth! This post is so providentially timed! Just Saturday, my hubby and I were eating dinner with some friends from church, and our conversation came around to this very topic. I told them, “God is so real to me that His love often seems more real to me than that of my own husband.” And, that is saying A LOT because my hubby’s love for me is VERY real and constantly expressed to me! (He is God’s greatest blessing to me.) The irony of my declaration is that I am currently smack dab in the midst of a season of waiting that has gone on for what feels like a long time! (Hence, the reason my memory verse this time is Hab. 2:1-3.) Yet, in the midst of this season where God’s activity is not as visible to me as it has been at other times in my life, I am still VERY much convinced that He is REAL! And, I know in my heart of hearts that He is at work, even if I can’t see it. How do I know? I know because just when my soul is about to despair of hope, He speaks a word to me. I know because during the times in my life when I hardly anything has felt secure, God has never let me down. I know because he rescued me from my chains! I know because I am not who I once was! And, I know because of the testimony of countless other believers, who are living in their promised lands, even while I am still making my way through the wilderness. Praise God that the seasons of our faith do not all coincide – we need the hope of people who have made it through!
I am in a season at this very moment where I have truly become to believe in this God I have “thought” to believe my whole life. I am a mom of four amazing and spirited children ages 8, 6, 2 and 1! My husband is a youth pastor and we have served in full time ministry for the past 12 years. This past summer we took a step of faith into the unknown. We felt God was leading us to a church plant here in NC. The church has only existed for 2 years and could not pay us so we believed God would provide for our family though other means. The weekend we scheduled to move both our cars broke down and we still did not have a job to provide income among many other obstacles. To describe this past year in a very short paragraph would simply be summed up in the verse that Beth quoted in this post, Hebrews 11:1,6. Every single moment of every day God proved himself faithful to me and my family. I have had the darkest moments this past year but God continues to speak His word into my heart and mind. We left all our family and friends to simply be used by Him. God showed Himself to be so real! I have learned to trust Him with every dollar… every tear… my children… our health… and our future.
Beth, thank you for challenging me through this journey that I am on…
Oh, God bless you guys big time. What an encouraging testimony, to see your enthusiasm, energy and faith launching out into the unknown. May it continue to be a time of great joy and victories.
I have had those times, but I just want to say thanks for reminding us that everyone has seasons where they struggle. I am in the middle of my first pregnancy, a time when I want to be closer than ever to the Lord. And yet, I am struggling with such complacency in my walk. It is refreshing and renewing to be reminded that I have been here before, but Joy does come in the morning and I will feel close to my Savior again. This is a daily journey, and until we reach the other side it will have its ups and downs.
I have walked with Jesus since I asked Him into my heart at the ripe age of 5 in my Mom’s after school Bible Club. At 39 years of age – I like you Beth have been through seasons of maturing where my faith has grown over time as God has led me and shown himself faithful. I am so grateful for a God who has proven himself again and again…and again. Last weekend I attended the Living Proof event in Tacoma, and over the last month have been wrestling with an issue that I had brought before the Lord, but knew that I was hanging on to – despite a faith that has matured through the years, I was wrestling with letting go of aspects of control, and idolatry with this issue – and was using a variety of manipulative mental techniquies to justify myself. I prayed on the way to Tacoma, that God would speak to me and show himself faithful as he always has… On Friday night, as Beth was beginning, she flashed a photo taken on her IPhone of a simple “STOP” sign in a Houston car wash. As soon as I saw that sign – I knew that God had brought me all the way to Tacoma – to hear clearly – that I wasn’t fooling Him, and I needed to “knock it off”. Friday night’s points spoke to me again and again… and as I went to sleep that night, I marveled at the amazing faithfulness of God. A God who prompted Beth to take a picture in a car wash – that would speak to my heart weeks later in the Tacoma Dome. And I am soooo deeply in love with a God who gave me a word I so desperately needed – not cloaked in judgment, but cloaked in love and humor from a Bible teacher I really adore. I received the admonition from Him, knowing that out of his great love for me, he delivered it in a miraculous and deeply compassionate way. And also knowing that if I disregarded it – the next time he delivered it, he wouldn’t fly Beth up from Houston to pass it along. Again, not because he doesn’t love me, but because he wants the best for me.
As I have matured in my faith – I have come to see his discipline – and warnings, as some of the most loving and tangible expressions of His presence. It is so crazy compared to our flesh but so true. (And thank you Beth for the Stop sign — it made me feel loved by Jesus as soon as I saw it.) đ
Shawna
As I was trying to decide which one thing to share that lets me know God is real, I realized, it’s not one thing…it’s everything. God is consistent and that is how I know he is real. I could share the countless ways that he has taken the varying strands of my life…the good, the bad, the abuse, the hurt, the joy, and woven them together for my good and his good purposes. I could tell about all the times he’s miraculously provided for me and for my family…the times he’s spoken sweetly to my heart at just the right moment. I could fill a book! God is unchanging, and always at work in my life, even if I don’t know it in the moment. My soul is never at rest unless I stay in fellowship with Him. I long to be near him, and I’m a mess when I walk away! That’s how I KNOW he’s real.
We were a well-liked couple who had attended an AG church for the first 6 years of our marriage. My husband lead worship. I was the nursery coordinator and helped my mom lead Beth Moore Bible studies. I had believed in God since I was a little girl. Never doubted. But I was slightly aware that something was missing – I did not LOVE Jesus. I didn’t know Him. It wasn’t until I jumped headfirst into the biggest sin of my entire life (and my heart had grown extremely cold, even towards my 3 beautiful, sweet kiddos) that I picked up my Bible and through tears desperately searched the pages for a word from God. And THE Word said that I needed to confess. And that everything was going to be okay, although I barely wanted it to be and I couldn’t see how. I felt God was saying He was going to “cover me” (phrases like it seemed to jump off the pages over and over). I even contemplated that it meant that I should stop sinning and just keep everything a secret. But I came to the conclusion that I needed to tell my husband. And starting with the words “This is faith…” (not planned and not sure why), I said aloud what should have completely destroyed our marriage. He cried and left. Minutes later he returned and sat across from me, staring in silence. Then he said it was going to be okay. He came over and embraced me, and said, get this, “I’m gonna’ cover you”. That was two years ago, and he still doesn’t know why he said those words – SO not the kind of language we used in our home. We were both RADICALLY changed on that very day. April 23, 2009. Born again, and we didn’t even know we needed to be! Since then we have both chased after Jesus so hard it’s crazy.And the Bible I had never read is falling apart. People who know the story are either running with us, praising God, or watching from a distance, waiting for us to fall and say that we’ve been faking. But it’s so real. HE is so real. And I love Him and know Him – FOR REAL. Zechariah 3
I know the God is real because: In the last couple of years I have felt fear like no other time in my life. I prayed to God, held tight to God and begged God to take this fear away. Gradually step by step, verse by verse, He showed me that He is faithful. I have held Him to His word and He has NOT let me down. In every instance without fail, He has been true to His Word. I praise Him because Satan’s lies have been exposed. I pray to never be decieved again. MY GOD IS FAITHFUL, ALWAYS!!
I know exactly what you mean – and God has become more real to me through this journey than at any other time in my life. Praise God!
Beth, You struggled with believing God was really there? Really? Just knowing that somehow gives me hope. I know He’s real, but sometimes I just wonder where He is. If He is really there. The other day I was driving, just crying, ‘Please be real, God. Please be real.’ I have such a hard time trusting anyone, I’m sometimes afraid that I’ll believe He’s there, only to be disappointed again. He has done some amazing things in my life, that I know cannot be just by chance, but still trust escapes me. I wish your post would have been longer, I would love to have heard how you reached the place where you could trust He was really there, and wouldn’t let you down.
I grew up in a Christian family, was baptized at age 11, but God used instances of death and birth to fully convince me of His “realness”.
In 2005, I lost my 38-year-old cousin to a very rare form of cancer that he suffered with for almost 2 years. I was devastated because he was more like an older brother to me, and was genuinely the kindest person I knew and didn’t “deserve” to have this happen to him. I was praying for a miracle because doctors in Louisville, Sloan Kettering in NYC, and the Mayo Clinic all said there was nothing that could be done. God provided a miracle, just not in the way that I was expecting. The time leading up to Tony’s death was the most spiritual experience I had in my life up to that point. God’s presence was felt ALL THE TIME. Through conversations and the time that we had with him, our entire family felt that there was nothing that was left unsaid, and all of us, including Tony, arrived at peace with the situation. He spent his last days telling us that he was seeing angels and his deceased mother, and that he wanted to go! It was an unbelievable experience and we counted it as a miracle. Through our grief, God gave us a glimpse of what is waiting on the other side for those that believe in Him!
God once again reminded me of His supreme power and existence through my pregnancy and the birth of my son on May 1, 2010. The absolute miracle of life found me saying over and over, “How can people that have experienced this NOT believe in God?” Every time I had an ultrasound, or felt Hunter kick, or saw videos or photos of how babies develop, it blew my mind. God’s creation and design is PERFECT. And I have the beautiful baby boy to prove it. đ
Shannon- I felt the same way with the births of my three children! I remember thinking, if I was not already saved, today would be the day after seeing the beautiful miracle of life. Thanks for sharing!
Is it horrible to admit that I can’t ever remember a time when I didn’t believe??? There came a point, obviously, when I knew that it was more than just intellectual, that to “believe” meant to “cling to, trust in and rely on” Him…but even now, I just can’t LOGICALLY NOT BELIEVE. When you look at a baby and realize all the different organs, skin, brain, arteries, muscles, eyes, ears….all came from 2 cells???? How can you NOT believe in God? To NOT believe, to me, requires more faith than to believe…not that I don’t sometimes question “why” when faced with trials or the horrors that happen to people in this world….but….maybe He knew I wouldn’t have lasted/survived/chosen to keep living without my believing there was a God.
I know God is real because when my son was 18 months old he ran in front of a dump truck going 50 miles an hour and when the truck stopped he was laying underneath it with only a scratch on his finger. He said a bright light hit him and put him back together and put him under the truck. My husband who was not a believer got up and went to church with me the next Sunday and before the pastor even gave the alter call he raised his hand and said I have to get born again today. Our lives have never been the same. We had an encounter with the Creator of the universe. How can we not believe.
My goodness, Jenny! I’m laughing and crying at the same time. What an incredible testimony. Thanks so much for sharing.
Amazing!
It was a dark season in my life. My husband had told me he no longer loved me and was leaving. I had 4 children and 3 others living with us. He was a respected leader at our church and I was employed there. I felt alone and called out to God. My Pastor was sympathetic but did not follow up with me or with my husband. I heard this song on the radio by Amy Grant. “It takes a Little Time Sometimes” and for some reason I knew it was God speaking to me to be patient. I did not tell my children what was going on. I prayed. I heard that song everywhere I went, on every radio station, even a couple talk stations had it on. I knew God was telling me to be patient. Long story short, within 6 weeks my husband came to me and begged my forgiveness, my children did not ever have to know, I had the courage to tell my Pastor gently that he could have handled my situation way better and he received it, and I knew that God not only was present, but that he cared very personally for me. We serve an All Powerful, Ever Present God who cares personally for each one of us. Praise Him!
Can I just say this topic is bringing me to tears. I know without a doubt that My God is Real. How do I know?…Oh How I could list the ways. It is in the scripture that I read at exacttly the right time. It is the voice I hear that only says one word but it is exactly what I need. It is the prayers that I have prayed just simply asking if He would stay beside me and He has. I see God EVERYWHERE. And to be honest right now, I am fighting a battle with my own body for my health. I was recently diagnosed with Panreatic Cancer…but you see God prepared me for it in a dream prior to my diagnosis. I knew the instance that I dreamed it that it was important and I sent it to one friend. In my dream I faced the LION and oh what Joy it brought. I now know that God was preparing me and that the only way to battle this disease is to LOOK FULL IN HIS WONDERFUL FACE. MY GOD REIGNS. HE LOVES ME and there is a reason for this season of my LIFE. To God Be The Glory….NOW AND FOREVER!!! God is REAL…Open your eyes to see him, Open your Ears to hear him, Open your heart to feel HIM!
Praying for you Tammy.
Abby
You are so right, keep seeking His face and clinging to His word. He will be with you every step of your journey!
I have seen Heaven. 27 years ago I had a “life after life” experience. I died, was clinically dead, but God was not finished with me yet, so He sent me back to complete the tasks He has purposed for my life. I’ve often questioned why I was returned to live this life on earth. I know God has a purpose for my life and I often see how He is working in and through my life to minister to others who need the Lord. I know that I know God in a very personal way. He is my Heavenly Father and we have a relationship like no other. My God is real! I believe Him, I trust Him and it is my desire to know Him better with each passing day. I’ve seen the Pearly Gates and I’ve followed The Light…I’m anxious to be called Home again for eternity.
Incredible!
I have walked with the Lord for over 28 years in a serious and deliberate manner. And in this last year, I have walked through deeper valleys and stronger hurts than ever before. But in these dark nights of the soul and in the midst situations that mock my faith, I have looked up and looked around and found that the ONLY thing I knew…really KNEW…was that God was real, God was there, God was enough, God was worth it. When you face searing loss and realize you are actually willing to loose it, whatever IT is, as long as you still remain in the Heavenly Father’s precious hand, then you know. You really know. He is real and He is worth everything.
Thanks for your encouragement.
Susan
http://whatevermylord.blogspot.com/
I grew up in a Christian home, always believed in God. I got baptized at age 6 because I didn’t want to go to hell. I knew how to behave as a Christian, and I knew the Christian things to say. I was good at going through the motions. But none of it was in my heart. I was a compromiser. I wanted to play in the things of the world and see how far I could go without actually sinning. It didn’t take long to get yanked over to “the dark side” and completely submerged. I got stuck over there for almost 10 years, all the while playing the part of a Christian, hoping no one would discover the ugly truth about me. I was completely miserable living a lie for so long. I would often cry for God to get me out and He always said one thing: confess. And I always answered: no. I was mortified of being shamed. But I finally got to the place where I knew I was spiritually dying and I had to have God breathe life into me. I wanted Him so badly that I didn’t care what shame or consequences I had to face. I was ready to give up everything I knew just to have Him in all of me. So I did it; I confessed to all the people that matter to me, knowing I was taking the risk of losing them. Immediately, as soon as the confession began, I knew I was free and God began to sing over me these words: “Your sins are forgotten, they’re on the bottom of the ocean floor. Your sins are erased and they are no more, they’re out on the ocean floor.” (1 John 1:9) That was Jan. 17, 2007 and that’s the day I fell hopelessly and madly in love with my Savior. And I realized that He is hopelessly and madly in love with me. That’s how I know He’s real. I remember hearing Beth say that once you have been rescued from the pit by your Savior, you won’t be able to keep from falling in love with Him. I know it’s true because I experienced it first hand. He cleaned me out, scoured me over, gave me a new heart, and I know I’ll never be the same again! (Ez. 36:25-27)
I know God is real because He always provides exactly what I need, when I need it, which is His timing, not mine.
For example, this time last year, my church family gave me the gift of airfare back home to Australia to visit my sick mum. The love of Christ compelled them. That’s God’s Spirit working through people. Thank you God!
It was a late Saturday night (way back in the day) as I closed the door to my college roommates, I said these words âAs much as I want more why do I settle for less. I so desire to LIVE âno more existing or just getting by from moment to moment and day to dayâ. It was at that moment that as real as I assumed God to be, He became that and so much more. From that moment until now each morning I rise He becomes even more real. I didnât know He could love me more than He already does, but I was surprised to find a love note by Him that read âI will never quit loving youâŠIâll give you love, love , and more love (Jer 31:3 msg). Now Iâm in mad/crazy love and convinced more than ever THIS IS REAL!
I have been saved since I was 7 and active in my church since then. Ten years ago someone close to me was murdered. While I didn’t question God’s sovereignty, I was deeply wounded. Several months after the incident, I was pulled into a deep, dark, hellish pit of unbelief that I can only explain as supernaturally evil. At every turn, I was tormented for 2-3 weeks with the thoughts that God didn’t exist and that everything I knew about Him wasn’t true. I thought I was going mad. I begged, pleaded, & prayed for relief from that horrific darkness. I read my Bible and watched solid TV ministers. During one minister’s lesson, she abruptly stopped in the middle of her message and completely changed her topic. She read from Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you;I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Then the minister went back to her original message. What precious words, just for me! Although still deep in the pit, I was greatly encouraged. One night I was on my knees praying for God to help my unbelief when He spoke directly to me. Three times I heard, “I AM YOUR GOD.” At that moment, my unbelief was gone as I sobbed with gratitude that the Most High would reveal Himself to me twice, using the exact same phrase. I felt like Peter when Jesus said, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” My prayer is that someone is encouraged and strengthened today.
My mother had been admitted to the palliative care unit at our local hospital. Her physician said, âI have written the orders for Comfort Measures Only, your mother will not be suffering, I have walked in your shoes with my own mother, this is the loving choice.â This began the closing of the final chapter of my motherâs life following a three-year decline mentally and physically due to dementia. It was also the closing of a chapter in my own life, as part of the âsandwichâ generationâcaring for an elderly relative while raising my own children. Our youngest child was graduating from high school and moving from our home to attend college out-of-state. During this same season of change, we also lost our two dogs to cancer within eight months of each other. Philippians 3:10 from the Amplified Bible become my daily prayer throughout this season of change. âMy determined purpose is that I may know Him, that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person more strongly and more clearly.â God has answered that prayer. I am progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with my Lord through this season of change. God met me at the point of my need, answering my prayer through giving me a heart to set my alarm for 5 a.m. each morning so that I would have quiet time with Him and His word each morning before I faced the day. Each morning I awake and before my feet hit the floor, I begin asking Him to speak to me through His word. After putting on a pot of coffee, and settling down at my kitchen table, I open His word, and listen for His still small voice to minister to me. I have journaled these changes over the years, and how a specific Scripture would be just what I would need for that day, that moment in time. Momâs last year on earth was also our sonâs last year in high school. One of the last things Mom was able to articulate was that our son would be able to go to the college that he wanted to attend. God answered that prayer by helping us to put together the financial aid needed. God has met me right at the point of my need, even in this season of an âempty nestâ by allowing me to see our son successfully in college. God is into the details of our lives, as He has answered my prayer to know Him more deeply and more intimately, He has met my needs moment-by-momentâeven to the point of leading us to a little beagle-mix puppy who had been rescued from abandonment just days after we returned from taking our son to college. Our little beagle, âCookie,â has filled our empty arms with love and joy. What comfort, what compassion, meeting us right at the point of our need! Even though this has been a season of great change, great loss, I can truly say, my determined purpose is still that I may know Him, that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person more strongly and more clearly every day.
Several years ago I was searching for a church to attend with my young son. I had not been attending church regularly for several years, but I knew that I wanted my son to grow up attending church. I heard from the mother of one my sonâs classmates about a Wednesday night program for children my sonâs age. She said that her son would be attending, so I decided to take my son the very next Wednesday night. I didnât know anyone that attended the church and I didnât know much about the church other than it was Baptist. As my son and I walked out the front door of our house the reality of what I was doing began to set in and I was afraid. I remember looking up and saying to God, âIn order for me to do this, You are going to have to do it. I am too afraid. I donât know anyone and You know I am not good at meeting new people.â My son and I drove to the church. I delivered him to the classroom and met the teacher. The classroom looked fun and safe. I didnât want to hover, so I started walking back out to the parking lot to sit in my car and wait for him. As I walked back to the parking lot, my sonâs classmateâs mom met me as she was coming to the building and said, âHey! Thereâs a ladiesâ bible study starting tonight in the same building that the kids are meeting in. Come to the bible study.â I did. That was the first time I had participated in a ladiesâ bible study, a Beth Moore bible study called Jesus The One and Only. That night was the beginning of my getting to know Jesus more by attending church regularly, by attending bible studies regularly as well as the beginning of my son attending church regularly. That night I knew God heard me when I prayed. That night He answered my prayer in a very specific and real way. That night was the beginning of Godâs fanning the fire in me to know Him more. Praise Him!
That is so awesome!!!!!
Most recently is this – One of my daughters has held a grudge against me for YEARS. I will not go into detail due to space but it was huge. I have been praying about this and asking for prayer for about as many years as it has been happening. About two weeks ago she was at my house and as far as I knew, nothing special happened. Much to my surprise and thankfulness, she called me very late that night and said “Mom, something happened today at your house. I heard God speak to me like never before, not out loud but in my spirit. He said It is time to let it go.” She went on to cry, explain and ask forgiveness! All I can say is OUR GOD IS NOT ONLY REAL HE IS AWESOME. Everything happens in His time. Don’t give up.
I hated God for forty years, blaming Him for the incest and other abuse I experienced. I was sure He was the Great Abandoner, and since He wanted nothing to do with me, I wanted nothing to do with Him. Thank you very much. People would come up to me with platitudes about God’s love and how God would use my past for the good of others. I thought, “Great recruiting system, God.” And shook my fist at Him. He patiently waited, dropped it in my mind to give Him one last chance and read the Bible from cover to cover. I did – like War and Peace. As I was reading the Bible, God brought a loving pastor into my life that showed me that God was nothing like my earthly father, and as time went by, I began to see God as a loving Father. I began to realize that God did not cause my abuse, that He cried with me in the midst. As I began to learn more about God, I apologized to Him for my anger. An inner voice said, “That’s ok, Heather, at least you were talking to Me.” God loved me so much that He took my verbal abuse of Him until I could receive the healing I needed to rightfully attribute the cause of my abuse and come to Him for healing. As time goes on, He shows me more and more where He was in the midst of the abuse. But He had to wait until I was mature enough in my faith to understand, that sometimes God is in the “nots.” What did not happen. If you don’t know God, I pray that you keep talking with Him, sharing your hurt, your pain, your anger, your feelings, and then listen. He will answer and show you that you were never alone. For me, it took time to realize that God answered, just not always the way I expected Him to. He loves you so very much.
Beth, about 18 months ago I found myself very down and discouraged, having lost both parents, soon to be an empty nester and feeling stuck, adrift, sad, etc. One night at dinner, my very patient husband had listened to it all once again and said, “you really need to find someone to talk to.” We talked about therapists, pastors, etc. but the truth was that it was December and I was too busy to follow through. A couple of days later the phone rang. It was an old friend who I had not spoken to in ten years or more. This friend is and has always been a very dynamic Christian. He said that he felt the Lord wanted him to call me because he had had a dream a couple of nights before. He felt strongly that the Lord wanted me to hear a message from this dream. I felt the dream was telling me in capital letters to GROW. Since then I have read many of your books and they have helped me so much, Beth. I felt that our Heavenly Father was speaking straight to me through this dear friend. This experience was one more confirmation that yes, He is real.
I’ve been a Christian for 12 years, but the moment God became more real than the computer I’m typing on occurred after my brother passed away from cancer. I had watched the strongest man of God I’ve ever known fight for his life and endure surgeries, treatments, and medications and yet, through all of the pain and frustration of recurrences, he smiled and worshiped and demonstrated the love and joy of God to all those around him.
I spent the next year searching and trying to get answers. In the end, my answer did not come in answer to the question “why?”. Instead it came as an answer to “who are You?”. I felt the literal arms of God surround me in an embrace and pull me close to feel His heart beat – for me, for my family & friends, for all those affected by my brother’s passing. And in that moment, I knew that the God of the universe – Who created the stars and the animals and the plants and every person on the planet – loves me and knows every detail of my pain and frustration. God loves each of us more than we will ever know — to the point of caring how many hairs are on each of our heads. Nothing is more real to me than His love for me and it is that love that gets me out of bed when the weight of this world pushes me into the ground.
Well I can testify to faith and struggling at times to have faith. I have been married for 9-1/2 years and for 8 of those years have struggled with trying to get pregnant. There were days I was in the depths of despair and then days when I knew without a doubt my God had a plan for my life. I knew I would have children someway, somehow I just didn’t know what that would look like. After years of tears and asking God why and saying, ok God I trust you and I have the faith to know that you will get me through this. I can say today that the Lord, my God has blessed me with a miracle. Only God could do this, no doctors, no drugs, simply the Lord. I am so excited and happy to say that I am currently 10 weeks pregnant!!!! I thought so many times Lord please let me have children before I turn 35 and I so blessed to say that my prayers have been answered cuz I just turned 34! God is faithful and I hope to anyone else struggleing with infertility just know that it is in HIS timing not ours. Believe me, I tried to make it my timing and it didn’t work. I am blessed beyond measure to enjoy pregnancy and I have very close friends who have been blessed through adopting children. Either way God will bless you and you need to crawl up in His lap and wait on Him. And He will in His time bless you beyond measure. God Bless you today!
Thank you, Miss Beth, this spoke so much to me.
For me, I know my God is real because He gives me peace during a season/storm like right now when I face so much uncertainty with my finances. He sits with and comforts me when I am in tears, wondering how I am going to pay my bills and where that money is going to come from. And though I have no idea whatsoever how my current situation is going to be resolved, I do know, without a doubt, that God’s got my back. He always does. I have seen how He has worked in my life in the past enough to know that everything always works out in the end. And that there is no such thing as a coincidence. I sit here with much hope and anticipation, waiting to see how the upcoming months are going to unfold.
Well, after a season of particularly challenging parenting difficulties, I found myself having to push forward every hour of the day….I had a lot of “God Knowledge” in my head, but until I started to literally “seek Him with ALL of my heart.” Jer 29:13 to save me from a type of black hole – I didn’t know how God could be there in such a real way —
teachings would line up with my time in the Word, people would say things that strangely applied to my unspoken need, burdens were lifted in the sense that worry was lifted and peace began to soak my soul….I even remember telling a friend that my relationship with God had changed so much in those days that I wondered if I had indeed been “saved” prior to it – I was, it just felt so different, that it made me wonder…..the key for me was immersion in His word – memorizing and study and daily time in prayer – in my life that effort was equal to ALL MY HEART and I did seek Him and I did find Himi – so real I could almost touch it – it is an amazing thing.
Leslie Apple Valley, MN
This is a story I would not believe myself if it didn’t happen to me. In high school I was a geekie math-olete and that is being kind to the truth. One day after school was walking through the halls and a very popular senior boy walked past and as he passed me a voice said “he will be your husband”. I jerked around to see who was making fun of me and there was no one there. But I heard a voice as clear as someone next to me. So I determined it was my mind playing tricks on me. I never saw the boy again that year. So I assumed he graduated and moved on. Fast forward 3 years later. I was home from college for summer working for my uncle in the back of his office by a back door. And guess who walked through the back door of that office. Yes, the popular boy! So I decided to test God (not always a good idea). The boy asked me out and I said no. Not once but three times. Finally he asked me to meet him for lunch and I agreed. This year we have been married for 25 years. I could not believe God cared so much to give a geekie girl such a romantic story. That was when I knew He was real and active in details.
Maybe it’s something about being named “Linda/Lynda!” Read the post from me below – Lynda from Libertyville, IL. God spoke similarly to me! He is so kind and gracious, isn’t he?! God bless you, Linda!
Because through each and EVERY trial and in each moment of joy He is there for me. He has promised to never leave me nor forsake me. The most recent “big” moment was when my marriage was nearly destroyed by addiction (2006). God lifted up my face and helped me to take days one at a time and gave me the hope that I so desperately needed through His word and through the support of my bible study friends.Nothing and no one could have given me the hope and the peace that I have had except for God!
It’s in the daily conversations, His encouragement through challenges and the eventual changes I’ve felt in heart that make me know He’s real. Daily, He speaks through His Word straight into my heart. Sometimes they are serious conversations, other times they are friendly small talk. He is my best friend! My husband and I have been humbled with infertility and God has faithfully encouraged when I saw no hope and held me when I couldn’t stop crying. I know I wouldn’t have made it through without a real God! He has also changed my heart on so many levels! From things that only I notice to other things that others have, He worked miracles on my heart. He is real and I can’t wait to see Him face to face!
I remember a specific time when I knew as surely as I know I am real that God is real. My mom was having some major health issues. The doctors, during their tests had found that she had one kidney that was malformed, probably since birth and didn’t function and the tests showed that the artery to the other kidney was blocked. They were certain she was going to need surgery but were unsure if they were going to be able to repair the issue. She asked me to pray that the doctors would have wisdom. I remember almost screaming over the phone at her that I was going to pray that she be healed. She thanked me but said really we just needed to pray for wisdom. I remember praying that night like I had never prayed before…on my knees weeping and begging. My mother called me the next evening after having undergone presurgery tests. She was in tears and could barely speak. She thanked me for having the faith she hadn’t. Although her one kidney still was not functional, the other kidney was fine and they couldn’t find the blockage they had detected before.
I know the Lord doesn’t perform miracles like that in everyone’s life and that sometimes He chooses to heal in other ways at times, but I feel like that one time He wanted to show both my mom and me that we both needed a little faith that He was real and could do what He said He could do. The whole thing really wasn’t about a misfunctioning kidney being healed but about 2 women’s misfunctioning faith being restored.
Lots of ups and downs since then and although I have some doubts at times, it is never about whether He is real or whether He can. Praise the Lord, He is able!
Betty Fulkerson, Montgomery, Tx. In 2004 I gave myself to the Lord, I started praying to him to help me stop smoking because I could not do it on my own. so on July 11,2005 I was put in the hospital because my heart was not beating right and that was the last time I smoked. I came out of the hospital a change person. Thank you my Lord. An then in 2007 I found out I had Hep-c and after starting my treatment in Jan. 2008 after the first three months the viruse was gone but I still had to go through 36 more weeks of treatment. That was then there were only one set of foot prints in the sand. Thank you again my Lord, for you have saved me once again. I give my life to the Lord everyday. Thank you Beth for your studies, love you! đ
God has answered several of my prayers in a direct and timely manner through both scripture and circumstance. On one occasion, I was searching for comfort from the scriptures in relation to my marriage. God led me to a passage I had never read before and revealed truth to me regarding the circumstance. At the time, it grieved me but later down the road brought tremendous comfort as God worked out the situation for my benefit and not according to my will at the time. On another occasion, I was deeply upset by a troublesome relationship I was having in school and prayed fervently about it. God revealed something to both me and the other person that completely changed the direction of the relationship and brought a peace to the situation. Both times it was overwhelmingly obvious it was God at work and not just a coincidence my prayer was answered. Both times I knew that I knew I had heard from the Lord and have never forgotten the impact of the answered prayer and how I could never have manipulated it if I tried.
When my daughter Rachel was 4 years old (she suffers from asthma, but only if she is fighting some other type of infection like sinus, bronchitis etc.) she contracted the H1N1 flu in October 2009. Her bout with the flu was full blown and it left her fighting other respiratory ailments continuously from that October until May 2010. She was so sick. During 2 different one week periods of time we had been in the pediatricianâs office 4 times! Rachel even had pneumonia. I was worn out. Many nights she would cough and gasp from one or two a.m. until 4 or 5 oâclock. This lasted off and on, days at a time, for months. She was worn down and worn out and so was I. It hurt me so much to see her so sickly. One night in May 2010, she was trying to sleep and kept coughing. I kept giving her breathing treatments. I was exhausted, frazzled and very sleep deprived. When I finally laid back down I WAS MAD! I WAS MAD AT GOD! I shouted at Him, âYOU could heal her! YOU could heal her lungs! I know YOU can! All YOU have to do is âspeak itâ and she would be healed! Just âspeaking itâ! The whole Gospel of Luke is filled with YOU just speaking it and people being healed!â In my full blown anger, I proceeded to get up and grab my bible so I could point out to God (like He really needed me to do that) all of the times he had healed those souls in Lukeâs Gospel. I all of a sudden realized what I was doing. I knew from âJesus the One & Onlyâ that Jesus had healed those people. I learned from âBelieving Godâ the two most powerful tools we have are the power of prayer and Godâs Word. At that moment I knew there was nothing more powerful than me literally praying Godâs Word, petitioning for healing for my sickly child, with Godâs Words right back to Him. I got on my knees on the floor with my bible opened to the Gospel of Luke. I had one hand on Rachel the other hand on my bible and I began reading the scriptures of healing to the Lord. As I read my voice didnât get louder, but it became more assured, bolder even (if that makes sense) it was almost as if there was a force to my reading. As this was happening I gradually began to realize I was truly in the presence of the Lord. I couldnât see Him or anything like that, but I knew without question I was literally before God, bawling my eyes out, reading of His great, healing works, begging for my childâs healing and He was right there with me. Eventually, while this was going on, I had this gut feeling He was going to heal Rachel. I donât know how to explain it other than to say that I just knew it. I had a sense of peace. I typically expect immediate and the Lord does not operate via immediacy with me. He prefers a more gradual approach. The next morning God was in full force, opening doors. I could feel Him in the telephone connection with the pediatricianâs office. He was the 3rd party on that call. We got an unusually early appointment with an excellent doctor who suggested a referral to a pediatric pulmonologist. I got Rachel an appointment with the pulmonologist right away. They have been treating her for 10 months. During the past 10 months she has been sick with a colds/sinus and allergies. Nothing out of the ordinary, however during this time she has NOT had one problem with the asthma! Her lungs were checked extensively this past February, and PRAISE GODâS NAME, the pulmonologist said, âHer lungs sound fabulous!â Yes, I am convinced down to the bronchi in my daughterâs lungs, GOD IS REAL, HE IS ALIVE AND HE IS ACTIVE.
i am literally typig with one hand, as i hold the stongest 5 year old girl i know. youe story mirrors mine. i am so tired of her lung issues….noone knows anything…she has never had just a cold…turns into sinus, bronchitis, pneumonia, croup, reflux,ect…i have believed my whole life and have prayed for her healing since she was born. your yestimony gave me hope!!! thanks.
I do belive I am in that season right now. I went through a season nearly 8 years ago that caused me to wonder about Him and request things from Him more than I ever had before that time, but presently….OH, it is unreal! He has and IS making Himself known in the life of this college student. I have never been more sure of Him!
Believe*
I was a child. My pet bird died. I went to Sunday School that morning and my sadness caught the attention of a very old woman. She tried, very badly, to tell me about Jesus and ended up scaring me terribly. I spent a very long 3 days believing I was going to Hell. Finally, at Awana club, a wonderful woman saw my turmoil and very lovingly sat down with the Scriptures and told me about God and why his Son, Jesus, was willing to die for me. She said, “Why don’t we pray together.” We did. She didn’t make fun of the stumbling prayer of an 8 year old. She jumped in and guided me when I was stalled. We rejoiced together afterward. I’ve doubted many things since then, including some of His truths but I have never doubted how real He is and the love He has for me.
I am preparing to go on a missions trip to Ghana with my nursing school. The money I need to raise is an astronomical amount! After sending support letters out to everyone I have ever come in contact with, I began receiving donations back. I saw my family’s close friends had sent me a letter. These beautiful people are currently residing in a trailer park while the husband completes his California Highway Patrol training, and they have been tight on money for a very long time. The wife wrote me a letter saying that the LORD had provided the money she was giving me for the trip. The check was made out for $300! I started crying. I knew God had indeed provided, because there was no other way that couple could have afforded to give like that otherwise.
I would like to help you. Would you send me your mailing address? My email is [email protected].
“May HE give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” Psalms 20:4
Thank you so much Beth for sharing with me your transparency. No matter how many times I would doubt his realness, and ignored it at times. I realize how miserable I am and purposeless(is that a word?) I feel with out him. His word says He is real and my experience, the experience of relationship to our Love for each other makes it real…. I am captivated by who He is and I am in LOVE!
How do I know God is real – down in the marrow of my bones? Wow that’s a loaded question. Many ways, the first would be the way that he drew me to himself as a young wife & mom. The sins of my past weighed so heavy on me I couldn’t sleep at times. Then as a woman explained the plan of salvation to me it was as if she was explaining everthing I ever needed to hear. The moment I prayed asking Jesus to cleanse me – I was clean, I don’t pretend to understand how, but I know that I know, I was forgiven and was(and am) a beloved child of God. Then other times he has carried me when I thought I couldn’t walk one step further. As he gave me reassurances during the 18 month “long good-bye” to my mother as her life slowly ebbed away. The way he gave me compassion for her, this truly had to be a work of the Lord. Our relationship had been rocky at best and awful at it’s worst. But when she slipped from this life into the next, I knew that I had done what he asked me to. To Honor my mother, and that I could feel his pleasure and sense his deep comfort. I could give you 50 other ways I know he’s real but these two are the most important to me.
Blesssings
LuAnn
When I got up off of my knees in the waiting room of the church on Sept. 20,2009 , I knew where I was going,and who was carrying me there. I floated to the podium and begged the 1,000 plus crowd that had come to tell my 19yr old daughter goodbye ,to search their hearts, and to not leave until they knew that if they too were to not survive an automobile accident…that their mothers know where they are.. “I know where she is”,..the first words I said to them..and I know God is the only reason I got up off my knees..Thank you God for continuing to carry me.
He has saved me from several addictions. Not on my timing on his. One I prayed about for over 2 years and tried and tried to stop. Then all one day I was done and it wasn’t even that hard to walk away from it. During all this there were all these weird coincedences too. Just to many for him not to be there. There is just no way I could come as far as I have without Him, but I think you can’t see it without going through it.
I came to know the Lord as my personal savior asking Jesus into my heart in 1994. You see I grew up in church,when Iwas around 15 I was asked the question do you believe in God I answered yes and was told then you can join the church. I thought that was all I needed todo. I had been going to a church for about 6 months, they were talking about having a relationship with Jesus. I had no clue as to what they were talking about. I’m a people watcher so that is what I began doing. All my new friends seemed to have a different concept of what I had about God. Then one evening during a revival the speaker said this “do you know that you know that you know you are going to heaven”. I could not answer the question. All I new for sure was that I believed in Jesus and that I was a member of a church, but at this point I did not think that would get me into heaven. I went forward that same evening and spoke with my Pastors wife. She explained the love of God to me, the forgiveness of sin, repentance of sin and how God wanted me and choose me by sending Jesus to die for me. I broke down cried out to Jesus for that forgiveness and gave my life to Him. Since then I have been on a wonderful journey that at times has been very difficult building a relationship with Him. The building of that relationship has included getting into his word, doing bible study and being involved in my local church. I am still on that journey but I can honestly say that I know my Jesus has accepted me, I belong to Him and will be with Him in heaven.
Okay, now I know some are going to doubt this, but I’m telling you the truth. I’ve been married for 38 years. When I met the man that I eventually married, I wasn’t all that impressed (sorry to say). It wasn’t that he wasn’t a good man, but there just was no specific attraction. I remember clearly one day my mother saying to me, “He’s a nice man but not the type I would ever expect you to marry.” No kidding, at that very moment, I sensed God whisper to my spirit, “You WILL marry him someday!” It was so clear that I was tempted to look around and see if anyone else heard it! Now, I’m not one to go base my life on something that was so “unprovable” as a perceived whisper, so my reaction was to whisper back, “Well, then God, this is gonna be interesting to watch.” And that’s exactly what I did. I didn’t make anything happen. I didn’t scheme or pretend. I just carefully observed over the next months as my friendship with this man deepened into a wonderful trust and eventual love.
He asked me to marry him on a Christmas day! And guess what?! No kidding, ladies! God spoke to my spirit again early that morning. He clearly let me in on the secret of what my love had planned, and I knew God was giving me permission to say yes! My husband told me later that he was actually just slightly deflated that it wasn’t a total surprise. But since it was God who told the secret, he decided he’d have to be okay with it! đ
We’ve had our tough times over the years, but God is faithful. My husband and I have shared our faith in our Father and that has kept us together during a handful of really rough periods. Even on the very few occasions that I’ve wondered if working at this relationship was worth it, I’ve never been able to deny that God spoke to me — not once, but twice — that this was the man I was to marry! Having been from a broken home myself, it was all the more vital to me personally to know I was in God’s plan.
He IS faithful! He IS real! And He loves us just THAT much!!!!
There was a time in my life 5-6 years ago when it seemed as if the devil was going to win and tear down my life and my reputation!! God came through – when I needed Him most!! There were days through this very rough time, that I wondered if He was really there and why was it TAKING SO LONG for Him to take care of the problem (which is too much to go into) but HE took care of it in HIS timing & PTL I kept seeking Him and watched miracles occur!! My husband was also my rock & stood RIGHT WITH ME!! It’s times like those that God uses as “redbirds” in my life to show me HE truly loves me & is with me!! (I have taught our daughters since they were little about when you see a red bird – God is showing you a little extra present that day telling you He loves you!! And so we call ALL THE things God does for us as “redbirds” đ Thank you for your blog today!!
There are so many facets in my life where I have learned tthat God is real, and that a specific characterization of His that He has promised is as real as the nose on my face.
We weren’t dating very long when my husband and I realized that this was FOR REAL. Which was awesome and terrifying aas I was only 19! While the Lord had mercifully allowed me to live a sexually pure life, my husband had quite a history. A few of those women were even on the same team that I met him on. I knew that God can make all things new, but I was struggling with my husbands past.
The Lord sat me down and told me quite stearnly that I had been professing my entire life that He makes ALL sin pure, now did I believe that or was I a liar. Mercifully, He allowed me to truly truly believe that. I was able to praise God for the purity He restored in my husband and the purity he restored in my own life. More than I know that the air I breathe keeps my alive, I know that my God wipes out ALL sin. We are TRULY new creations in Him.
If you are a seeker thinking you are not good enough for God. Know that if you just surrender to Him, HE will MAKE you good enough!
My husband has been back in a ârealâ job after being âunderemployedâ for 28 months. I will have to say that has been the most faith-growing time in my life. We have been through such an experience before but this time God seemed to supply the ability to Believe Him as never before. We were able to continue to tithe and to stay focused on His provision and stay in His Word. I am able to understand better what âabidingâ means. He is REAL because he has been too faithful in unexplainable ways not to be.
Thank you, thank you for this. I am in the middle, up to my ears; some days deafening, some dead quiet. I can’t tell you my story now, but I love and trust you because of just what you said – you have a story that you earned, with God; yourself. And I thank you and so many like you that speak for him on the days I am bum-over-teakettle. He uses you for my hope.
Gratefully,
Becca.
I have been a baptized believer since I was 9. At the age of 45ish I walked by my teenage daughters’ room and she was reading her Bible. Everyday. One day I asked what are you reading and she gave me a daily Bible Reading guide. After using the guide everyday for four years I wanted more. I wanted to know Him. I found myself frustrated because all of the Bible Classes I had been in were not what I was craving, I wanted more. I yearned for God. A close friend I confided in told me He will hear the yearning of your heart. A few months later I was invited to study with a group of ladies Beth’s “A Woman’s Heart God’s Dwelling Place”. At the same time another female friend asked if I would do a Bible study with her, later she said she loved that I said yes when? without hesitation. At her suggestion we chose Blackaby’s Experiencing God. God opened the floodgates and filled my cup and He hasn’t stopped. Since I have begun a personal relationship with Him He really is REAL. Everything He says is more than true! I was brought up in a church, active, read my Bible (although I admit not from Genesis to Revelations until my daughter shared her daily reading guide. Once I begged, cried out to Him “I want to know You” He became REAL, and now I can’t get enough of Him. I feel so convicted that reading the Word is a really good place to start because He will draw you to Him and when you want more He is faithful and will open doors, your eyes, your heart, your mind. It’s been seven years since I followed the daily Bible reading guide for the first time. I just wish I had known Him personally, – me and God – sooner, He is everything to me. I usually have two studies going at one time and love it. đ
I have been a believer for many years. My faith has waxed and waned throughout my journey with God. This past year has been extremely trying on my heart and soul and mind. My 27 year marriage died. My husband chose a new life with a new someone and left me devestated with a girl in college and a married daughter with our first grandbaby on the way. I was alone. Alone. I had never been alone before. I went straight from my sweet daddy’s home to my own home. Fear without dimension siezed my heart. I was paralyzed. Then….my God swept in. I mean that too. He swept in and all fear left. I slept through the night each and every night wothout fears. I went to work everyday. I perform all the daily tasks of running a household. Just for one. And it is okay. The blessings keep flowing through the days. God has given me this wild, raucous peace…like a river. Not like a pond. Dead and stagnant. But alive and rushing through this weary woman. To know He loves me and shelters me is pure comfort through the darkest of days.