‭‭Revelation‬ ‭12‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — 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. Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.

This weekend we are taking the opportunity to spend time in Greenville, South Carolina while visiting our son in Clemson. I am reminded of all our trips to Shriners Hospital for our daughter’s scoliosis. She was diagnosed with Juvenile Scoliosis at age 4. Her strength, determination, and positive attitude was a testimony of God’s goodness. Even in the midst of a test, God gives us what we need.

We can savor our testimony by continually sharing it with others. Will you bless others with your story and your testimony? Don’t know what to say? Take a moment to jot a few bullet points on a note card. Keep it in your car, purse, or wallet so you’re ready when God calls you to share.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for being in the midst of my story. Help me to always be ready to share my story and my testimony to those who need to hear it. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Philippians 1:6 – He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 

Believing in John Wesley’s style, that the life of faith is a journey, we don’t ever fully arrive. Mark Batterson asks in his IF book: “What if everything in your past is God’s way of preparing you for something in your future?”

Often you read or hear me share about my life verse, Philippians 1:6. By sharing my life verse, I am able to share how I am a continual work in progress for God’s glory. On Tuesday I asked you to recall a time in your life you have been tested. I will share some of my tests and trials that have helped shape me. 

Wednesday I shared about my Dad’s cancer journey. If you have ever read my personal testimony, you know I have overcome the power of addiction. I have also overcome cervical pre-cancer from the Human Papilloma Virus. In each story, God has used my test to give a testimony. What testimony has God impressed upon your heart to share?

Dear God, thank You for times when I can share Your glory, rather than focus on the trials. I pray for our readers and listeners, that they will feel encouraged to share their testimony for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Habakkuk‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬ – Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

We can learn a lot from Habakkuk, one of the 12 minor Prophets. Do you feel like you don’t have a testimony to share because you don’t see the joy in your present surroundings? Do you feel like you need to wait for perfection? Looking over the horizon of this picture we see no end. We know there is a beautiful beach but we can’t see that there might be provision up ahead. The same must have been true for Habakkuk.

For Habakkuk, even when life seemed hopeless, he rejoiced in God. It would be easy to fall into spiritual famine but this is when we need to maintain a posture of prayer. Like Habakkuk, we can choose joy. Even though we can’t see beyond the horizon, we can trust in God. Even though there are no buds on the trees, God’s will is perfect. When I think of God as my provider, I think of “Jehovah Jireh,” the Lord will provide. Let’s go to the Lord in prayer.

Jehovah Jireh, Lord My Provider, I will rejoice in You. Thank You for the trees even if they have no buds. Forgive me when I focus on my present surroundings and celebrate with me when I share in Your glory. I choose joy in Your perfect will. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen

@biblegateway @youversion

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

J. Brent Bill, the author of Life Lessons from a Bad Quaker, has said that our testimony is belief translated into action, not so much our personal stories rather a statement of how we should live our faith. While I believe this is true, I also believe in sharing your personal testimony. Mark Batterson, in the book IF, writes “Our testimony is our secret weapon. Of course, you can’t keep it a secret. It’s the way we share the win with others and overcome the enemy.” 

When my Dad was in the middle of his cancer journey, I really thought I was going to wake up one morning from a bad dream but reality was still there. My morning routine of prayer and devotion turned into seeking my Heavenly Father for a miracle if it was His will. Those are hard words to speak. Although it has been more than five years since he passed, I’m choosing to find Joy one day at a time. His mercies are new every morning.

Today’s photo was taken with my sister, Leaha just five days after our dad, Tom was diagnosed with cancer.

Let’s pray. Dear God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen

@biblegateway @youversion

Revelation‬ ‭12:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬ – 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.

Look at these beautiful mountains. They always make me think about God and how with faith the size of a mustard seed, we can move mountains. We don’t get a Testimony without a Test! Remembering what God has done is a big part of our testimony. This verse from Revelation holds so much power. Through the testing of our faith, we will triumph. Take a moment to think about how much power our testimonies hold over Satan. This is so encouraging to keep pushing through the testing.

I encourage you to listen to this song, Don’t You Give Up On Me by Brandon Lake. The lyrics sing, “When the night is at its darkest, that’s when the light hits the hardest. You ain’t seen what I promised, child we’re just getting started.”

Today I leave you with homework. Recall a time in your life you have been tested. Have you shared your testimony? Ask God to impress upon your heart, who needs to hear your testimony. Ask God to give you an opportunity to share your story. Together we can bind Satan though the power of our testimonies. With God’s help, let’s move mountains!

@biblegateway @youversion

Read over and meditate on this week’s featured scriptures.

Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭2‬ ‭ASV‬‬ — Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, That seek him with the whole heart.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Habakkuk‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬ – Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Philippians 1:6 – He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭12‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — 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. Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.

@biblegateway @youversion

Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭2‬ ‭ASV‬‬ — Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, That seek him with the whole heart.

There are many different artists with many different music genres that use their platform to give us a testimonial message. We all have a testimony to share. For some, it is how we became a Christian, our struggles with depression, addiction, divorce, wandering away from God, and more.

I encourage you to worship God with God Is In This Story by Katy Nichole and Big Daddy Weave. God is in every detail of our stories. 

@biblegateway @youversion