Whats your Testimony?
Our Pastor challenged us this week to write our testimony in 100 words or less. I managed to get it down to 117. The lesson was designed to prepare us to speak our testimony quickly and effectively when asked why we follow Christ. It really helped me focus on the main theme of my life at this moment in time. God does so many things in our lives we could write about it forever.
This exercise fits in well with what I am trying to do here on Diary of a Saved Soul; I think I should share with you what I wrote.
My Testimony
Before I became a follower of Christ, my burdens were so heavy I couldn’t even look at myself in a mirror. I experienced abandonment repeatedly and eventually abandoned myself. I felt worthless and incapable of love. I was emotionally crippled.
I devoted myself to God when he revealed the depth of his love. If Jesus died for me to have life then what was I doing not living it? He did not die on the cross for me to walk in condemnation;
I can’t remember who I was before He transformed me. I have experienced love and I can now love myself and others. I have become confident in who I am and living a victorious life.
Our testimonies are powerful, are you prepared to share yours quickly and effectively? I encourage you to respond to this post with your testimony in 100 words or less.
Below are the guidelines I used to help me write it out. This teaching was given by Pastor Howard from Bethel Church in Bristol CT. If you do submit a post with your testimony I will be sharing it with Pastor Howard as well. You can submit them anonymously, or if you would like someone to contact you please leave your email.
MY STORY
In less than 100 words
Write down thoughts and experiences that work together to provide a coherent story of your positive experience with God.
1) Before I became a follower of Christ………………………
2) What happened? How did you come to devote yourself to God and receive of his grace……………
3) What is your life like now? The difference being a believer and a disciple has made in your life…………
I cant wait to hear what you have to say!
6 Responses to “Whats your Testimony?”
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This morning at a men’s prayer breakfast. We went around the room and. I asked each man to share his testimony. The last guy was Ray, and this is how God worked: Ray said, “Guys, I’m not saved.” Of course, we all thought he was. So, I asked if he wanted to change that right now. He said yes and prayed to receive Christ this morning! Thanks for the blog; it challenged a group of men and lead one to Christ! Pretty awesome, huh?
Pastor Andrew
savedsoul said this on July 14, 2007 at 10:06 pm
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Jeanie shared this on my blog:
We didn’t go to church much until I was about 11 or 12. I made a profession of
faith because the SS teacher/pastor’s wife asked me to before I went to the next
age class, so I did. I didn’t live my life as if anything had changed. I read
my Bible off and on. Then when I was 25, I felt a tugging to go to church. The
previous SS teacher’s grandson had a church close by. I thought I would feel
comfortable there. I went every time the door was open for 3 months. Then we
had a revival that was for 7 days. The evangelist was Kenny Robinette. I went
every night until the next to the last night. (I had to have an excuse not to
go, I was very convicted) The last night the invitation went on for what seemed
like forever as I white knuckled the pew in front of me. All this time I was
playing a game of being a Christian and I knew it. I felt like Kenny was
preaching to me the entire week. Finally, I turned loose of the pew and I don’t
think my feet hit the floor before I got to
the front of the church. I was baptized in King’s river the next week. I have
had my ups and downs since then but, I can truly say that Jesus is wthe glue
that holds me together and gets me through life.Pastor Andrew said this on July 15, 2007 at 7:07 pm
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I came to know the Lord in my late 20’s, I was raised to know of God, I knew that my grandmother knew God, but that was the extend of it.I sent my children to church when they were little, thinking I knew all I needed to know about God, even tho ms Hazel told me several times I needed more. Well Just before I got married the 2nd time, I met this young man who just loved the Lord, but I still was not ready to do the church thing, but him being loving as he was worked me into church slowly knowing I didnt trust to many people, well I found out that christians were happy people, they love to have fun with out the drinking and drugs or even cursing. I listen for a long time, and then one day I thought I want to have what they have and I asked my sister in law how do I get saved, up until then I didnt realize how close I was to going to hell as I was, I knew of God and thougth because I was a good person I was ok, but that day I realize I was going to hell cause I had not trusted Jesus as my Lord and savior and I wanted that really bad. That day I decided that I would change a lot of things in my life, change friends, family and learn to trust in the Lord with all my life. God has blessed me with a wonderful husband of 16 years, a beautiful house and a wonderful church family, he as taken me through hard times and good times. So if you dont have the Lord, then you are really missing out…..
Diana said this on July 17, 2007 at 1:31 am
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Myk said:
July 17th, 2007 at 6:07 pm e
My life was full of questions as to why I should bother to keep living in such an empty world.Then while visiting a church an invitation to come up front “if you need to meet with God” was made; vulnerably I went. Jesus Christ somehow met me there, as He always does when people seek Him sincerely. I vowed that I’d live as long as He gave me reason to.
Now my life is full of positive questions; questions about the character of God, why people often perceive Him as they do and how I can help remedy this problem.
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I was raised in a cult called the World Wide Church of God. They taught you had to have good works to make it to the Kingdom. About 13 years ago, I was given a 4 spiritual laws tract from someone I did not like. After reading it to prove him wrong the Lord made Himself known to me in my kitchen. I realized that I was a sinner and that I would split hell wide open if left as is. I prayed that day and received Jesus as my Savior…….my life instantly was changed.
gabbysue said this on September 6, 2007 at 3:48 am
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Hi! My name is Lisa Reeves, and my life took a drastic change when my 55 year old father died on February 6, 2006. Even though I was married I lived in the family home to help my mother take care of my elderly grandparents/ One was 80 and the other 79 suffering with late stage althzimers. We also ran our business out of our home which was a photography/video business.
I did everything I could to help my mother get through the loss of my dad. They had met in church when they were 12. And married in 1971. I made funeral plains and phone calls and did everything just so she wouldn’t have to. Anything to get her through it.
On February 13, 2007 in the early morning hours my husband broke into my family home totally out of control. I had never seen him this way and I had known him since I was 4. He began beating and choking me till I was convinced he was gonna kill me. At that point I yelled for my mother. She got up and came to where we were and told Randy that if he didn’t leave she would call the police. He told her to go ahead and call them. He followed her and I him. All the time he was cussing and acting out of control. Before we got to the phone he attacked me again. My mom tried to stop him and then he started beating her. That is when I jumped him and got him off her long enough for her to get away. He turned and hit me so hard that it knocked me down, but I got up and followed him to where she was at. I noticed him taking something out of his pocket and it turned out to be a gun and in an instant he shot and killed her.
I then ran to my grandparents room hoping to protect them someway. I heard him chasing me down the hall and as soon as I got to there door and got in he started beating on it. All I could think about was getting help for my mama. Finally the beating on the door stopped and I opened it just a crack, but something told me to close it. At that point my grandpa was up and I told him Randy shot mama. All he said was no he didn’t. I then told my grandpa that I had to go next door and get my brother Travis for help and call 911. I told him to keep the door locked and make him bust it down. I went out the window and told him I would be right back. I had promised him that I would be right back.
Once over at my brothers Travis got his gun and I called 911 and they told me to go outside to see if Randy’s truck was still there. Travis went out back and I went out front. Travis was now at the fence line that separated our yards. As I looked to my left I noticed something that turned out to be Randy. And at that point a 35 minute gun battle ensued between my brother and Randy. Travis yelled for me to get back in the house and if Randy came in shoot him.
It ended with my brother being shot ten times , Randy fleeing to Laredo, Texas where has was caught 24 hours later and my mother and grandparents all three shot in the head. Since then I have lost my business, my home and at times have lived in my truck. My life has been destroyed. I’m financially ruined because of all this and my family has no ideal how to get over this. Right now I’m living with my attorney and his wife. This was the first triple homicide that ever happened in our small town.
In a year I had buried everyone that lived in my house. My mom who was my best friend was murdered the day before her birthday which was on Valentine’s day. She would have been 52. I had always been very close to my family and losing them in such a manner was more than I could take at time, but I kept praying and begging God to give me the peace and forgiveness that I desperately needed. I wanted God to somehow bring glory to his name out of this situation. And now it’s been 19 months and God did finally give me the peace and forgiveness I needed. I now talk and share my testimony to church’s and women’s groups. It hasn’t all been highs through this, but God never left my side.
I have truly forgiven Randy. It was God’s grace that has given me the peace and forgiveness that I needed. My goal is to help others that have been through a tragedy like this. And let them know that even though life will never be the same. You can still find joy in the middle of the storm. I’m also trying to help Randy get through this. I believe that is my Christian duty to do this. God allowed me to no longer see people through the eyes of the flesh, but to see them through the eyes of the spirit. I realized that he was a lost and broken soul that needed prayer and forgiveness.
I realized that I had to lay my life down and give it to Christ. And in turn he would take care of all my needs. I praise his sweet and precious name. He gave his only Son to die in my place for all my sins to mark my debt as paid in full, cancelled. And what he has done for me he can do for you if you just believe in Him and give your life to Him.
Thank you and God Bless,
Lisa L. Reeves
Lisa Reeves said this on September 17, 2008 at 2:41 am
July 12th, 2007 at 11:13 pm eMy salvation testimony:Even though I’ve known about Jesus since birth, and I prayed before bed every night, he wasn’t alive in me as he is today.
It took some Godly friends and a wonderful youth group to help me understand. There was something special about these kids, something that I lacked. One day in church, I confessed my sins to God and prayed to surrender my life to Jesus.
After that, I had much more peace. I could rest in God’s love, which continues to sustain me today. I’m never alone, and I’m comforted that the all-mighty God is in control.
July 13th, 2007 at 3:09 am eOkay, here it tis’!When I was in my early 20’s I relied on the world, drugs, alcohol, and parties for my happiness. I had a great time, but always felt empty inside.
Then I had a life changing experience. I discovered that Christ came that I might have life, and have it more abundantly.
Since then, God has called me into the ministry and I pastor a church. But best of all, I have a joy unspeakable and full of glory that will never fade!
How did I do??