Faith's Journey: Love, Loss, and Divine Intervention
Summary
In sharing my testimony, I reflect on the profound journey of faith and the unexpected ways God provides for us. My story begins with the loss of my father at a young age, leaving a void that was later filled by my father-in-law, a man who became a second father to me. Through our shared experiences, from hunting to building, he taught me invaluable life skills and became a cherished part of my life. Despite our close bond, when I found faith and tried to share it with him, he was initially resistant, telling me to keep it to myself. Yet, I respected his stance, knowing that faith is a personal journey.
Years later, when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer, I witnessed the power of prayer and the Holy Spirit's guidance. During a moment of intense pain, I felt led to touch him, and miraculously, his pain subsided. This experience was a testament to God's presence and power. As his condition worsened, I prayed fervently for his salvation, knowing that without Jesus, I would never see him again after his passing. In a moment of divine intervention, he expressed a desire to accept Christ, and I had the privilege of leading him to the Lord.
This journey taught me the importance of patience, prayer, and the gentle work of the Holy Spirit. It reminded me that while we may plant seeds of faith, it is God who nurtures and brings them to fruition. My father-in-law's eventual acceptance of Christ was a powerful reminder that it's never too late for someone to find faith, and that our prayers are never in vain.
Key Takeaways:
1. God Provides Unexpected Family: In times of loss, God often provides unexpected sources of love and support. My father-in-law became a second father to me, teaching me life skills and filling a void left by my own father's passing. This relationship was a testament to God's provision and the unexpected ways He brings people into our lives. [30:37]
2. Respecting Others' Faith Journeys: When sharing our faith, it's crucial to respect where others are on their spiritual journey. My father-in-law initially resisted my attempts to share the gospel, but I learned to trust in God's timing and the Holy Spirit's work in his heart. This taught me the importance of patience and respect in evangelism. [31:27]
3. The Power of Prayer and Touch: During a moment of intense pain, I felt led to touch my father-in-law, and his pain miraculously subsided. This experience highlighted the power of prayer and the Holy Spirit's guidance, reminding me that God can work through us in unexpected ways to bring comfort and healing. [35:36]
4. Never Give Up on Praying for Others: Even when it seems like someone may never come to faith, we should never give up praying for them. My father-in-law's eventual acceptance of Christ was a powerful reminder that our prayers are never in vain, and that God can reach even the most resistant hearts. [38:14]
5. Embracing Emotional Vulnerability: Through my journey, I learned to embrace my emotional vulnerability as a strength rather than a weakness. Being open about my emotions allowed me to connect more deeply with others and recognize the emotional spirit God has given me. This vulnerability is a gift that can lead to deeper relationships and spiritual growth. [40:05]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Opening Prayer
- [01:15] - Introduction and Testimony
- [30:10] - Loss of My Father
- [30:37] - Meeting My Father-in-Law
- [31:27] - Finding Faith and Sharing It
- [32:33] - Father-in-Law's Diagnosis
- [33:00] - Decision to Stay Home
- [33:46] - Preparing for the End
- [34:16] - Praying for Salvation
- [35:36] - Miracle of Pain Relief
- [36:19] - Night of Prayer and Tears
- [37:38] - Sunday Morning Reflection
- [38:14] - Leading Him to Christ
- [39:01] - Final Days and Goodbye
- [40:05] - Embracing Emotional Spirit
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
2. James 5:16 - "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
3. 1 Peter 3:15 - "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
#### Observation Questions
1. How did the speaker describe the relationship with his father-in-law and the role he played in his life? [30:37]
2. What was the initial reaction of the speaker's father-in-law when he first shared his faith with him? [31:27]
3. Describe the moment when the speaker felt led to touch his father-in-law during his pain. What was the outcome? [35:36]
4. What significant change occurred in the father-in-law's spiritual journey towards the end of his life? [38:14]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the speaker's story illustrate the concept of God providing unexpected family and support in times of loss? [30:37]
2. In what ways does the speaker's experience highlight the importance of respecting others' spiritual journeys and God's timing? [31:27]
3. How does the speaker's testimony demonstrate the power of prayer and the Holy Spirit's guidance in moments of need? [35:36]
4. What does the speaker's journey teach about the persistence of prayer and its impact on even the most resistant hearts? [38:14]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced unexpected support or family in your life. How did this impact your faith journey? [30:37]
2. Have you ever faced resistance when sharing your faith? How did you handle it, and what did you learn from the experience? [31:27]
3. Think of a situation where you felt led to pray for someone. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [35:36]
4. Is there someone in your life you have been praying for consistently? How can you continue to support them in their spiritual journey? [38:14]
5. How can embracing emotional vulnerability strengthen your relationships and spiritual growth? [40:05]
6. Identify a person in your life who might be resistant to faith. What steps can you take to respect their journey while still being a witness to them? [31:27]
7. Consider a moment when you felt the Holy Spirit's guidance. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [35:36]
Devotional
Day 1: God’s Unexpected Provision Through Relationships
In times of loss, God often provides unexpected sources of love and support. This is evident in the way a father-in-law can step into the role of a father, teaching invaluable life skills and filling a void left by a loved one's passing. Such relationships are a testament to God's provision and the unexpected ways He brings people into our lives. These connections remind us that God’s love can manifest through the people He places around us, offering comfort and guidance when we need it most. [30:37]
"God sets the lonely in families; he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land." (Psalm 68:6, ESV)
Reflection: Who has God placed in your life as an unexpected source of support and love? How can you express gratitude to them today?
Day 2: Trusting God’s Timing in Faith Journeys
When sharing faith, it is crucial to respect where others are on their spiritual journey. Sometimes, people may resist the message of the gospel, and it is important to trust in God's timing and the Holy Spirit's work in their hearts. This teaches the importance of patience and respect in evangelism, acknowledging that faith is a deeply personal journey. By trusting God’s timing, we allow Him to work in ways that are beyond our understanding, knowing that He is always at work in the hearts of those we care about. [31:27]
"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)
Reflection: Is there someone in your life whose faith journey you need to trust God with? How can you practice patience and respect in your interactions with them today?
Day 3: The Healing Power of Prayer and Touch
In moments of intense pain, the power of prayer and the Holy Spirit's guidance can bring miraculous relief. This highlights how God can work through us in unexpected ways to bring comfort and healing to others. It serves as a reminder that prayer is a powerful tool that can lead to divine intervention, offering peace and solace in times of distress. By being open to the Spirit’s leading, we can become vessels of God’s healing presence in the lives of those around us. [35:36]
"And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven." (James 5:15, ESV)
Reflection: How can you be more open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in your prayers for others? Is there someone you can pray for today, asking God to bring them comfort and healing?
Day 4: Persevering in Prayer for Others
Even when it seems like someone may never come to faith, we should never give up praying for them. The eventual acceptance of Christ by a loved one is a powerful reminder that our prayers are never in vain, and that God can reach even the most resistant hearts. This encourages us to persevere in prayer, trusting that God hears our cries and is working in ways we cannot see. It is a call to remain steadfast in our intercessions, believing in the transformative power of prayer. [38:14]
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12, ESV)
Reflection: Who is someone you have been praying for consistently? How can you renew your commitment to pray for them, trusting in God’s ability to transform their heart?
Day 5: Embracing Emotional Vulnerability as Strength
Embracing emotional vulnerability is a strength rather than a weakness. Being open about emotions allows for deeper connections with others and helps recognize the emotional spirit God has given. This vulnerability is a gift that can lead to deeper relationships and spiritual growth, as it fosters authenticity and empathy. By embracing our emotions, we can better understand ourselves and others, creating a space for genuine connection and healing. [40:05]
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you embrace your emotional vulnerability today? How might this openness lead to deeper connections with those around you?
Quotes
Anyways, my testimony is about how God gave me a second father. Just for clarity purposes, when I was 11-year-old, my dad took his life. So I had no father until I was just about 18. I had moved to Thompson. I met this beautiful woman. And for 50 years, we've been married. And about a... Yeah. And about a week after meeting her, I met her dad. And her dad and I became friends instantly. [00:30:10] (36 seconds)
Her dad did all those things in my life that I didn't get to do because I couldn't... I didn't have a dad. We hunted. We fished. I helped him build some cottages. I learned carpentry. We skidooed. Back then, we weren't saved. We drank too much sometimes. Sorry. I'm getting my notes here. [00:30:37] (23 seconds)
Anyhow, when you're not been born again and you're two families and none of your relatives or friends... You're born again. At least in my case, boy, I had to go save them all. I was running around like a crazy man, boy, just telling them why they had to have Jesus in life. [00:31:27] (16 seconds)
Anyhow, I remember when I told Dad. I gave him my spiel. And he looked at me and he said, good for you, Bobby. Keep it to yourself. And if I had to name this, this is probably what I would have named this. Anyhow, that was okay. Dad had been in the military. I knew who he was. [00:31:57] (20 seconds)
Anyways, we had three churches praying for the next week. And then the next weekend that Dad would ask Jesus into his life. Now, remember when I said before that I was that guy yelling and telling him why you had to see Jesus? Well, I don't do that anymore. [00:34:16] (15 seconds)
Holy Spirit is amazing if he always gives me an opening if I need to speak to somebody. Anyhow, we got there about 11 o'clock in the morning. Dad was laying on the couch. We walked in the door. He saw us and he started to cry. So that was cool. So we got that off. My back. [00:34:56] (21 seconds)
Anyhow, we cried for a while and then we were just talking and about an hour later, the pain from the bone cancer kicked in. And he was on the couch. He was making those horrible noises of pain. Agnes was rubbing his head. I was standing in the living room praying to God to make the pain go away. [00:35:36] (17 seconds)
Holy Spirit spoke my heart and said, touch him, Bob. So I reached down and I touched his leg. And the moment I touched him, he went, oh. Three times. He looked at me and he said, the pain's gone, Bobby. He said, I didn't know your hands were so tender. [00:35:52] (19 seconds)
And we were doing curling and once he got up and he danced with Agnes on the living room floor for a while. Folks, had I prayed for him for healing instead of just when the Lord told me to touch him, I would have been on cloud nine. But I hadn't prayed that. He just seemed like he was Dad. [00:37:20] (18 seconds)
And he looked at me and he said, why won't the pain go away, Bobby? I said, I don't know. He said, why can't I die? And that's when the Holy Spirit I said, Dad, I can't even pray for you to die. Because if you die and you don't have Jesus in your life, I will never see you again. [00:38:14] (18 seconds)
So I led him to the Lord. And funny thing, you kind of want to run this over a couple times before you bring it to the congregation. I do a little bit of a prayer. I do a little bit of a prayer. I do a little bit of a prayer. I do a little bit of appliance repair. [00:38:53] (10 seconds)
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