In February, I had a chance to speak at our West-End Campus: Mississauga LifeSpring Christian Fellowship (MLCF). It is always refreshing to get a chance to experience a Sunday Service at MLCF.
Before I got up to preach my message, I heard 2-3 testimonies of God’s goodness and what He had been doing in the lives of the people at MLCF.
When I heard these testimonies from the pulpit, I couldn’t help but think about how encouraging it is to see and hear of God’s goodness in the lives of the grandparent generation. The fact that they are active in their faith and continuing to pursue God is rare to say the least.
One of the things I noticed in myself was an increase in faith in my spirit as I heard the word of their testimony. I was reminded the scripture in Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV):
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
I looked around at the congregation and I realized that I was surrounded by a great crowd of witnesses. People who have experienced God in both the good times and the bad, people who shout praises to His name when He moves mountains and people who cry out to Him when they are in need. I realized that the very presence of the grandparent generation was enough to increase my faith.
Hearing about what Jesus did in their lives was an indication of their faith. It wasn’t just the big things but equally the small things. Their faith was being exercised to the point where it sounded normal and natural. It reminded me of the scripture:
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”
Romans 10:17-18 (NIV)
Their testimonies were evidence that they had heard the message of Christ and were living it out and seeing God move.
After attending the service I found myself saying, “If God can continue to move in their lives, surely He can help me in mine? If they can be faithful to God for so long, maybe I can too?” I believe that our increase in faith will be undergirded by the word of our testimony.
I’m reminded of how we as Christian’s triumph over the enemy. The scripture says it is by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus) and by the word of our testimony.
They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
Revelation 12:11 (NIV)
When we feel discouraged and overwhelmed with whatever life puts in front of us, let us increase our faith and remind ourselves of what God has already done for us through Jesus. Let us give God glory for who He is and continue to fix our eyes on Him the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. May we share with the Lord’s people who are in need of the stories of His goodness in our lives. Father, give us eyes to see and ears to hear you in this season. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!