On May 6th of 1972 I drove a stake in the ground. I called Jesus Christ my Lord. I took hold of the promise, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom 10:9).
At the moment there were no rockets red glare or bombs bursting in air. Those came later! But there was a distinct peace and bedrock solidity which I had been craving. It was the beginning of so many stories I might share of God’s goodness! Here are few snippets of testimonies for your encouragement and the Glory of God!
Steven C Johnson
Landing Strip Enterprises
Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4 shared a powerful testimony.
“It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.”
There are thousands of pieces to our testimonies. I’d like to share a few snippets of God’s goodness in my life.
Let’s start this way. When I was 8 years old, my grandfather died. There was an open casket. Grampa looked bad, really bad. Death was icky. I didn’t like it. I feared death, and beside, what was on the other side?
I attended church, but didn’t understand how the Gospel worked. I thought the way to heaven was by being good.
I knew just enough Bible to get confused. I remember Jesus saying, “You must be perfect as your Father in Heaven is perfect.” I was not perfect. If I tried and tried, I could never be perfect. How could I stand before the holy God? When I died, what would happen next?
I remember hearing Jesus was sweet and kind. But I could never make the connection with Jesus. I could buy into the thought that Jesus died for sins and rose to save, but I could not make the connection for myself. It was like the motor was running, but there was no transmission to get power to the wheels.
My Senior year in High School my friend Mike told me, “Jesus is coming back!” This was not a message I heard at church. Those were show-stopping words. That meant he was real. I would have to stand before Him and give an account of my life.
“Jesus is coming back” was trembly, scary, but also intriguing and invigorating.
The church we attended had taken a bad turn. The pastor did not believe the Bible. He did not believe Jesus rose from the dead.
His view of Easter was invigorating walks on hillsides covered in wildflowers and breathing fresh mountain air. God have mercy on the man. I could not find Jesus in church.
There were also the philosophies of the day saying things like, “There is no absolute truth” and “Nothing can be known for sure.” I lived craving for certainty.
But these were the days of the Jesus Revolution. Spiritual interest was high among young people.
I had to do a book report in English class. I had never read the New Testament. As I read, I began falling in love with Jesus Christ. I was taken with His wisdom and humility, His compassion and power, His courage and sensitivity, His love, and His fire!
I wanted to know Him but was not sure how. I did not know how to make the connection, how to be saved.
I went to a conference and heard the words of Romans 10: 9;
“If you confess Jesus as Lord, and believe God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
That truth became my anchor. I knew enough of the story of Jesus to know it had to be true. I was certainly willing to confess Jesus before my friends and others. I believed God raised Jesus from the dead.
God would never lie. He said if I confessed devotion to Jesus as Lord and believed in God’s resurrection power, I would be saved. I would have everlasting life. I had God’s iron-clad promise!
There were no rockets red glare or bombs bursting in air, but there was a peace.
I began reading the Bible voraciously. Lights were coming on!
I began praying. I would sense His presence and see His answers.
I sought relationships with other believers in a Christian coffee house and with Campus Crusade for Christ.
The knowledge of Jesus, and His good news, was pulling me out of my fears and introversion. I became a witness on my college campus.
I looked in the mirror and saw a different person.
I had the opportunity for advanced studies. Including experiences studying in Israel.
I’ve only been a Christian for 54 years. I am a newbie. My walk with Him has sometimes been pretty herky-jerky, but God has been my steady light, my guide, my fortress, my redeemer, and my friend.
Jesus changed me, and He is still at it! I’ve got much to learn and grow in, but I have eternity to do it in thanks to the Resurrection and the Life!
Jesus said the hungry will be satisfied. I desire to be perpetually hungry so I may be perpetually satisfied! Every day I long to see His face more clearly, hear His voice, and know the fullness of His presence.
There have been moments when:
I have been crushed by His glory
I have been broken with His compassion
I have been invigorated by His power
Trembled before His Majesty
Transported by experiences of His ocean-deep, heaven-high love.
I am not worthy, but He has shown me His face!
I have felt the power of His Holy Spirit!
I am staggered when I think of His kindness revealed even when I have come up short.
He has revealed Himself through dreams and visions.
He has used someone with so many shortcomings to deliver encouragement to others!
There have been plenty of bumps and bruises along the way. Following Christ is harder and more wonderful than I could have imagined. He has been unfairly kind.
Together with Pam, my girlfriend and best friend of 46 years, we’ve had the privilege of being in pastoral ministry in many churches and have so many life experiences. We’ve been enriched with children and grandchildren.
What a privilege to know Him. What joy to see others come to Him and find freedom!
Jesus is coming back very, very soon. This terribly wonderful truth should awaken us all!
That fearful, introvert kid has found a love, power, courage, and purpose he could never have imagined – Because of a Savior who came and ministered, modeled, died, rose, ascended, and is now preparing for His panoramic return.
I own everything to a Lamb who died and a mighty One who broke the power of death!
He’s coming again, soon! We must make the most of our days!
Steve Johnson
Landing Strip Enterprises