Testify
Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.” — John 4:39-42
Testimonies are powerful. Over the years, I have heard thousands of testimonies from people all over the planet about Jesus. And what I love most about these testimonies is not the drama of their story but what they discovered about Jesus that resolved the drama. That moment in time that, for them, made Jesus real. For each person, it's something a little different. For one person, it might be their discovery of Jesus's limitless grace. For another, it might be discovering that Jesus wants a personal relationship with them. For still another, it might be a need for his forgiveness. But for this woman, it was Jesus's prophetic voice into her past because in a short interaction, he told her "all she ever did."
This is what I love about our faith. Each of us is affected a little differently by Jesus. And we should tell these stories more frequently than we do. You should get out there and tell yours today. But remember, the power is not in your story. The power is in His Story because, at some point, others have to decide for themselves who Jesus is — just like the people of Samaria here. So get out there today and tell your story, but remember the story and the drama do not point to you.
ASK THIS: Have you told your story lately? Who needs to hear it today?
DO THIS: Share your story one time today.
PRAY THIS: God, give me one opportunity to one another person my spiritual story. At a minimum, a short part of it.
PLAY THIS: Testify.
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Read through the Bible daily with Vince Miller.
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To make a long story short, I used to be into drugs and alcohol. I wanted to party one day with my friends. I invited a friend to a keg party. He asked where I thought I could find him some drugs. I told him to try this one guy. He asked him (as far as I know). I was sent away by the guy I told him to ask (his expletive deleted!). A couple of minutes later, my friend came back and I asked him if he wanted to go to the party with me. He proceeded to knock me down on my back, sat on my chest, and drew back his fist as if he was going to punch me in the face, and said “You’re not going!” Close to an hour later, me and some friends were talking and we heard some sirens. A friend went to check it out, and came back to say that 3 of my friends were in a wreck. The driver was the friend I mentioned earlier. He was headed around 80 mph in the wrong lane and had a head on collision! He did survive, but was walking down the highway with his hands lifted up and the first responders tried to stop a car that was coming down the highway and the car hit my friend and drug him about 50 feet! For years I had to deal with the shame and guilt, and it took me years to accept that the Lord allowed my friend to knock me on my back so that I wouldn’t go! It took me a few years but I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, and felt a peace come over me from head to toe! I knew that I was saved, but like I said, it took a long time to find out that nearly getting punched in the face by one of my best friends was God who allowed him to do that so I wouldn’t be a statistic! There’s much more to my testimony, but God is faithful and allows difficult times to lead us back to Him, if only we trust in Him!
Well said. There is no greater joy than truly realizing that I have been redeemed by the blood of Christ. Life Changing!
AMEN!!!
I never really felt like I had a “testimony”. I had no grand defining moment. No “come to Jesus” catastrophe. Others have a “story” they can tell. I had 18 years of a good easy life at home. Then I had 20 years of making a general mess of things. Forward and back. Pressing on and then getting side swiped. Just General bad decisions and then a little at a time, started making better ones. But it was not like I never knew Jesus and then one day someone spoke His name and I was all “GLORY HALLELUJAH I HAVE SEENT THE LIGHT!” There is no story of a specific event or moment. Something that has always bothered me.
@Trent. You just shared your testimony! It’s not about a dramatic story. It’s about your story and how Jesus changed your life and stood by you. Thanks for sharing! Blessings to you my brother in Christ.
Great reminder Vince. Turn my testimony to Jesus. Its not a story about ME. Amen brothers.
Amen brother! 🙏