My Testimony By Doug Stewart

Today is a special day for me and I want to share it with you. It was 65 years ago on May 29, 1954 when Jesus knocked on the door of my heart and came in when I opened it to him, full of love, forgiveness and joy! I was 17. Taking the words of Psalm 34:3, come and “glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.”

I was on the wrong path, fearful and very broken in spirit when I went to a youth retreat with classmates from my high school in Charlotte, NC. The words the Lord used to speak to me are found in revelation 3:20: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them and they with me.” He did come in and flooded me with a peace and joy and sense of forgiveness that I had never experienced. And he has remained with me, with his love and grace, protection and guidance, correction and renewal, and led me into his purposes and equipped me with his gifts of grace, all the days and in all the places until this day and this place. And he says to me and to us all, “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) This promise includes the days and the places to which he will yet bring me.

I invite you to join with me in the words of David: “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits–who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.” (Psalm 103:1-5)

Two Scriptures that in the early days quickly became companions to me are the following:

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) These words explained the startling transformation that I was beginning to experience.

“I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” I found in these words of Paul, based on his own experience of Christ in his life, a foundation for faith and hope as I headed into a different future of challenges.

Another scripture through which many times along the way, and now at this time and place in my journey, I have found God to give me renewed faith and hope:

“So do not fear, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

So, dear friends and family, I invite you to join in with me and give thanks to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for the “amazing grace…Grace that has brought me safe this far and grace that will bring me home.”