This
week I want challenge you to think everyday about the blessings God
has bestowed upon you. Like the old song says, "count your many
blessings, see what God has done...count your many blessings, name
them one by one". This past Sunday, we had a good old fashioned
testimony service! Various people who had been blessed by the Lord
stood up and testified. They shared about the many ways God had been
working in their lives. They shared how they had overcome
difficulties. They shared how they had been enabled by the Holy
Spirit to do BOLD things for God! In Revelation 12:10-12 (NKJV) the
Bible says, "Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven,
"Now salvation, and strength, and the Kingdom of our God, and
the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren,
who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of
their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them!" There
are days when we feel accused, used, AND abused...but there is way
to overcome! To rejoice! In Romans 12:21, Paul exhorts us, "Do
not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good". If we
are to overcome in this present age, it will be through the goodness
of Jesus Christ. It must be HIM in US that overcomes. We can look at
the verses preceding verse 21, and see how a Christ follower should
live. However, it is easy to KNOW something, yet not live it. A
brother shared on Sunday about walking out our faith...not just
talking it out. How true. We must learn to be doers of the Word, and
not hearers only. It is in doing God's will that the Lord
establishes a testimony in our lives! And that testimony is
validated ONLY by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus). Paul was always
cautious about how he testified. He wasn't one who testified about
all he had done, but rather ALL that God had done in him...or
through him! It's important for us to follow his lead...we need to
testify about Jesus, but never in such a way as to confuse the
listener. I have heard many a person brag on themselves, and then
"throw a little bone of glory" to God at the end. I
believe our delivery of a testimony should be the opposite...a BUNCH
about Jesus, and then a little about our part. Sunday, those who
testified, encouraged those who listened. They emboldened us to
trust Jesus more...to shine our lights in the darkness. We need to
understand the POWER of the testimony God has given us! We need to
use that testimony to overcome evil! As we remind ourselves of the
GOOD things God has done in our lives...and lift HIM up...we will be
encouraged! Others will be encouraged! And the Lord will be
glorified! I pray we will take time to count our blessings this
week...and every week. I pray that we will start each day with a
heart that testifies of the love of Jesus! May GOD'S BEST be on you and your family! See
you here, or in the air!
Your
Brother in Ministry,
Greg McCowen
P.S. - Bring a friend with you this Sunday...see what the Lord will
do!
Covenant Life Fellowship - Lubbock
Church - (806) 771-4244
