SHARE your TESTIMONY
Y'all already know I love testimonies!
Seriously, love Love LOVE them!
There is something so riveting, so faith-infusing, so hope-giving about a testimony.
testimonies give life.
Think about it- when you talk to someone and need encouragement, do you want a pat answer? I don't. I want someone who will sharpen me with the word of God and the testimony of their own life to assure me that God is going to take care of it and of me and the details of my situation, be it what it may!
This morning, I had coffee at the Starbucks down the street with a friend who actually used to be my children's pastor. She has been in ministry for about 10-ish years now! I brought her a letter with some pictures of my college adventure and got to catch her up to speed about all sorts of things God has been doing in my life.
Can I tell you what??? I AM SO LIFTED.
The Word of God tells us that we rise by lifting others up.
If you are down, lift someone up.
If you are up, offer someone a hand to join you up there. Then watch God make being up that much sweeter!
My pastor friend and I talked and she told me stories of ministry and life that made me roll laughing in my seat across from her! She's funny!!!
And you know what else she is?
She is serving the Lord. The best she knows how. With a refreshing honesty and truth and fervent zeal.
I looked her in the eye and saw the same pastor that looked me in the eye and believed in what God had for me from a young age. She has prayed for me and watched God stir up glory and we have both watched God spill amazing, bountiful testimony from both our lives.
We shared tears and laughs and hopes and dreams and even things we are praying and wrestling through in our lives now.
And we, are lifted up. Why? Because of what God did, and our decision to share it with one another.
Let me tell you something. That Starbie's didn't know it was about to be filled with God's power and anointing this morning. But where two or more are gathered in His Name, He is there. God is where we share our testimony.
This area is gridlocked in some pretty rough evil. It goes beyond negativity- there's bullying, suicide, chronic depression and illness, loneliness, shame, bitterness, weariness, confusion and strife. Ministers are on the very front lines of it. That is why we need to come to the Lord in prayer, and to one another after- to recount that ways the Lord has ALREADY OVERCOME. The ways this community, and your own respective communities has already been healed and restored through individuals and through the Church. Share. Share what God's done. Share your personal testimony, and what God is doing through the Church. Tell what's good! Tell the people where to find hope! THEY NEED IT. WE NEED IT. And it is here for us to share.
Might I challenge you today: use your words strategically. Use words to lift others' eyes to what will really, truly help and bless and encourage and empower them. It's not the world or your own inner energy, but it comes from Above, from a God who has given it all so we might have life and have it abundantly.
Be Blessed,
Melissa Rivera
Seriously, love Love LOVE them!
There is something so riveting, so faith-infusing, so hope-giving about a testimony.
testimonies give life.
Think about it- when you talk to someone and need encouragement, do you want a pat answer? I don't. I want someone who will sharpen me with the word of God and the testimony of their own life to assure me that God is going to take care of it and of me and the details of my situation, be it what it may!
This morning, I had coffee at the Starbucks down the street with a friend who actually used to be my children's pastor. She has been in ministry for about 10-ish years now! I brought her a letter with some pictures of my college adventure and got to catch her up to speed about all sorts of things God has been doing in my life.
Can I tell you what??? I AM SO LIFTED.
The Word of God tells us that we rise by lifting others up.
If you are down, lift someone up.
If you are up, offer someone a hand to join you up there. Then watch God make being up that much sweeter!
My pastor friend and I talked and she told me stories of ministry and life that made me roll laughing in my seat across from her! She's funny!!!
And you know what else she is?
She is serving the Lord. The best she knows how. With a refreshing honesty and truth and fervent zeal.
I looked her in the eye and saw the same pastor that looked me in the eye and believed in what God had for me from a young age. She has prayed for me and watched God stir up glory and we have both watched God spill amazing, bountiful testimony from both our lives.
We shared tears and laughs and hopes and dreams and even things we are praying and wrestling through in our lives now.
And we, are lifted up. Why? Because of what God did, and our decision to share it with one another.
Let me tell you something. That Starbie's didn't know it was about to be filled with God's power and anointing this morning. But where two or more are gathered in His Name, He is there. God is where we share our testimony.
This area is gridlocked in some pretty rough evil. It goes beyond negativity- there's bullying, suicide, chronic depression and illness, loneliness, shame, bitterness, weariness, confusion and strife. Ministers are on the very front lines of it. That is why we need to come to the Lord in prayer, and to one another after- to recount that ways the Lord has ALREADY OVERCOME. The ways this community, and your own respective communities has already been healed and restored through individuals and through the Church. Share. Share what God's done. Share your personal testimony, and what God is doing through the Church. Tell what's good! Tell the people where to find hope! THEY NEED IT. WE NEED IT. And it is here for us to share.
Might I challenge you today: use your words strategically. Use words to lift others' eyes to what will really, truly help and bless and encourage and empower them. It's not the world or your own inner energy, but it comes from Above, from a God who has given it all so we might have life and have it abundantly.
John 10:10
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds.
Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Proverbs 11:25
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Melissa Rivera
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