Testify

[Treasure]

TESTIFY

It's Sunday afternoon and I've been relaxing, watching a movie. There aren't many things that move me to tears but this particular movie did over and over. It's called "Freedom Writer's" and it's based on the story of an inexperienced teacher and her students who came to be her family. This movie touched me deeply though for a particular reason today, inspiring me to write.

Each of us has a voice. We may not all be able to speak, but we do all have a voice. You, me, and everybody that we will ever come into contact with has a story. That means that every person on the face of the earth has a testimony.

The definition of testimony is 1. evidence given in court: evidence that a witness gives to a court of law.

It may take the form of a written or oral statement detailing what the witness has seen or knows about a case.

2. proof: something that supports a fact or a claim

This win is testimony to the tactical skill of the coach.

3. bible Ten Commandments: the Ten Commandments inscribed on two stone tablets, or the Ark of the Covenant in which the tablets were stored

4. christianity public avowal: a public profession of Christian faith or religious experience. God calls us to testify.

"And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.

Rev. 12:11 NASB

Testifying can be a dangerous thing. All over the world people are killed daily because of their testimonies. People from all walks of life will die to give their testimony.

We want our voices, our opinions to be heard and respected and yes, even followed. Yet there are times when we have the opportunity to tell our story and don't. Why would those of us who are so opinionated and want to communicate not testify every time we get a chance? This is where I simply write and pray that God speaks.

One particular occasion about a year ago I had been in church and heard this great, inspiring, motivating sermon about how everyone has a purpose to fulfill for Christ and different ways to go about doing that. Sitting in my "regular" seat, I decided that I was going to begin to let everyone know that Jesus loves them and wants to be a part of their life.

My heart was in the right place but my goal was blind. What I mean is that I had the intention of just going up to people that I encounter in my everyday life and ask them a point blank questions; "do you know that Jesus loves you". That's enough, right?

Like I said, it was a good idea and my heart was in the right place but what do we do when the person that we ask the question of doesn't respond? How do we respond if the person that we tell that to makes fun of us or we lose our job and can't provide for our families? Truthfully I don't know. I don't claim to have the answers but the point is that God has called us to testify. He wants people to know that He loves them. He longs for intimacy with each one of us.

The evidence of a true testimony; I believe, is a changed life. Maybe you're heard it said that "people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care". We must all have that evidence in our lives. There are millions of people in this world that have never heard the Gospel. Having spent most of my life in the "Bible belt" I can't imagine that there would be someone in my area of influence that has never heard about Jesus.

We can go knock on doors and pass out tracts. Certainly we could ride down the road with our car windows open blaring our Christian music. Inviting people to church is always a good thing. I want to know why our testimonies have to be limited to what we say. If it is about what I say then I have to ask myself another question; does my life back it up? Am I walking the walk as much as I talk the talk?

From what I have witnessed, read, heard and personally experienced, a person isn't going to be interested so much in my telling them that Jesus loves them as they will be in seeing His love in me. Am I extending His hands and going on His feet to reach?

Jesus did talk to people and He taught but He also touched. He touched the leper, the blind, the dead, the weak, the poor, etc..He also testified. Everywhere He went He told people about God. Something we can't forget; however, is that He built relationships with people. He showed people how much He cared and then they listened to what He knew and He knew God.

Look at what that cost Him. One day He was being hailed as king and the next, those same people crucified Him. His testimony cost Him everything. I think He knew that His testimony would cost Him everything and He chose to speak it and live it anyway.

Let's open our mouths and let His voice be heard. Go where He tells us to go and live in a way that will make those around us crave what they see in us, not just what they hear.

"Stand: Simplify" and "Accept" both go with this but I can't figure out how to do the snapback. If anyone can help me, that would be great or you can read them all separately. Thanks for taking the time to read them.