Power of Testimonies

Last night we had a couple come and speak to our Life Group who are not part of our church family. Their friend Randi attends our Life Group and has had us praying for this couple for 3 years. They came last night to talk to us about the journey they have been on the past 15 years.
While they had some significant events test their faith earlier in their marriage, the past three years they have spent 361 days of their 3 year olds life in the hospital. She has a very rare eating disorder. They have been told that she is not the only child to have had this problem, she is the only one who has lived. Avery has not been able to ingest food or drink since birth. She is fed through a tube in her intestine. Listening to this couple share their walk of faith touched all of our hearts. They have learned so much about God that they would not have known if they had not endured this journey. They helped us all to see what surrender looks like in the flesh.

I am not sure why we don't share testimonies more often? Everyone has a God story to share. Testimonies help to authenticate faith. Testimonies are not meant to glorify the testifier but God. I pray more and more that churches will be open to creating an environment where testimonies are shared and God is glorified.

Psalms 145
I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.

Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.

One generation will commend your works to another;
they will tell of your mighty acts.

They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and I will meditate on your wonderful works. ^[b]

They will tell of the power of your awesome works,
and I will proclaim your great deeds.

They will celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

The LORD is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.

The LORD is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.

All you have made will praise you, O LORD;
your saints will extol you.

They will tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might,

so that all men may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
The LORD is faithful to all his promises
and loving toward all he has made.

The LORD upholds all those who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.

The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.

You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and loving toward all he has made.

The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.

He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.

The LORD watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.

My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.
Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever.