My faith has been strained these past couple of weeks (months). This week’s church service had a session where they prayed for people who were exhausted and just tired of the wait. I was relieved to not be the only one feeling that way. They prayed for people who are asking themselves, “do you even see me, God?” And you know what? That’s been me lately. Heaps and heaps of blue ticked prayers, I started to lose faith. And this got me thinking, about how much we need testimonies in the church.
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.
You see? Because things weren’t working out for me with regard to my personal supplications, I started to wonder if I’m in one of those false churches the Bible warns us about. My word for the year was fruits/results. So in everything that I do, I look for the fruits or the results. If a church isn’t helping you to yield results, what then must you do? Because we are told that you will know them by their fruits. But what if there are none?
I’ll give you a personal example, I just wanna carry children full term. That’s my KPI when I’m going to church. Cause we are in miracle territory now. The fruit I’m expecting is of the womb. That’s not unreasonable. That’s genuinely what I’m seeking the face of the Lord for in this current season. But… if my period keeps showing up, how do I testify of His goodness? Yes, there are other victories, but not the one I genuinely yearn for. How do I encourage other women in my position when I haven’t been able to figure it out for myself? I need a testimony to testify of His goodness.
Luke 17:15-18 When one of them saw that he was healed, he came back, praising God in a loud voice. He fell facedown at Jesus’ feet in thanksgiving to Him—and he was a Samaritan. “Were not all ten cleansed?” Jesus asked. “Where then are the other nine? Was no one found except this foreigner to return and give glory to God?”
People are gatekeeping their testimonies, and you know what? I’m paranoid too so I get it. But someone out there needs that testimony to help their waning faith. I’m telling you now, if someone gets up in church and says, “I’ve been childless for years and ever since I started being a congregant here, it shifted my faith and yielded the desired results.” I would go to that church, no doubt. Whom nowadays buys something without checking out the reviews first? It’s the same principle.
The devil’s children testify all the time about their father. Their soul winning is vigorous. They flaunt it all. They share their testimonies openly. They don’t gate-keep anything. That kingdom runs like a multilevel pyramid scheme. So many have come to me to say I know someone who can sort out this childlessness for you. Does that someone one know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour? Nope! But do you want this baby or nah?
@evangelistdannymaluks Revelation 12:11 [11]And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.
The Bible gave us testimonies for a reason. Hannah and Sarah are the testimonies I ought to be leaning on during this trying time. But I can’t help but be greedy and crave more testimonies from people I can sit and talk to. Like Hannah, when he thought you were drunk, what was happening? Because I totally get why Sarah laughed when the prophecy came. You know in U Saved Me when R. Kelly said, “and when somebody said God’s good, I’d just laugh at ‘em?” Yeah, that’s where I’m at. Which sucks because with everything else? I’m seeing the goodness of God in the land of the living.
Psalm 71:17 O God, You have taught me from my youth, And I still declare Your wondrous works and miraculous deeds.
Testimonies are part of thanksgiving. I can’t see how you can have one without the other. Who do you fear more? The witches who can take it from you or the one who gave it to you? Y’all wanna take that baddie mentality of posting the vacation without the person who paid for it, and it shows. Give God all His glory, please. It’s not for you to keep a secret. You can’t be sneaky links with the wondrous works of the Lord. There’s a person who is waiting on that testimony and it will change their lives.
So, the next time you gate keep your testimony, remember that God’s people are in need of it. Even the servant of God who prayed for you is in need of it. The enemy spares no-one when it comes to the Imposter Syndrome. I can’t begin to explain how encouraging it is when someone comes and tells you that the prayer you agreed with them on, has been answered. And when days are dark, you can reflect and say, “Lord, the way you did it for Hannah, please do it for me.” You have proof it works!
