Your Story, His Story

The Influence of a Testimony

"Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story
those he redeemed from the hand of the foe." Psalm 107:2

On Sunday, we took our new middle eastern friends to the only church made up of their nationality in all of Colorado. Afterward our friend who we knew from years ago, who now  happens to live here in Denver and goes to that church (and is from the same country as our new friends) took us all out to lunch and shared his testimony. There is something so powerful about hearing how God has worked in someones life. It brings you face to face with the reality that God has stepped in.

Have you ever shared your story  of God interrupting your life? Why or why not?

People are interested in stories. If they are talking to you, chances are they have some level of interest in your life. Great opportunity to show God as a personal God. Great way for you to use your story to brag about Him.

Like most things in life to be done well, it requires effort and intentionality. For an ax to be effective in chopping down a tree it has to be sharp and has to be used correctly. Our testimonies are like tools in our tool belt of living on mission. We can wing it and God will use it. But we can also submit our minds to Him and let Him lead our thinking as we plan and gather our thoughts and put them in a format that will pack the most punch.

Have you ever written out your story? Why or why not?

I love my google calendar and tasks list. My memory is far from great but when I actually write a task down in my to-do list I remember it. Writing things down leads to greater rememberance. Writing things down also helps us not be scatterbrained but leads to refinement.

Why not take a few minutes to write out your story of God interupting your life. Here's a tool that can help.

Testimony Giver

Psalm 107 shows God as the Testimony Giver. It gives examples of testimonies. The far from God (v.4-9), the prideful (v.10-16), the selfish (v.17-22) and the weary (v. 23 on). Everyone can relate to those things.

So if you feel like your story isnt that dramatic or exciting as someone else, know that is the beautiful  thing about personal testimonies, is that every person is different and therefore different people will be able to relate to them. And know that it doesn't have to be dramatic to be powerful. Just like in Psalm 107.

When I hear stories of peoples lives who dont have all this junk involved it gives me hope and makes me in awe of God-how He really can protect. And I know there a lot of non-believers who grew up and never really did anything "that bad" (according to our culture) so they think they are a good person and dont really need Jesus. Your testimony would be perfect for them to hear!

Seemingly innocent" people are also awesome because sometimes those crazy, they were really messed up stories cause people to feel justfied, "well, I'm not that bad."  But when someone hears that even at the age of 8 I had broken God's standard of perfection and therefore deserved to not go to heaven because of my guilt it causes people to think, "Wow, how much could a 8 year old really do? If they were guilty perhaps I am too?" 

I encourage you to put intention behind your story. Polish it and make it usable and accessible. Sharpen your God-given tool to use to make Him known.

And do you know anyone else that could benefit from hearing this? Will you take a minute to share it with them?

I'm linking up with...
We Are that Family, A Holy Experience, My Daily Walk in His Grace,  Internet Cafe Devotions, Cyndi Spivey,