The Blind Receive Sight

Stephanie Stocks

December 1, 2018

Calvary temple, Calvary temple pastor Scott, Healing, Pastor Scott, Prayers, Uncategorized

The following testimony was submitted by Donna Martindale

And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. Luke 18:42 (KJV)

My sight was declining.

Last year, I visited my regular optometrist because my vision was no longer correctable with a new prescription. I was referred to an ophthalmologist for some detailed exams. My left eye was diagnosed with a disease called macular pucker.

Macular Pucker is a condition where scar tissue forms on the macula, located in the retina, causing blurred and distorted vision.

The only cure is a delicate surgery which is not always successful, and the post op is very grueling. The ophthalmologist referred me to a retina specialist. After a week, I wrote a letter to my doctor telling her that I appreciated her expert advice, however, I would not be seeing a specialist at this time.

I was going to make it a matter of prayer, and believe that the Lord would heal me, and that I would see her in a year for another check-up.

Last week I went in to see her again, trusting that the Great Physician had done a good work. As the doctor checked the new images taken of my retina, she turned and looked at me and said, “Donna, a healing has definitely taken place!” I was so excited, I cried out. “Oh, praise you Jesus!” and she replied, “And I am praising Him right along with you!”

I am so very grateful, humbled, and excited because of the goodness and faithfulness of our God! I want to shout it from the house top with my hands lifted up, “Thank you Father, thank you Jesus, thank you Holy Spirit!” Lamentations 3:25&26 says, The Lord is good to those who wait for Him; to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. To God be all the glory for the things he has done! I love you Lord!

ABOUT CALVARY TEMPLE

Calvary Temple is an independent church which holds to all Assemblies of God tenets of faith. Calvary Temple ministries include Discipleship Training, adult Bible college, media ministry, and an aggressive missions program.

Pastor Star R. Scott is Senior Pastor of Calvary Temple in Sterling, Virginia, where he has ministered since 1973. In addition to the pastoral gift, Pastor Scott functions in the five-fold offices of apostle and prophet. He has planted churches, and currently oversees the pastors and ministries of numerous satellite churches.

Visit Calvary Temple online on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube,Flickr,Instagram

God Heals Autoimmune Disease Pt.2

Stephanie Stocks

November 22, 2017

Calvary temple, Calvary temple pastor Scott, Healing, Pastor Scott, Prayers

Sarah was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis. The doctors stressed that there was no cure. But our God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to his power that works in us.

Go here to read God Heals Autoimmune Disease PT 1

It was February of 2016. I was in the hospital reeling from the news that i had an autoimmune disease that had no cure. We started the conventional treatment of Prednisone and discharged from the hospital. I had a terrible reaction to the steroids and had to stop taking them immediately. My doctor then wanted me to try some other medications, but I declined.

I believed that the Lord had put in my heart not to take them. I continued to have weekly blood work taken and my liver enzymes began to come down. But I was still in an extremely dangerous health crisis. The GI specialist told me I would need a complete liver transplant in the near future. I transferred to the head physician of the liver transplant center at the University of Virginia.

In April 2016, I had my initial consultation and we began preparations to get on the liver transplant waiting list.

The Transplant Center performed a liver biopsy. It confirmed that I had an active autoimmune disease that was attacking my liver cells. My cells were dying faster than they could regenerate. The head physician of the liver clinic, Dr. Northrop, straightforwardly informed us that my condition was dire. I was in end stage liver failure and needed to start steroids right away. My liver cells were dying faster than they could regenerate.

He told us that if I didn’t start the medication, I would certainly be dead within 2 years.

As Taylor and I talked and prayed about what to do, I still felt very strongly that I shouldn’t take the medication, but continue to look to the Lord. But, I told my husband that I knew God had put him over me as my God-given head and covering. I would start the medication if at any time he felt that I should.

Together we decided to trust the Lord moment by moment, and if God wanted us to change our course He would let us know.

The song, “Bless the Lord, Oh my Soul…Worship His Holy name…Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me, let me be singing when the evening comes…” strengthened my heart during this time. I hung it on my refrigerator and sang it to myself almost every day.

As time went on, I began to research alternative ways to slow the progression of the disease. I became very strict about my diet hoping that would help. Even though I wasn’t taking medication I continued to have regular blood work and follow ups at the UVA Liver Clinic.

Seven months later, in November 2016, Dr. Northrop informed me my liver enzymes were spiking again and it was imperative that I start steroids immediately or I had less than a year before a liver transplant or death.

He also recommended I go to John Hopkins and Georgetown Hospitals to get more opinions. Maybe they could “convince me of the severity of my disease to start medication.” I hung up the phone, and for the first time during the illness, I felt crippled by fear and confusion. I had tried as hard as I could in the natural with a healthy diet, exercise, rest, eliminating my exposure to toxins, but it wasn’t enough. I felt scared, alone, and in the dark.

That evening we met with our Pastor and his wife. We shared the grim report we had just received. They encouraged and prayed with us, but I was still feeling very downcast. Near the end of our conversation, Pastor Scott spoke these simple words to me. “Sarah, just make sure you’re abiding in the vine.” Those words hit my soul like a load of bricks.

At that moment, I realized I just needed to get back into God’s presence. Without even realizing it, I had allowed the cares of this life to crowd out the presence and Spirit of God, and now I found myself feeling lost, alone, and in the dark.

I began to fast and pray. I needed to hear the voice of the Lord again.

On the third day, while my kids were napping and I was painting, the Lord spoke one word to my heart – REPENT. I instantly fell to my knees, broken before the Lord as He began to show me that there was still so much in my life that was displeasing to Him. My pride, my independent spirit, my vanity, how easily I steal God’s glory when I do something “good”, how I say I’m trusting Jesus with my illness, but at the same time I was putting more trust in perfecting a healthy diet and lifestyle than I was in Him for the healing of my body. As I began repenting, the Lord brought true remorse and change over the sins and weights in my life.

In January, Taylor and I began seeking the Lord specifically as to whether I should start the steroids and go to John Hopkins or Georgetown to see more specialists. After a few weeks of seeking the Lord and wisdom from other counselors in our lives, we still hadn’t felt the Lord leading us in a specific direction.

My husband decided that if we didn’t sense a specific direction by the end of that week, then I should start the medication.

A few days later while I was folding laundry and praying in the Holy Spirit, I felt a prodding in my spirit to call my primary care doctor and schedule an appointment to have all my blood work checked again. It was also during this time that I began to experience a worsening of the liver disease symptoms again. Feeling hopeless and discouraged, I decided to step out in my own wisdom and reach out to holistic liver practitioner to start 6 months of holistic therapy and supplements. I was scheduled to start the alternative therapy on the exact day my blood work results came back.

The blood work showed that my autoimmune disease was completely gone, and my liver enzymes were normal.

My kids were in the car with me when I read the results and we began shouting out PRAISES TO GOD! I then called my husband and drove to my Pastor’s house to share the news. I called the liver clinic at UVA and told them about the incredible bloodwork results – the nurse was shocked, speechless. She passed the message on to the doctor and he called me 5 times that day with different questions. The doctor said that, “I had proved him wrong every step of the way. He had never seen someone come back from end stage liver failure to perfect health. Especially with having taken no medications.” However, because he is a man of science; I must still have the disease since it doesn’t just “disappear” and there is no cure. He wanted me to get routine blood work done and come back to see him if I get worse again.

He discharged me from the liver clinic because I definitely did not need a liver transplant anymore.

There was indisputable proof that a supernatural healing had taken place in my body. And it had nothing to do with medication or human ability. “..for I AM the Lord that heals thee.” Exodus 15:26

In the following months, I continued to have routine blood work done as my doctor requested. The liver tests improved even more, confirming that my liver was functioning and healing from all the damage. My increased energy and vitality alone is undeniable proof of the miracle God has done.

If you’ve been blessed reading the testimony of what our Lord has done, check out the other posts on my homepage.

ABOUT CALVARY TEMPLE

Calvary Temple is an independent church which holds to all Assemblies of God tenets of faith. Calvary Temple ministries include Discipleship Training, adult Bible college, media ministry, and an aggressive missions program.

Pastor Star R. Scott is Senior Pastor of Calvary Temple in Sterling, Virginia, where he has ministered since 1973. In addition to the pastoral gift, Pastor Scott functions in the five-fold offices of apostle and prophet. He has planted churches, and currently oversees the pastors and ministries of numerous satellite churches.

Visit Calvary Temple online on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube,Flickr,Instagram

God Heals Autoimmune Disease Pt. 1

Stephanie Stocks

October 31, 2017

Calvary temple, Calvary temple pastor Scott, Healing, Pastor Scott, Prayers

Sarah Kain began having unusual symptoms in the fall of 2015. Her health deteriorated quickly and launched her family down a road of medical tests, discovery and faith. This is the harrowing story of her mystery illness and near death. But God’s hand was always there to heal, and set her free.

The following testimony was submitted by Sarah Kain

Having always been a healthy, strong, energetic young woman, I knew I hadn’t felt like myself in a while. I kept blaming it on the fact that I was now a mom of 2 young kids. This constant state of exhaustion was my new normal. Everything I ate or drank gave me pain, reflux or nausea. My body ached, I had zero energy and I was covered in bruises. I experienced intense itching all over my torso. My abdomen was extremely bloated even though I’d unintentionally lost 10 lbs. I had swelling and pitting in my legs from fluid. My skin and eyes had a yellow hue, and some other disturbing symptoms I’ll spare you the details of.

I told my husband one Sunday as we were leaving church, “I feel like my body is shutting down.” It wasn’t until January 2016, after I’d experienced a miscarriage that I couldn’t seem to recuperate from, that I finally had to see a doctor.

One morning I was feeling very discouraged about the mysterious condition I was in. I began pouring my heart out to the Lord. I opened my Bible and began reading about the life of King Asa. Immediately the words on the pages came alive and spoke to my spirit.

2 Chronicles 15:12-13 Asa in the thirty-ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceedingly great: yet in his disease he sought not LORD, but looked to the physicians.”

It was in this moment that the Lord impressed so clearly upon my heart that I was to seek GOD and not solutions from the doctors for whatever illness was going on in my body.

I shared this with my husband and although we didn’t fully understand all that would entail at the time; I was fully persuaded that this was the direction God had for me. All I knew was if I kept my eyes on the LORD, no matter what was going on in my body, everything was going to be OK regardless of whether or not I was healed.

On February 15, 2016, my primary care doctor told me that something was terribly wrong with my liver and I needed to go to the Emergency Room right away. When we arrived at the ER, they informed us that I was in liver failure and they didn’t know why. I was an otherwise healthy 28-year-old female that had never smoked, drank alcohol, or done drugs.

Normal liver enzymes are between 0 and 55. My liver enzymes at the time were 961. Normal bilirubin levels which causes jaundice are between 0.2 and 1.2. Mine was 10.6. The doctors were very concerned and began running every test checking for hepatitis, liver diseases, genetic diseases, parasites, cancers etc. I was immediately hooked up to heart monitors because when your liver doesn’t function, your blood becomes very toxic and can lead to heart and brain failure as well.

My husband sent a message asking our church family for prayer. Soon after the message went out for prayer many of the terrible symptoms, discomfort, and exhaustion I had experienced for months began to subside.

So much so, that I wanted to go home, but the doctors objected. They kept me in the hospital for a week as they closely monitored me, ran tests, and consulted with many physicians and specialists from other hospitals and liver clinics. During this seemingly turbulent time, my husband and I were in complete peace. I hated being stuck in the hospital, but there was no fear, no crying, no asking why.

I felt like the Lord had me cradled in His hands above the storm.

During my hospital stay, the Lord gave me multiple opportunities to minister to others with severe illnesses, as well as, many of my doctors and nurses. My Pastors, family, and friends visited me daily in the hospital, cared for my husband and babies while I was unable too, and offered up many prayers on our behalf. I am so thankful for my brothers and sisters in Christ.

I was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis, and likely had battled it longer than we realized.

There appeared to be extensive damage already done to my liver. Autoimmune hepatitis is not contagious. It’s a rare, but serious condition where your immune system attacks healthy liver cells which ultimately leads to cirrhosis and liver failure as I was experiencing. The MRI showed that my liver was extremely swollen and had hardened masses in it, which meant this disease had raged in my body for some time. The specialist explained to us that the only treatment option was to try to slow the progression by suppressing the immune system and reducing inflammation in the liver. There was no cure.

^“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” Mark 9:23

Read Part 2 of Sarah’s amazing testimony next time on Calvary Temple Miracles

If you’ve been blessed reading the testimony of what our Lord has done, check out the other posts on my homepage.

ABOUT CALVARY TEMPLE

Calvary Temple is an independent church which holds to all Assemblies of God tenets of faith. Calvary Temple ministries include Discipleship Training, adult Bible college, media ministry, and an aggressive missions program.

Pastor Star R. Scott is Senior Pastor of Calvary Temple in Sterling, Virginia, where he has ministered since 1973. In addition to the pastoral gift, Pastor Scott functions in the five-fold offices of apostle and prophet. He has planted churches, and currently oversees the pastors and ministries of numerous satellite churches.

Visit Calvary Temple online on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube,Flickr,Instagram

The Blind Receive Sight

Stephanie Stocks

December 19, 2016

Calvary temple, Calvary temple pastor Scott, Healing, Pastor Scott, Prayers

“One thing I know, that once I was blind, now I see.” John 9:25

The following testimony was submitted by Jerry Brooks

In December of 2015, I went to my usual 6-month eye doctor appointment. When looking at the eye chart with my left eye, I read the letters with no difficulty. When they covered my left eye to read the chart with my right eye, I thought they had moved the chart and turned out the light. It was all dark! I said “there is nothing there!” She said “you don’t see any letters?” I said “no, nothing at all!” After the doctor examined my eye, they said that I needed to see a specialist.

Jerry Brooks hole in eye

The very next morning, the specialist found a hole in my eye. They didn’t know what could have caused the issue, but I was not worried. I just had peace! I told them that Jesus could heal my eye. Meanwhile, I began praying for myself and others to be healed.

My next appointment with the specialist was in March of 2016. They took a picture to see if there were any changes and the hole was shrinking! I told them that Jesus was healing me!

They scheduled me to come back three months later. Weeks before the appointment, as I was praying, I told the Lord that even if He didn’t heal my eye, I would be faithful to Him only. I prayed, “Lord, please have compassion on the others!” Their healing was way more important than my eye. Then I felt the Lord heal my eye! I couldn’t wait to go to my next appointment to hear the good news! I was so excited!!

On June 29, 2016, I went to my next appointment and they took another picture of my right eye.

“The hole was no longer there! Jesus healed my eye! I could see!”

Mark 5:19 — Jesus said “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” I am so excited to tell others about what the Lord has done for me!!

If you’ve been blessed reading the testimony of what our Lord has done, check out the other posts on my homepage.

About Calvary Temple

Calvary Temple is an independent church which holds to all Assemblies of God tenets of faith. Calvary Temple ministries include Discipleship Training, adult Bible college, media ministry, and an aggressive missions program.

Pastor Star R. Scott is Senior Pastor of Calvary Temple in Sterling, Virginia, where he has ministered since 1973. In addition to the pastoral gift, Pastor Scott functions in the five-fold offices of apostle and prophet. He has planted churches, and currently oversees the pastors and ministries of numerous satellite churches.

Visit Calvary Temple online on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube,Flickr,Instagram

The Prayer of Faith Shall Save the Sick

Stephanie Stocks

December 8, 2016

Growing up Calvary, Healing, Pastor Scott, Prayers

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phillipians 4:7

The following testimony was submitted by Gwen Wotring

What started as a routine physical turned into a nightmare! But it was miracle that we will never forget!

I took Sydney for a routine physical. Her Pediatrician felt that her spine was curved a bit so she wanted to check for h. The x-ray process went smoothly. The Radiology office automatically sends the pediatric films over to Children’s Hospital for them to review.

When Children’s reviewed the films, they noticed something that concerned them. They saw a shadow on the left side of Sydney’s lower back that they were very concerned about. She used the words, “Possible mass that is pressing against her spine and she definitely has scoliosis.”

They were so concerned that they wanted Sydney to get an MRI as soon as possible.

The Pediatrician was going to schedule the MRI at Children’s Hospital, and we would be hearing from them soon. I was scared. I called my husband, Matt, to tell him what the doctor said but I couldn’t get through it without crying.

When we told Sidney what the doctor’s were concerned about, and that we were believing for God to do a miracle in her body. Her attitude the entire time was one of, “God’s got this! I’m not at all worried!”

I’ve never seen a child so calm about anything.

We got the call that the MRI was scheduled for Thursday morning. Matt really felt strongly that we should have Pastor Scott lay hands on Sydney Wednesday night in church, and pray for her to be healed. We wanted everyone in our church to be believing with us.

So that night, Pastor Scott anointed Sydney with oil and prayed over her in the name of Jesus. Again, the peace of God was on her and us. It was an amazing feeling!

During the check in process at Children’s Hospital, Sydney was so calm that even the workers were amazed.

I was able to share with them that we had prayed, and a lot of people were praying for her. We believed that we wouldn’t be back, Jesus had healed her! When they took her back for the MRI, I sat in the waiting area praying that whatever was ahead for us as a family, that God would give us the grace to stand through it. Father gave us all such a peace that we will never forget. They called us 90 minutes later and said that the MRI was finished. Then they informed us that it would be a few days before we heard any results.

We really didn’t want to have to wait over the weekend to find out if our child may have cancer, but Father again gave us peace about it. Sydney’s pediatrician, however, woke up Friday morning thinking about Sydney and wanted to know what the results were, now! She called them first thing to put a rush on the results. I received a call from her about 1 o’clock that afternoon. She said, “I heard back from the hospital, and I wanted to give you the news. There’s no mass and the scoliosis is only showing as a mild case!”

What showed on the original x-ray as being a severe case of scoliosis showed on the MRI as a mild case. What showed on the original x-ray as being a large mass pressing against her spine was completely gone!

If you’ve been blessed reading the testimony of what our Lord has done, check out the other posts on my homepage.

About Calvary Temple

Calvary Temple is an independent church which holds to all Assemblies of God tenets of faith. Calvary Temple ministries include Discipleship Training, adult Bible college, media ministry, and an aggressive missions program.

Pastor Star R. Scott is Senior Pastor of Calvary Temple in Sterling, Virginia, where he has ministered since 1973. In addition to the pastoral gift, Pastor Scott functions in the five-fold offices of apostle and prophet. He has planted churches, and currently oversees the pastors and ministries of numerous satellite churches.

Visit Calvary Temple online on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube,Flickr,Instagram

With God All Things Are Possible

Stephanie Stocks

September 28, 2015

Calvary temple, Calvary temple pastor Scott, Healing, Pastor Scott

“For we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.” Romans 8:28

The following testimony was submitted by Shelly Perozich

“There’s been an accident.” Five words a mother never wants to hear.

Our youngest son was at a friend’s house where the parents were going to supervise the teenagers playing with BB guns. In the course of “patiently” waiting for the parents, the BB guns were handled, and one of them went off. My son was accidentally shot in the eye. Our friends rushed him to the emergency room where we thought we would be dealing with, at worst, a scratched cornea.

The local hospital performed a CT Scan which showed the BB still lodged in the eye-ball. He was taken by ambulance to Children’s Hospital. The next thing I knew, my son and my husband were gone with lights and sirens blazing.

When I arrived in the ER, the first doctor was explaining the surgery. “We’ll try our best,” she said, “but, he will probably lose his eye.” The Lord’s grace was very tangible upon us. We told her that we were sure that she was a good doctor, and that she would do everything she could, but that our God was going to allow our son to keep his eye.

My husband had heard from the Lord that morning while fasting and praying. The Lord made Romans 8:28 very real to him. God says that…”all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purposes.” Talk about the great timing of our Heavenly Father!

We always knew our steps were ordered, but this confirmed in our hearts that Jesus had allowed this in our lives at this time.

It was late at night, and we were waiting for the eye surgeon in pre-op. Our anesthesiologist arrived and we started talking with her. It turned out that she was a Christian! How assuring it was, as a mother, to know that a sister in the Lord was taking care of her baby.

The surgeon arrived with an even more negative report than the one we had received during the first consult, but we kept believing. After what felt like many hours of surgery, although I think it was really only about one, the surgeon approached us with a very perplexed look on his face. He said that he had to draw us a picture of what he saw during the operation because he couldn’t believe it himself.

He said that when the BB went into our son’s eye it tore a half-moon shaped rip in his cornea, and when he went to sew it back up again the two sides matched exactly. When he put in the last stitch, the eye became instantly water tight. He said, “This never happens. The torn pieces never match and hold fluid like that.”

We got to tell him that Jesus is in charge of this and that with Him all things are possible!

Letter from the Anesthesiologist

At this point, there were probably a thousand people praying for our son, and we KNEW that he would keep his eye!

When we arrived in post-op, there was a letter from the Christian anesthesiologist. She wanted to comfort us with the verse, Romans 8:28…”all things work together for good to those that love God, to those called according to His purposes.” Our Jesus is so good to us. This was just the first of many miracles that He has done for us on this journey with our son.

If this testimony has blessed you, check out the other posts on my homepage.

About Calvary Temple

Calvary Temple is an independent church which holds to all Assemblies of God tenets of faith. Calvary Temple ministries include Discipleship Training, adult Bible college, media ministry, and an aggressive missions program.

Pastor Star R. Scott is Senior Pastor of Calvary Temple in Sterling, Virginia, where he has ministered since 1973. In addition to the pastoral gift, Pastor Scott functions in the five-fold offices of apostle and prophet. He has planted churches, and currently oversees the pastors and ministries of numerous satellite churches.

Visit Calvary Temple online on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube,Flickr,Instagram

Camp Testimony

Stephanie Stocks

August 25, 2015

Calvary temple, Camps, Growing up Calvary, Pastor Scott

I had the opportunity to help coach during both the basketball and soccer camps. I had a great time. I was so excited when I heard that I was able to be a head coach again for the middle age boys during basketball and the youngest age boys during soccer. During the camps we learned all the fundamentals and team strategies of the game, but most importantly we talked about the Bible and the message of salvation. I shared my testimony on how I was saved in the 4th grade while attending Calvary Temple School. My players thought it was so cool that I accepted Jesus as my Savior at such a young age. During basketball camp I had two players on my team give their hearts to the Lord. I shared with the players that they can give their hearts to the Lord with the coaches or if they wanted, could go home and pray if they felt like they wanted to. One of the players stated that he would go home and give his heart to the Lord. He came in the next morning with a beaming smile and I asked him if he accepted the Jesus as his Savior and he said yes, I was so excited. The second player who gave his heart to the Lord said he wanted to wait a bit and do it later. The week came to an end and he still hadn’t given his heart to the Lord but said he would do it over the weekend. Thankfully he attended soccer camp and I had the opportunity to talk to him on the first day, Monday. He said that over the weekend he too accepted Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior!
During the Soccer camp I had about 15 players on my team and about half of them wanted to give their heart to the Lord by the last day. All through the week I and the other coaches coaching with me shared our testimonies, talked about our daily verses, and the basic Gospel message. By Friday about 7 of the players on my team gave their hearts to the Lord! They said that they wanted to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior and wanted to live for Him. It was a great day and all of heaven rejoiced when they gave their lives over to the Lord Jesus! I was so excited to be used of the Lord in such an exciting way, now the real work comes to pray and intercede that they would make it and continue to live for Him.

Tony Perozich

Awaiting the Weight of Glory

Stephanie Stocks

April 22, 2015

Healing, Pastor Scott

“Awaiting the Weight of Glory”
by Katie DelSignore

Beep, beep, beep. My alarm goes off, again. How many times had I hit snooze? Not because I’d actually been snoozing, but rather procrastinating that first movement that will bring a flood of pain with it and hang tightly onto me all day.

I’m 26 years old, living an incredibly blessed life with an amazing husband in a beautiful home I don’t deserve. Yet, degenerative disc disease has become my identity in more ways than I’d like to admit. Most people know this as a simple condition associated with aging, but in my case, it’s been plaguing me since I was 15, demobilizing my body more every year. It occupies much of my thought life, makes decisions on my behalf, and lurks in my body with every motion, reminding me that I can’t pick up that basket of laundry or bend to wash my face or sit at the piano for hours like I used to. I’ve taken everyone’s advice for how to get better, yet I’m worse. I just visited a doctor this week who said there are just some patients they can’t help. This is starting to sound like a pretty grand pity party, isn’t it?

But in the midst of all this…I’m thankful for this disease. No, I don’t have some weird obsession with pain. Yes, I would gladly give my right arm to be rid of it. In fact, most days I have to admit I wonder what it would be like to live without pain. But, without pain, I am sure of one thing: I surely would know nothing of God’s beautiful grace and very little of my ugly self-nature. My story of the past 12 years is not the story of a miraculous physical healing, although I expect one day soon it will be. My story is of a much deeper, ongoing miracle that occurs every day.

I’m the first to admit I have endured very little, next to nothing, in comparison with many Christians, perhaps even some of you reading this. I’m no expert on suffering – but God is, and I’m thankful He is my Instructor.

The apostle Paul, who endured extreme physical harm for the sake of the gospel, writes about his hardships in 2 Corinthians:

“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10)

I love this passage because Paul is saying that his suffering is an advertisement for the resurrection life of Jesus at work within him. Because of his perseverance through hardship, people are drawn to the grace and glory of Jesus Christ. Paul is able to use his suffering to further the gospel! I have been praying for this outlook and spirit of faith to see suffering as a tool rather than torture.

This passage also shames me, because I fall so far short of Paul’s testimony. I’ve seen my true ugliness in complaining, questioning, and frustration with God. I’ve seen how quickly I can snap at my husband and blame the pain, and how self-seeking I can be with my time and energy. I’ve seen my lack of endurance and perseverance. I’ve also seen the beauty of God when He reaches out to me time and time again in love, showing that He has not forgotten or forsaken me. Even when I see the most despicable versions of myself, He still sees His child. Paul concludes this chapter by penning what has become one of the most precious exhortations to me in the entire Bible:

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

It’s hard for me to fathom that Paul calls his suffering “light” and “momentary,” although it was horrific in seasons and lasted for many years. It is not some mind-over-matter trick that he is preaching here. Paul hurt just like we hurt. It’s unpleasant. But I believe the Lord expects us as Christians to possess a firm understanding of the eternal “weight of glory” we are going to receive because of the hard things He places upon us. In comparison to the eternal, spiritual character the Lord is working in me, this is nothing! In comparison to the wonderful and complete healing that will be in Heaven, it will be like disease never existed!

I wish I had already arrived. I wish I could say I have learned all my lessons and have mastered this “pain” thing. But I haven’t. And I know the Lord uses adversity as a schoolmaster, for ease and comfort are poor teachers. As Samuel Rutherford said, “When I am in the cellar of affliction, I look for the Lord’s choicest wines.” So friend, whatever your affliction may be today, do not lose heart. Look for the Lord’s choicest wines in the midst of your pain, and know that eternity is coming soon.

Healing Testimony

Stephanie Stocks

March 10, 2015

Healing, Pastor Scott

We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.—Psalm 78:4

I certainly was not expecting to hear the words, “You have a brain tumor and it has to come out!” The years of visits to various doctors had proven unsuccessful in finding a cause for my incapacitating pain. The diagnosis of a benign meningioma came not only as an unexpected blow, but was a tiny relief to know I was not imagining the horrific pain, as one doctor had hinted.

Excruciating headaches had taken a severe toll on my ability to care for my family and to do something that I felt the Lord had gifted me—teaching young people. My full-time teaching position at Calvary Temple had to be curtailed, which seemed only to compound the physical pain I was trying to work through day after day. My own children were still in elementary and junior high school at the time, and trying to keep up with their needs and schedules kept me on my knees, earnestly seeking the Lord for relief.

Numerous saints joined the battle, as our local fellowship Calvary Temple, family and friends came alongside to comfort and seek God on my behalf. Too disoriented often times to pray, I thank my God upon every remembrance of how they carried me when too weak to fight the good fight of faith.

Several neurosurgeons had told me the tumor was too extensive to completely remove, but would need to be debulked through a series of at least four surgeries to relieve the pressure it was putting on the brain. This ordeal would include surgery, then healing for several months, only to be followed by further surgeries, barring no major complications.

Though I had been raised in church and believed the doctrine of divine healing, my faith was sorely tested as I second guessed whether I truly wanted to see God glorified in my body, or if my motivation for healing arose from fear of surgery. Of one thing, I was sure: My faith rose to a new level after reading the biography of Smith Wigglesworth, an apostle of faith who lived during the late nineteenth century in England. His extraordinary legacy caused me to question why I didn’t see many miracles today. Why should my life be different? Throughout the next few days of pondering the reading, I sensed the Lord speak so clearly to my heart: “I am the same yesterday, today and forever. I change not.”

I felt an urgent need to “get out of the boat” and trust the Lord completely for my healing. I immediately threw away all the potent narcotics I had been taking three times a day. For two weeks I was afraid to tell anyone what I had done for fear of being rebuked for “acting in presumptuousness.” However, during those two weeks, I was completely free from the chronic headaches and pain!

Choosing to take God’s word personally by opting not to have surgery was a decision that continues to work within to change my perspective of Who and how great God truly is. His promises are true, His character is trustworthy, and He has given of Himself without measure as an inexhaustible fountain of beauty! He came as light, illuminating the Scripture, and molding me in its laws; He came as a helper, with strength to direct my every step; He came as a beautifier, bringing order out of confusion, loveliness out of chaos.

Fifteen years later, I testify with a heart of overflowing gratitude that I love Him above the powers of language to express, for His ceaseless mercy and compassion for His children!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Becky Newlen

About Calvary Temple

Calvary Temple is an independent church which holds to all Assemblies of God tenets of faith. Calvary Temple ministries include Discipleship Training, adult Bible college, media ministry, and an aggressive missions program.

Pastor Star R. Scott is Senior Pastor of Calvary Temple in Sterling, Virginia, where he has ministered since 1973. In addition to the pastoral gift, Pastor Scott functions in the five-fold offices of apostle and prophet. He has planted churches, and currently oversees the pastors and ministries of numerous satellite churches.

Visit Calvary Temple online on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, Instagram

Growing up at Calvary Temple

Stephanie Stocks

March 2, 2015

Calvary temple, Pastor Scott

I grew up at Calvary Temple since I was born—29 years ago. Two simple things were always predominant in not only what I was told but also in what I saw in the people around me: love God first, and secondly, love people better than yourself. My parents tell me the first Bible verse I ever memorized was Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity.” I was 3 years old, and of course couldn’t pronounce adversity so well. I’m sure I had no clue what I was saying. I had no idea how many friends were going to come and go in my life, and how many friends would actually stick with me through the tough days. But I’ve never forgotten that verse.

I’m also positive my parents were grinning ear-to-ear as they listened to me.

They were smiling because before I was born, they had decided that they would teach their kids about how much God loves them, and that it’s actually possible to have a relationship with God just like you do with a friend. In reality, a much better one, because God is perfect and your friends….well, they just aren’t.
And this is the cool part! This wasn’t just my parent’s goal. As a baby, I was “dedicated” in church, Calvary Temple which meant the whole church came together to pray over my life and dedicate themselves to the task of helping my parents teach me the importance of a relationship with God and what that looks like. It was 1986, when my senior pastor wore a three piece suit (I think everyone is glad the current dress code is a lot more relaxed!) and we had church services in a gymnasium.

Growing up at Calvary Temple, I learned more and more about God. I learned how to make your parents and teachers happy by saying all the right things, how to keep rules, and generally be a good kid. But that’s not what my parents wanted. That’s not what all the people who dedicated me wanted. Things hadn’t “clicked” yet. Finally, one day, it did click. And this is what I mean. It wasn’t during a sermon, or a school bible class, or during a heart-to-heart discussion with my parents. I was in my bedroom alone, giving thought to all those sermons, bible classes, and heart-to-heart parent talks, and comparing all those moments to what I’d seen in people’s lives. I couldn’t ignore the fact that even though they weren’t perfect, the authority figures in my life actually did what they taught me. I couldn’t ignore the fact that my parents, teachers, pastors, and some of my older friends who knew God were living a life I knew nothing about. They had a genuine, consistent joy and peace (not that fake-smile happiness you can spot a mile away on a stranger) that was based on something deep, not the circumstances. I wondered how that could be, with so many different people and varying personalities. They had an unwavering commitment to continue to teach me about God’s love that ran deep in their hearts and was fresh, not out of habit.

It was becoming clearer and clearer that they had something I didn’t. They kept telling me over and over again that I needed to decide whether to have a relationship with God on my own (not based on my parents beliefs), and that keeping rules wasn’t the point of life. My youth pastor Jeff had emphasized the phrase “Dig your own wells” which came from the Bible story of the Israelites wandering the wilderness who had to dig new wells to survive, as the wells previous generations had dug would dry up.
It became clear to me that I didn’t have my own relationship with Jesus, and wouldn’t be able to survive God’s judgment if I stood before him. I knew rules couldn’t save me, because I was always falling short (if not outwardly, in motive and thoughts). I decided to ask Jesus to become the most important thing in my life, and that I wanted to live out of love for Him, and not because of rules.

From then on my life changed, and my gratitude kept growing more and more for those people around me who had dedicated themselves to helping me serve God. Even though I had to “dig my own well”, these people were integral in showing me how to do that and cheering me on as I did. Words can’t put a price on the unconditional love I’ve received, and the priceless treasure of countless people who have poured their blood, sweat, and tears into making me who I am.

My life mimics the story of Samuel, who was a little boy in the Bible who was dedicated as a baby to serve in God’s house. One day, Samuel heard a voice calling him in the middle of the night, and he thought it was the priest Eli who was training him. When he ran to the priest, Eli responded, “I didn’t call you. Go back to bed.” This happened a few more times, until finally Eli told Samuel, “It is the Lord calling you. When you hear the voice again, just respond ‘Speak, Lord, your servant hears.’” When I finally said “Speak, Lord”, He did and ever since, I’ve had tremendous joy learning how to love and serve Him at the church I was born in.

I am thankful for the tremendous privilege of growing up at Calvary Temple, for the people who trained me and who sacrificed their time and energy to teach me how to love God first, and love people second. Nothing else matters! Here is my family now all grown up and we all plan on one day continuing to train up our next generation in this way.

About Calvary Temple

Calvary Temple is an independent church which holds to all Assemblies of God tenets of faith. Calvary Temple ministries include Discipleship Training, adult Bible college, media ministry, and an aggressive missions program.

Pastor Star R. Scott is Senior Pastor of Calvary Temple in Sterling, Virginia, where he has ministered since 1973. In addition to the pastoral gift, Pastor Scott functions in the five-fold offices of apostle and prophet. He has planted churches, and currently oversees the pastors and ministries of numerous satellite churches.

Visit Calvary Temple online on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, Instagram