Testimony and Trust

 

 

Answer for last week['s quesiton of the week: John 3. 

 

This week the question of the week is: What is the relationship between Paul's teaching and James' teaching about faith and works?

 

This week, I want to help the helpers. You that have a testimony.  You that have worked in ministry and you that has a desire to do so.  Take it from me, sometimes we fail as disciples of Christ because even though our hearts are in the right place, our mouth is not connected.  We say the wrong thing.  I am just trying to help someone on your faith journey. 

Have you ever taken a martial art?  Karate, kung fu, BJJ?  Depending on your ability and school it may take you a little while to get your first belt, sash or stripe.  You with me so far?  One of the things that happens to you really quick is you learn how much you don’t know.  How foolish would it for a white belt to spar with a black belt in karate?  For those that don’t know, you only are taught basic blocks, stances and punches and kicks at that level.  The black belt on the other hand is more experienced and has more tools in his arsenal that you do.

But we go off to help people fast without realizing we don’t know all that is going on.

You ever heard someone quote to you Philippians 4:6-7 with a big old smile, and you wanted to hit them with a one of those three stooges cream pies? 

King James Version

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down.

 

Sounds good. But

It comes down to trust.

 

Maybe you never felt like that.  But personally, Christians can get on your nerves when you are going through tough times.  Although the word of God is legit and true, how you receive it to apply is different. 

 

Why is it that we are so eager to fight a demon with no training? We have a little bit of Scripture and we want to apply that to every situation. 

I know you mean well, but so do those folks that come knock on your door to give you Watchtower tracks.

Here’s a few tips for making your witness better.  Take that scripture and put in your own words that is applicable to the situation.  That will take some thought.  That will take some maturity.  That will slow your roll and allow you to listen which is usually needed more than a memorized Masoretic Hebrew text from the canon, referring to the holy bible.

If you really want to help your buddy remind them that they have to trust God. Now would be a good time to testify to a situation you had. 

Side bar. Testimonies

 

Testimonies are important for several reasons, especially within a faith journey context:

 

1. **Personal Connection**: Sharing personal experiences helps others relate to your journey and see how faith has impacted your life. It makes abstract beliefs more tangible and relatable¹.

 

2. **Encouragement and Hope**: Hearing how others have overcome challenges through their faith can provide encouragement and hope to those facing similar struggles. It reassures them that they are not alone².

 

3. **Strengthening Faith**: Testimonies can strengthen the faith of both the speaker and the listeners. Sharing your story can remind you of God's faithfulness and inspire others to trust in Him more deeply².

 

4. **Evangelism**: Testimonies are powerful tools for evangelism. They can open doors for conversations about faith and provide a non-confrontational way to share the gospel³.

 

5. **Building Community**: Sharing testimonies fosters a sense of community and support within a congregation or group. It helps build deeper connections as people share their personal journeys and support one another¹.

 

6. **Authenticity**: A genuine testimony reflects the authenticity of one's faith. It shows how faith influences daily life, decisions, and actions, making it more credible and impactful.

 

A lot of time what we hear in church is not any of what I just said.  What you want to do my friend is inspire on this faith journey is to trust GOD.

 

1. Trusting God in Difficult Times: Use the story of Job or Psalm 23 to illustrate how faith can sustain us through life’s challenges. Highlight how trusting God can bring peace and strength even in the darkest moments.
2. Faith Over Fear: Focus on the story of Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41). Discuss how faith in God’s power and presence can help us overcome fear and anxiety.
3. Trusting God’s Plan: Use the story of Joseph (Genesis 37-50) to show how God’s plan can unfold in unexpected ways. Emphasize the importance of patience and trust in God’s timing.
4. Trusting God in the Lion’s Den: Reflect on Daniel’s unwavering faith in God when faced with the lions’ den (Daniel 6). Discuss how trust in God can give us courage to stand firm in our beliefs.
5. Trusting God with Our Future: Use Proverbs 3:5-6 to encourage the congregation to trust in God’s guidance and wisdom for their future decisions and plans.
6. Trusting God in a Crisis: Share the story of Peter walking on water (Matthew 14:22-33). Highlight how keeping our focus on Jesus can help us navigate through crises.
7. Trusting God in Everyday Life: Discuss how we can trust God in our daily routines and decisions. Use examples from the New Testament, such as the faith of the centurion (Matthew 8:5-13).
8. Trusting God When We Don’t Understand: Use the story of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22) to illustrate the importance of trusting God even when His plans don’t make

 

 

OK, what happened on my trip to Missouri. It was awesome.  I got to do what the Lord called me to do. I was hosted by a beautiful couple of old friends. They blessed me ten fold.  I got a chance to meet some of Gods people that have a real testimony as they are overcoming addictions and life choices. They were on fire for the Lord. 

And I got a chance to rest, eat well, be loved on my some children, that I introduced lil spoon. And be a guest preacher at another church. Where I shared some personal stuff you know already. Awesome sauce.