Habakkuk 2:3-For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
18 years ago, today, which was on Sunday, February 16, 2003 @ 6:30pm, I received my call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That day, I lie down after Church around 4:00pm because I was tired and the weather had made it a good day to lay down and rest after a powerful Sunday School Class and Church Service that day.
The temperature that day was in the mid 40 and it was a cold, wet, rainy Sunday evening. At 6:30 pm, I was awaken out of my sleep by the sound of my name being called. Having laid back down twice and hearing my name being called a third time, fear gripped me in a way that I am unable to explain.
I heard the Spirit of God spoke to me saying “write these words down, (vision, labor pain and birth).” I was fearful, crying, shaking, and hesitant, but wrote them down, then I again heard, “write down this scripture and these words, (Habakkuk 2:3 and “the vision at the appointed time”). I was fearful, scared and confused as to what all this was about at that time, and I kept that day a secret for almost a week without telling anyone.
Believe it or not, but for 4 years and 10 months prior to my initial sermon on 12/30/2007, I spiritually experienced everyone of those three painful words that was given to me when I received my call to the Gospel that Sunday afternoon on 02/16/2003.
During the waiting period between the call and the manifestation of the vision, I went through spiritual warfare like never before. It was an experience I would not wish on anyone, because of the painful severity of those spiritual attacks. My choice was to give birth to what God has placed in me, or to abort it. I was determined to give birth to the “VISION” God placed inside of me. Trust me, it did not come without a cost! Pain, opposition, hurt and rejection, like nothing I had ever experienced before!
God was beginning His spiritual work inside of me by transforming me from who I was that day into who He had called me to be. I felt spiritual growth pains, hard labor from the suffering I experienced those years, and eventually the birth of the vision God had spoken and manifested in my life. In hindsight, 18 years later, I know it was all a part of Gods plan for me, and the preparation process for the work ahead. The process has not stopped and continues even today, but I am strong and wiser, as I continue to strive to do the work that God assigned to my hands to do. Truly, I can say that I have and still am daily, growing spiritually, with the help of God Holy Spirit who indwells me.
Point: In my years of living, I have learned that suffering is a part of life. As we mature spiritually, we handle it in a different way than we would have if we hade not been in relations with God through Christ Jesus. “Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later” (Rom. 8:18). There is a reward that awaits those believers in the glory of heaven.
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Phil. 1:6).
Attached to this post is the picture of me at my initial sermon on 12/30/07 and the cakes with God spoken words to me on 02/16/2003.
God spoken words on 02/16/2003 @ 6:30pm manifested itself in my life, and came to full fruition on that cold, wet and pouring down rainy day, 14 and a half years ago on 12/30/2007 @ 5pm. That day on 12/30/2007, a spiritual marriage of commitment to Christ, and the call to service took place that day. A day of being determined to follow Christ Leading without turning back, in spite of the persecution that was guaranteed to come.
What was unique and still amazing to me is the fact that I am not able to comprehend the connection between my call and my initial sermon, with both happening on a day when the weather was down pouring with heavy rain, very cold, cloudy, and a dark day.
The supporters to my initial sermon that Sunday was close to a thousand people from the surrounding area churches and communities where I grew up. Coworkers, neighbors, friends, family member, church sisters and brothers, friends of friends, community leaders, local Pastors, Preachers, etc.
Lord, I am forever grateful and thankful to you for ALL you have done and continue to do in my life.
“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations” (Jer. 1:5). I have since learned that God had preordained me to be who I am today, even before my mother and father winked at each other. He had already determined before the foundation of the world that I would be His servant.
Matthew 5:16-Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
If God made you a promise, it WILL come to pass! Believe and trust Him for it!
This testimony I now share with you was preordained by God for me before I entered my mother womb and God brought it fruition at His appointed time in my life.
NOBODY BUT GOD DID THIS!
NO ONE CAN MAKE ME DOUBT GOD!! KNOW TOO MUCH ABOUT HIM!
LORD, I THANK YOU!
Your Servant Debra
