A Testimony of the Grace of God

God bless you Pastor Nelson and Saints of our loving Lord, I just would like to testify of the goodness of Jesus.

On October 16th 1998, the Lord Jesus filled me with His Holy Spirit, this I could never forget for as long as I live because it has completely changed me from the inside out and I could never, ever be the same. He has made something out of me, where once I was in sin and shame and He picked me up and turned me around and now my feet are planted solid, firmly on His word the just shall live by faith. I remember that day clearly as I am alive today, how desperate I was for change within and I could in no wise help myself. Pastor Nelson had called a week of prayer service to be held at the church and I was so glad for it because it really helped me to stay focused on the Word and the purpose that I was here on earth to be filled with the Spirit and to fully manifest Jesus Christ here on earth. I was so desperate I could not eat or sleep. I spent my days crying out to the Lord to send His Spirit. I remember on that day I was reading the Prophets message Faith is our Victory, and I remember so plainly the Lord was speaking to my heart because I had asked Him to show me how to touch the hem of His garment like the woman with the issue of blood did. Saints, that night on October 16th 1998 at 8:34pm the Lord baptized me with the Holy Ghost and with fire in my soul and I shall never ever be the same. Praise Him.

Now my Lord and Saviour was so very gracious to me just recently, Tuesday, September 7th 2004. That night at about around 1:00 in the morning at work, I started to feel sick and I vomited. I thought little of it because I had not eaten much all that day and I thought it was gas. I realized that I started to get pain in my stomach, a burning sensation followed by intense pain in my upper right abdomen. I went to the desk of my supervisor to ask permission to go home because I felt that something was not right. At that point the pain struck me so fiercely that I could not stand up. I doubled over in pain and I had to sit at a desk opposite his so as to not bring too much attention to my other work mates.

I got home around 2:20 a.m. and I vomited from 2:30 a.m. to about 7:00 a.m. By then I was so weak I could barely walk properly. The pain in my stomach would not abate. I cried, I prayed and I asked the Lord to help me for that was all I knew how to do. Saints, when desperation strikes, you really cry out sincerely for God. I constantly prayed to ask for help because I knew something was not right. I could not get to Bro Nelson for prayer, but I knew that God was always there all the time. This may sound silly but I put my little bible on the spot where it hurt and I said to the Lord, by His stripes I am healed. I did not sleep, I could not sleep. I could not lay down or sit up, no position was comfortable enough, the pain was so great. I probably dozed off around 9:10 a.m. and I woke about a little after 10:00 a.m. At that time the pain seemed to have ceased. I praised the Lord loudly. But I was so sore and weak from vomiting I was afraid to eat anything. I told Pastor what happened, and he decided that he would pray for me on Wednesday night at service because I needed help and I believe that God can heal me from whatever it is. I went to church and the saints agreed with Pastor Nelson in prayer. I was given strength and I felt alright, I was rejoicing.

I went to sleep around 5:00 a.m. which would be Thursday morning September 9th the pain returned this time and it was extremely unbearable. I booked an appointment to see my doctor. He diagnosed that it was my gall bladder and said he wanted to run some tests and do an ultrasound to be sure. I booked all the appointments and had the blood tests done that day. However, I could not get an appointment for the ultrasound until Monday the following week. I went home and the pain was unbearable yet bearable. It was enough for me to bear. Bro Nelson said that he would pray for me in Friday nights prayer service. The doctor had told me a few things that I could not eat and not take as pain killer. I called a sister in the Lord to ask her what it was. She grew concerned because I started to moan from the pain and she being an RN started to ask me questions. She called her sister, another RN and also a believer in the Lord. They both agreed and convinced me that I should go to the hospital. Sis P, a sister in the Lord, drove me to the hospital.

The hospital emergency was so full that they could not take me. We went to the clinic and after seeing the doctor there he confirmed to me that it is my gall bladder and it is inflamed. I screamed in pain when he touched my abdomen, I did not want him to touch it again. However, I called my family doctor and told him. He got so upset with me and told me the seriousness of my condition. He advised me to go back to the hospital or go to emergency at North York General. Sis P, was so nice to me, I appreciate her more and more, surely Gods love was displayed through her on that day. They finally took me into a room at the emergency and examined me. I did not let the doctor push my abdomen too much because I knew the pain I was in. They suspected again my gall bladder. They took blood and gave me morphine for the pain. They kept asking me if I had ever had surgery on my stomach before. Yet, I did not understand the seriousness of my condition. It would seem that through my ignorance of not even knowing what the function for my gall bladder was, I was simply so neutral about it. Yet I kept praying to God in my heart as to what I should do, and I wanted it to be His choice not mine. I desperately prayed to make the right choice that I knew would please Him.

I went to get the Ultrasound and they found that I had gall stones and that my gall bladder was inflamed with one of the stones blocking the duct of my gall bladder. They called another surgeon to come look at the ultrasound and they kept urging me to have surgery. Yet, I was not afraid. I asked them about it and they said the doctors would discuss it with me. The doctor came and told me the problem and said they would want to operate. I said to her I am not doing anything until I speak with my Pastor and until my sister comes. So I prayed. Saints, right there in the hospital I went down on my knees and sought God, for it was all that I really knew how to do. The surgeon came and found me on my knees praying. She talked with me and told me that I had to have surgery right away and they explained the seriousness of it, but I repeated what I previously told them. Sis D. arrived and she called Pastor for me. During the time she was away I open the bible. I had told the Lord that whatever I saw in the scriptures now I would take it as His will and I will obey. I opened and read from Hebrews 10 on down to eleven stopping at chapter 11 the first verse. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. As I read the scripture, Sis D. came to get me so I could speak with Pastor Nelson. I told him what my decision was; I told him that I am going to leave the hospital and he can pray for me and I will be well. Then I read the scripture to Sis D. and told her how I came to my decision. The surgeon had said that when I had made up my mind, that I should let her know. Sis went to call the surgeon who automatically assumed that it would be surgery and was preparing to wheel me down to the operating room. Sis. D. told me what was happening and I said to her call the surgeon. She came to me and I told her that God is going to heal me and my decision is to leave the hospital. She asked me if I was alright, if I was feeling alright in my head. I said I was fine. I told her my decision and she got upset and left. I waited awhile for another nurse to take the needles out of me. They finally came and took the needles from out of me so I went home. I told the nurses that God is going to heal me and make these stones go away. I came home and talked with my sisters who were so helpful to me and thanked them for their concern and care. I told them how much I love and appreciate them even more now than I ever had. I spoke with my Pastor and he decided that he would pray for me at prayer service.

My doctor had heard about me leaving the hospital and told me that God cannot do that for me. Saints, my doctor laughed at me and told me that he has had so many other people pray and God did nothing and that I shouldn’t get upset at God if he does not answer prayer. I was so shocked by what he said that I told him that God can do anything. He said Oh yeah, so how many days do you give Him? I said three days. That was on Thursday. On Friday night Pastor prayed, for there was a challenge out that God could not heal me. The prayer service was so powerful, the presence of God was so evident that even from the beginning of service, praise and worship was at an all time high. My Pastor prayed and anointed me with oil. He laid hands on me and prayed the prayer of faith. Our beloved Pastor prayed and the power of God shook me. I felt a heat consume me and my whole body was heated on the inside. I felt so weak and woozy that I could hardly stand up on my own. Almost immediately after prayer, I had to vomit right there at service. I rejoiced in Jesus Christ my King for I knew that then the Lord had performed the surgery, but I need to do it according to His provided way, according to His word. That if there is any sick to call for the elders of the church and let them pray for you. Also there is something that I had to make right with God. One thing I had to be certain of is that God Is. I also had to be certain that Pastor Nelson was a true servant of God and that God would hear his prayers. I found that was so important.

I went through the weekend praising God with my whole being, waiting for the day to come to prove satan wrong because I said in my heart to the Lord like David, who is this uncircumcised Philistine that dare to oppose the army of the living God. I went back to work on Sunday night and on Tuesday evening at 5:30 p.m. I saw my family doctor, who had told me that God could not do it. I waited for two hours for him to examine me. When he came in, he addressed me as Mrs. gall stones. I just laughed and said Miss White, not married yet. He spoke to me concerning the seriousness of my case and told me what he planned to do. I said, Oh No, God has already healed me and I will noy be doing the surgery, he is not going to take it out. He said I was stubborn. I said, As long as I can believe God, that is all that matters to me. I said the stones are gone. He laughed and said, What if there are still there what will you do. I said, Continue to believe and trust God, I rather die trusting Him. Anyhow, he proceeded to examine me. He examined my abdomen and checking it out, applied pressure to the area where I previously would not allow the other doctors to touch. He asked me to breathe in so that he could feel where the enlargement is. Saints, glory be to God there was absolutely no pain. It seemed as though the swelling went down. He pressed again and harder; then he said to me, Looks like those stones have gone back inside there is no blockage. Right there on the table I said loudly, Praise God. I could see the expression of bewilderment on his face and he even blushed at my exclamation of praise to my God. He continued to examine me and checked my blood pressure. He said blood pressure perfect. I said, Praise God, God healed me of that too. He just had an expression of total amazement. I said, Doctor this is to show you that God is alive and that He can do all things.

He proceeded to share personal things about his family and illnesses and how he lost his young grand daughter at the age of 5 years old. I told him that I wanted to do another ultrasound to give him enough proof that God is a healer. He said it was up to me. I do not have to, but it is my choice. How the scene changed, from the same man that scoffed at my God and His ability, to someone wanting to know what church I go to and where it is. I worshipped God.

When I left he asked me to keep in touch. I went out of his office screaming and praising God, He lives, He lives, I know He lives. Sis D. was just smiling and praising God with me. I could not contain my joy at finding perfect happiness that knowing my God hears and He answers prayer. I am healed, I am free. My God lives, He lives. He lives within my heart. I could not sleep, I was so high in rejoicing that the Holy Ghost was present with me. I slept for 4 hours on Tuesday and went to work still rejoicing. I shared my joy with my beloved Pastor Nelson. I really appreciate him and the rebukes that are good for me. Still now as I write this testimony I am awed by the goodness of my Jesus. I believe this was for His glory and none other. For the just shall live by His faith. Praise be to the Almighty God who reigns.

 Praise be to God amen. I love Him.

 Sis Marilyn White.

September 15th 2004

 This morning I pulled into the Petrol Station to fill up my car. The amount for the gas was $21.00 and a wash for $4.57. I handed my visa card for payment and I realized the attendant looked astonished.

 He walked away, returned and walked away again. He then returned and said, Your bill is paid in cash, in full. 

I said, How is that? He said, I do not know, someone just walked up and paid your bill. I said, That must be God, there was no one else at the pump.

He said, this is very strange. I said, It is amazing, this is my God. I do not understand it too but to God be the Glory.

 7/26/2004

You overcome the devil by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony.

This testimony is to the Glory of God.

Growing up, I had always remembered my Grandmother telling me that my mother was allergic to seafood. Therefore, she was afraid to give me things like shrimp to eat. As I got older, unbeknown to her, I used to try eating shrimp when I went out, to see what would happen. I did not want to accept that what happened to my mother could also happen to me. At first, I noticed that my throat and lips would start to itch. Eventually, just the smell of shrimp made me feel nauseous.

Finally, in my early twenties, it had gotten to a point where the slightest contact to any seafood meals, especially shrimp, caused my lips and throat to swell, thereby affecting my ability to breath properly. My family doctor had to even stop prescribing antibiotics containing sulpher (e.g. septra) because I had started having severe allergic reactions. The devil was really on the rampage, however, his days were numbered.

One day, four years ago, in the summer of 2000, the devil’s time of affliction was up. During my lunch break at work, I went to have lunch with a Sister . She had said to me not bring any lunch as she had enough for both of us. Not having any money to buy lunch, I was thankful. After blessing the meal, the Sister opened the container, and I smelled the shrimp. I said, “Oh Sis., I can’t eat shrimp, I can’t eat shrimp! What am I going to do? I don’t even have money to buy lunch?” She said to me, “Well Sis., do you believe God is a healer?” I said, “Yes, I do”. She said, “Let’s pray again.”

As the Sister started to pray, I heard a voice say to me, “Did I not heal you of asthma two years ago?” I just replied, “Yes Lord.” After the Sister was finished praying, I told her what the Lord had just whispered, and she said, “Well, praise God.” She re-opened the container, and we had our meal. God healed me instantly. The smell no longer affected me, and my throat and lips were fine.

 It has been four (4) years, since God instantly healed me. Now, I can eat all the sushi, shrimp, crab, lobster, mussels or squid that I want, without getting sick. Praise be to God.

 Sis. D. H.

July, 2004