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MyangelDems

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I visit my bio-dads church sometimes (Church of Zion) and one thing has been really peculiar to me, I've never seen it done this way at any of the churches I've ever been to, but it got me to wondering some things. This is what they do:

Every church gathering they do a short praise and worship, followed by a very long testimony service, then prayer, then choir, then prayer/intro of speaker, then the word.

Now although I think they should start off the service with prayer, this isnt what was peculiar to me.

The fact that they sometimes have half an hour to an hour dealing with testimonies did. It's like they go around the room and its obvious that many of them really don't have much to say and just go "praise God for my family" or "thank God for waking me up this morning" or other such things. Every now and then someone has a "big testimony". Every time i go to this church i'm left feeling like I don't have a testimony, and wondering why do we have testimonies, if this is done a lot, and what constitutes as a testimony? After visiting the church i always felt like i was lacking because I was pretty much the only one not getting up to "testify". I truly feel like i don't really have a testimony in the sense that theyre using. But maybe I don't really understand what's behind a testimony, or what exactly it is. SO any help would be appreciated, would love some scripture too!
 

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Hello There,

Yes, MyangelDems I am very clear to what your question is.  I came to know the saviour in a Church that practiced this type of Service religiously.  The intent is good but if the purpose for it is unknown then it becomes more of a ceremony and tradition then an edification that it is meant to be.  It is hollow and meaningless.  Much like the Bible can be without the Holy Spirit bringing the true meaning to what is written or even worse if He is simply ignored.

The intent is multifaceted;

John 8:17Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact.

Romans 1:12 I’m eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. In this way, each of us will be a blessing to the other.

There is way more scripture to the reasons for publicly bearing witness to the works of God then I can find off hand or even quote.

Faith comes by "hearing" the word.  If we "hear" something that God has done recently are faith is "encouraged" and we are given "hope".  God is Glorified and the kingdom of God is built up.  Our "faith" is built up individually and not necessarily collectively due to the fact what is right for one may not be right for another.

What Has God done for you this week?  What is the purpose of asking this question and having a "testimony" of what God has done for an individual brought forth publicly.

If the testimony given is a "Spirit Led" testimony then someone in the congregation needs to hear it.

or "thank God for waking me up this morning"

If this testimony was "Spirit Led" then someone in the congregation needs their "Faith" built up by "hearing" what God has done for them.  The person that needs to "hear" that God has helped someone else out with a similiar problem is "encouraged" that God will help them also get up on time in the morning as well.  The person then prays that God will help them get up in the morning like they did the Brother or Sister who gave witness to this paticular kindness of God.  The public testimony has "edified" the church in that someone was encouraged that God would help them, prayer was encouraged and God was Glorified by His good work. 

Not only has this small chain of events happened to "edify" the Church but if it is Known by all members the purpose of the Public Testimony one can carefully listen to the testimonies and deduct specific needs of the one giving Testimony.  In your example if you look beyond what was said to the reason it was said you may see that the person who gave the testimony felt "encouraged" by telling everybody that God had done something good for them.  It wasn't really about God getting them up in the morning it was that they wanted to please God by doing what they thought was required of them.  If the original testimony was not "Spirit" led then God can still use the testimony but the motivation of the one giving testimony is that out of ignorance to what God has intended for Public Testimony and is doing what they "Think" is right instead of doing what they "know" is right.  Public Testimony that is given with out knowledge of the purpose and if it is not really "Spirit" led then it is nothing more then another man made ceremony or tradition that doesn't bear as much fruit as if it were practiced with a "knowing" of the "Truth".

Let's say I was there and it is my turn to Testify.  I know the purpose of it.  I know the first thing to do is to Ask God "what should I testify about this week?"  "What will produce the most fruit?"  I then focus on what the Holy Spirit says to me and overide my own ideas as to what to say.  So I testify publicly that "God is Truly Good".  The person/s that "hears" the "word" or "testimony" asks themselves "what kind of testimony was that?"  Now if you ask God about what I have said and "listen to what He says" you will know.  Do you get it?  By my testimony have I not created a "wonder" in you.  Will this wonder not create a desire in you to "Search" and then will you not "Find" the "Truth".  So you have a small speck of the "Truth" but there is so much more to the "Truth" then at first meets the eye of understanding.

If you have more questions I will be glad to answer them.

May God richly Bless you and you still are in my Prayers.
 
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Praise the Lord. :pray:

We have a devotional service before our regular service to give God the Honor and Praise and if anyone has a testimony and even a song in there heart then this is the time.

2 Chronicles 6: 32,33 says,

Moreover concerning the stranger, which is not of thy people Israel, but is come from a far country for thy great name's sake and thyt mighty hand, and thy strectched out arm: if they come and pray in this house.

Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all people of the earth may know thy name, and fear thee, as doth thy people Israel, and may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name.

A personal testimony is an effective method for convincing people to follow a cause. When people see changed lives and watch God's power at work, they will want to worship him. Those close to use should be able to see God at work in our lives.

Cherylq :bow:  
 
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reeann

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People's testimony of God working in their lives just bring me right up to heaven.... This is especially true when I am struggling with things where I need to trust God. I may not always see God working in my life, but I am encouraged and rejoicing when I see Him working in the lives of others. It makes the burdens of your own life seem like a future blessing
 
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MyangelDems

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From all of your posts I guess the problem would be not that they are testifying but what they are testifying for/about. It's clear to me that most of the people that get up don't really have much to say, but feel they need to say something (and they do it in such a downcast voice too) My reactions to most have been "oh God, why don't they just sit down and be quiet instead of each of them saying the same thing", to a few I've felt really moved and spirit-fed. These ones i really enjoy hearing. I guess maybe after hearing most of the adults that get up (the kids are fun and oftentimes inspiring to hear more so than the adults) I feel that some things you just don't need to tell the public, for example I wouldn't feel right going "Lord thank you for helping me to survive the month on $50 bucks" now in private I will do that without a moment's hesitation. But in that church its so stiffling and feels like everyone is trying to come up with something to outdo the other one or just plain have something to say during the service. I think what reallly annoys me is how i feel after the service or when someones shooting out a quick praise line, almost like they have to say something praising God because its the right/expected thing to do, but really from the way they say it, you'd think God hadnt done anything all that great...so why say it?
 
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reeann

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Today at 05:28 PM MyangelDems said this in Post #5

From all of your posts I guess the problem would be not that they are testifying but what they are testifying for/about. It's clear to me that most of the people that get up don't really have much to say, but feel they need to say something (and they do it in such a downcast voice too) My reactions to most have been "oh God, why don't they just sit down and be quiet instead of each of them saying the same thing", to a few I've felt really moved and spirit-fed. These ones i really enjoy hearing. I guess maybe after hearing most of the adults that get up (the kids are fun and oftentimes inspiring to hear more so than the adults) I feel that some things you just don't need to tell the public, for example I wouldn't feel right going "Lord thank you for helping me to survive the month on $50 bucks" now in private I will do that without a moment's hesitation. But in that church its so stiffling and feels like everyone is trying to come up with something to outdo the other one or just plain have something to say during the service. I think what reallly annoys me is how i feel after the service or when someones shooting out a quick praise line, almost like they have to say something praising God because its the right/expected thing to do, but really from the way they say it, you'd think God hadnt done anything all that great...so why say it?

I think you need to just chill a little! Please, i mean this in the most nicest way possible, because I had to learn this lesson myself.  Are you growing in the church your at?  IF not, then step out and find one that does.   Some people with a quick praise line- praise Jesus automatically because they have trained themselves too.  Its as natural as breathing.  Other people just give lip service, their words do not match their heart.   Other peopel still yet may be struggling but praise GOd anyways because at least its something the CAN do that feels right rather then succumb to thats normal human feelings we get when in struggles.  Basically, Jesus will judge their heart.  As Christians, we need to lift each other up, holding up the Word of God as the benchmark.   Its normal to suspect the purity of someone's heart; but... its up to Jesus to judge its authenticity.

Blessings,

Reeann
 
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MyangelDems

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Today at 09:36 AM reeann said this in Post #6



I think you need to just chill a little! Please, i mean this in the most nicest way possible, because I had to learn this lesson myself.  Are you growing in the church your at?  IF not, then step out and find one that does.   Some people with a quick praise line- praise Jesus automatically because they have trained themselves too.  Its as natural as breathing.  Other people just give lip service, their words do not match their heart.   Other peopel still yet may be struggling but praise GOd anyways because at least its something the CAN do that feels right rather then succumb to thats normal human feelings we get when in struggles.  Basically, Jesus will judge their heart.  As Christians, we need to lift each other up, holding up the Word of God as the benchmark.   Its normal to suspect the purity of someone's heart; but... its up to Jesus to judge its authenticity.

Blessings,

Reeann


 :p im laughing, im usually too chilled. And I'm not judging the authenticity of these brothers and sisters hearts, they do have hearts for God. That's why this seems to be out of character for them. It's like when they get to this part they dont really "wanna", but they do it anyway. Maybe its been done so long in the church that they don't know any other way. My original question was more about me than them, although I am curious about the whys of it, and as i said before maybe I don't understand because I don't really feel like I have a testimony.  I think nomad answered my question the best when he said if its spirit led and helps/edifieds someone else, then thats pretty much a testimony. That said, I've a new question. How do you get a testimony?
 
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Yesterday at 11:01 PM MyangelDems said this in Post #1

I visit my bio-dads church sometimes (Church of Zion) and one thing has been really peculiar to me, I've never seen it done this way at any of the churches I've ever been to, but it got me to wondering some things. This is what they do:

Every church gathering they do a short praise and worship, followed by a very long testimony service, then prayer, then choir, then prayer/intro of speaker, then the word.

Now although I think they should start off the service with prayer, this isnt what was peculiar to me.

The fact that they sometimes have half an hour to an hour dealing with testimonies did. It's like they go around the room and its obvious that many of them really don't have much to say and just go "praise God for my family" or "thank God for waking me up this morning" or other such things. Every now and then someone has a "big testimony". Every time i go to this church i'm left feeling like I don't have a testimony, and wondering why do we have testimonies, if this is done a lot, and what constitutes as a testimony? After visiting the church i always felt like i was lacking because I was pretty much the only one not getting up to "testify". I truly feel like i don't really have a testimony in the sense that theyre using. But maybe I don't really understand what's behind a testimony, or what exactly it is. SO any help would be appreciated, would love some scripture too!

In a church I use to attend in Calif. we use to have testimony time every Sunday evening, and I truely loved it.  They would open it up to whoever wanted to say something.

There was one little grandma who use to stand up and by the time she sat down we would all be crying and rejoicing with her in what the Lord had done for her that week.  Out of the simplest things in life God would teach her things.

Rev 12:10-11 (NKJV) 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. 

I believe we all have a testimony.  We all have something in our lives that bears witness to the fact that God is Good.  That He has done good and marvelous things in our life.

However, while we know He's done something, our eyes are usually more focussed on what we don't see happening yet.  It is our attitude that needs adjustment.  That can be seen even in those who give testimony but by the sound in their voice and the look on their face they appear to not really believe it.

I think nomad had a good suggestion. . .ask God to show you what He would like you to share about what He's done for you that week.  He is always doing something, but may not want you to share it yet.  Then what He wants you to share may seem so tiny to you but will bless someone else immensly.

I believe all of us can ask God to open our eyes to what He is doing in, through, around, and to us.  Believe it and then share it with someone.

Be blessed,

Quaffer
 
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reeann

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Today at 06:32 PM Quaffer said this in Post #8



I think nomad had a good suggestion. . .ask God to show you what He would like you to share about what He's done for you that week.  He is always doing something, but may not want you to share it yet.  Then what He wants you to share may seem so tiny to you but will bless someone else immensly.

I believe all of us can ask God to open our eyes to what He is doing in, through, around, and to us.  Believe it and then share it with someone.

Be blessed,

Quaffer


Good advice, You all say things so much more loving, i'm learning from you all.
 
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Today at 11:58 AM MyangelDems said this in Post #7




 :p im laughing, im usually too chilled. And I'm not judging the authenticity of these brothers and sisters hearts, they do have hearts for God. That's why this seems to be out of character for them. It's like when they get to this part they dont really "wanna", but they do it anyway. Maybe its been done so long in the church that they don't know any other way. My original question was more about me than them, although I am curious about the whys of it, and as i said before maybe I don't understand because I don't really feel like I have a testimony.  I think nomad answered my question the best when he said if its spirit led and helps/edifieds someone else, then thats pretty much a testimony. That said, I've a new question. How do you get a testimony?


We must be "kindred" spirits in a way.  I'm usually "chilled" as well but with good reason.

I remember after reading through your posts having similiar feelings about Public Testimony.  I believe that what you have done is "discerned" by the "Spirit" of God a need.  There is a big difference between discerning whats in the Heart of our Loved ones and judging them.  Those who you know have a Heart after God but don't seem to have much to say need "What"?  Probably the same thing your looking for.  If you pray for them you pray for them as well as yourself.  There is a "key" I want to give you and I pray God opens all of our eyes to it.  When we pray for others we pray for ourselves!!!!

What has God done for me this week?  My testimony here isn't spirit led this time but it has caused me to "reflect" on what God has done.  If I can't come up with anything that God has done for me personally then something is needed.  I've chosen to share with all those publicly that God is giving back to me and refreshing my memory of what He taught me a few years back.  He is also adding to my knowledge the more I share.  The more I share the more I have to give because He gives me even more.  When I give this Testimony I can "sense" or "discern" the response to it.  If I feel there are those who are disinterested in what I have to share then I know what they need.  They need to learn to be interested in others interests other then just there own.  Your not being Loved the way Jesus intended if no one is interested in what you have to say.  The need is yours in that your are to be loved and theirs that they need to learn to love.

I want you to try something before you make your next post.  I want you to ask Papa God what should I Testify about.  Expect an answer because you will get one.  Whatever that comes to you write that down as your "Testimony" regardless of wether or not you feel it has worth.  When I asked I literally asked and got "God is Truly Good".  He took it from there in what I wrote after that.  You may get just a few thoughts or feelings but you will get the general idea of what He wants you to write down.  Whatever it is just write it down.  "Reflect" on what you have written and How you really feel about it.  When I reflected on my own Testimony I felt "yea right".  It wasn't how I really felt but I discerned in them they don't feel like they are loved.  So now I can ask God to provide what they need which I did.

I will help you to more clearly "hear" the Holy Spirit if thats where your having problem.  It may be He just wants you to "reflect" and see your own need.  You can't ask God for what you don't know right?  So I'm here to help in as much as I can.
 
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Today at 11:28 AM MyangelDems said this in Post #5

From all of your posts I guess the problem would be not that they are testifying but what they are testifying for/about. It's clear to me that most of the people that get up don't really have much to say, but feel they need to say something (and they do it in such a downcast voice too) My reactions to most have been "oh God, why don't they just sit down and be quiet instead of each of them saying the same thing", to a few I've felt really moved and spirit-fed. These ones i really enjoy hearing. I guess maybe after hearing most of the adults that get up (the kids are fun and oftentimes inspiring to hear more so than the adults) I feel that some things you just don't need to tell the public, for example I wouldn't feel right going "Lord thank you for helping me to survive the month on $50 bucks" now in private I will do that without a moment's hesitation. But in that church its so stiffling and feels like everyone is trying to come up with something to outdo the other one or just plain have something to say during the service. I think what reallly annoys me is how i feel after the service or when someones shooting out a quick praise line, almost like they have to say something praising God because its the right/expected thing to do, but really from the way they say it, you'd think God hadnt done anything all that great...so why say it?


This is what I mean by ceremony and man made traditions.  Not knowing the reason or purpose for what we do.  Not questioning the reasons behind traditions and ceremonies.  I struggle with this issue more then anything.  I learned more about Public Testimony myself when I reread the thread again.  The Lord pointed out some mistakes I made in how it is that I present what I write.  I can understand why some people when giving Testimony don't want to because of fear of how others will respond to it.  It brings to mind the story of the men who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant and one stumbled and fell and the Lord Killed Him for making this mistake.
 
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Just a side thought :) 

I believe The Spirit is always willing to testify of Jesus and His goodness.

Philippians 4:4

(NIV) Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!

(NASB) Rejoce in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

(Amplified) Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say. Rejoice!

(NKJ) Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say, rejoice!


And of course, you've got to get your face and your voice to join in too  :pink:
 
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Today at 11:36 AM reeann said this in Post #6



Its normal to suspect the purity of someone's heart; but... its up to Jesus to judge its authenticity.

Blessings,

Reeann

I'd like to offer some correction to you that may help you out.

You're right that purity of the heart is up to Jesus to judge as being Authentic or not.  However, it is also expected of us to learn to do this as well.  My skills of doing this are still being refined but I can see into the Heart of another person by the power of the Holy Spirit.  My intent in using this ability is for one purpose and that is to build the Kingdom of God.  I still make mistakes and when I do I expect to be corrected as well.  I will know if the correction is valid and with what intent and motivation is behind it.

If I judge someone it is by the word that I judge them.  When I judge I look into the heart.  I don't judge to condemn but to see what it is they need.  Some things I can do for them some I can only ask God to help them with.  This type of judgement is used to correct or to uplift.  I couldn't do this without the Holy Spirits help who searches the depths of mens hearts.  If I did it without His help and merely assumed with out His training then I may find myself judging wrongly or speaking evil of the person.

For example.  Museums have collections of fine oil paintings that are very old.  Two paintings are recieved by the museum that look almost identical.  One of the paintings is authentic the other is a fraud.  Two men look at the paintings to determine which one is the Authentic painting.  One of the men has been trained to identify by using a trained eye and testing the other has had only basic exposure to paintings.  Of the two men who would you rely on if you were the museum owner to determine which one is the Authentic painting.  The man with the training of course.

So it is with us.  We are to learn from God how to judge what the truth is and wether it is a fraud or not.
 
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Today at 04:29 PM Quaffer said this in Post #12

Just a side thought :) 

I believe The Spirit is always willing to testify of Jesus and His goodness.

Philippians 4:4

(NIV) Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!

(NASB) Rejoce in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

(Amplified) Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say. Rejoice!

(NKJ) Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say, rejoice!


And of course, you've got to get your face and your voice to join in too  :pink:

The spirit is always willing.  When it comes to public testimony I prefer to go with what God tells me to share because I want Him to get the most out of it.  On a personal basis this rings home to me.  Down in the depths of my heart there is a place that will be eternally grateful for all of His goodness to me wether I say it or not.  He knows it and so do I.  We rejoice together in it when I reflect on it.

Thank you for your wonderful posts.  All of you.
 
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