At our church, we have "testimony time" on Tuesday nights prior to the Bible Study lesson. It's a time for members and others to share with the congregation, the goodness of the Lord in their life.
A lot of times we think, "I don't really have a testimony". And that's because we often assume that it has to be this earth-shattering religious experience, that resonates with angels dancing and the sound of harps playing in the background.
But truth be told, we ALL have a testimony. A testimony is simply a public declaration of where you were at a particular time in your life, how God intervened, and where you are now. I too used to believe that I didn't have a testimony until I started thinking about all of the small things (that were really big things) that the Lord had brought me over, around, and through. In fact, there is so much that the Lord has done for me, that as the songwriter wrote, "I just can't tell it all". But sometimes, we have to shut the devil up by sharing our story, even when we feel worn, weary and beatdown.
So here goes: I thank God for keeping me through some really crazy stuff! While in college, like a lot of young adults, I got caught up in the midst of a few things (and a few people). I would catch a ride home with someone I had just met; drink out of cups that had been left on a table in a club after coming back from dancing; ride in cars with drivers who had been drinking; take trips down the highway with NO money; room with people who I knew "nothing" about; sell books door to door, out of state, with another group of people who I knew "nothing" about; and on and on and on.
I'm sure you're saying, "yes that WAS crazy"! And it was! But THROUGH IT ALL, God still kept me! He kept me from being poisoned and drugged; he kept me from being a drunk driving statistic; he kept me from being robbed, beaten, or left in the middle of nowhere! HE KEPT ME! And because of that, I must say, THANK YOU LORD!
When God has a purpose for your life, you can think that you have derailed it, but His guiding hand will always steer you and direct you. He has a way of cutting danger off at the path. He protects us and He covers us.
I'm thankful that God has kept me. I know that some people are "almost perfect" and can't imagine the foolishness that I've experienced, but all I can say is "but God". Looking back, I realize that it has only been God who has watched over me, even when in my silly state of mind.
And because of that, I have a testimony. For everything that I have gone through (and this doesn't even touch the tip of the iceberg), I'm still here! And it makes the devil mad! It's something when you can go through some fiery experiences, and like the three Hebrew boys, come out without even the stench of smoke! (Daniel 3:27)
You too have a testimony, big or small. And maybe, just maybe, you'll share just a bit.....in order to make the devil really mad!! Minister T
I NEED A WORD - DEVOTIONAL
Jeremiah 29:11 - "'For I know the plans that I have for you', declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope".
Everyone has a story to share. Sometimes we allow ourselves to believe that because of the experiences that we've had and many times the bad choices that we've made, that God can't or won't use us. But God has a plan for you. I'm a living witness! His plan is not to harm you, but to do you good. He even has a future expectation for you. So regardless of what you have gone through, know that God has a purpose for your life, yet to be fulfilled.
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Wow! 1st Lady! I'm glad you shared this. My "wild" side is what pushed me into the arms of Christ. I was very promiscuous, hung with girls i knew were up to no good, would hang out til 5AM in the morning with guys I didn't even know. But what really pushed me over the edge was having sex with a guy I didn't know when I was 17. Only talked to him for about 10mins. After we had done our "deed" I WALKED home got in the shower and cried. My cycle was a week late & I was TERRIFIED that I might be pregnant. I told God that if He saved me I promised Him I would serve Him however He wanted me to! Needless to say I wasn't pregnant and a few months later I gave my life to Christ & I haven't looked back! I thank Him for keeping me, not allowing me to get an STD or to get pregnant. That is something I do not take lightly and I know it was only because of His GRACE & MERCY!!! Just sharing this makes me so mindful & grateful of all the many things He has done for me. All I can say is THANK YOU JESUS!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Sistasouljah88! Girl, you got a TESTIMONY! To God Be The Glory!
ReplyDeleteI have so much to be thankful for through one of my MANY testimonies. When I was 15 my mother was sent to prison for 90 years for stabbing a young lady in a night club over a man. Our home was already dysfunctional due to her doing drugs, staying out weeks at a time without me or my brother knowing where she was. I remember one time we were hungry we went to the neighborhood grocery store & stole some steaks (we had to do what we had to do back then to survive) my brother was 20 at the time & he also was in the world doing drugs with my mother. I moved to NY with my aunt when she was sent to prison at the time I was already having sex but once I came to NY it was with anyone I felt comfortable with. As I became older it seemed to have gotten worst I had a LOT of partners. I met an older man whom I stayed with for over 8 years without being married, we had our ups & downs but finally we married in 2003. Not long after being married we both knew it was a mistake so we separated. During the time of our separation I met my new BOO Anthony, he was in a similar situation he was married also but his wife was suffering from MS. She eventually passed away but he never stopped thinking about her (they were married for 16 years). We moved to Charlotte in 2008 to start our life over. After hearing about New Beginnings through 2 mutual friends we decided to come to church on January 18th that is the day I said I’m here Lord take me with all my mess. I accepted Christ that day, Anthony accepted the next week. On February 20th I went to my mother’s parole hearing in Alabama where the parole board finally said YES to release my mother after 22 years in prison. So I give God all the praise & Glory because had I not found a church of wonderful believers and an awesome Alter Counselor I don’t know where I would be today. And to top it all off my divorce is final so me & Anthony will be become 1 very soon. So I’m thankful!!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! Now that, Felicia, is a TESTIMONY! Glory to God!
ReplyDeleteHi First Lady,
ReplyDeleteEvery day I give thanks to God for everything He has done for me and will continue to do for me. My mother treated me different from my sisters. I thought because my father left her when she was pregnant with me so I never knew my father. I was molested as a child by several family members, gang raped, date raped, strung out on cocaine (where it would make my noise bleed), alcohol, weed, slept around with men (one day with three men at different times during that day) and sometimes I would wake up wondering did I sleep with him, low self-esteem, suicidal and the list goes on. With all that said, MY GOD still kept me alive. He knows the plans of my life as it states in Jeremiah 29:11. His grace and mercy is unforgettable. I will always serve My GOD with all of me for what he brought me from. My testimony will help others to know that they can overcome any obstacles in life. My GOD was with me even though I did not know him like I know him now. When I gave my life to Christ in October 2005 and joined New Beginning Community Church my life changed around. I started working at the church as a volunteer for two month then I became the assistant to the Pastor. GOD has done miraculous things in my life as well as my husband. He turned my life around 360◦. GOD continues to bless me every day just by waking me up every morning so I can continue to serve unto Him one more time. That itself is a blessing. There are times I just want to give it all up. My GOD will not allow me to as it states in Roman 8:28 and we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. I must stay in his Will. As Pastor preached today, GOD is going to bless me a hundred fold, Mark 10:28-31 for everything I have invested in HIM via talent, financially and serving. I love my GOD for his strength, peace and just life itself. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
Thanks for sharing Dar! God is going to use you (at the proper time) to minister to hurting and abused women. WHAT A TESTIMONY!
ReplyDeleteI have been through some relationships that were not healthy for me and I stayed in those relationships because I thought that was the best I could do. I lost myself in those relationships and thought that this was the way it was supposed to be. In college, I met people off of the internet that I completely knew nothing about. God kept me through those times, because they could have done anything to me and no one was around to help or save me but God's grace and mercy on my life. I continued this pattern all throughout school and once I graduated. My semi wake up call was a relationship that was becoming violent, something that I had never experienced previously. And I knew then this was not what I needed in my life. But one year ago now, I found New Beginnings and it has completely changed my life. I never thought of being able to find a church home that I feel so comfortable in, but yet apart of as well. I was never able to talk to the anyone in the church on a one on one basis and this truly means a lot to me. I am at home and I thank God everyday for being introduced to New Beginnings. I am so happy and excited as I take the ride from SC to NC everytime I come to the church. The drive is nothing to me anymore, I am just ready and eager to see what God has in store for me everytime I walk through those doors!! God has done so much in my life and I am ready in willing to serve in any way that I can to show him my gratitude of him keeping me everytime I decided to do something that was out of my true character. That is why I continue to live by Romans 8:28.
ReplyDeletePraise God Jessica! Isn't it sweet how God saves us from US! Who wouldn't serve a God like that! What a TESTIMONY!
ReplyDeleteI admit I am one who didn’t think I had a testimony, especially not one to get up in front of the church to tell! I felt like I did not go through anything horrific, but now I know I didn’t because of God’s grace and people praying for me. While in college (even before college) I let everything I was taught go to the wayside. When they say watch out for the quiet ones, they were talking about me! You wouldn’t believe some of the foolish things I did or didn’t do. But yet God allowed me to get through all of it despite me not deserving it. Even after becoming pregnant I still didn’t grasp the understanding of HIS hand of mercy, until a friend invited me to New Beginnings with her. By this time I was through with church and church people. I just knew I was going to get looked at funny wobbling in the church, no ring on my finger. But as soon as I stepped I felt Gods love through his people and before I even heard a word out of pastors mouth I knew I wanted that kind of love not the love I have failed to get out in this world. I can remember pastor doing the altar call and me feeling the presence of God urging me up there but I was too ashamed. Then pastor stated he felt someone struggling with themselves and I knew he was talking about me. I gave my life to the Lord and have been going strong since. Even through the tough time he has always provided. And I ask for your prays for my continued strength in the Lord.
ReplyDeleteSweetLiz, I am proud of you and your commitment to the Lord and your church. Continue to stay faithful and steadfast. The best is yet to come! What a TESTIMONY!
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