A Testimony, by Barb Twigg
August 21, 2023
A few months back I felt led to start praying and declaring that our clubhouse belongs to the Lord and His Holy Spirit is welcome. I declared we’d see salvations, healings and deliverance. Our pool will become a baptismal.
I live in a 55+ community where we meet on Thursdays for Bible Study. John is our leader at age 90! He sometimes will have me pray at the end of our study. So I started telling our little class these declarations and what I see coming.
All of a sudden Yoga is being pushed into our clubhouse. You may not agree with me but I’ve done some research on Yoga and let’s just say our clubhouse serves the Lord and we will have no other gods before us. That was the first pushback we got after believing and declaring!
Then a few weeks ago one of our brothers in Christ pulled me aside and asked if I would baptize him in the pool! I didn’t even hesitate to say yes! He wanted to be baptized on his birthday. He explained he never got “dunked only sprinkled” and he wanted dunked. So be it! Thank you Jesus!
The day before the baptism I went over to a neighbor's and weeded his front garden. He’s elderly and I help him out. Wouldn’t you know after the last weed was pulled I stood up to walk away and BAM my lower back was wrecked. Granted, I did bend and twist but I always do! Nope this was a straight up attack from the devil. He didn’t want this baptism to happen. I went to war and took care of my back and him! The morning of baptism all was well with my back, except for a little kink, but a massive headache was coming on. Here again I’m like "not today Satan! Just get behind me because you aren’t stopping this!" Then I get the courage to tell my husband I’m going to the pool to baptize a friend. He said “can’t you go to the beach?” I didn’t reply, instead I took it to the Lord. I prayed he would soften his heart and take care of him.
Headache gone! In the pool I asked if Don made Jesus the Lord and Savior of his life and he said yes! I and my sister dunked him and raised him to new life! Praise God! Such a wonderful day! On my way home it dawned on me that I didn’t say “I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” How could I have not said that? I went back to the pool and thank goodness he was still there! I told him we have to do it again. A double dip on your birthday! He said "Sure, no problem." So into the pool we went, and all the right things were said! Hallelujah!
I get home and quietly enter. Nothing was said until later and my husband wanted to know who all came. He then asked if John did it. I said "no". He said “you did,” and I said yes! And that was it! Praise God for answered prayer.
It’s times like these that we want so badly to share with our husbands, and most of all for them to be a part of it. The attacks, the baptism and the double dip! Don’t you feel sorry for them at times? They are missing out on the glorious life as a Jesus follower and doer. God knows our husbands' hearts. When they see us stepping out and doing ministry it’s got to speak to them! The most important take away: Obey the Lord. Do what you’re called to do and let the Lord take care of your husband. This has always been hard for me but I’m learning. Walk in His glory and celebrate with Jesus.
“But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.”
2 Timothy 4:5 NLT
Barb Twigg is wife to Rick of 33 years. They live in sunny south Florida and are enjoying retirement. She was born to teach and encourage. The Lord led her to the book 'Winning Him Without Words' and she found her beloved SUMites! She loves to encourage in the Lord and operates in the gift of faith. If you have doubt, she’ll lead you to belief! She’s always willing to learn from the Holy Spirit and God's Word then teach it to others. She is active in her church and community to reach the lost and walk out her God given assignments.