Dear Readers, Velda Stearns has been a friend for over 40 years. We�ve attended the same church, twice, during that time. Our husbands are really good friends. They have a men�s breakfast with several other people early Tuesday mornings. As long as I�ve know her, Velda has researched the scriptures. This new book is an excellent resource about biblical prophecy.
Welcome back, Velda. Please tell us something about you and your life.
I was born on a farm in Oklahoma , without electricity and running water at the beginning of WWII. I accepted Christ at an early age and developed a love for God�s Word. I still remember Bible verses I learned in Sunday school.
After graduating from college, I met Bob Stearns while teaching high school. We fell in love and were married. Keith, our son, was born eleven months later. David, our second son, was born two years later, followed by Michelle and Angela.
When Bob graduated from Oklahoma City University Denver , Colorado , and later to Glendive , Montana , and then to New Orleans , Louisiana Texas .
Please tell us of an amazing thing God did for you personally.
God Healed Me of Multiple Sclerosis
When I was in my early thirties, I became extremely ill. Our four children ranged in age from four to nine years. Numbness started in my toes and each day the numbness extended a few inches up my body, until I was numb from my breasts down. At that time, my body was wracked with pain; headaches were a terrible ordeal. I had difficulty walking. My vision and hearing were greatly affected. Muscle spasms were so bad, I could only sleep for a short period of time and awaken with another muscle spasm jerking my body. Daily the symptoms of the disease grew stronger as the numbness increased and extended to a greater part of my body. Fatigue was so great, I spent my days in bed.
A team of neurologists at Oschner�s Clinic in New Orleans
While I was sick, I laid in bed reading God�s Word, hour after hour, too weak even to hold the Bible in my hands. I saturated myself in God�s Word, daily crying out for strength. The Psalms were a great comfort. You are my refuge and my shield and your promises are my only source of hope.
Oh, the horror of being told by your doctor, �You have Multiple Sclerosis.� Oh, the horror of unceasing pain. Oh, the horror of seeing my physical body grows weaker and weaker until I could barely walk.
But, oh, the joy of knowing my sins are forgiven! Oh, the joy of knowing I am right with God! Oh, the strength that comes from God�s promise that all things work together for good to those that love the Lord! While I was sick, I wrote this poem and taped it on my mirror.
All our testing has a purpose; someday we will see the light,
All He asks is that we trust Him, Walk by faith and not by sight.
Do not fear when doubt besets you; Just remember He is near.
He will never, never leave you. He will always, always hear.
For several weeks the attack grew steadily worse. I called and requested prayer from our pastor. While he was praying it seemed as if a person walked in the room. God�s Holy Spirit came in and filled my heart with joy and peace and it seems as if someone applied pressure to my spine, once, twice, three times.
The next morning I was delighted to find that the numbness had started going away. I praised God that He touched my body! Even though God touched me, but there were still other symptoms of MS. Many nights I lay awake with headaches and muscle spasms. One night, I was especially fearful of another attack, because the numbness was extending into my shoulders.
When I opened the Bible, the first verse I read was underlined. It said: �Christ took upon Himself all our diseases and our illnesses.� I read the entire page with anticipation because it was all about healing. I placed my finger in the Bible and changed positions. When I reopened my Bible, I was shocked to see it was turned to a different page. There I saw another scripture underlined that said, �Daughter, be of good cheer, your faith has made you whole.�
Trembling with excitement, I believed that God was speaking directly to me. God�s presence filled the room. His joy and peace filled my heart to overflowing. That night all fear left! I had great peace�and much more�for God had given me the assurance that He would heal my body.
I never asked God to heal me again, but thanked Him that He was my healer, in spite of the symptoms of the disease. Every morning I said, �Thank you, Lord, that you are the God that heals me.� My body was still very weak. I could only get out of bed for a few minutes, just long enough to wash a load of clothes or clean off the table. Then I would go back to bed to rest for several hours. This became my routine. In spite of the weakness and symptoms, I continued to thank God each day that He was my healer.
Gradually the symptoms of M.S. went away. Six months later, I was able to stay up all day for the first time. The one symptom that remained was fatigue. When we first moved to Texas
What are you most thankful for after the M.S. was healed?
Praise God for Allowing Me to Raise Our Children
My husband, Bob Stearns, and I have four wonderful children who are Christians and serving the Lord. God promised in His Word, �If your children are taught God�s Word, great will be the peace of your children (Isaiah 54:13 NKJV).
When our children were in Junior High, I felt impressed to write Bible Study Lessons for them. During the summer months, I wrote several questions on different topics that I felt would help them. I gave them a week to answer them and at the end of the week, we would go over them together. Some of these topics were: Trust in the Lord � Faith in God�s Word - Obedience � etc.
When our children were in high school, Bob had devotions at the table from Our Daily Bread, a devotional guide. We still use the Daily Bread to read the entire Bible together each year. You can get Our Daily Bread over the internet at ourdailybread.org.
Have you had any other books published?
I previously published Fulfilling the Feasts of Israelwith West Bow Press. It is available at www.westbowpress.com � 978-1-4497-8647-2 or E-Book at 978-1-4497-8646-5.
Fulfilling the Feasts of Israel gives details regarding the Seven Jewish Feasts, which God gave to ancient Israel
The Fall Feasts point to the soon return of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and the glorious future reign of the Messiah. Understanding the significance of the feasts encourages believers to share the good news of salvation with the lost.
I have also published a set of 12 books on Cross Number Math Puzzles with Edu Press for classroom teachers - grades third through eighth grades.
I plan to finish a Prayer Journal I have been writing. I would also like to publish a book on Biblical Quizzes. I have already written over 150 Bible Quizzes.
When you�re not writing or studying, what activities do you enjoy?
Please tell us about your new book.
My new book From Antiquity to Eternity - The Lord God Reigns explores prophecies in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical prophecy that has been fulfilled is one hundred percent accurate. You can rest assured that someday God will completely fulfill every aspect of His Prophetic Word. Fulfilled biblical prophecy is especially important, because it gives powerful proof to nonbelievers that the Bible is the inspired Word of God.
Jesus Christ is the Focus of biblical prophecy. The hope of the Old Testament was the coming of the Messiah. The focus of the New Testament is the return of the Messiah. Jesus Christ is the central theme of prophecy from Genesis to Revelation. I pray you are richly blessed as you read From Antiquity to Eternity.
Thank you, Velda, for sharing this new book with us.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
www.amazon.com/Antiquity-Eternity-Lord-God-Reigns/dp/1537433423/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= - Paperback
From Antiquity to Eternity: The Lord God Reigns
Comment conversation starter questions: Have you ever read the Bible all the way through? Have you read it all the way through in one year?
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