Keeping it fresh
6th May 2010 by Julia Hosking
Once upon a time a 'testimony period' was a part of the Sunday service where people would stand up and talk about what God had done in their lives.
I remember many of those testimonies being almost as old as Noah himself. It seemed as though no-one talked about the up-to-date things that God was doing in their lives – it was instead simply a recounting of the moment they accepted Jesus as their Saviour 30 or 40 years ago.
Testify today!
Now don't get me wrong – I'm all for hearing people's story of how they met Jesus. But if that was the last time they encountered the life changing presence of God, then I'm a little concerned.
There is something really powerful about celebrating what God is up to TODAY! Even if it might seem insignificant to you, for someone else it might be the very thing that speaks to them about what God CAN do.
As Revelation 19:10 puts it, "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy". In other words when we speak about or honour Jesus for what he's doing, it acts as a prophetic word (declaring something to be possible) for someone who hears that testimony.
Honouring God
I have a friend who suffers from fibromyalgia. I also know a couple of people who God has healed from this same awful disease. Whenever I hear of God healing someone of fibromyalgia I make sure to let my friend read or hear of that testimony.
Am I just rubbing it in that she's not healed? NO WAY! I want to build her faith, and encourage her that God is at work, he has not forgotten her and that each day she is one day closer to her healing.
At our church we take the time often to honour Jesus for what he is doing. We focus on what he is doing, not on what he isn't. We will happily give God honour for things we've previously honoured him for, holding onto those stories until new ones come. It is such a powerful weapon against discouragement and doubt.
What about you?
What is God up to in your life? Have you told anyone? Have you given Jesus the "hat tip" for his work in your life? I want to encourage you to take every opportunity you can to tell people what he's up to.
Maybe you're actually in a place of really needing God to do something in your life. Maybe you are desperate for God to heal you of something. Perhaps you are struggling with a situation and it feels hopeless.
Here's what I do.
I find a testimony where God has already done that thing I'm so desperate for and I give him honour for it. I focus on what God has done and I continue to thank him in the midst of all the circumstances of my life.
What this does is it stops me throwing myself a grand old pity party (which are never that great anyway because no one brings you presents and you end up having to clean up the mess afterwards). It causes me to recognise that God is bigger than this problem and it gives me hope that if he has already done it once, he can do it again.
Where are the stories?
The internet is such a great source for testimonies of God's activity in our world. YouTube is full of testimonies. I also check out the website for Bethel Church in Redding California and Twitter is also a fantastic way to hear about what God is getting up to. It all about who you follow (you can follow me @ www.twitter.com/theshar).
In our corps, 'sharing time' is my favourite part of the meeting. We get to brag on God and it blows me away just how much he is doing and how one person's story unlocks the breakthrough for another person.
Your story is a powerful tool that God is longing to use to help someone else gain their freedom. So don't keep it to yourself any longer. Start bragging about Jesus ... go on! I dare you!
By Shar Davis (Captain), Corps Officer Grandview Corps New Zealand
(Got a testimony you want to share? Write to us today! -Ed)
save. grow. serve.
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Got your own story to share? Write to us today!
Comments
This is great! Thanks, Shar!
Now that you're all thinking about testimonies, and testifying to what God's doing in your life - come along to the Regional Youth Rally at Sydney Congress Hall on Sunday 16th May, 4pm. We'll be talking about all of this stuff!