Monday, August 8, 2011

Your Testimony

We serve a God who takes your fears, 
your weaknesses, 
your shortcomings, 
things that try to destroy you, 
things that you are ashamed of, 
actions you wish you could take back, 
opportunities you have missed, 
areas of your life you wish you could change, 
wrong decisions you have made;

He Turns Them Into Your Testimony!

The things that once tried to destroy us become the very things that God uses in our lives to show others His Faithfulness; His Power; His Grace and Unconditional Love!

The Past

Are there areas in your past that haunt you?
Do those thoughts and memories, guilt and shame, weigh you down?

No matter what things you have done, surrender them to God.
He already knows all about them anyway!

Our loving Father God wants to take those burdens off of you.

Allow Him to use those mistakes to reach others who may struggle with those same issues today.
These parts of your life may be the most important parts of your testimony.

The price for your sins has already been paid.
The sacrifice has been made for them on a cross 2000 years ago.

Accept the forgiveness that Jesus offers you and move on!

Don't hold on to your past mistakes.  
Instead, give them to God so you can live each day in freedom!

The Present

Are there things in your life today that keep you from being completely authentic to others?
Are you hiding parts of your life because you are too embarrassed to share them?

What are your secrets?

Perhaps you struggle with an addiction.
If so, know this... 
You are not alone!

Use the tools that are out there, such as recovery programs, and stand each day in the scripture that "You can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens you!" (Phil. 4:13)

Move that addiction from something that controls you to something that God controls so that He can use it as part of your testimony!

Are you having problems in your finances?
Your Relationships?
Your Self Image?
Your Self Confidence?
Your Health?

No matter what your weakness is, give that area of your life over to God.

In second Corinthians Paul talks about having a thorn in his flesh.

It is an issue that torments him.
He has prayed for God to remove it three times yet he still fights it.

You see, even the Apostle Paul had an area of weakness that he struggled with.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9 God tells Paul, "My Grace is sufficient for you. My strength is made perfect in weakness..." (KJV)

Because Paul surrendered this to God it has become part of his testimony that still helps us today.

Accept this Promise from God that His grace is sufficient for you!

His Strength is made Perfect in Your Weakness!

Take a stand against the guilt and shame that torment you.
Decide that you are not going to give into fear or worry!

The Future

Now that you know the promises above, live each day in victory!

Remember when you stumble that we serve a God who will help you back onto your feet and transform that problem into another part of your testimony!

Walk each day knowing that it doesn't matter what others think of you.

The only opinion that should matter to us is that of God our Father!

Strive to live His plan for your life!
Nothing else matters!
No other opinion matters!

Come out of the closet!

I'm not just talking about coming out as being gay, lesbian, bi, or trans.

Throw the doors of your closet wide open and show the world ALL the things that God has brought you through!

You never know who you might be touching through your testimony.

You never know who might look into your closet and see encouragement, hope; even see the love of Jesus himself in your life!

You never know what lives you might be saving by sharing with others that you have been there too and it really DOES get better!

Be the beacon of light, the shining city on a hill, illuminating the world that is lost in darkness with the brightness of Christ's power for all to see!

"Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary use words." 
- Saint Francis of Assisi

By living your life openly and honestly, living your testimony, you are reaching people around you when you don't even know it.

"We Triumph by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of our Testimony!" (Rev 12:11)

Move forward, walking in victory, and living the life of freedom that comes from allowing God to use every part of you to His glory!

Let God take the good, the bad, and the ugly that is your life and transform it ALL into your beautiful Testimony!

As Always, Remember:

God Loves You!
God Created You!
God Accepts You!

Until Next Time,

SavedByGrace