“To hold a testimony, one must bear it often and live worthy of it. “
Spencer W. Kimball
What does your testimony look like? You might be asking
yourself what exactly is a testimony? It’s your story, a synopsis of your life;
- Beginning – How you were raised, where you came from.
- Middle – Circumstances in your life, turning points,
accomplishments, your journey. - Climax – For people that have received Jesus Christ as their
L-rd & seeing their life change {this could be considered a climax}. - Present – What are you doing now?
Break down your life; think about your ups and downs, the
good and the bad, and what makes your story unique. For some of you, you might
doubt the validity of your story and say something like, “I’m just like
everyone else, nothing interesting has happened in my life.”
That’s a lie.
You have a story and more importantly, G-d has given you a unique story. There
is no one else like you and there never will be anyone else like you.
Did you know that not one fingerprint is the same to another
persons?
Think about that for a second.
For every single person that has walked the earth… Not one
person’s fingerprint has been identical to someone else’s. You are special and
you have a story.
Over the past few months, I have been given the
incredible privilege to listen to people’s stories and how G-d has either
reformed someone’s life or they’re about to let Him.
Jonathan – A
young man strung out on drugs. He ran away from home to find a ‘better life’
and then he found himself in prison and now on the streets. He was hopeless and
alone, ready for something to change and then we told him about Jesus.
Aida – A woman
from El Salvador, born and raised in a Christian home and then married a Muslim
man, moved to the Jordan, and became a Muslim. She is now in her 60’s, recently
diagnosed with colon cancer and returned to El Salvador to give her final
good-byes and that’s where we met her. We reminded her of the love of Jesus and
who He is, we prayed for her and I believe she is now healed.
Herman – A 17
year old man in Honduras who previously 6 months ago was wanted dead. He caused havoc
on the streets, stole, threatened people’s lives, and was strung out on drugs.
Five years ago, he met a man, Tony who established a friendship and poured into him and
eventually showed him Jesus. Herman is now off the streets, living at Zion’s
Gate, (The ministry we’re working with in Honduras) freed from drugs and
alcohol, and has fully given his life to serve Jesus Christ.
These are just a few glimpses into some of the people I’ve
met. Some are still on their journey to find Jesus and the plan He has for
their life and others have been fully set free from their past, ready for G-d
to move.
So again I ask you, what is your story?
Your story is not to be kept in the dark. Your testimony,
your life is to be shared and exchanged with other people; to encourage,
strengthen, or warn others of the lessons you’ve learned. The best part of any
story is when Jesus steps in and sets people free from guilt, shame,
resentment, addictions, hurt, pain, and even death. Jesus gives purpose and life
to the fullest. He sets people free.
“And He died for all,
that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died
for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly
point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the
new has come!”
[2 Corinthians
5:16-17]
I know some of you might not know Jesus yet, but He wants to
know you. He has a plan and purpose for your life, just as He has for mine, for
the Jonathan’s, the Herman’s, and the Aida’s. G-d has a plan for your life if
you’re willing to give it to Him. I’m not saying it’s easy and matter of fact,
it’s harder, but with Jesus, you are healed. You will be made whole. You will
feel alive with purpose and not only will He transform your life, but He will
use your life, your testimony, your story to transform other peoples lives.
He loves you just the way you are and you don’t need to
change anything. All He wants is you to do is come to Him, invite Him in and
make Him King and Savior over your life. He’ll do the rest. It only takes one step at a time.
If you’ve never prayed to G-d before or it’s been awhile,
take a few minutes to ask G-d to reveal Himself to you. Invite him in and
expect Him to answer, because He will.
For those of you who do call Jesus L-rd, I urge you, to
start sharing your story. Boast in what G-d has done in your life, people need
to hear it.
It’s time to start living in the fullness of who G-d created [you]
to be.
“Now have come the
salvation and the power and the Kingdom of our G-d, the authority of His
Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our G-d day
and night, has been hurled down.
They overcame him, by the blood of
the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.”
[Revelation 12:10-11]
