June 15, 2025 • 24 mins
Reverend Eddie Spencer shares his powerful journey from childhood poverty to ministry, including his recent battle with cancer and sepsis that brought him near death yet deepened his faith and peace in Christ.
• God has a plan to use each of us uniquely—your testimony, whatever it includes, can impact someone who needs exactly your perspective
• Eddie's path included service with Young Life, opening three restaurants in the Mississippi Delta, and eventually pastoring multiple churches
• Despite coming from generational poverty, Eddie's life was transformed by mentors who invested in him, showing how we can be God's hands and feet
• Eddie faced a life-threatening battle with sepsis and prostate cancer, spending 42 days in the hospital and losing 83 pounds
• We should not use our weaknesses as excuses not to change—God can transform any aspect of our lives if we surrender it to Him
• When we align our desires with God's will, He provides exactly what we need, not necessarily what we think we want
• Eddie's peace in the face of terminal illness comes from certainty about his salvation—"to be absent from the body is to be present with Christ"
If you have not given your life to the Lord Jesus Christ, don't continue to put it off. There is nothing but a step between us and death. Search your heart—if you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, just ask Him to come in and forgive your sins, and He will change your life.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
When you need some hope and inspiration to build
collaboration, hope Mississippiis your salvation.
One in four kids live inpoverty.
One in five are food deprived.
Build collaborations and buildhope with those who are
(00:23):
struggling.
Build hope, hope Mississippi.
And welcome back to Dawn Beam'sinterview with the Reverend
Eddie Spencer.
Part two begins now.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
And they asked me, said would you consider coming
and working with the UnitedMethodist Church?
Then I went to St AndrewMission and became the assistant
executive director with StAndrew Mission in Macomb, and so
God continued to open thosedoors, mccomb.
And so God continued to openthose doors.
But before then I guess Imissed a very important part.
God brought the person that Ineeded in my life.
(01:14):
She and I, we had dated justfor a little bit in 1989 or 88,
and we went our separate ways.
I got married and the marriagedid not work, and you know from
that.
The Lord blessed me with abeautiful daughter and several
years later, after I wasdivorced by three years, my wife
(01:35):
present.
We was connected because herson was in, which is our son I
call him in my program who wouldgo places with me and camps and
everything.
One day we was just talking andI was sharing with her about my
vision going back to Hollandale.
(01:55):
This day was when we go andstart a young life in the Delta.
I told her.
I said you know I'm going tothe Delta Field, called to go
there.
I said I don't want to go aloneand just out of the blue, and I
thought she was joking.
She said, well, why don't youask somebody to go with you?
And I said, would you go withme?
(02:17):
She said, let me think about it.
I'm talking about just how Godbrought us back together.
We ended up dating again, whichis my wife.
Now we're 28 years.
We ended up dating again, gotmarried, moved to Holland Hills.
But parachurch men in the Deltado not survive.
(02:39):
I had a support base which wasthe Young Life here, a lot of
the staff members, but I couldnot raise the money so I went
into the restaurant business.
Cooking is one of my hobbies.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
I didn't know that, wow.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
We went into the restaurant business and ended up
opening three restaurants inthe Delta just back to back.
Opened three restaurants in theDelta just back to back and the
Lord had to once again told me,said Ed, I didn't call you into
the restaurant business, Icalled you into the ministry.
Catering was good, but therestaurant it took away a lot of
my time and everything.
(03:18):
Yeah, I did catering all theway to two years.
There's been my Ray going ontwo years since my last catering
job but I used to cater allover and the Lord brought my
wife, which was one of the bestthings that ever happened to me.
A lot of people say you marriedover your standards.
(03:42):
I said yes, I did.
And I always tell young peopleI say if you want to go
somewhere, get somebody who issmarter than you who are gifted
than you, who are confident inthemselves.
Get somebody you know that cancontribute to you, and my wife
I'm talking about.
She has contributed what wouldmean throughout this journey and
(04:06):
really see how God has used herin these last few months.
And I was diagnosed withprostate cancer and it really
hit me.
And then when they put a portin and the port got infected
infected and I ended updeveloping sepsis, I was getting
(04:30):
ready to preach.
There was one weekend thatFriday started coming back and
we went to the doctor andallowed the one who put that
port in to look at it and hesaid it was nothing wrong with
it, everything is fine, and saidwhy this thing opened up and
blood oozing out of it.
(04:51):
He said, oh, that's just thehealing process.
Sadly, I found myself my bodyjust started locking up that
Saturday evening I couldn't evenget up.
Evening I couldn't even get up.
I made it to my bed but I hadto help get her to help put my
feet up in the bed.
I was so swole and when theygot me to the hospital I had to
(05:14):
call my son to preach for him.
I had to counsel, get folks togo and preach.
And when we got to the hospitalI was in such a bad shape but
it was only God.
Show you how God works Now.
All of my doctors at theUniversity Medical Center.
She said what hospital do youwant to go to?
(05:35):
I said I want to go to theBaptist.
And so the ambulance took me tothe Baptist.
That hospital was packed.
Took me to the Baptist thathospital was packed.
I'm telling folks all in thehall out in the waiting room
probably about 75 or more peoplein the waiting room and
(06:02):
somebody said that they had beenthere a couple of days have not
been seen.
I was in such a bad shape andthere was a young lady who was
there.
My wife and my daughter told usthat you know he really need
help.
My wife had put her purse whereI can kind of lean back and my
daughter got some buckets wherethey can wash and put under my
feet Because I was in so muchpain.
(06:23):
You can touch me like that.
I howled and the young ladysaid he really needs help.
She had them to take me backout.
Now, all these people, that werepeople probably, who was in bad
shape than I was, but the favorof God, a lot of times we can't
explain it, sometimes peoplemight think it's discrimination.
But, the favor of God, godshowed favor that day because
(06:46):
the doctor said this.
He told my wife.
He said if he wouldn't havemade it in here today he
wouldn't be here.
I was so infected and see, theport was right there, right by
my main.
All that infection was runningright there through my main
valve and when they got me backthere they started working.
(07:08):
I'm talking about working rightaway, everything you know,
doctors coming.
I'm talking about I was in thehospital for 42 days and that 42
days I had lost 83 pounds.
But then, after I got out, theyreleased us and we was trying to
(07:30):
get to, you know, a nursinghome, I mean a rehab place, but
they would not rehab, would notaccept me because I had to have
infusion and there was a doctorthere.
He said it he might have saidit joking.
And I said what are we going todo?
He said it, he might have saidit joking.
And I said what are we going todo?
He said y'all going to be allright, and I said what do you
(07:50):
mean?
We're going to be all right,they are sending me home.
He said I know that and I saidwho going to help us?
He said he pointed to my wifeand said you and you y'all going
to do it.
And one day my wife had totransform this whole area here
to get me here.
Then she had to give meantibiotic three times a day but
(08:15):
during that time at one time Icouldn't even lift my hand up to
my mouth.
They had to feed me, her andSharon had to feed me.
I was just that bad off.
A lot of the doctors sometimeseven my doctor really didn't
believe that I would come backfrom that, especially with
prostate cancer in my bones.
Then this sepsis that causedinfection and it took some of my
(08:40):
abilities, like walking.
I'm learning how to walk allover again A lot of the things
God has already restored.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
You know what that tells me?
God is not finished with youyet.
He still has a plan.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
And I believe that and I want to be used for his
glory.
A lot of them says why don'tyou just go ahead and retire?
I said God haven't told me toretire from on semi-disability
so that you have to put me downto one church still in two
churches.
But also the church has walkedwith us and also other people
(09:15):
you know God placed in our lifehave walked with us.
It's just been such a blessingto see the hand of God continue
to move in my life.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
Your life is a living testimony of his faithfulness.
Now you're a preacher, so Iwant to make a few points as
we've talked about your story.
We've talked about your storyOne that, as I read your book
the idea of generational povertyand how early on it impacts
children I recall you talkingabout, even as a little boy,
(09:49):
stealing bread because you werehungry, and so one thing our
audience needs to know is thatGod's plan is to use us to be
his hands and feet to certainlyfeed his sheep, but beyond that,
I'm reminded of how Lee andothers have impacted you.
They probably had no idea whatthey did would make such an
(10:14):
impact into the kingdom of God.
Our first point in talkingabout your story is that God has
a plan to use each and everyone of us, and we want to
encourage people to find whatGod's plan is for them.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
Amen, because the Bible says sanctify the Lord,
thy God, into thy heart and beready always to give an answer
to anyone that asks youconcerning the hope that's
within you.
God encourages us to share thathope.
A lot of times we don't thinkthat we have anything to give.
Your testimony might not belike Eddie Spencer or somebody
(10:53):
else.
God didn't save you to be EddieSpencer.
He saved you to be you.
Somebody needs to hear yourtestimony because you might have
the right word.
There are some people that Ispeak to.
My testimony just completelypassed.
But then there's somebody whocome and say hey, I was afraid
(11:19):
of this.
It may impact that person.
You might identify saying hewas afraid or she was afraid.
I have fear.
I want to know how theyovercame it.
God used each and every one ofus.
What we fail to realize is isGod did not call us to try to
(11:40):
change anybody.
He does to change you.
That's the reason the Biblesaid we overcame the enemy by
the blood of the lamb and thewhat, the word of our testimony.
I encourage my church members.
I say your testimony is apowerful weapon.
Your testimony determines theoutcome.
(12:02):
It's up to you.
Share your testimony, don't beafraid.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
Another point that I take from your story is that we
have all sinned and fall shortof the glory of God, but we
serve a God that is forgiving,and my sins are no better or
worse than yours.
We're all sinners saved bygrace, and there's nothing you
can do that will separate youfrom God's love and his
(12:31):
willingness to forgive, if we'rejust willing to ask for that.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
Amen.
And the Bible said God saved us.
What he manifests his love forus while we were yet sinners.
Christ died for us, and as Iread my Bible, I thank God for
this.
We only see one perfect personthroughout the Bible.
It's our Lord and Savior, jesusChrist.
(12:56):
Everyone else you see themfalling, you see them rising up.
You see them falling.
You see them rising up.
You see them falling, you seethem rising up.
That's what the grace comesfrom God's grace, for by grace
(13:16):
are you saved, and not ofyourself.
But one of the things that Itell people and I also remind
myself don't use your weaknessas an excuse not to change.
If you see something in yourlife that you know that needs to
change, don't allow it toestablish in your life where you
(13:39):
begin to accept it.
You know, just like my anger, Ihad to say Lord, I don't want
to be like this right here, Ineed you to change me.
And a lot of people say, no,you was born with that.
Right there.
No matter what you were bornwith, god can change you.
The Bible says, therefore ifany man be in Christ, he's a new
(14:00):
creature.
Old things are passed away.
Behold, all things become new.
Our God is able to renew ourlife, and that's what we should
seek Now.
Once you begin to take pride inyour weakness no, you can't
change because you have acceptedwhatever it is in your life.
(14:23):
I preach on Sunday where Paulsays you know, I sought the Lord
three times and the Lord saidmy grace is sufficient.
And he said that when I'm weak,then I'm strong.
You see, god wants to take ourweakness and change it so that
(14:44):
others can see and they'll say,just being this, what you used
to be.
And you said but thank God thatI'm not, that now you know.
That's where the testimony comein, that you can see the
contrast, why I used to be andwhat I am now.
You know what I used to be, whatI am now, and that's another
(15:09):
thing that I talk when I talk toyoung people, especially those
in prison do not take pride inyour past.
It's so easy that you canbecome bound to it.
When you begin to talk aboutwho you shot, who you beat up,
who you robbed and everything,you start taking pride in that.
(15:32):
That's a spirit that you'reallowing to establish itself in
your life and it binds you andit begins to in your life and it
binds you and it begins tocontrol your life.
And it's so easy reading somany of them back because they
imbound themselves with thatspirit by talking about what I
(15:54):
used to do and I said changeyour conversation, your words.
The Bible says life and deathin the power of the tongue.
Life and death is in the powerof the tongue.
Speaker 1 (16:09):
Okay, I got two more points and we're going to wrap
it up.
God provides all through yourtestimony.
Whether it be a godly wife thatcould be by your side when you
ministered in the Delta, orfriends that you needed along
the way when he called you to dosomething, he provides all you
(16:29):
need.
Can you add a little more aboutthat?
Speaker 2 (16:33):
First of all, he knows our needs.
A lot of times we get needs andwants mixed up.
He said in his word.
He said he would give us thedesires of our heart, and a lot
of people really misunderstandthat when he said I will give
you the desires of your heart,but that's a heart who now
(16:55):
desires to serve him, to do hiswill, to glorify him, because
that's what we want.
Lord, yes, I want you to giveme the desires of my heart, that
wife.
So that wife that you give mewill also be able to glorify you
, to honor you, not justsomebody who I can just look at
(17:20):
as a trophy or whatever, butthat one that you know who I
need because you know thedesires of our heart.
A lot of times we think that weknow what we want or well, let
me rephrase that, what we needwe really don't know.
Just like the children ofIsrael, when God told them, say
(17:42):
you know you don't need a king,they say, oh, we want a king.
He said, no, you do not need,you do not need it.
He told them over and over,because wants bring consequences
, but desires bring blessings.
And a lot of times, how manytimes we said that we wanted
(18:04):
something and it ended upcosting us more than we ever
thought.
It caused broad pain and hurt.
You tell folks I want aboyfriend, I want a girlfriend,
but just one one and not theright one.
Your heart end up being broken.
Wrong one and not the right one, your heart end up being broken
(18:29):
.
So God, will he say, will giveus the desires of our heart.
But then, lord, I turn mydesires over to you so that you
can begin to mold and to shapeme into what you want me to be,
amen.
Speaker 1 (18:40):
The final point, and you've talked about having
cancer, the battle that's beenongoing, you know, I think far
too often we don't talk aboutheaven.
We don't talk about that thereis victory in Jesus, that when
we all get to heaven it will bea glorious day, complete healing
.
Be a glorious day, completehealing, reuniting with other
(19:05):
brothers and sisters in Christ.
So I just ask you to kind oftell your perspective, the idea
that to live is Christ but todie is gain.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
One of the things and I guess that's what God used in
this.
Now I have peace using this,now I have peace.
Yes, this cancer I'm talkingabout just even three weeks ago
was a dark moment for me and I'dseen like being in the hospital
was a dark moment.
But one of the things that Ihad and I said to my wife, I
(19:40):
said to my daughter everybody, Ihave peace, I have peace,
knowing that, yes, my God can,he can, he can change me, he can
heal me, but if not, I knowthat he can bring me into his
presence.
So I'm talking about there's nofear when you know, without a
(20:02):
shadow of a doubt, that you havethat personal relationship with
the Lord Jesus Christ, notchurch membership, but a
personal relationship with theLord Jesus Christ, when you know
that you have invited him intoyour heart to be your Lord and
Savior.
And that's the reason Davidsaid yea, though I walk through
(20:27):
the valley of the shadow ofdeath, I will fear no evil, for
I know that thou art with me.
The Lord walked with us inevery situation and I have felt
his presence.
I know he's present.
And even just the other day, mywife and I sat down making
(20:48):
funeral arrangements, pickingout casks and stuff.
I had peace, not afraid, orwhatever, because I do know that
to be absent from the body isto be with Christ, but to
continue to live it is to gain.
I'm talking about you knowwe'll be absent from the body is
(21:09):
gain.
I know that.
Yes, I would love to be herefor my wife and my kids, my
grandkids and everythingenjoying them.
But I'm going to enjoy them,even to the end.
But I encourage a person do notstep out of this world or out of
this life without a trueassurance.
(21:32):
Just like you will have yourdeath policy or insurance policy
, you better make sure you haveyour salvation policy, knowing
without a shadow of a doubt thatyou have the Lord, jesus Christ
, as your Lord and Savior.
That right there is wortheverything.
(21:52):
I have no fear.
I'm not afraid, I'm nottormented, knowing, okay, these
pains or whatever I get excitedabout.
When some of my doctors say, oh, when he was talking to me he
said well, what you want to do?
Do you want to stop everything?
Do you want to go on?
(22:13):
I said we're going to go on,we're going to go on and for
them to get like.
Even yesterday, when we saw thedoctor.
He even said you know, a fewweeks ago we was carrying him.
But look at God.
Speaker 1 (22:26):
He continues to use you every day.
My prayer is that God will takeyour testimony today and for
those who are hurting, who needthat hope, that God will use
this to speak to them, to bringthem to Christ.
And the ultimate hope is heaven, that to live is Christ, but to
(22:47):
die is gain, and we have ourhope in Him.
Thank y'all so much forlistening and sharing this time
together, and my brother, eddieSpencer, I love you and I thank
God for the wonderful, wonderfultestimony that you have been to
so many.
To God be the glory.
Speaker 2 (23:06):
Yeah, to God be the glory.
Just one little nippy.
If you listen, have theprivilege of hearing this.
Ask the question, lord, why didyou allow me to hear this
podcast?
And I want to encourage you inthe Lord to search your heart.
If you have not given your lifeto the Lord Jesus Christ, don't
(23:26):
continue to put it off.
You see, you might say Eddie isclose to death because he got
cancer, but you might be morecloser than me because the Bible
said there is nothing but astep between us and death.
So I want to encourage you inthe Lord, search your heart.
(23:46):
If you do not know the LordJesus Christ as your Lord and
Savior, just ask him.
Lord, come in, come in, forgiveme of my sins, and I guarantee
he will, and he will change yourlife.
Amen, amen, amen.
Speaker 1 (24:05):
Amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen.
Speaker 2 (24:08):
Amen, amen, hope, mississippi.
When you need some hope and inspiration to build
collaboration, hope Mississippiis your salvation.
One in four kids live inpoverty.
One in five are food deprived.
Build collaborations and buildhope with those who are
(00:23):
struggling.
Build hope, hope Mississippi.
And welcome back to Dawn Beam'sinterview with the Reverend
Eddie Spencer.
Part two begins now.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
And they asked me, said would you consider coming
and working with the UnitedMethodist Church?
Then I went to St AndrewMission and became the assistant
executive director with StAndrew Mission in Macomb, and so
God continued to open thosedoors, mccomb.
And so God continued to openthose doors.
But before then I guess Imissed a very important part.
God brought the person that Ineeded in my life.
(01:14):
She and I, we had dated justfor a little bit in 1989 or 88,
and we went our separate ways.
I got married and the marriagedid not work, and you know from
that.
The Lord blessed me with abeautiful daughter and several
years later, after I wasdivorced by three years, my wife
(01:35):
present.
We was connected because herson was in, which is our son I
call him in my program who wouldgo places with me and camps and
everything.
One day we was just talking andI was sharing with her about my
vision going back to Hollandale.
(01:55):
This day was when we go andstart a young life in the Delta.
I told her.
I said you know I'm going tothe Delta Field, called to go
there.
I said I don't want to go aloneand just out of the blue, and I
thought she was joking.
She said, well, why don't youask somebody to go with you?
And I said, would you go withme?
(02:17):
She said, let me think about it.
I'm talking about just how Godbrought us back together.
We ended up dating again, whichis my wife.
Now we're 28 years.
We ended up dating again, gotmarried, moved to Holland Hills.
But parachurch men in the Deltado not survive.
(02:39):
I had a support base which wasthe Young Life here, a lot of
the staff members, but I couldnot raise the money so I went
into the restaurant business.
Cooking is one of my hobbies.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
I didn't know that, wow.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
We went into the restaurant business and ended up
opening three restaurants inthe Delta just back to back.
Opened three restaurants in theDelta just back to back and the
Lord had to once again told me,said Ed, I didn't call you into
the restaurant business, Icalled you into the ministry.
Catering was good, but therestaurant it took away a lot of
my time and everything.
(03:18):
Yeah, I did catering all theway to two years.
There's been my Ray going ontwo years since my last catering
job but I used to cater allover and the Lord brought my
wife, which was one of the bestthings that ever happened to me.
A lot of people say you marriedover your standards.
(03:42):
I said yes, I did.
And I always tell young peopleI say if you want to go
somewhere, get somebody who issmarter than you who are gifted
than you, who are confident inthemselves.
Get somebody you know that cancontribute to you, and my wife
I'm talking about.
She has contributed what wouldmean throughout this journey and
(04:06):
really see how God has used herin these last few months.
And I was diagnosed withprostate cancer and it really
hit me.
And then when they put a portin and the port got infected
infected and I ended updeveloping sepsis, I was getting
(04:30):
ready to preach.
There was one weekend thatFriday started coming back and
we went to the doctor andallowed the one who put that
port in to look at it and hesaid it was nothing wrong with
it, everything is fine, and saidwhy this thing opened up and
blood oozing out of it.
(04:51):
He said, oh, that's just thehealing process.
Sadly, I found myself my bodyjust started locking up that
Saturday evening I couldn't evenget up.
Evening I couldn't even get up.
I made it to my bed but I hadto help get her to help put my
feet up in the bed.
I was so swole and when theygot me to the hospital I had to
(05:14):
call my son to preach for him.
I had to counsel, get folks togo and preach.
And when we got to the hospitalI was in such a bad shape but
it was only God.
Show you how God works Now.
All of my doctors at theUniversity Medical Center.
She said what hospital do youwant to go to?
(05:35):
I said I want to go to theBaptist.
And so the ambulance took me tothe Baptist.
That hospital was packed.
Took me to the Baptist thathospital was packed.
I'm telling folks all in thehall out in the waiting room
probably about 75 or more peoplein the waiting room and
(06:02):
somebody said that they had beenthere a couple of days have not
been seen.
I was in such a bad shape andthere was a young lady who was
there.
My wife and my daughter told usthat you know he really need
help.
My wife had put her purse whereI can kind of lean back and my
daughter got some buckets wherethey can wash and put under my
feet Because I was in so muchpain.
(06:23):
You can touch me like that.
I howled and the young ladysaid he really needs help.
She had them to take me backout.
Now, all these people, that werepeople probably, who was in bad
shape than I was, but the favorof God, a lot of times we can't
explain it, sometimes peoplemight think it's discrimination.
But, the favor of God, godshowed favor that day because
(06:46):
the doctor said this.
He told my wife.
He said if he wouldn't havemade it in here today he
wouldn't be here.
I was so infected and see, theport was right there, right by
my main.
All that infection was runningright there through my main
valve and when they got me backthere they started working.
(07:08):
I'm talking about working rightaway, everything you know,
doctors coming.
I'm talking about I was in thehospital for 42 days and that 42
days I had lost 83 pounds.
But then, after I got out, theyreleased us and we was trying to
(07:30):
get to, you know, a nursinghome, I mean a rehab place, but
they would not rehab, would notaccept me because I had to have
infusion and there was a doctorthere.
He said it he might have saidit joking.
And I said what are we going todo?
He said it, he might have saidit joking.
And I said what are we going todo?
He said y'all going to be allright, and I said what do you
(07:50):
mean?
We're going to be all right,they are sending me home.
He said I know that and I saidwho going to help us?
He said he pointed to my wifeand said you and you y'all going
to do it.
And one day my wife had totransform this whole area here
to get me here.
Then she had to give meantibiotic three times a day but
(08:15):
during that time at one time Icouldn't even lift my hand up to
my mouth.
They had to feed me, her andSharon had to feed me.
I was just that bad off.
A lot of the doctors sometimeseven my doctor really didn't
believe that I would come backfrom that, especially with
prostate cancer in my bones.
Then this sepsis that causedinfection and it took some of my
(08:40):
abilities, like walking.
I'm learning how to walk allover again A lot of the things
God has already restored.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
You know what that tells me?
God is not finished with youyet.
He still has a plan.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
And I believe that and I want to be used for his
glory.
A lot of them says why don'tyou just go ahead and retire?
I said God haven't told me toretire from on semi-disability
so that you have to put me downto one church still in two
churches.
But also the church has walkedwith us and also other people
(09:15):
you know God placed in our lifehave walked with us.
It's just been such a blessingto see the hand of God continue
to move in my life.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
Your life is a living testimony of his faithfulness.
Now you're a preacher, so Iwant to make a few points as
we've talked about your story.
We've talked about your storyOne that, as I read your book
the idea of generational povertyand how early on it impacts
children I recall you talkingabout, even as a little boy,
(09:49):
stealing bread because you werehungry, and so one thing our
audience needs to know is thatGod's plan is to use us to be
his hands and feet to certainlyfeed his sheep, but beyond that,
I'm reminded of how Lee andothers have impacted you.
They probably had no idea whatthey did would make such an
(10:14):
impact into the kingdom of God.
Our first point in talkingabout your story is that God has
a plan to use each and everyone of us, and we want to
encourage people to find whatGod's plan is for them.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
Amen, because the Bible says sanctify the Lord,
thy God, into thy heart and beready always to give an answer
to anyone that asks youconcerning the hope that's
within you.
God encourages us to share thathope.
A lot of times we don't thinkthat we have anything to give.
Your testimony might not belike Eddie Spencer or somebody
(10:53):
else.
God didn't save you to be EddieSpencer.
He saved you to be you.
Somebody needs to hear yourtestimony because you might have
the right word.
There are some people that Ispeak to.
My testimony just completelypassed.
But then there's somebody whocome and say hey, I was afraid
(11:19):
of this.
It may impact that person.
You might identify saying hewas afraid or she was afraid.
I have fear.
I want to know how theyovercame it.
God used each and every one ofus.
What we fail to realize is isGod did not call us to try to
(11:40):
change anybody.
He does to change you.
That's the reason the Biblesaid we overcame the enemy by
the blood of the lamb and thewhat, the word of our testimony.
I encourage my church members.
I say your testimony is apowerful weapon.
Your testimony determines theoutcome.
(12:02):
It's up to you.
Share your testimony, don't beafraid.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
Another point that I take from your story is that we
have all sinned and fall shortof the glory of God, but we
serve a God that is forgiving,and my sins are no better or
worse than yours.
We're all sinners saved bygrace, and there's nothing you
can do that will separate youfrom God's love and his
(12:31):
willingness to forgive, if we'rejust willing to ask for that.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
Amen.
And the Bible said God saved us.
What he manifests his love forus while we were yet sinners.
Christ died for us, and as Iread my Bible, I thank God for
this.
We only see one perfect personthroughout the Bible.
It's our Lord and Savior, jesusChrist.
(12:56):
Everyone else you see themfalling, you see them rising up.
You see them falling.
You see them rising up.
You see them falling, you seethem rising up.
That's what the grace comesfrom God's grace, for by grace
(13:16):
are you saved, and not ofyourself.
But one of the things that Itell people and I also remind
myself don't use your weaknessas an excuse not to change.
If you see something in yourlife that you know that needs to
change, don't allow it toestablish in your life where you
(13:39):
begin to accept it.
You know, just like my anger, Ihad to say Lord, I don't want
to be like this right here, Ineed you to change me.
And a lot of people say, no,you was born with that.
Right there.
No matter what you were bornwith, god can change you.
The Bible says, therefore ifany man be in Christ, he's a new
(14:00):
creature.
Old things are passed away.
Behold, all things become new.
Our God is able to renew ourlife, and that's what we should
seek Now.
Once you begin to take pride inyour weakness no, you can't
change because you have acceptedwhatever it is in your life.
(14:23):
I preach on Sunday where Paulsays you know, I sought the Lord
three times and the Lord saidmy grace is sufficient.
And he said that when I'm weak,then I'm strong.
You see, god wants to take ourweakness and change it so that
(14:44):
others can see and they'll say,just being this, what you used
to be.
And you said but thank God thatI'm not, that now you know.
That's where the testimony comein, that you can see the
contrast, why I used to be andwhat I am now.
You know what I used to be, whatI am now, and that's another
(15:09):
thing that I talk when I talk toyoung people, especially those
in prison do not take pride inyour past.
It's so easy that you canbecome bound to it.
When you begin to talk aboutwho you shot, who you beat up,
who you robbed and everything,you start taking pride in that.
(15:32):
That's a spirit that you'reallowing to establish itself in
your life and it binds you andit begins to in your life and it
binds you and it begins tocontrol your life.
And it's so easy reading somany of them back because they
imbound themselves with thatspirit by talking about what I
(15:54):
used to do and I said changeyour conversation, your words.
The Bible says life and deathin the power of the tongue.
Life and death is in the powerof the tongue.
Speaker 1 (16:09):
Okay, I got two more points and we're going to wrap
it up.
God provides all through yourtestimony.
Whether it be a godly wife thatcould be by your side when you
ministered in the Delta, orfriends that you needed along
the way when he called you to dosomething, he provides all you
(16:29):
need.
Can you add a little more aboutthat?
Speaker 2 (16:33):
First of all, he knows our needs.
A lot of times we get needs andwants mixed up.
He said in his word.
He said he would give us thedesires of our heart, and a lot
of people really misunderstandthat when he said I will give
you the desires of your heart,but that's a heart who now
(16:55):
desires to serve him, to do hiswill, to glorify him, because
that's what we want.
Lord, yes, I want you to giveme the desires of my heart, that
wife.
So that wife that you give mewill also be able to glorify you
, to honor you, not justsomebody who I can just look at
(17:20):
as a trophy or whatever, butthat one that you know who I
need because you know thedesires of our heart.
A lot of times we think that weknow what we want or well, let
me rephrase that, what we needwe really don't know.
Just like the children ofIsrael, when God told them, say
(17:42):
you know you don't need a king,they say, oh, we want a king.
He said, no, you do not need,you do not need it.
He told them over and over,because wants bring consequences
, but desires bring blessings.
And a lot of times, how manytimes we said that we wanted
(18:04):
something and it ended upcosting us more than we ever
thought.
It caused broad pain and hurt.
You tell folks I want aboyfriend, I want a girlfriend,
but just one one and not theright one.
Your heart end up being broken.
Wrong one and not the right one, your heart end up being broken
(18:29):
.
So God, will he say, will giveus the desires of our heart.
But then, lord, I turn mydesires over to you so that you
can begin to mold and to shapeme into what you want me to be,
amen.
Speaker 1 (18:40):
The final point, and you've talked about having
cancer, the battle that's beenongoing, you know, I think far
too often we don't talk aboutheaven.
We don't talk about that thereis victory in Jesus, that when
we all get to heaven it will bea glorious day, complete healing
.
Be a glorious day, completehealing, reuniting with other
(19:05):
brothers and sisters in Christ.
So I just ask you to kind oftell your perspective, the idea
that to live is Christ but todie is gain.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
One of the things and I guess that's what God used in
this.
Now I have peace using this,now I have peace.
Yes, this cancer I'm talkingabout just even three weeks ago
was a dark moment for me and I'dseen like being in the hospital
was a dark moment.
But one of the things that Ihad and I said to my wife, I
(19:40):
said to my daughter everybody, Ihave peace, I have peace,
knowing that, yes, my God can,he can, he can change me, he can
heal me, but if not, I knowthat he can bring me into his
presence.
So I'm talking about there's nofear when you know, without a
(20:02):
shadow of a doubt, that you havethat personal relationship with
the Lord Jesus Christ, notchurch membership, but a
personal relationship with theLord Jesus Christ, when you know
that you have invited him intoyour heart to be your Lord and
Savior.
And that's the reason Davidsaid yea, though I walk through
(20:27):
the valley of the shadow ofdeath, I will fear no evil, for
I know that thou art with me.
The Lord walked with us inevery situation and I have felt
his presence.
I know he's present.
And even just the other day, mywife and I sat down making
(20:48):
funeral arrangements, pickingout casks and stuff.
I had peace, not afraid, orwhatever, because I do know that
to be absent from the body isto be with Christ, but to
continue to live it is to gain.
I'm talking about you knowwe'll be absent from the body is
(21:09):
gain.
I know that.
Yes, I would love to be herefor my wife and my kids, my
grandkids and everythingenjoying them.
But I'm going to enjoy them,even to the end.
But I encourage a person do notstep out of this world or out of
this life without a trueassurance.
(21:32):
Just like you will have yourdeath policy or insurance policy
, you better make sure you haveyour salvation policy, knowing
without a shadow of a doubt thatyou have the Lord, jesus Christ
, as your Lord and Savior.
That right there is wortheverything.
(21:52):
I have no fear.
I'm not afraid, I'm nottormented, knowing, okay, these
pains or whatever I get excitedabout.
When some of my doctors say, oh, when he was talking to me he
said well, what you want to do?
Do you want to stop everything?
Do you want to go on?
(22:13):
I said we're going to go on,we're going to go on and for
them to get like.
Even yesterday, when we saw thedoctor.
He even said you know, a fewweeks ago we was carrying him.
But look at God.
Speaker 1 (22:26):
He continues to use you every day.
My prayer is that God will takeyour testimony today and for
those who are hurting, who needthat hope, that God will use
this to speak to them, to bringthem to Christ.
And the ultimate hope is heaven, that to live is Christ, but to
(22:47):
die is gain, and we have ourhope in Him.
Thank y'all so much forlistening and sharing this time
together, and my brother, eddieSpencer, I love you and I thank
God for the wonderful, wonderfultestimony that you have been to
so many.
To God be the glory.
Speaker 2 (23:06):
Yeah, to God be the glory.
Just one little nippy.
If you listen, have theprivilege of hearing this.
Ask the question, lord, why didyou allow me to hear this
podcast?
And I want to encourage you inthe Lord to search your heart.
If you have not given your lifeto the Lord Jesus Christ, don't
(23:26):
continue to put it off.
You see, you might say Eddie isclose to death because he got
cancer, but you might be morecloser than me because the Bible
said there is nothing but astep between us and death.
So I want to encourage you inthe Lord, search your heart.
(23:46):
If you do not know the LordJesus Christ as your Lord and
Savior, just ask him.
Lord, come in, come in, forgiveme of my sins, and I guarantee
he will, and he will change yourlife.
Amen, amen, amen.
Speaker 1 (24:05):
Amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen.
Speaker 2 (24:08):
Amen, amen, hope, mississippi.
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