2 Peter 1:5-7 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.
In today’s culture our families have been broken, separated, or drowning in doubt. I know these are tough times for many of us to see grace vs. hopelessness. From a spiritual perspective, your home is the place to take your stand against the fires of hell and the winds of our sinful culture.
By God’s grace and power we must create a spiritual spot of protection to keep the storms of life from destroying families. The Bible is filled with examples of those who did not know how or felt like they deserved to be a leader. It is hard to allow God to rise up as well as keep His promises of provision. But your testimony is the proof of God at work…just like Abraham, Ester, Peter, and Mary. They all allowed God to create a spiritual place for them to protect and raise them up to lead. They all have common threads-they all felt lost and wounded by the world. They also had great faith that put them in tough spots to lead from a God driven grace and not the hopelessness of the world.
We have testimonies and the only true bad testimony is the one not given. When the love of God is dropped in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, Christ is easily first. Then, we must practice working out of these things keep us from God. This is where your personal testimony comes in to play because OUR actions share more with the world than our words alone. We need to write it out and then write it to our hearts….
Making your testimony- God Created a Need -Are you personally changed?
· Describe the condition of your life.
o In what way did God change your priorities?
o If there has been no personal change can a person go to Heaven?
o When you were personally changed or converted? What changes has Jesus made in your life that others can see?
· What spiritual, material, emotional and/or physical needs are in your life?
o How did your needs change… for the good from the bad?
o What does James say about a professed faith that gives no evidence of change?
We go through trials, its part of His master plan to fine-tuning our faith. God allows us to be put into the furnace to burn off the pride, the anger, the smugness, the lust, the prejudice, or whatever sin that is present in our lives. Beware of the tendency of asking the way, when you know it perfectly well. Take the first step. Be unwavering when God speaks, act in faith and love of God. We have to get into the habit of listening to God about everything. When a crisis comes, we instinctively turn to God and to the world.
In the end, a refined faith is a treasure and a stronger family is better than gold. Through the refining process, you and I discover just how real our faith is, and so do those around us. Our personal testimonies show the journey and our growth in Christ. Ask in prayer for help in creating a spiritual place of blessing and protection for you and your family.
Living Life Large 4 Christ!
Pastor Frank
Pastor Frank
