COWBOY TESTIMONIES
DUSTIN LUPER
How many of the Christians today know that God heals through Faith? Well He does, and I am a walking testimony.
On March 13, 2000 I was faced with a career ending injury (for those who don't believe… it would have been, but that’s not acceptable for Gods children!). I was practicing at the National American University Equine Center where our rodeo team practices riding rough stock. I was riding bulls and every thing was going awesome. I was riding good and felt confident with things, but the fifth bull I got on was soon to change my life forever.
I nodded my head for the gate to be opened, and I was aggressive as the bull started to buck. However, as the bull spun hard, it wasn't long before I knew I was hung up. Before I could get my hand free, the bull “cow kicked” my right leg and snapped it in half at the knee. I was in severe pain, but before I could yell for help, I was hurled from the bull.
My teammates were immediately in the arena ministering help, and it was right then that my coach and I prayed for healing in my leg. I truly deep down had faith that it would heal. God says have faith like in Mark 11:22-25. In Mark chapter 10 verse 27 Jesus says, "with man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." Also in Hebrews chapter 11 verse 1 it says, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." I was certain of the healing in my leg. James chapter 1 verse 6 says, "But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." So when I prayed, I believed and didn't doubt… no matter how long it took, no matter how much hard work and trials I had to go through… I would endure and believe in God.
My knee was destroyed. I had dislocated my kneecap and three out of four ligaments in my knee were torn in half… they were totally gone! I had also torn the main arteries in my leg that supply the blood and the perennial nerve that moves my foot up and to the side was crushed. The first thing the Doctor told me was… “there’s a chance that I could lose my leg because of the lack of blood”. These were my very words I said boldly, "No you won't… because I believe in God for the healing of my leg… you will see!" The Doctor began to ensure me again of the problem. This is how satan acts in life, …“ he comes to steal kill and destroy, but Jesus came so that you might have life and have it in abundance”. John 10:10
Once I got a hold of that, I was solid as an Oak tree in my faith, nothing could move me. The Doctor would come in every day and tell me how amazing it was that blood was being supplied to my leg and I told him “God is good!” He was astonished at my faith. Soon after the crisis of me losing my leg was over, the Doctors all told me I would never walk, run, dance, rodeo, or do anything normal again. Same ol’ thing, so I had to crucify the devil and believe in God again. God is perfect, right? So is His healing. He doesn't do a half-fast job, His work is always perfect.
So once again, I proved the Doctors wrong through Gods Word. After three surgeries, a year of hard work through physical therapy and working out… I am back rodeoing again. I still don't have total use of my foot movement, but it is slowly coming back PRAISE GOD!
This trying time has brought me closer to God than I have ever been. He is blessing me every day. The Doctors said I would never rodeo again. Well... I filled my PRCA permit the spring of 2001, and this year… 2002, is my rookie year in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association!
Just have faith, the faith that can move mountains, (Mark 11:22-24) and you will see just how sufficient God's Grace is for you !
Lord Bless you all...
Dustin Lee Lane Luper
