February 5th: testimonies

Too often we take for granted the fact that God is daily working in our lives. His promises become common place. His word becomes boring and ordinary. Sometimes, these are the "valley" times of our lives. Not very happy.

Scripture tells us to encourage and exhort one another daily. This type of encouragement generally comes from sharing the good things that God is doing in our lives and the testimony of His word in our lives.

This past week the Lord brought to mind the passage in Matthew about how much He cares for us. I was given a bill that I had not been expecting to pay this month, and I was unsure of the reason that was causing this unexpected expense. So, I was tempted to worry and to anxious.

But God in His grace and mercy brought to mind this passage of Scripture.

Matthew 6:25-34 talks about worrying and being anxious about things that we have no power over. The Lord gives the example of the birds of the air. They don't sow food or reap it, but yet they are fed. The lilies is like manner don't toil or spin for their food and yet they live. Then Jesus asks: are you not worth more than all these? If God is the one to clothe the grass of the field, why wouldn't He clothe you too? Therefore, do not be anxious about your life. Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for the Lord will take care of that too!!!

It was so encouraging!

Then, I went to figure out what had happened, and realized that I wouldn't have to pay as much as I thought I would. Praise the Lord!

Not only did He provide and orchestrate every little detail so that I wouldn't be overwhelmed financially, but He gave the peace and comfort from His word!!!

This was happy!

Then, today the group that I am privileged to sing with had a sharing time before we had our concert. It was encouraging to see how the Lord is working in my team-mates lives too.

I know that most people sort of cringe when they here the words, "Let's have everyone share one thing that God has done or taught them this week." We cringe because we are afraid of not having anything to say (oh, horror) and being considered "un-spiritual" to the rest of the group. So we make up something, or share a testimony from several weeks ago...as if God isn't working now. Is this the way to look at "testimony time"? I don't think so.

Testimony times shouldn't be like "pulling teeth". Rather, they should be joyful expressions to our brothers and sisters in Christ of what the Lord has been encouraging our hearts with. It doesn't have to be a three-point message, a specific theme, or an alliterated outline. It needs to be a thankful heart desirous of glorifying God testifying to His greatness and glory!!!

That is happy!