TESTIMONIES

All of us have stories to tell of God's grace and mercy. We call them testimonies in our church. When I grew up as a boy in church sometimes the pastors would call for people to share a testimony of God's goodness. Someone would stand up and share extemporaneously from their heart about an answered prayer or some other good thing the Lord had done. Sometimes we would rejoice or laugh or hold our breathe depending on what was being shared. The desire was to give God glory and encourage others in the faith.

Monday night Wanda and I went to a Christmas banquet for ministers. Part of the program was a testimony given by a pastor's wife who is a cancer survivor. She dwelt with cancer 26 years ago only to see it return twice again and even more severe. Yet, by God's grace, she is again cancer free.

Her words encouraged everyone as she shared how she had overcome stage 4 cancer. She gave glory to God. She encouraged everyone that no matter what they were facing that they could make it.

There were a few who wiped tears as she shared from her heart. It made me realize even more the importance of trusting God through all the bad times. God is faithful.

It is helpful to write our testimonies of answered prayer down to read and reread. They serve as reminders of God's faithfulness. Our memories are short and we fail to see the faithfulness of God.

So what is your testimony? Is it one of faith that will bless others? If yes, then share it. Bless others. Give God the glory. Let it build your faith today.