Hello everyone,
It’s Israel here again.
I used to share my testimony here almost every year after my final semester examinations, but I have been inconsistent over the last two years. I ask God for forgiveness, and today I want to testify again of His goodness and faithfulness.
I am currently in my final semester of my Doctor of Optometry degree, and I can confidently say that it has been God’s mercy and favor from the very beginning until now.
The last testimony I shared here was during my fourth year. My degree is a six-year program, and my fifth year consisted of just one academic semester because the second semester was a compulsory externship, so there was no classroom coursework.
I still remember my first semester in fifth year. As I walked out night after night to read, my mind was filled with anxious thoughts.
“Israel, what if you don’t maintain your First Class GPA this semester?”
“Israel, what if you drop from a First Class CGPA?”
Those thoughts came constantly, but God proved Himself faithful.
His mercy spoke for me. In courses where I wasn’t even expecting an A, or where I was so unsure of my performance, I ended up with an A. There was even a particular course taught by a lecturer from whom I had never received an A before. It was the very last result to be released, and once again, the mercy of God spoke on my behalf.
Then came the externship semester. It was a smooth but demanding period of industry experience. Even in the midst of the stress, God showed up in an amazing way. By His grace, I finished with an A in an 8-unit course. God is truly faithful.
Now, I am in my sixth and final year and looking back to my very first year in school, I can boldly say that God has never failed me.
My first semester in 600 level also went exceptionally well. I had wanted to share this testimony immediately, but I kept forgetting. Yet God continually reminded me to share it. Perhaps someone needs this encouragement today.
If there is one thing I have learned over these six years, it is this:
Do not worry. God remains faithful. His Word never fails.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:25-26
“O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you! Jeremiah 32:17 NLT
Thank God for His faithfulness. May this last semester also be glorious. May you fully fulfill the purpose of God for your life in Jesus name.
Hello Emory,
Well, I’m just giving you an early update on what I consider to be an important upcoming date – Saturday July 25th – marks another year for your website. So A Very Happy Anniversary Testimony Share – 22 Years of service!
Now correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m going by the date of 7/25/2004 which is noted on your own testimony Emory. Would that be close to the official beginning of Testimony Share?
I also tend to be sentimental when it comes to remembering birthdays, anniversaries etc., so I think it’s worth noting how long you’ve been providing such an important service. And I’m sure you will keep on doing even more! But I would love to know just how the idea of sharing personal testimonies came about in the first place and with you putting the website together?
Not only that but it always gets my attention when you add the photo to go with each testimony. You always put in visual clues in each photo that sums up the person’s testimony – much like a picture paints a thousand words. Emory, do you create the photos yourself, or find them on online? And isn’t graphic design part of your work background?
There is one testimony I will never forget, I just pulled back it up, “Jesus saved me from the Illuminati”. Photo of a young girl cracking open a huge egg which was part of her Satanic devotion. Quite a chilling testimony, and with the perfect photo to illustrate it!
Well, thank you dear Emory for Testimony Share and for putting together the perfect photos for my own testimonies – will always be greatly appreciated!
Hi Luke,
I appreciate your comment, thank you! The date is close and it would be somewhere between about July 8th and 15th of 2004. We were sitting by the hotel swimming pool reflecting on how God brought us together in our marriage and the idea came to us. We’re humbled at how God has grown and uses the site to encourage people. And it wouldn’t be possible without people like yourself and many others who contribute stories and comments. It’s become a ministry and we want to continue growing it, God willing.
I like noodling around with graphics, so I try to create or find an appropriate image for each story. Some turn out better than others. Thanks so much for your participation and it’s a pleasure getting to know you through the site!
Thank you for sharing your testimony!
I too have been reminded of my own miracles I’ve seen in my studies, and now that I am left with two exams to complete highschool, I will surely write my own testimony!