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Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy,
and where thieves
break in and steal. But store up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where
thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your
heart will be also. (Mt 6:19-21)
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AMEN! That is the gist of my testimony that I want to share with you today.
BEFORE THE BURGLARY
The previous few weeks, maybe months, God had been going deeper in refining
me for His purposes. He had been showing myself to me, which revealed my
weaknesses, gray areas and things to work on - and it wasn't fun at all. I
know it really was God's grace, but I had days when I was so low, wondering
whether God had the right person. Also, He was showing me so much of the
"downside" of ministry (persecution, hardships, betrayal) which led
me to reconsider if it was worth it (of course it is). And, the Lord was
showing me where I'd have to make adjustments in my life if I wanted to move
on and go deeper. However, my flesh was struggling, while my spirit wanted
to. We had to write a psalm/song for our WORSHIP & WARFARE class - and
mine reflected that battle (I wished you could hear the music too :-):
Jesus, Jesus, my heart cries out to You.
Jesus, Jesus, I long to be with You.
1. Where are the days when I was close?
Where are the days when I was full Yours?
There is a battle raging within.
Who will win, who will win, who will win?
2. There is a price that has to be paid.
Tell me, why are you so afraid.
Jesus is surely worth everything.
Will He win, will He win, will He win?
3. This world has nothing to offer me.
Only in You am I truly free.
Now I surrender, so with joy I sing:
Lord, You win, Lord, You win, Lord, You win!
Jesus, Jesus, my life belongs to You.
Jesus, Jesus, I will never let You go, I will never let You go.
We presented our songs last Friday (the third verse was written in faith,
knowing I'd get there eventually). That night, pastor Steve was preaching
about the battle within and my heart was just crying out to God, "Lord,
help me, enough is enough, no more!". The prayer ministry time was very
powerful as the Lord went deep.
When I returned home from church, the police was at our house. Someone had
broken in and stole our computers as well as some other stuff. At first I was
in shock. All my files gone, all I had gone. Shaken I called my
"spiritual father" here and spent the night at his house with his
family.
On Saturday, a new life started. I had no money, no valuables, no computer to
even make money, all I now had was Jesus. And He is all I need. He filled me
with joy as nothing else had a claim on me, no more distractions. This whole
week I've spent many precious hours in His tangible presence, as He is doing
a new thing, taking me to the next level, preparing me for His purposes.
And what testimony that is of His revival power! A year ago, I wouldn't have
reacted like that! Actually, I DID not - because a few weeks before I left
Austria, my computer broke down and it was irrepairable. And I was totally
devastated.
A year later, after 11 months of revival, this is a testimony of His
transforming power! My treasures are in heaven, and not on earth where
thieves break in and steal (see Scripture above). Like one teacher said to me
this week, "Some people who have nothing have everything". We ALL
MUST cut off all ties to the world - a day is coming soon when we cannot
afford being distracted in our relationship with Him. HE MUST be our
everything and only thing!
That night, Saturday, in church, pastor Steve's wife Kathy was preaching. She
didn't know about the burglary but she spoke about the enemy who tries to
still from us and she also talked about thieves and even mentioned thieves
breaking into your house carrying off your computers. I was absolutely
amazed! I told her after the service and she prayed a powerful prayer.
The enemy thought he could devastate me once more and take away all I have. However,
he must be in agony to see me in personal revival and pay-back time is
coming! The word says that he will have to pay back 7 times what he stole! How
dare he touch what belongs to the Lord and is for His kingdom purposes only!
NEW LAPTOP
On Sunday someone gave me an old laptop to use for now. The insurance is working
on our case and we're praying that they'll give us the replacement money
soon. My laptop had cost $4000 (including upgrades) - I bought it second-hand
for $1500 last year - so I'm praying for $2500 from the insurance. That way I
could get a new laptop for $1500 and pay my tuition in fall.
CAR & DRIVER'S LICENSE
The old car is still not fixed. However, yesterday friends invited me to
lunch and told me, they'd be giving me a car to use. One that's running
perfectly!! Next week I'll get it. Praise God!
I finally called the licensing bureau because I still don't have my driver's
license. After some time of waiting they told me that they had to call the
INS (who's responsible for foreigns students, immigrants etc. - which had
been my concern, since they'd see that I lost my legal status) but it was on
the way.
EYE DOCTOR
I also finally went to the eye doctor, having waited 2 months for financial
reasons. He said the blisters were caused by hayfever and he opened them up
so they could heal. And then he reduced the cost when he heard why I hadn't
come earlier. Praise the Lord!
Please pray for the complete healing of my eye - he said it would take a few
days to heal, but it doesn't look any different. He also told me to come back
if it didn't.
Isn't God awesome? He's so faithful! There is none like Him!
May He fill you with His overflowing joy!
And do write if you can - actually, I lost all my addresses, so please send
me an e-mail so I have your address and also include your snail mail address,
phone number and birthday.
Love,
Claudia
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Would you consider supporting me with $/€10 a month?
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Mag. Claudia R. Wintoch
Linguist ~ Teacher ~ Translator/Interpreter (also via e-mail)
8488 Lane Drive
Kansas City, MO 64138
USA
(+1)816-353-6125
claudia@healing2thenations.net
www.healing2thenations.net
www.healing2thenations.injesus.com
Talk to me online - I'm "healing2thenations":
yahoo! messenger
msn messenger/netmeeting (including webcam)
Your support - whether by prayer or giving - is greatly appreciated:
Europe: Bank Austria
bank number: 12000
account number: 509.101.468.00
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