The Christian Testimony

What is a testimony? 

The statement or declaration of a witness under oath or affirmation, usually in court.

What does it mean to be a Christian and have a testimony? 

When we can relate to how we came to know God through the moving of the Holy Spirit within our lives and heart. Most commonly, we are sharing how we became Christians by God’s miraculous intervention and work in our lives through specific events while sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

So why do you believe it is necessary to share our testimonies? 

In Revelation 12:11 it states, “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”

When we are able to confess that the Lord is working in our lives we are able to triumph! Because we are covered in the blood of the Lamb, we are able to triumph! We testify through our words and our actions. If our lives are a testimony for Jesus Christ, then our testimony should be a reflection of us following in Christ’s steps. 

When we testify about the gospel, we are showing the evidence of God changing our lives. In Romans 10:17 it states, “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”

How has your life been a testimony for others to see?

Though we are not like the apostles—being able to testify to the fact that we actually saw Jesus with our own hands and see him with our own eyes—we should be able to share, discerningly, the works of God in our lives with boldness and humility of heart. Just like the Samaritan woman by the well, “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.”” (John 4:39)

When our actions of godly living match the words coming from our lips, our testimony will be seen as true. Paul describes such a life in 2 Corinthians 1:12, “Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.”

When we put our full weight and trust in God, we are able to testify to who he is. Our focus should be on the Lord and His faithfulness. 

Have you ever seen anyone give a testimony? 

Do you believe a lot of churches truly understand the purpose of having a testimony? 

Overall, God sums up a godly life with these two commands, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-38)

A Christian who wants to live their life as a testimony for Jesus will love God above all else and love others the same. When we are able to share Jesus in a tangible way, he will increasingly reflect himself in us and we will be able to shine in a constantly dark world.


























Please Note: I  give credit to GotQuestions.org for a majority of what was written in this blog. Check them out. They have tons of information that I believe can help the baby to mature in Christ. Y'all be blessed! 

Patience

 “Since patience is exemplified in God, so it is expected in His children.”

Here are some characteristics of patience:

·                         Forbearance

·                         Longsuffering

·                         Endurance

·                         Steadfastness

·                         Perseverance

While looking throughout the scriptures, there are about five areas throughout the Bible in which our topic is seen: through God’s patience, our patience as a Christian, Christ’s patience, patience towards trials in our lives, and patience under divine chastening.

GOD’S PATIENCE:

God’s patient endurance of man’s rebellion extends to all mankind, and is evident today in that He still withholds His final judgment:

2 Pet 3:9~ The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Psalm 86:15~ But you O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

 The extension of God’s patience to Israel is expressed repeatedly:

Exod 34:5-6 Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love, and faithfulness

Num 14:18~  The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished: he punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.

What ways do you believe God has been patient with you?

Why do you believe God chooses to be so patient with us?

PATIENCE AS A CHRISTIAN:

As believers, we are held to the standard of that which is expressed in the following scriptures with patience being part of the core of a true Christian believer:

Eph 4:1- 2~ “…I urge you to love a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

 Col 1:10-12~ And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father.

Col 3:12~  Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

 However, this is possible only as a result of the Spirit-filled life:

Gal 5:22-23~  But the fruits of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Rom 8:3- 4~ For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to sinful nature according to the Spirit.

Therefore, we have the opportunity, through the Spirit to have patience even when we don’t want to.

What are some ways in which you have been able to show patience towards others in your life?

In what ways has God’s spirit led you to be patient?

CHRIST’S PATIENCE:

Christ’s endurance is the Christian’s example.

Heb 12:1-3~ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Christ’s patient bearing of the taunts of the chief priests, elders and even of the rebels on the cross is referred to in this passage:

Matt 27:38-44~ Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him.  “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.  He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”  In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

Can you think of a time when you found yourself having to exemplify patience like Christ?

PATIENCE TOWARDS TRIALS IN OUR LIVES:

One trial of the believer is living among sinful men and seeing them prosper in spite of their wickedness.  

Psalm 37:7~ Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

As a believer, what are some other ways you have had to exercise patience amongst wicked  people?

PATIENCE UNDER DIVINE CHASTENING:

To develop the faith and the character of those whom He loves, God chastens and tests His servants.

Heb 12: 5-13~ And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,

    and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

    and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

This is for the believer’s profit and is a part of the “all things” that work for his good

Rom 8:28~ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

The faith and patience entailed in bearing trials deepens the believer’s experience, and the trials themselves are therefore to be received and borne with joy

James 1:2-4~ My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Fasting

Matthew 5:6—Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.

“Have you ever responded to a spiritual challenge by fasting? Why do you think so many people in the Bible regularly engaged in fasting? What can we learn spiritually from our hunger and thirst? How might fasting promote true contrition and repentance? If you’ve never fasted, consider skipping one or two meals, and devote to prayer the time that you’d normally spend preparing the food, eating, and cleaning up afterwards.” (ref: Deuteronomy 9:18)

--The Spiritual Formation Bible: Growing in Intimacy with God through Scripture, NIV

The Greek word for fasting, in the verb form, is nesteuo, which means to abstain from eating, physical nourishment. The noun form is nestia which means to privately fast. Fasting is a private discipline that brings public reward for a spiritual purpose, and should become a lifestyle of the believer.

Good or bad, what’s in you will come out only when you fast and pray.

So, what do you think fasting is?

When Should You Fast?:

•

Growing dry spiritually

•

Unable to sense the anointing

•

To unlock Heaven’s doors in your life and shut the gates of Hell

•

Fresh encounter with God

•

Miraculous provision

•

Favor

•

Tender touch of God upon your life

•

To hear His calling for your life (Saul on His road to Damascus)

•

Reveal assignments over your life

•

To break the power of the delayer  (Daniel fast)

What Fasting Is Not:

•

Merely going without food for a period of time

•

Dieting

•

Only for fanatics

•

Limited to ministers and special occasions

Benefits of Fasting:

•

Your spirit becomes uncluttered by the things of this world and amazingly sensitive to the things of God

•

Gives your system a break

•

Medical Benefits

o

Relieves nervousness and tension

o

Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol

o

Rids the body of toxins that cause illness, disease, fatigue, and many other aliments

Practical Tips for Fasting:

1.

If it doesn’t mean anything to you, it won’t mean anything to God!

2.

Without prayer and the Word, fasting is little more than dieting.

•

Fasting itself is a continual prayer before God

3.

Drink purified or distilled water: Flushes toxins and also makes you feel fuller than tap water.

4.

On day one, possibly up to three of fasting, you may get a headache but it’s because your body is trying to rid itself of toxins that built up over a period of time.

Types of Fasts:

Absolute Fast: You take in NOTHING—no food, no water

•

However, the human body can only go three days this way, unless you are supernaturally nourished such as Elijah and Jesus were

Normal Fast: You typically go without food of any kind for a certain number of days, but drink plenty of water

•

Depending upon the length of your fast, clear broth and juice can also be coupled into your fast to maintain strength.

Partial Fast: Can be interpreted many ways; usually involves giving up particular foods and drinks for an extended period of time

How can you eat yourself out of your blessing?:

Ezekiel 16:49-50 AMP—Behold, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: pride, overabundance of food, prosperous ease, and idleness were hers and her daughters’; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty and committed abominable offenses before Me; therefore I removed them when I saw it and I saw fit.

Normally when we hear about Sodom and Gomorra, we tend to hear about the homosexual acts that plagued these cities,however the Bible makes it clear that those weren’t their only offenses. Sodom is also guilty of overabundance of food aka gluttony.

Genesis 25:34 AMP—Then Jacob gave Esau bread and stew lentils, and he ate and drank and rose up and went his way. Thus, Esau scorned his birthright as beneath his notice.

In this passage of scripture, Esau literally ate himself out of his blessing, out of his position because he was the first born son.We know he regretted his decision because in Hebrews 12:16-17 the Bible reads:

“That no one may become guilty of sexual vice, or become a profane (godless or sacrilegious) person as Esau did, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. For you understand that later on, when he wanted [to regain title to] his inheritance of the blessing, he was rejected (disqualified and set aside), for he could find no opportunity to repair by repentance [what he had done, no chance to recall the choice he had made], although he sought for it with [bitter] tears.”

Numbers 11:4-7, 18-20, 33-34 AMP—And the mixed multitude among then [the rabble who followed Israel from Egypt] began to lust greatly [for familiar and dainty food], and the Israelites wept again and said, Who will give us meat to eat? We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt and without cost, the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. But now our soul (our strength) is dried up; there is nothing at all [in the way of food] to be seen but this manna. The manna was like coriander seed and its appearance was like that of bdellium [perhaps a precious stone].

And say to the people, Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat; for you have wept in the hearing of the Lord, saying, Who will give us meat to eat? For it was well with us in Egypt. Therefore the Lord will give you meat, and you shall eat. You shall not eat one day, or two, or five, or ten, or twenty days, but a whole month—until [you are satiated and vomit it up violently and] it comes out of your nostrils and is disgusting to you—because you have rejected and despised the Lord Who is among you, and have wept before Him, saying, Why did we come out of Egypt?

While the meat was yet between their teeth, before it was consumed, the anger of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord smote them with a very great plague. That placewas called Kibrothhattaavah [the graves of sensuous desires], because there they buried the people who lusted, who physical appetite caused them to sin.

How can you be blessed without eating yourself out of your blessing?:

Exodus 34:28-29 AMP—And the Lord said to Moses, Write these words, for after the purpose and character of these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel. Moses was there with the Lord forty day and forty nights; he ate no bread and drank no water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.

Esther 4-7 AMP (Haman had plotted to have the Jews exterminated, so Esther called for all of her people to do a fast and for God to have favor on them in the midst of this situation. In doing so, Haman’s plans were exposed and the very gallows that he was going to us to hang Mordecai, were the same gallows in which he hung from)

1 Samuel 1:6-7, 20 AMP—[This embarrassed and grieved Hannah] and her rival provoked her greatly to vex her, because the Lord had left her childless. So it was year after year; whenever Hannah went up to the Lord’s house, Peninnahprovoked her, so she wept and did not eat.

Hannah become pregnant and in due time bore a son and named him Samuel [heard of God], Because, she said, I have asked him of the Lord.

So, if we want new, we have to be willing to go to new heights in God:

Mark 2:22 AMP—And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the bottles destroyed; but new wine is to be put in new (fresh) wineskins.

Like a snake, they continually grow throughout their lives. However, their skin does not grow with them. Therefore, they must shed off the old skin in order to grow. In turn, we too ought to grow closer and deeper in our walk with Christ. When we fast, we are preparing ourselves shed off that season, disease, confusion, etc from our lives to walk into the next level of God’s will for our future.

Temptation

“Temptation is NOT sin. Giving in to temptation to do evil IS sin.”

The Greek word for temptation is peirasmos; which occurs 21 times in the New Testament. It is translated as “temptation” 15 times, as “temptations” 5 times, and as “try” 1 time. The literal and actual meaning of the word is “test; trial; temptation; to test or try (by trouble; conflict; confrontation; persecution; etc).” See Strong’s No. 3986.

“Inconstancy of mind, and weak confidence in God, are the beginning of all temptations to evil. For as a ship without a rudder is driven to and fro by the waves, so are those who are remiss and give up their resolution are in many ways tempted. As fire tries iron, so temptation tries the just. We often know not what we can do; but temptation reveals what we are.” (ref. 2 Chronicles 10:6-11)

                                                                  -Thomas A. Kempis, The Imitation of Christ

How do you view temptation?

Sometimes, in trying to be holier than thou, we stay too long and go too far. Sometimes, it is better to get up and go, than to be a Super Christian and tough it out. Temptation shows who we truly are, not only to God but also to ourselves.

So, is temptation necessary?

Matthew 18:7 NIV—Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!

Why do you believe it may be necessary that temptations come?

Matthew 4:2-4 NIV—After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Jesus illustrates to us, that in times of temptation, we ought to cling to the words of God. In all honesty, after forty days of fasting, Jesus’ needs for food were understandably acute. Satan used a legitimate reason to tempt Jesus to “prove” or “test” his significance and power.

What are some areas in your life where you have felt tempted to do something against God’s will, although it may have been a legitimate need?

Therefore, can God tempt us?

James 1:13-15 NIV—When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

So, it is important to pray about temptations?

Luke 22:40-46NIV—On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

So, what should we do when we see one of our brothers or sisters being tempted?

Galatians 1:6 NIV—Brothers, if someone is caught in sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

It is imperative that we are discerning (aware) of the things that are going on around us, especially when it is an area of our lives where temptation tries to run ramped. We ought not to be naïve when God is telling us something about our lives, such as Peter. When Jesus told him that he was going to deny him three times before the cock crowed, Peter was in denial, until it happened. Sometimes, the very things we say we won’t do against God are the very things we will. But in times like this we should examine our hearts and test our own actions. If we find any fault in us that makes us out of alignment with God, petition God on how that area of our lives should change and steer clear of the temptation it may bring. 

Humility

“If you want true knowledge of the scriptures, try to secure steadfast humility of heart, to carry you by the perfection of love not knowledge that puffs up, but that enlightens.”

John Cassian (c.364-c.435)

Humble, according to Merriam Webster Dictionary means not proud; not think of yourself as better than other people. Humble, deriving from the Latin word humus, means soil. Unlike humility, when we are humiliated, we may feel like “dirt.” However, humility connotes having one’s foot on the ground of reality, being clear in one’s self-assessment. As Dag Hammarskojld wrote in Markings:“Humility is just as much the opposite of self-abasement (to lower one’s self down) as it is to self-exaltation (to lift one’s self up). To be humble is [not to make comparisons].”

--The Spiritual Formation Bible: Growing In Intimacy With God Through Scripture, NIV

How do you view humility?

When we choose to follow the word of God—not adding nor taking away from the scriptures—then we are choosing to trust God. We must learn to humble ourselves in the Lord, or be humbled by the Lord.

So what happens when we are humble?

Proverbs 22:4 NIV—Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.

1 Peter 5:6 NIV—Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

Was Jesus even humble?

Luke 2:41-48 (Jesus exemplifies that at the age of 12, he was able to humble himself and glean from the teachers at the temple courts. [If God gleaned and inquired of God, who are not to humble ourselves and follow suit])

What happens when we choose not to humble ourselves?

Can you think of a time where you should have been humble but you let pride get in the way?

Daniel 4 (The humbling of King Nebuchadnezzar)

So who are the humble ones/the greatest?

The one who is able to humble themselves before the Lord.

What are some examples in which God tells us to be humble?

Matthew 18:1-6 NIV—At the time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

Luke 9:46 NIV—An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all—he is the greatest.

When you think of a child, what qualities do you normally associate with them?

Here are some qualities that a child represents in the Word:

•  Trusting
•   Lowly
•  Loving
•  Forgiving
•  Humble

Recall moments when you have felt humiliated. Then, by contrast, consider what it means to see yourself humble, simply as you are, without comparison to someone else.

I pray this blesses you!