Being a Walking Testimony

Hello readers and friends! This article will be based in part on a very early post/thought I did back in 2012 or 2013. I'm going to "repurpose" it, if you will and expand upon what I feel needs to be discussed further. I will use a bit of my own post in this newly developed one but as our time is drawing nearer and I'm watching how God is moving through my own walking testimony, I feel very led to recondition a "thought" post from years gone by. I hope you enjoy and find your spirit being spoken to as well!

Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." In the beginning, in Genesis 1:27, it all started as it is written, "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." There is no question that God created us, each individually special in His image, for His purpose, and for His bride. And while He created us in His own image, to have a relationship with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, He also made us individually different, special and with special gifts and talents. Because we have been created differently and individually, we also bear our own stories. Our stories are our testimonies.

Be the Walking Testimony

How amazing it is to know God made us special in His sight, and also gave us our own story! Each day, each choice, each adventure, scar, bruise, heartache, loss, love, path we travel down, each memory, each laugh, each experience.....we add to the pages in our life's book! We don't know the ending as our story is being written but we carry our "book" around with us everywhere we go! We all have a story don't we? How we grew up, all the experiences we've had, where, geographically and generationally, God appointed us to be born, the exact moment of our birth, our choices we've made, be it good or bad, our successes and failures, the struggles and victories! It all makes up our story! 1 Thessalonians 5:9, "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ" When I was a new Christian, I'd often wonder why I wasn't born centuries earlier in the days of our Lord. Then later, wondered why couldn't I have been born in the Renaissance era. As I grew to know the Lord better, and deeper, I began to understand that each of us He already knew before we were even born. He already had a place, time, purpose. It is God who appoints our time here on earth, as well as appointing the parents we are born to. He allows our experiences, our failures, our successes because He will use them for HIS glory when we are presented with an opportunity to SHARE our story! I guess maybe I wouldn't have served the purpose the Lord needed me to serve for such a time as this had I been born in another time, another decade or even in another country. Ah, but the stories I have that I hold dear to my heart! Even through the tough times, through the difficult uphill battles, and through the darkness, I have always felt the Lord's presence, either walking beside me, going before me or carrying me! He was, is and always will be, the center of my STORY!

In the positions that I have held in my career path, and the places I've traveled, I've heard the many differing stories of people while their stories were being written! Do I ever get tired of listening? Never! I am extremely blessed to be given an opportunity to hear their stories, to take a peek inside of their souls and in many cases, to shine the Lord's Light on their lives! It's not just for them though because while their stories are being written and unfolding, and while they are sharing their testimonies, it's also becoming part of MY story! How lives intertwine, how paths cross, how people meet and how spirits connect can ONLY be described as Divine Appointments and truly AMAZING! Whether they know it or not, they are helping me write my story while I'm shining light into their lives while they're writing theirs. Sharing my testimony, my paths, my journeys, my hardships and struggles, allows me to show the Mercy of our Lord and Savior and how He has been the reason for my existence! For the truth lies in Him! Fully! Sharing my testimony and my story, allows others to see Jesus through me, how He's worked miracles, how He's protected me, how He's changed me, and most importantly, how He LOVES me unconditionally that He shed His blood for me for my sins in order for me to be saved and born again by believing in Him! There's no other love like the Love of Jesus Christ and our Father in Heaven!

Hearing the many stories that I've been blessed to hear throughout my life has given me the chance to glimpse inside someone to see what makes them who they are, much the same way someone does the same thing with me when hearing my story. People from all backgrounds, all denominations, all races, all tongues share, and has shared, their stories and I let them because I believe God does not operate in coincidences. Sometimes I ask, but more often than not, I don't.....they choose to share their stories anyway without my inquiry! I know if a story is shared with me from a total stranger, then they have seen or felt something in my spirit that they felt safe enough to share their experiences and I am honored that the Lord chose me for that particular moment in time! Now there have been times in my own life that have been so difficult and in some cases, traumatic, that, while going through it, I didn't understand how this could be allowed to happen. While sharing some of those "stories" I had the same reactions from others, from time to time. But you don't see the big picture sometimes while facing all of your giants! Once you make it through, safely and mostly unscathed, to the other side of the difficulty, you realize how that circumstance or situation will ultimately be used to influence, encourage, direct or inspire someone else! It's how it works! Even if it's US who made an initial bad choice that led us into some of the darkness, it's still God that allowed us to make it but He promises us, in Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." But let's look at the verse before and after in the context as many people only know this Scripture! Romans 8:27-29, "Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29) For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."

Remember, we make some poor choices in our lives that put us in precarious situations, and we must take responsibility for those choices as well as face the consequences associated with those choices. On the other hand, there are situations out of our control that aren't due to bad choices nor anything we've done! There are simply evil people and bad things out there because it's a fallen, sinful world that Satan rules over! Evil lurks around every corner, living vicariously through the unsaved who willingly do his deeds unquestioned because they don't know Jesus Christ. The children of God, those who are born again believers in Jesus Christ, are the very elect that Satan roams around seeking to devour! Satan wants to harass every believer to make them doubt the protection, love, mercy and Grace of our Lord! They are also the very ones that Satan desires to torment, attack, drag through the mud, harass and take down! The unsaved are already his because they haven't chosen to believe in Jesus! He doesn't have to "work" hard for them, that is, until or IF they become born again. He does, however, want to attack those who belong to Jesus Christ's family because we pose the greatest threat to the darkness that he swims in! Believers in Christ have God's protection and Satan knows it! He also knows there are weaknesses in every single one of us and he wants to attack those weaknesses. Everyone is familiar with Job and his story. Satan had to ask God's permission first. Job kept his faith, unfettered, throughout the entire time of trials and tribulations! He remained loyal through all of his loss! But what he gained from it was priceless! God will use all things together for the good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose! Look at the story and the walking testimony of Job!! He was given a special story while being a testimony through the generations that came long after him. His story and testimony continues to inspire and bless others to this very day! AMEN!

He Goes With You! 

We, as Christians, know that we are to give of our time, talents, and treasures to the Lord and in His Kingdom but we are also to give our testimony as well. Many people believe that we have to go around every single moment preaching the Gospel as a testimony. While we are to always be prepared to give an answer by how we speak, we are also to show how we live to also testify of our Savior. In 1 Peter 3:15, " But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;" Peter tells us to speak with meekness and fear. Let's see what James says, James 3:17, "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." We are to be a reflection of the "wisdom from above." When we go out into this big, fallen, lonely world and reflect God’s wisdom, and speak boldly with gentleness and respect, we are being a talking testimony, walking testimony to those we cross paths with or interact with! We also are a living, breathing testimony to the glory of God and for the evangelizing of a lost world. Always remember that our actions can, and often times, DOES, "speak" as loudly, if not LOUDER, than do our words. The world is hurting and broken. Sometimes, a kind word, a gentle act, a smile, or just giving of your time to listen to their plight IS a testimony! It's part of your story but it's also helping write and change their story too!

You see, Peter tells us that our best example of living for Jesus is Jesus Himself. Especially in reference to suffering. Suffering is happening in such an overwhelming and alarming rate in this world right now....it's touching someone you know right as you are reading this post! Be kind! Sometimes, it’s just much easier to speak the Gospel truths and tell people about Jesus when people are kind and receptive and while things are going well in our lives. But when you add into the mix the worldly problems and stresses to our day, or speak with, and to, antagonistic or defiant people, then our testimony for Christ can be stopped or diminished almost immediately. It's not always easy to speak the Gospel to that crowd. So, in such situations, our lives, and how we are living life day to day, often will testify to more of our pain, suffering, hardships and struggles and of how our loving Lord is the One who heals our pain, gives us comfort in suffering, and peace in our hardships and struggles. It’s important that we anchor our hope in Jesus so we can overcome the world and speak of His love and presence in whatever situation we find ourselves. But we also must be a walking testimony to those who are defiant, antagonistic and verbally combative. Sometimes, our walking testimony speaks to a hurting soul and the seed is planted. But remember, your life must reflect the words you speak to others! There is ALWAYS someone watching whether you know it or not! WE can't be perfect but our lives should "look" different than those living in the world. The testimony of both verbal and non-verbal must match so the unbeliever can see, and feel, how Jesus is working in your own life! Remember, your story IS God's STORY!!!

Our story, our walking testimony, can be the key to unlocking a prison door to someone who feels captive. Each day we are made new and by our lives being lived in a godly, Christ-like manner, can show those who are in battle that our past does NOT reflect who we now are in Christ! Everyone can be transformed who comes to Christ! Everyone seeking Him, shall be found! Transformation is the one thing that many fear that God won't do for them because of how "bad" they were/are, or how many "evil" things they've done or thought and because of their past! I've said many times throughout this blog and to many ears in person, that God does not want us to live in our past because only Satan dwells there! When we come to Jesus Christ, become believer's, we become a new creation which is in part why we are "born again." Jesus meets us where we ARE in our chaotic lives, through all of our messes, and in all of our tragedies! He doesn't care what you WERE....He wants you and loves you as you ARE! By putting your Faith in Him, trusting Him for your eternal salvation you will be transformed as part of the forgiveness and cleansing! Isaiah 43: 18-19, "Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. 19) Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert." Our walking testimony can be the testimony of a life transformed by the power of a Living, God! God made us a vessel for "carrying" His light into the darkness, His words into the silence and to bring life into the dead souls.

The Lord is the Lord of the WORLD, not just a section of the world, or a specific nation! He made the world, everything in it and He created US! Each and every single person! God gave His only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for ALL of OUR sins! Not just part of our sins and not just for part of the people, nations, tribes and tongues! Jesus doesn't see color, race, or religion. He loves us in spite of our sinful nature because His blood was shed for our sins. He sees our hearts. He knows us by name and numbers each strand of hair on our heads! Luke 12:7 says, "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." In Isaiah 43:7 He says, "(Even) every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him." He doesn't like religion any more than some of you who may be reading this right now. God did not make religion, MAN did! Jesus never once preached religion while He was ministering to the people, He preached the GOSPEL, straight from His Father's Word! He did that because the GOSPEL is for EVERYONE. He was teaching that He is the ONLY  WAY to get to the Father God. It is only through repenting of one's sins, believing upon Jesus Christ as one's personal savior and asking Him into one's heart for eternal life! Simple Salvation. That's what Jesus preached. Not religion. He wants ALL of us to know Him, love Him and have a relationship with Him, and spend ETERNITY with Him. But He also knows He will be rejected, just as He was while walking the earth, doing His ministry, then dying for our sins on the cross!! And in Revelation 20:15, He tells us this, "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." The lake of fire is definitely not where one should desire to spend eternity!!! But every single person has a CHOICE to either follow the Lord Jesus Christ or to spend eternity in the lake of fire. God is such a loving God that He will not FORCE anything on His creation. He gives us a choice....Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Our Story is God's Story

Our story....it's to connect with others, share, relate, and learn from others. Our stories can teach, guide, direct and motivate each other. Our stories tell the world who we are, who we belong to, what makes us individual and special, and if you listen hard enough and pay close attention, it will even reveal how to relate, and understand, that individual on a much deeper level! We all have pain in our lives, joy, happiness, peace, sorrow, excitement, anxiety and a slew of other emotions. We all share those SAME EMOTIONS! All across the whole world, we experience the same emotions, the same heartaches, losses, feelings. Our stories are just different. The title to our "book" is different. We are uniquely special. The details that accompany those emotions are different. Because WE are different and the stories are our life's mission accomplished. We continue to add pages to our stories every day. Each new experience is added, each smile, laugh, sadness or tear continues to grow our story even more! My story continues to grow every day and I continue to thank the Lord for my story, for His love and comfort through the hard chapters, but more than any of that, I praise and thank Him on High for the blood that He shed for me, for us, so that we can share His story throughout the land! I think Him for giving me my story to take into the world and be His walking testimony!

In Revelations 14:6-7, John the Revelator says this, "Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people (v7) saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water." 

I want to close this post with just a short word of encouragement for all of the eyes that may come to this post! I want you to know your life and your story MATTERS! You matter to God because He created YOU, uniquely, amazingly, and perfectly in His image! You may feel alone, you may feel like there's no light in your life but look to Him, seek His face and you will find the brightest light there is and call to Him! He will hear your pleas! He will comfort you and give you peace. Life isn't easy and it sure doesn't come without trials and tribulations! But with God, all things are possible and putting your faith and trust in the Living God is the only way to make it in this life! Become His walking testimony and share your story. I pray for each soul that is lost to repent and turn from your ways and become a new creation in Jesus Christ! Let Him transform you and lead you on the narrow path! I pray that someone walks their "testimony" in your life so you can see how God comforted, repaired, healed, used and blessed them. Live for Jesus Christ because He DIED on the cross for your sins to pay for your sin debt in full! He rose three days later and is alive, sitting at the right hand of the Father! He's waiting.....






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