Do Tell

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” – Psalms 46:1 (NIV)

What do you notice about this verse? What jumped out at you?:

When was the last time you’ve pondered on the goodness of God in your life? This week, Pastor Julius preached on the power your personal testimony can bring to others. By definition a testimony is “the evidence or proof provided by the existence or appearance of something.” In Church, we often hear testimonies told of an individuals’ personal narration of a situation in which they “experienced God,” and where He truly revealed Himself to them. 

Often times the world is trying to figure out God’s existence, through facets such as history, science, etc. But a personal testimony is more powerful than that, because you can’t refute someone’s personal story. You can’t disprove their experience. And it is, often times through our honestly, vulnerability, and messiness within our testimony, that we can make a genuine connection with others. It shows others, that if you can overcome through God’s strength, so can they. 

But you can’t have a testimony without a test! Typically, a person’s testimony comes about due to an unfortunate circumstance where they were tried and tested, and it is through those hardships where God reveals Himself the most. 2 Corinthians 12:9 states “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (NIV). So, if you find yourself in a difficult and trying time, take heart, because it is though this experience that God is going to reveal Himself to you, and use your testimony to further glorify His kingdom.

Reflect on the following:

Play the worship song “Praise You In This Storm” by Casting Crowns and let it be a reminder to you when you are overcome with “the storms of life” that God is your helper, your refuge, andyour strength, who is carrying you through. This test will soon be your testimony!

Speak to the Lord and spend some time in prayer:

Father! We thank you for being a mighty fortress, our protector, and our refuge in times oftrouble. We thank you Lord, for guarding us, especially from the things we don’t always see; the things that you prevent so that we are kept out of harms’ way. We pray for a mindset that is only centered on you; where we can “praise You in the storm” when trails comes’ our way. Give us all the boldness to share your goodness with others through the power of the testimony you have given us. In Jesus name we pray, Amen!