Hey Beautiful!

I am so grateful you are here.

I’m not sure if this happens for you, but sometimes God puts something on my heart, and it keeps coming up.  At first, I will be reading something, and a word or phrase jumps out at me.  And sometimes, it comes from a conversation with a friend.  Eventually (I can be slow to catch on), I realize God is trying to get my attention.

A couple of weeks ago, after a call with my friend and business coach, Melissa, she brought up the importance of a testimony.  She even quoted Scripture about its importance.

“And they overcame and conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, for they did not love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death.” Revelation 12:11 AMP

Obviously, Revelation 12:11 isn’t about business testimonials, but Melissa’s comment made me think about the deeper significance of testimony.   Maybe that is part of why I can be a little slow at times. 🤣 He’s been bringing to mind how this applies in different situations.  

Does this happen to you?  Or maybe reading this will be an “aha” moment for you, helping you recognize patterns like this in your life.

Back to my call with Melissa.  She was commenting that every call we have, I tell her another new story about how biofeedback brought understanding and insight for a person or the benefits they were experiencing from the products.  Melissa asked if I was keeping track of these testimonials anywhere.  Yes, that became my “homework”.  Melissa was making the point that people’s stories make things relatable.  

At first, I thought we were simply talking about the importance of testimonials in business.  Apparently God had something much bigger He wanted to show me about the power of our testimony.   The more I thought about testimonials in business, the more God seemed to broaden the lesson for me.  A testimony isn’t just a marketing tool, it’s woven throughout Scripture.

One way God has brought this up for me in another area is by recalling the preparations for my Broken to Brave Event last May.  I asked one of the local churches if I could share my event with the congregation.  Their response was that their church focuses on Jesus, not on other people’s stories.  At least that’s how I recall it, anyway.

Hmmm…

I was caught off guard with their response, mostly because people’s stories were such a small part of the event.  The main focus was creating a more intimate relationship with our Creator and the benefits that come from it.  Although I’m sure my error, in part, was not being more specific about the event to begin with.  I also wasn’t going to argue my point.  I just shrugged it off and went about my preparations.

Now, however, I find myself thinking about it again, as the topic of testimony has been brought to my attention.  That interaction came back to mind, and this time it made me wonder: What role does our testimony actually play in pointing people to Jesus? 

To dig a little deeper, I went to my friend Google for help.  It stated that in the KJV Bible, the word testimony(ies) appears 112 times.  If we broaden the search to include words such as witness, record, and report, the occurrences are at least 175.  In the Old Testament, ‘testimony’ is often connected to reminders and evidence of God’s covenant and faithfulness.  In the New Testament, we also see a strong emphasis on believers becoming witnesses; personally telling others what they have seen, heard, and experienced.   I’m currently studying the book of Acts and feel this verse really fits.

“But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

We are called to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth.  One of the best ways, I believe, we can be witnesses is to share our testimonies.  I believe this for a couple of reasons.

1. Without sharing our testimony, people may look at the accounts in the Bible and conclude they happened a couple of thousand years ago, not today.  However, we must remember that God is the same yesterday, today, and always!
2. When we share the story of what God is doing in and through us, it gives others hope that He might do the same for them also.
3. My story helps others to know that they aren’t “too far gone”.  If, by the blood of Jesus, I am forgiven of my sin, then they can know it’s possible for them, too. 

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 NASB

Now back to the importance of sharing our testimonies as referenced in Revelation 12:11.  They overcame and conquered him…. Him refers to Satan, saying they overcame Satan by the blood of the Lamb (thank you, Jesus) and the word of their testimony.  

Revelation reminds us that sharing our testimony has spiritual power!

This makes me think back to the cartoons when I was young, and sometimes a person would be portrayed with a little devil on one shoulder and a little angel on the other.  Both would be whispering in the person’s ear, giving advice.  When we share our testimony with others, it gives them hope and points them to Jesus and His death and resurrection (the blood of the Lamb), and according to the verse from Revelation, that is how Satan will be overcome.

Returning to the church, that doesn’t share people’s testimony but only focuses on Jesus.  Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.  Absolutely, focus on Him.  But in my opinion, our testimony is another way to focus on Jesus, because we are sharing the work Jesus is doing in us and through us.  When I share my testimony, I give God glory for what is happening in my life.  Referencing Matthew 5:16, it is a way to let my light shine before men, so they may see my good works and give glory to my Father in heaven.  Isn’t that the whole point?  In the end, God gets the glory for what He is doing in and through us!

I have a testimony from last Sunday.  Nathan and I were going to look at a dog the friend of a friend needed to rehome.  We were torn about whether to take the dog because we have Hazel, and two of our children have puppies.  How would they get along?  Anyway, as we left for our drive, we prayed that God would make the decision clear for us when we got there.  We arrived at the dog’s home.  When he came to meet us, he growled and barked at us and even nipped Nathan in the elbow.  The owner was shocked and said he never acted like that.  I just smiled as we drove away without the dog, and thanked God for the answer to our prayer.  We knew, without a doubt, that we had made the right decision!

Is that a huge, miraculous testimony?  No.  But it is a testimony of how I saw God answer a prayer and guide us in an ordinary moment of our lives.  And maybe those are the stories we overlook because we’re waiting for something bigger. 

So there’s my rabbit hole on testimonies.  It may continue, so if you hear more from me on the topic, you will know God hasn’t stopped bringing it to my attention yet.  😉

Legacy Reflection

• Is there a word or phrase that keeps jumping out at you?
• What might God be trying to tell you, or what might He want you to learn about it?
• Where have you seen God move in your life (heal, provide, redeem, restore, or guide)?
• Who might need to hear that story?

This week, write down one thing God has done in your life recently.  Then ask Him who might need to hear it.  Remember, sharing our story isn’t about drawing attention to ourselves; it is a way to point others to Him.

I can’t wait to hear your testimony!  

Love ya,
Laura