 Did you know that your testimony is your treasure of faith? When we first give our life to Christ we get that excitement and thrill to tell the whole world about how our lives has been transformed and that we are a new creation in Christ. But our testimony should not just stop there.
Our Testimonies should always be shared with others about the way that God is and has been moving in our lives. It takes faith to share your testimony and it takes grace for people to be a witness of your testimony and believe the goodness of the Lord. John 3:33 says that ‘he that hath received his testimony have set to his seal that God is true’. Not everyone will receive your testimony. Some will be angry; some will be frustrated and question God as to when it will be their turn to testify. Some will even be jealous. But the truth of the matter is that whoever receives another person’s testimony in their heart they have declared that God is the true miracle working God.
If we look at the Old Testament, God had to use his ark as a testimony; the ark of covenant was a testimony to the Israelites when God paved the way for them to cross the Jordan River. The ark of covenant was also a sign of God's goodness when the Israelites crossed the Jordan over to the Promised Land. What a mighty testimony that was for the Israelites, after all that suffering, persecution and hardship, God finally made a way for them.
You may have been through certain challenges (such as severe illness, redundancy, loss of house etc). Some of you may have experienced so many challenges in 2011 that you could not even count, 1st Corinthians 16:9 says ‘for a great door and effectual is opened unto me and there are many adversaries’. Although they were so many challenges and adversaries God was so faithful to see you through. It was evident that God made a way for you and delivered you out of such situations. I have seen certain situations where doctors have said that a person has only few hours to live but to the glory of God the person is still here today.
It is good to testify to give an account of the continual process of your walk of faith as a Christian. We can say we are
| Your words of testifying are so powerful because you are declaring that the devil cannot destroy what God has done in your life. Rev 12:11. |
Christians but if we have not testified to the goodness of God it might be difficult for non-believers to see that evidence of God moving in our lives. When you share your testimony you are decreeing that your testimony is permanent. Revelations 12:11 states ‘And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death’. Your words of testifying are so powerful because you are declaring that the devil cannot destroy what God has done in your life. God's blessings will never add sorrow. Whatever great thing God does in your life will bring so much joy not only to you but also to those witnessing.
Testifying will begin to encourage others as you will become a first point of contact for those trusting God to also do the same thing in their lives. Some people have been trusting God concerning a particular situation for many years. Your testifying will bring encouragement to the person trusting God.
Testifying is also a way of winning unbelievers to Christ. It can be noted that Jesus is a testimony to the nation. The fact that he died on the cross for you and I so that we would not perish but have eternal life is a testimony of what Jesus has already done for us. Jesus wants us to testify of him (John 5: 39) in our places of work, in our family, to unbelievers, in our churches. Everywhere you feet treads upon you should grab the opportunity to testify of Jesus goodness. Whilst doing this ensure that your testimony is focused on God. 1st Timothy 1:8 states ‘therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me’.
That means that your confession of the goodness of the Lord and the fact that Jesus died for you should be declared boldly, with a passion and most importantly should be God focused. This is to avoid taking all the glory when it is in fact God that takes all the glory for the goodness in our lives. Why not step out in faith today and take courage as a child of God to testify of Jesus Christ and the goodness in your life.
Many people miss the opportunity to testify due to several reasons:
- Lack of confidence due to discouragement in the past (even though God has seen them through).
- Some people have gone through a very traumatic experience in their past; they are still holding onto this and even though God has done something miraculous in their life they feel that the blessing could be destroyed or taken away from them.
- Exaggeration of testimony. Just tell the truth. Some people knowingly can exaggerate a testimony to try to win an audience. This only leads to witnesses not taking the testimony seriously.
Missing the opportunity to testify can also lead to another person missing their blessing or breakthrough. Remember that your testimony can be that key to transform or an antidote for change in someone’s life. It can also (not always) lead to God delaying further miracles taking place. It may appear that maybe you are not grateful to what God is doing, this can then delay the process of further miracles taking place.
As you step out in faith, I pray that 2012 will be a great year with mighty testimonies. As you step out in faith to testify may God continue to bless you and your loved ones as you continue to make an impact in His kingdom.
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