A Brief Testimony
by C. Read
When I was in the United States Marine Corps, on a temporary assignment to Yuma, Arizona, Iranian college students took 66 hostages from the American Embassy in Tehran on that fateful day of 4 November 1979. Some hostages were released, but 52 Americans remained in captivity for 444 days, until their release on 20 January 1981—the very day Ronald Reagan was sworn in as the President of the United States.
Just as 11 September 2001, was an earth-shattering event that forever changed our nation, and the entire world, so too was the Iranian Crisis of 1979, a “Day of Reckoning,” for me. I was forced to seriously look at my life and consider what direction I was heading in.
It was an extremely distressing time, and I was desperate for God to hear my prayers. Since I was in the military, I had many friends that would be greatly affected if we were to go to war with Iran, including my boyfriend, who was in Japan on a six month deployment at the time, and could have been ordered to go to Iran at a moment’s notice.
About that same time, a Marine who I never met before, came up to me as I was leaving my barracks and handed me a Bible, and said, “Here, I think you need to read this.” He just walked away and I never saw him again, but I AM certain I will see him in Heaven one glorious Day.
I took his advice, and I met my dear Saviour through the pages of that beautiful book! And 44 years ago Today, I committed my life to the LORD Jesus Christ in the deserts of Yuma, Arizona! I having been walking with Him ever since, and by God’s grace and mercy I will continue unto the very end!
It was my love for that man in Japan, who was to become my Husband, that caused me to desperately call out to God. I AM so thankful He heard my most earnest plea, but my greatest regret is that I did not see and fully understand, and make known to my Husband, before He left this world, that HE is the reason that I came to Christ!💔 But my dear God is so wonderful to comfort me in my sorrow, and remind me that He knows!
The hardships, adversities, and uncertainties of this life can cause us to either call out to God and depend on Him even more, or reject God and blame Him for everything!
Depending on our response when God calls, will determine our eternal destiny! And we must realize, we need to always be mindful of our relationship with God, and consider where our life choices are leading us. Heaven or Hell?
In closing, please seriously consider these words that were written in a different day and age, but still have great eternal significance.
“The number of a man’s days at the most are an hundred years. As a drop of water unto the sea, and a gravel stone in comparison of the sand; so are a thousand years to the days of eternity.” Ecclesiasticus 18:9 KJV
Where are you going to spend Eternity?
Something To Think About!
Thank you for sharing this Testimony my Friend. My day of reckoning is quite different from yours, but I can see how God makes a way for us to have a chance to reflect on our relationship with Him and decide whether to accept or reject Him and His salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ!
Praise God for Sir Harvey, and praise Him for your response to the message from that very precious little gift from that unknown child of God! Excited to meet all of you later, in heaven! To God be the glory!
Let’s keep each other in our hearts and Prayers my Dearest Friend.
Fellow servant of the Most High God;
Pastor Arnie
My Dear Brother Pastor Arnie,
You and your loved ones are always in my prayers! And I truly thank you for your prayers for me and my children and family, and for my ministry work. I have been much slower since my dear Husband left this world, and I need God’s grace and mercy and strength to fulfill the call He has placed upon my life! I am hoping that the new year will bring more opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with those who desperately need the LORD!
I thank God for your ministry, and I pray He will continue to bless you in your work for Him! God be with you and your loved ones—always!
With the love of Christ,
Cathy