Children are a heritage from the Lord. The fruit of the womb is His reward – Psalms 127:3

My background:

Born and raised in an orthodox Brahmin family, accepting Christ and being baptized in Him came as a shock to my family. In addition, I faced many difficulties in my job and health. As time progressed, they gradually accepted my faith and in 2006 I got married to a God-fearing woman born and raised in Christian faith.

By God’s grace, everything went fine in our marital life. We both had good jobs, traveled many places and enjoyed our lives. But there was one thing missing: the blessing of a child. Though we did not face any embarrassing situation, every wedding anniversary reminded us of our state.

Hardships faced:

Many people told us about their dreams of us being blessed with a child. I did not take it lightly, since I knew this blessing was going to take some time, and these dreams were an encouragement from the Lord. As time passed, people started questioning us and I started avoiding certain people. We too wanted to rule out the cause, and sought medical help from our doctor friend who performed many tests for my wife and me, and confirmed that a medical condition in my body reduced the chances of my wife conceiving. Hearing this news, we were shocked and we decided to trust God for the impossible.

One day I was reading Luke 1, which narrates two supernatural incidents: the birth of John the Baptist and our Lord Jesus. Both incidents speak of God‘s omnipotence in conception. We therefore based our faith on God’s power and also took medical help for conception of a child. After a couple of years, we decided to stop pursing medical treatments since nothing worked out, and depended totally on God for the miracle. During this time of grief, when my wife was much troubled, God spoke the following verses to us.

“A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. ²² So with you: now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” – John 16:21-22

For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a person may be weighed down by misery. – Ecclesiastes 8:6

For with God nothing will be impossible. – Luke 1:37

Isaac prayed for his wife to be pregnant. – Genesis 25:21

Loss:

In 2011, I was transferred to the US. Within 3 months, my wife conceived and our joy knew no bounds. However, it was short lived for the baby did not grow properly and my wife had a miscarriage. The Lord prepared us for the loss ahead of time and my wife came out of it peacefully.

In the mid of 2012, our US visa extensions were denied and we had to return to India. God revealed to me one day that a curse of barrenness was upon my life. I prayed God to relieve me from that curse (for the Lord Jesus took all my curses at the cross), so the blessings of Abraham would be on me. God delivered me and later in September of that year, God opened door for us to return to the US. In December, God gave me a word of knowledge that the blessing of child was coming into our lives and asked me to receive it.

Promise to come:

In the last week of December, I told my wife I had a dream of her bearing a child. Once again, God had already revealed to her ahead of time that the wait was over. On January 16, 2013, the promise came true and we joyfully and hopeful prayed each day for God to sustain the baby throughout the time of pregnancy.

Complications during pregnancy:

During the 12^th week, my wife had some internal infection which caused extreme pain and I rushed her to the emergency. She couldn’t take any strong medication due to pregnancy and the doctors were finding it hard to perform an operation. Miraculously, the baby was very active and the heart beat was good. The next day, a doctor from another hospital asked us to visit her. With that pain I took my wife and without an incesion, the infection was treated and the pain vanished instantly. In the midst of this, God gave us the hope nothing will prevent the birth of this child.

During the 21^st week scan, the nurse observed irregular heartbeat in the baby. We committed this into the Lord’s hands. Our church prayed for the baby and the following detailed heart scan of the baby’s heart revealed no such symptoms.

The promise fulfilled:

The Lord led us all through the 9 months and on Sep 6^th, 2014 my wife gave birth to a beautiful girl baby through a safe & normal labor. Our baby brought bountiful joy and laughter not only to us, but also to our family, friends and our entire church.

God answered our prayers after 6 years of marriage and made us to wait for His perfect timing. For all things work together for good to those who love God and are called of him.

We thank and praise God for remembering his promises in our lives and fulfilling them at his appointed time.

Ramana.

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Ramana is an IT Professional who is working in US.

I was one among the experienced IT professionals (11 year) who have been laid off from the top IT Company during Dec 2015. I was not on the D band in appraisal rating (or) under performer (or) in bench (non billable), but with continuous C grade appraisal rating. Even though I deserved for B grade, manager didn’t rate it correctly due to internal problems.

I worked in that IT company for 4 years and I thought that I were in a safer place in IT industry to lead my life peacefully.  But the day before Christmas, I got an email from my employer that I was moved out of the project without any prior intimation. I felt that I was going to be laid off in a day or two because the company started the process of laying off. I had huge pressure in my mind and lot of questions in my heart, why  things were happening against me . Also, my bigger worry was about getting a new job with 11+ years of experience with the previous employer history who laid off huge professionals. Till i attended the Christmas morning church service, desperate sadness engulfed around me. But during the Church service, HE began to comfort me through HIS Grace.

 I began to feel that I was not an ordinary man, if Jesus was with me, amidst of this  situation. I have experienced so many, also this is the time that i should be strong enough to show the difference between being a man of knowing and trusting God  and being not knowing and trusting God .

“He that believeth shall not make haste” –  Isaiah 28:16.

Also,I believed that without HIS permission, no one will touch me. While coming out from church , i felt GOD is holding my right hand to cross over this tough situation (as every time he does)  On 26 Dec, my HR called me and gave the termination letter. With the complete hope and confidence according to the Biblical verse “nevertheless I am not ashamed:

For I know whom I have believed, – 2 Timothy 1:12”,  

Neither I spoke anything against nor showed any discomfort to them. But I said within myself that I would get minimum of 2 offer letters from other companies before I  submit my ID card to HR which was scheduled on Jan 2015 last week. In the 2015 New Year church service, pastor preached the new year promises with the word from Joshua.

 “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. – Joshua 1:9”

I realized that Christ  did not want  me not to settle down in a comfort zone. He is expecting me to do more things. I started updating my technical skills for the interview preparedness  and posted my resumes in the job portal. No positive sign from the first 3 interviews. Got motivated by the verse, “though our outward man perish, yet the inwardman is renewed day by day. – 2 Corinthians 4:16″

I was looking to God to provide me job. During Jan 2015 second week, I got a call from 2 companies and I got offer with 20% hike. Next interesting part was, one of the new company gave me  the opportunity to shortlist few profiles and to interview the people for my new team (even before I join the company) This made to ponder upon this verse : “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worked in us –  Ephesians 3:20”

In Jan 2015, last week I surrendered my id card with by holding new company offer.  During this laid off period, I have under stood very clearly that that Jesus Christ  is the only person who cares for me and HE is the one who can guide me correctly. When I  shared my situation to my friends, they all tried to help me out from the situation. But JESUS is the one who helped me and delivered me from this dangerous situations.

Now I have set that  JESUS is my employer and I started thinking that i am working on a contract basis for a client. So I no need to worry about the client’s action here after. I have Jesus, as my CEO who knows both my strength and weakness and my career skills . I can trust Him till the end in all situations. Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O Lord, held me up.In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul. Psalm 94 : 17 -19

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An IT Professional working in an Indian MNC

Masakit na makita ko ang 3 kabaong na sunud-sunod sa aming sala at sinabi kong “Jesus, ikaw na ang bahala sa akin  ( Filipino)

I had a very normal and a very nice childhood.  My family was almost an ideal one. I can confidently say that I had a very good relationship with my parents, three brothers and a sister.  I considered myself blessed to have such good, loving and God-fearing parents.  To me, they were the most important people in my life, the most influential and I loved them the most. At an early age, I learned a lot from them through their simple gestures of kindness and humility towards others, no matter what your status and background is. I learned about God and that there is a loving God through their examples.

To a certain extent, I did love God but He was never the focus of my life. Like any other normal child, I was totally dependent on my parents. That was my life then – it was perfect, so blissful & secured because of my parents’ love for me.

But the love and dependence I had on them ended very abruptly and violently as I went through a series of trials and very painful tests that would have broken me deeply had I not hung on to the LORD for sustenance.

I was fifteen when my parents and brother were brutally murdered by our two houseboys.  My brother and father each sustained more than 12 stab wounds while my mother was hacked on the neck with a sharp instrument, a bolo knife. I was there but it was indeed a miracle that I was spared. I was just gagged, hogtied and harassed emotionally by my parents’ murderers. I was so close to death and even thought that that would be my end as they came to me and twice poked a gun at me – first one at the back of my head and second one on my temple. I said “Jesus, Ikaw na lang ang bahala sa’kin” ( Filipino translation : Jesus, from now on, You will take care of me).  But, mind-boggling as it were, they never pulled the trigger. I certainly had no idea where I got the courage and strength, which I displayed during that 5-hour ordeal I had with them, but I am very sure it wasn’t from me.  I knew it was God’s own guiding hands and loving protection that put a hedge between me and my parents’ killers.

Going through the aftermath of the massacre was another ordeal in itself. I couldn’t describe that deep pain in my heart when I saw three coffins lined up side by side in our house that used to ring with their laughter and music. Just seeing my loved ones lifeless was so unbearable. I felt hopeless as if the whole world was crushing on me.

I was so dependent on my parents that losing them was like having that connecting string suddenly cut off.  I never felt so alone, so lost and so lonely in my life. I used to pray that God would just take me to where my parents were. Oftentimes, I wished I wasn’t spared. My bedtime prayers consisted of lines like, “God, please don’t let me wake up anymore, let me just die in my sleep, so I could be with papa & mama.”

But every time these thoughts would overtake me, I would hear Him whispering gently to me, assuring me that I have to hold on to Him because He has great plans for me. As He promised in Hebrews 13:5, “Never would I leave you and never would I forsake you.”  I held on tight to that promise. And indeed, God came through for me.  He replaced the string, which attached me to my parents with another string, but this time attaching it to Him. And you know what God did, He never stopped loving me. He never gave up on me. His love pursued me. And finally, He won me over. Yes, the more I struggled with the thoughts about wanting to be with my parents, the more He re-focused my mind and my heart in wanting to love Him, instead.

I also became the star-witness of this much-celebrated case, my father once being the musical director of Pilita Corrales & Nora Aunor and the long judicial process of attending hearings wearied me. The only thing that sustained me was the thought that Jesus was always with me.

I really had this belief before that God would spare me from further sufferings after the tragedy. But I was wrong. There were family problems, sibling disputes over inheritance, separation from my brothers and sister, financial struggles, betrayal and broken-heartedness. I was even swindled many times not by people whom I have not known, but by my very own relatives whom I trusted.  Those were all painful events. But these all led me to understand His great love for me and to keep me ever so dependent on Him. Yes, there were struggles in my heart along the way too, and made me lose hope temporarily on Him. But God’s grace and kindness never allowed me to be hopeless for long because in every struggle I experienced I found myself down on my knees praying and relying on Him for strength. Those were even the times I felt closest to Him.

While that tragic incident suddenly left me orphaned, it was the time when God revealed Himself to me in a very special way. Because I was still a child yet at that time, in my own childlike way, I would run to God for everything I needed and without meaning to, I made Him my papa and mama. I remember telling Him, “Paano na ‘yan? Wala na sila papa and mama, pa’no na ‘ko?  Ikaw na lang ang bahala sa’kin”.  Little did I know that those simple words I uttered in a very childlike manner out of desperation and hopelessness was a simple act of sweet surrender to God. And God took it seriously. One thing is for sure, I bore the burden ALL because of GOD.

Now, as I recall these unusual and sad experiences to people, they would ask me, “Who took care of you?”  I’m always at a loss for words because I’m afraid they would not understand. Because to be honest, it was really God and no one else who took care of me and is still taking care of me. I still slip, oh yes, a lot of times but each time I’m down there at the pits, I feel the grip of God’s hand on mine.  I manage to go on with my life with a lot of prayers and with God’s love for me in my heart.  He continues to remind me of the time when I lost my parents, that I was quick to put my trust on Him. I am so grateful that I received Him in my heart, forever thankful for all that He has done in my life.  He has been my papa, my mama, best friend, my confidante, my refuge, my stronghold, my security, my hope, the reason for my living. His promises that I read in the Bible all have special meaning for me.  When I felt so lost and that my world was falling apart, I found hope in this verses, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” When I decided to choose God over anything and anybody, that is, for me the greatest choice I have ever made in my life.

My God has helped me rebuild the broken bits and pieces of my life. He allowed me to experience the worst so I could relish the best that He has to offer. I still do not and may not totally understand His ways. I just understand better now. He not only took away the people who mattered most to me then, but also everything I deemed important because He knows fully well that those would hinder me from loving Him the most. I should have been killed a long time ago but I was spared because I have yet then to experience the miracle and truth about His love.

I will be forever grateful to Jesus, my Lord and Savior for allowing me to experience His great love for me. When I allowed Him in my heart and in all areas of my life, to me, everything became simple. I need not worry at all because He carries me and has me on the palms of His hands.

I have this song for Him, a jazz song by David Pack which goes like this:  God I’ve been through / Some hard times before / Still I made it through the years / You know it’s true / Whatever lies in store / I’ve faced troubled times/ But I won’t look behind / ‘Coz God, when I think about Your love and what it means / I know that You are the answer / I keep coming back to You / Heal me one more time / I keep coming back to You / You’re the reason why / The reason I’ve got to keep this love alive.

It has been 31 years since I lost my parents yet it seems like yesterday. At 46 years old, I could say that I’m still very much a child at heart. My God has blessed me with so much more than I could ever imagine. He has given me a great family, my husband and my kids, who are my inspirations. I have a lot of things to look forward to and one of them is seeing my children spreading their wings, enjoying their independence and life to the fullest with God in it. With them beside me, holding my hand, I continue to look forward to God’s many miracles and I know I would forever be in awe of His wonders in my life.

2 Corinthians 12:10 says, “That is why for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions and in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong”.   These very verses have touched me very meaningfully and you will see why, as I relate to you part of my life.

To You, our God and my Father, be the glory and honour forevermore!  Thank you.

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This testimony is from Vivian,  who is working an executive in Corporate Strategic Planning department of reputed bank in Philippines.

2009 has been a terrible year across the world. The Corporate World has seen the worst of times and it has resulted in huge job losses, increments cut, tightening of belts and the like. My promotion was long due and I was hoping for it, when the announcement came in that all promotions, incentives are all being put on hold. God had promised me that He will promote me in 2009, I was wondering how it was going to happen.

By the abundant grace of God, early in the year, we won a new account and we started transition work for it in 2009. In the midst of recession, the account grew by leaps and bounds and things were hectic. Little did we realise that we were in the midst of a global crisis. This is the Lord’s doing. He can make streams in the desert, as He has promised in Isaiah 43:19.

As things improved, my company announced about promotions going to happen. Things were tough, with many more people in the fray. This world will give you any benefit only if they receive benefit from you personally. That can be changed only by our Lord.

I left everything to the Lord’s hands and miraculously I got promoted. Amen. It was purely by the grace of God. He is the one who makes it happen. It is always best to leave it to Him and not worry, as He is in control always. What more, my wife also got promoted as a Senior Lecturer in her college, beyond our expectations.

If you have been going through tough times and not seeing anything coming, just leave it to the Lord’s hands and proclaim His promises and pray and leave it to Him as in Psalm 37:5. Don’t utter any negative words, but always proclaim His promises and pray. As in Joel 2:26, He will never let us be ashamed, but note, His ways of lifting up is entirely different than what the world thinks of. We know that, we just cannot comprehend His plans, but rest assured, He has the best for us always. Amen.

(The Author is a Manager with one of the software MNCs in Chennai – he can be contacted through the Editor (CCF) – editor@ccf.org.in )

This testimony is on the general goodness of God in all the work done by me during my mission trip to Sri Lanka from Oct 2^nd to Oct 4^th 2009.

– “Praise God”. God relocated Bro.Christie, (with whom I have been involved in CCF ministry) to Sri Lanka 3 to 4 months ahead for his own mission / ministry calling so that he could be the main coordinator of my mission trip. Every single event, my transportation to the events, my food & shelter was arranged by Bro.Christie. I “Praise God” for he works everything in accordance with His larger plan for our lives.

– “Praise God”. Every single need with respect to the finance was met & I was also able to give the surplus generated as an offering for the betterment of Sri Lankan people.

– “Praise God”. Bro.Christie was able to able to meet / reconnect with his friend after a gap of 10 long years during the “Glory of Christ Prayer Church” service in which I was preaching at Wattala.

– “Praise God”. During the course of my teaching / preaching assignments.2 youngsters who had completed Bible College & were now silent (Not active) decided to re-dedicate their lives to ministry.

– “Praise God”. Many Church pastors have decided to encourage & start corporate fellowships among their Church congregations. A couple of pastors have agreed to start fellowships among plantation workers & other similar groups of believers.

– “Praise God”. I was able to sustain energy to preach at 3 Church services and a pastoral committee meeting on Sunday. It was God alone who sustained me with tireless energy during this mission trip.

– “Praise God”. Though I am an unknown person in Sri Lanka , through Bro.Christie & the Lord’s blessing I was able to meet many top Sri Lankan Christian / Secular leaders and meet, fellowship & pray with them. For Ex: One meeting with the committee of the Hatton Pastors Fellowship was in the house of the PA of the Social Development Minister of SriLanka .

On the whole, I can only say that the Lord personally cares for and blesses every single activity carried out under the sun in his name. May the Lord alone be glorified & may every single credit of this successful mission trip go only to him & him alone.

 “Praise God“

With Best Regards,

V.Chacko Jacob