This is the testimony that inspired my recent blog post “You Have Seen, Believe – The Healing That Changed Everything”. But I wanted you to be able to hear it directly from me—the way I shared it with the men of my church, in my own words and in my own voice.
Below is both the video of my testimony and the full written transcript. My prayer is that as you watch and read what Jehovah-Rapha has done, your faith will be stirred to believe Him for the impossible in your own life.
“You have seen, believe.”
Watch the Full Testimony:
Read the Full Testimony:
Testimony –Calvary Men’s Ministry
When Pastor Josh asked me to share about a gift God gave me. At first I was excited. It was an immediate YES, I get to tell about the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me. But then when I started to form it in my head and staring at a blank word document. I couldn’t write anything. I sat there and thought how could I possibly express what God did for me. No words were worthy. How could I possibly be able to share a miracle, worthy of the Miracle maker..
To paraphrase Chuck Smith “A Miracle is something that is humanly impossible but divinely simple” How could I possibly put words to a divinely simple act and contrast it to the earth shattering act it is in my humanly life?
Most of you have seen me walking around with supplemental oxygen. What many don’t know is that I was dependent on it for the last 14 years.
Thirty years ago, I had a rare medical issue that required major surgery. That surgery caused hardening of my lungs – pulmonary fibrosis. When I was younger, my body seemed to adjust. But as time went on, I needed oxygen therapy to keep my oxygen levels above 90%. That started in 2011.
Having to carry oxygen everywhere brought me a lot of sadness and anger and life destruction (That is another testimony of Gods grace). I couldn’t fly to visit family or take vacations, because I needed to make sure there’d be an oxygen concentrator waiting. We could only travel by car so I could pack my machine. The oxygen cord running through the house got me down. Carrying that portable machine everywhere caused me grief – I couldn’t golf, fish, mow the lawn, or help set up tables and chairs here at church. These things might seem minor, but they became a huge issues in my life.
I was getting frustrated and tired.
A few years ago, I talked with my pulmonologist about a lung transplant. I put it on hold because my wife and family were going through some things. About a month ago, I had an appointment with my pulmonologist, and I decided I would ask to meet with the transplant team. My appointment was August 22nd. My wife wasn’t fully behind it – we’d been told a transplanted lung averages about 10 years. I remember thinking, “Ten years without this cord, then in the presence of the Lord. That doesn’t sound so bad.”
On my way to the appointment, I was even asking ChatGPT for transplant stats on the drive over — because I wanted to be informed.
When you see a pulmonologist, they take you for a walk around the halls of the building while monitoring your oxygen levels. On August 22nd, the nurse was holding my portable concentrator as I walked. I heard her pushing buttons, which I assumed meant she was increasing my oxygen – going from 3 liters to 5 liters like in the past. It felt like another blow, making me more sure about needing a transplant.
I did all my usual testing and waited to discuss the transplant with my doctor.
But God had a different conversation planned.
My doctor sat down and said my lung function hadn’t changed since the last time he saw me. “But,” he said, “I can’t explain this – you don’t need oxygen. During your walking test, you maintained 90% while walking and 93% sitting here on room air. No supplemental oxygen.”
I asked, “Are you telling me I don’t need this machine?”
He said, “I don’t think you do. I can’t explain it, but no, you don’t need it. Dennis, if I didn’t know you or your history, I would never prescribe oxygen therapy. There’s no medical need. I can’t explain it.”
I stared in disbelief, then broke down crying. Through my tears, I said, “I can explain it. It was God.”
Dr. Porter is a believer, so he nodded and said, “I’d say so too.”
The celebration in that office was incredible. The nurse asked me to tell the others my story and how long I’d been on oxygen. Some cried, some thanked God, but they all agreed on one thing: it was a miracle.
I walked to my car, praising God, giving thanks, crying, and asking, “Why me? How do I deserve this? I’m not worthy.” I just completely broke down under the weight of what God had done.
Then something happened. As clear as if someone was sitting in the passenger seat, I heard these words: “You have seen, believe.”
At first, I thought it was a rebuke, like Thomas, when Jesus said to him “Because you have seen me, you have believed”. Was I not praying with faith? Were my thoughts not genuine? So many questions ran through my mind. But when I got home, I felt those words weren’t meant for me. They’re meant for the people I tell this story to: “You have seen, believe.”
One last thing. I saw my primary care doctor this past Tuesday. I’ve never been in a doctor’s office where the Word of God was preached – not by me, but by my doctor. My nurse had told the whole staff about the healing, she had my chart out showing all of them my last visit a month ago my o2 level at 93% with supplement 02 and now at 98% without supp oxygen. My doctor stood in the open area and declared, “God heals today, and we need to recognize it. Only He gets the glory.”
One nurse jumped up and said, “We need a new profile picture for his file. He’s not the same man anymore.” And she took a new picture right there.
I got into the car and I had this thought ‘wow, Lord you have servants everywhere’ what a blessing that was.
Working through this Gift that was given to me. Jill (my wife) and I have had many conversations and many cries. She gave me a verse to hold on to and carry with me. It is John 11:40 – Jesus said “ Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe”…
This past Wednesday at church, I had a lady (Tina) come up to me and wanted to hear directly from me what others had told her. Tina prayed over me one Sunday about a month or so ago as I was standing up here as part of the prayer team after service. I remember her coming up to me and saying I need to pray over you! Now. I believe this healing came through prayer. Over the years, I’ve been prayed over by our own Pastor Avant, anointed with oil by our pastoral team (Josh & Andy), life groups, prayer nights. Many prayers were lifted up for my healing by friends here at church, Jesse, Stu and his Tuesday night prayer team, and my wife and family. I had a dear friend with the gift of Prophecy. speak Gods word overr me that he would give me a new body. But something struck me as I was talking to Tina and studying for this weekend. Does she have the Gift of Healing?
As we are going to learn today, the Gift of Healing and Miracles are given and controlled by the Holy Spirit so that when we experience them – He gets all the Glory.
I don’t understand why God chose to heal me. I only know He did. God still heals today, and His message to you is clear: “You have seen, believe.”