Testimony Tuesday: The Life-Changing Word
Ashley Chesnut
Today's post was written by Janet Thorn. Janet Thorn - as a single mother - raised three children and now has three grandchildren with a fourth soon to arrive. God the Father is faithful! Janet works with the non-profit ALS Association. She volunteers with Precept Ministries and leads a ladies' small group at Brook Hills.
I’ve often heard people mention their “life verse.” Being known as one to consider all options before making decisions (sometimes frustratingly so to those awaiting the choice), choosing “a” life verse has always been a difficult proposition for me. There are certainly those passages which, at differing times and seasons in life, became so very real and true. As I think back over the years, I sense those times almost, perhaps certainly, as tests to see if my faith would stand firm during some of the most difficult of circumstances. Was I really, really willing to stand unwavering on His Word?
For example, I was known to say, “Divorce is not in my vocabulary.” That is until it was in my vocabulary and in my life. “For your Maker is your husband, The Lord Almighty is His Name, The Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth” (Isaiah 54:5). Really? In the “vocation” of singleness, His Word is true. He is worthy of our trust; He is a faithful Husband to His people.
Then, as I cried out to God four nights before my Mom’s death, Philippians 4:4-7 came to my heart and mind. “Do not be anxious about anything” (but this is my Mom, I thought) “but…in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God….AND the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” I learned what it is to have my heart AND mind guarded to sustain me for those nextm four days and beyond.
Or, when the doctor said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t expect this, but it’s malignant.” I was coping until I saw the faces of my 3 precious children. No human words or coping skills could even touch my anxiety. But our God of all comfort spoke: “Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). And James 5:14-15 became very real in practice as I was ministered to by the elders appointed for my oversight and care in the church.
So those are just a few well known verses that have carried many of us through life. Following are a couple of passages I want to share with you which, while I can’t choose one life verse, I must say are pivotal, life changing verses for me.
Romans 4: 4-5 “Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.” As a young woman, after being raised in a Christian home and striving to gain God’s favor through being good, as I was reading these verses one morning, God quickened my heart to know Him as my Savior. That is Good News! Loved, favored, credited righteousness – suddenly I “got it!” Given the gift of faith, all striving ceased.
Secondly, in my spiritual walk, Exodus 25:1-8 has been life changing. To realize that God’s desire is to dwell with His people, even me - “receive an offering from each man whose heart prompts him to give………then have them make a sanctuary for Me, and I will dwell among them…..” How great the Father’s love for us. I, we, need no greater love…there IS no greater love. The Most High God desires to dwell among us! This truth of the dwelling place of God is throughout the Word from Genesis to Revelation ending with – “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God” (Rev 21:3). To know that truth from His Word has been life changing for me, indeed.
I was recently sent this quote “……you can’t love Jesus and not love His Word” (RC Sproul). To that I heartily say “Amen!” When God speaks through His Word directly to our hearts, nothing this world has to offer can remotely compare. Yes, how deep the Father’s love for us. To God alone be the glory!
I’ve often heard people mention their “life verse.” Being known as one to consider all options before making decisions (sometimes frustratingly so to those awaiting the choice), choosing “a” life verse has always been a difficult proposition for me. There are certainly those passages which, at differing times and seasons in life, became so very real and true. As I think back over the years, I sense those times almost, perhaps certainly, as tests to see if my faith would stand firm during some of the most difficult of circumstances. Was I really, really willing to stand unwavering on His Word?
For example, I was known to say, “Divorce is not in my vocabulary.” That is until it was in my vocabulary and in my life. “For your Maker is your husband, The Lord Almighty is His Name, The Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth” (Isaiah 54:5). Really? In the “vocation” of singleness, His Word is true. He is worthy of our trust; He is a faithful Husband to His people.
Then, as I cried out to God four nights before my Mom’s death, Philippians 4:4-7 came to my heart and mind. “Do not be anxious about anything” (but this is my Mom, I thought) “but…in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God….AND the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” I learned what it is to have my heart AND mind guarded to sustain me for those nextm four days and beyond.
Or, when the doctor said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t expect this, but it’s malignant.” I was coping until I saw the faces of my 3 precious children. No human words or coping skills could even touch my anxiety. But our God of all comfort spoke: “Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). And James 5:14-15 became very real in practice as I was ministered to by the elders appointed for my oversight and care in the church.
So those are just a few well known verses that have carried many of us through life. Following are a couple of passages I want to share with you which, while I can’t choose one life verse, I must say are pivotal, life changing verses for me.
Romans 4: 4-5 “Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.” As a young woman, after being raised in a Christian home and striving to gain God’s favor through being good, as I was reading these verses one morning, God quickened my heart to know Him as my Savior. That is Good News! Loved, favored, credited righteousness – suddenly I “got it!” Given the gift of faith, all striving ceased.
Secondly, in my spiritual walk, Exodus 25:1-8 has been life changing. To realize that God’s desire is to dwell with His people, even me - “receive an offering from each man whose heart prompts him to give………then have them make a sanctuary for Me, and I will dwell among them…..” How great the Father’s love for us. I, we, need no greater love…there IS no greater love. The Most High God desires to dwell among us! This truth of the dwelling place of God is throughout the Word from Genesis to Revelation ending with – “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God” (Rev 21:3). To know that truth from His Word has been life changing for me, indeed.
I was recently sent this quote “……you can’t love Jesus and not love His Word” (RC Sproul). To that I heartily say “Amen!” When God speaks through His Word directly to our hearts, nothing this world has to offer can remotely compare. Yes, how deep the Father’s love for us. To God alone be the glory!