Your testimony is powerful

What a joy it was last week to have 28 ladies in our home. They came from far and wide, were sitting in almost every available space on couches, chairs and cushions on the floor. Why did they come? They were all eager to hear three ladies share the story of their lives and how God’s love and faithfulness has brought them to where they are today – vibrant young ladies, in love with their Heavenly Father and pursuing His purposes for their lives.

It reminded me of what it must have been like when the crowds gathered around Jesus. They even climbed trees to see Him.

The bottom line is people have a hunger for what is real and what is the truth. There is a hunger in all of us for more than what we have experienced. No one can refute the reality of someone’s life story. Testimonies are powerful.  They bring life and hope, can create curiosity, they are inspiring and can challenge us and stir us up to believe God for more in our lives. If God has brought someone else through a hard time or worked a miracle in a life He can surely do the same for us.

Don’t underestimate the impact your story can have on those around you. You may have had friends for a while and you haven’t yet shared the gospel with them. The trap of “friendship evangelism” is often you find it hard to bring up the gospel, sometimes for fear of losing the relationship. My challenge to you is to say something like “hey, we’ve known each other for a while now, you know I have a faith in God but I have never shared my story and I’d like to, so how about we meet for a coffee and I’ll fill you in”. Then make an opening in the conversation to share something of your testimony with them, including the gospel. Being friends with prebelievers is great and the time will be right for you to share the gospel with them and I recommend you don’t leave it too long. As long as you are willing the Holy Spirit will lead you in the timing and who knows maybe your friend has been longing to know the Lord for a long time and you are the one to have the joy of bringing them to salvation.

It’s time to be bold and speak up and draw people into the kingdom of God.

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

Be all you are called to be

I love to imagine what the church would be like if we heard from God daily, we had no fears, and did what He said. And imagine if we all really believed what God says about us.

Let’s start with this promise (my version of Colossians 2:9,10) – For in Him (Jesus) the whole fullness of Deity continues to dwell in bodily form – giving complete expression of the divine nature and you are in Him, made full and have come to fullness of life – in Christ you too are ‘ filled full’ with the Godhead: Father, Son and Holy spirit, that is, you are perfect in Him.

Did that say I am filled full with God and I am perfect in Christ? Yes!! I could probably stop there as that promise sounds enough to do all that God has called us to do but I’ll add a few other verses.

Let’s look at  Luke 10:19 which was when Jesus was talking to the disciples.

Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and physical and mental strength and ability over all the power that the enemy possesses and nothing shall in any way harm you.

BEHOLD means to see or observe something that is remarkable or impressive. In other words TAKE NOTE! We have authority, power, physical and mental strength and ability over all the power of the enemy and NOTHING will harm us – and this was written before the Holy Spirit was given!

1 Cor. 2:16 We have the mind of Christ and hold the thoughts, feelings and purposes of His heart

Prov.28:1 the uncompromisingly righteous are bold as a lion.

You won’t need these promises if you stay as you are in your comfort zone. You actually only need them if you are uncompromising, desiring God’s will over your own. Don’t leave these promises on the pages of your Bible. Step out into that adventure with God. Partner with God, claim His promises, be all you’re called to be and see what He will do through your life to bring His kingdom to earth.