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Sunday 2 September 2012

Church Testimony Day - Sunday Sermon Review

Sunday Sermon Review September 2, 2012
(from my home church that I attend regularly)
There was no sermon at my church today - instead of a sermon by the preacher, we had three members of the congregation give testimony to what God has done in their lives. The service ended with communion.
Hebrews 10: 22-25 says
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

So the first person to share her testimony was an elderly lady (about 80 years old) I will call her Ruth. ( not her actual name)
Ruth grew up a shy girl who really enjoyed school. She dreamed of becoming a storeclerk or maybe a Sundayschool teacher when she grew up. She realized that God's ways are higher than our ways.
Ruth remembers as a child moving - together with her parents and family where they began attending a little brown church. It was here that her dream of becoming a Sundayschool teacher became reality. She was also baptized in this little church. Ruth shared how a missionary came to the church and how- now as an older teenager, she heard the call of God through the message presented by that missionary. She attended Bible school to prepare to serve God in a foreign country wherever He would send her. Ruth prayed for God to send a friend to go to the mission field with her but that prayer was only answered for her later on. A song that became like a "commission" song for her was  - " You've got to walk that lonesome valley, you've got to walk it by yourself .....and so on.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

The second person to give testimony was also a lady ( about 50 years old). I will call her Wilma ( also not her real name)
Wilma's life was going along fine when one day she accidently damaged her knee cartilige causing her much pain. This was the beginning of years of pain and struggle. Wilma's pain now increased with symptoms of intense dizziness, blurred vision and hearing loss. She lost sight in one eye and also lost ability to hear in one ear. During this down time, Wilma realized that God was calling her to a life of intense prayer and to fill her mind with Scripture and increased faith. Psalm 9: 9-10 The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.  And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
Wilma was surprised to find that her diagnosis was depression and after receiving treatment for her depression, her vision and hearing has been restored and the dizziness has subsided. Wilma encouraged anyone who is suffering from depression to not be ashamed to seek treatment. She shared how she now seeks to be thankful for all the small things in life.
Wilma encouraged us to - Spend more time in Scripture and in prayer and it will change your life.

The final testimony was share by a man ( around age 40) who I will call Danny ( not his real name)
Danny shared how he loves to ride his bike and pray out loud as he rides. He shared that he connects with the Lord in this way when its just "me and Jesus".
Danny shared how immensely he loves his wife and children and that he realized that God loves him even more. Danny loves his work and is seeking to be faithful to the Lord in serving Him - living in the commandments of the Lord today. Danny loves creation and loves to live the day outside as much as possible. Danny's quote - Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and Today is a gift - that is why we call it present! Psalm 100:5  For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Next communion was served. We remember and celebrate the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The bread represents Christ's body broken for us. The wine represents Christ's blood shed for us.
Jesus is Lord of our lives. He provides forgiveness and healing. We proclaim the Lord's death till He comes again!
The service ended with the song - As for me and my House we will Serve the Lord.
Next Sunday we will be back to studying in our Matthew series.

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