Last night was an awesome night. The Youth from our church were the speakers for last night's fuifui lotu and they did an outstanding job of giving God praise and honor. Their words of encouragement, testimonials and goals for this year confirm again that God is working through the Youth of our church. It's wonderful to hear it from them telling us about what God has done in their lives. Vi'ia le Ali'i.
Points to Ponder: God wants to say something to the world through me.
Verse to Remember: "Be ready at all times to answer anyone that asks you to explain that hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect." 1 Peter 3:15-16
Questions to Consider: As I reflect on my personal story, who does God want me to share it with?
My response:
This chapter talks about being ready to witness. After reading it, I went to our youth service last night and it was like this chapter was on full display. The chapter says that you should be ready with your "story" when people ask you why Christ is so important in your life. There should be four parts to your story: testimony, life lessons, godly passions and good news. Each of these plays an important role in bringing someone to Christ. But you should be prepared to share it with people at a moments notice.
Your testimonial tells what your life was like before Christ and what he's done for you since you've accepted Him into your life. And as speaker after speaker went up last night, I realized that all of the Youth had their testimonies down pat. God had done great things in their lives and they see the mercy, grace and love He's shown them. Through all the hardships they've faced. Through all of the troubles, He was there. They said they've been on the road with God, gotten off and want to get back on the road. They declared how some of them have fallen away from the Lord, but many pledged last night to recommit their lives to God. What a wonderful testimony. I pray that the Youth step up and live up to their name, Ambassadors for Christ and are not ashamed to share their story and testimony to the world. Be blessed.
Sometimes an expression can become too attractive to where the expression gets entertained instead of the reason for the expression, or the message. i've learned that there are times for me not to come out and make a statement just to justify my readiness for God. Because when expressed at times, the statement can take priority of the person's focus before the message that is trying to become shared through the statement. Follow? For instance, if i were to proclaim and confess my loyalty to God to anyone who i felt could grow from my testimony, and i just go around opening up to them and testifying to them while using experiences that ive had to support my testimony, even if i do it with gentleness and respect, im not aware that im still dictating the direction of the conversation. And that means im dictating the direction of the reaction also.
ReplyDeleteMy point is that the testimony itself can take priority of the person's focus if i do not implement it properly into the conversation. Then the person will focus on my testimony as a will that just belongs to me without reflecting their feelings and thoughts on what the testimony is saying.
Instead of being forward with a statement, sometimes i've learned that there are other ways to send the message so that hope (being instilled in the person) takes priority of the person's focus so that the person can face the message on their own and have it confirmed by their own similar experiences. Then they can come to basis with what im testifying on and not listen to my testimony as if its an experience that just belongs to me.
Like if i came out and wore a bright orange shirt with bright earrings and shoes to match it. You wouldn't even start to listen to me until you've settled on your thoughts of my bright attire first because it has captured your attention and focus. i hope all this made sense, its harder to write out my thoughts but i wanted to share this with yall because its been good info for me when approaching or reproaching someone with my experiences.
All in all, i just want to remind yall that the best way to find the best way is to listen and be in tune with God before you enter a situation. Try it. Whats the worst that could happen?...nothing? atleast you tried and even then, you know and are aware of a little more of yourself(even if nothing benefits when you try a different way, you gain the knowledge that nothing will benefit by taking that route). If you never try, then you will never know.....praise and love