This is turning out to be so much harder than I expected.  Just so hard for me to put into words.

I guess the simplest thing…If I look at where I was and where I am…in so many ways….God is amazing. 

I mean, I grew up in a Christian home – very religious, but so afraid of real relationship with God and people. I had a “terrorist” God. If you do this or don’t do this God will punish you. Everything bad that happens is a result of something that you did that didn’t please God…and its impossible to please God, so your screwed. And Gods people weren’t any better. They loved to tell you what you did to loose your job, crash your car,etc…

Then a few “country club” churches. Again never good enough, not rich enough,pretty enough

So I pulled away from Gods people from church. Tried to maintain something with God but was terrified of Him. So I read a few Bible verses now and then. Prayed with “fear and trembling” because if u don’t pray that’s another strike against you.

Knew the concept of a relationship with God, but it scared me so bad, because relationships suck. And relationships hurt and people who say they love God are cruel and selfish. And if Gods people, Gods children do this then it must be sanctioned by God

So my prayer consisted of God help me make it, then cower in fear cause I’m obviously doing something wrong to feel this way.

But the thing is…God did help me, He is helping me. He helped me in ways that I had no clue. He brought me in the path of the right people at the right time. And looking back, I realize #1 how that every church I went to, every christian that I met – there was a reason, if A hadn’t happened then B,C, D, and so on would not have happened. #2 He was working in OTHER people’s hearts to bring us all together at the same time to the right and perfect time

Someone I had known for years knew someone who went to RiverChurch, invited me…and God has been working. And as much as I love the church, and the people, and the pastor…this is about God, they are wonderful tools He used – along with other tools which is a totally different even if related story.

People kept telling me that I was in a safe place. There was no pressure, no expectations, but A LOT of love, prayer and encouragement. And I’m finding out more and more how much prayer and probably will never know how many people.

God took me from a place of aloneness, to a family…has set me free from bondage to religion and beliefs, and has given me freedom to come to church and to worship Him, and to pursue a relationship with Him

And yeah its still a struggle sometimes, I still need prayer…but Satan, he has been rendered helpless, he can’t stop me from coming to God as a child to a father, as a servant to a Lord,

Cassie I know I’m longwinded, probably hard to understand, and I’m still not coming close to what I want to say, but I think right now, this is the best I can do. Thanks for giving me an opportunity to try to put this into words. God is real, He does love us, me , He wants us to live, He can and does deliver people in everyway every day. AMEN

Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble.
Psalm 107:2

As Christians, we know the stories of the love, teachings, and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We take them to heart and share them with those we can. We lead by example, quote scripture, do His works, take part in ministries, preach the Word, and strive to be like Jesus. But, as we share these stories of the Bible to those lost souls, I can’t help but think that they see it as just that: a story. We know the Truth and we go out of our way to share the Truth, but until we can make it relate to the audience or ourselves, I think there is a greater chance that your words won’t fully reach them.

One of our biggest ministering tools is our personal testimony. I believe that is the start of winning a soul for Christ. If you can share what God has done for you, delivered you from, and what He continues to do for you everyday, others will long to recieve the same type of love; it will most likely get them to ask questions in which you can then answer through scripture.

A testimony doesn’t have to be some great story of being rescued from some sinful conflict. A testimony is a recount of how God has changed a person’s life no matter where they have come from and through any circumstance of that person’s life. I have heard testimonies of a people hitting rock bottom and them finding salvation through Christ, turning their life around 180 degrees. That is what many people think a testimony needs to be, but it goes far beyond that. There is just as much inspiration and worth in a testimony of the person who found God as a child and grew up avoiding the many pitfalls that others go through. Each of our stories is unique and God created us in a way that we will be different from one another, yet equal in His image and transformed by His power. 1 Peter 3:15 says, 

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.

Our testimony tells of our reason for having faith in the One who created us.

What I would like to ask of you, RiverChurch family, is for you to share your testimony through this internet outlet we have the advantage of using. I know it is a big thing to ask, but it is more necessary than you may realize. Not only can a personal testimony have a lasting effect on lost souls, but it can rejuvinate your church family’s spirit and faith. It connects us on the spiritual level necessary for a church and helps us to understand one another. If you would like to share your testimony, please send it to my email when you can at cbsmartt@yahoo.com or you can give the typed/written copy to Pastor Shannon or myself (Cassie) at church. I will post it to our Inspiration blog on our church website (the page you are viewing right now).

To some (myself included), giving a testimony can seem like a daunting task, and maybe that is because we don’t even know where to begin. Start by asking God to guide your thoughts and words.

There are three basic testimonies. (1) The Covenant Child has grown up being nurtured in the Word, in prayer, and in church. They are fully aware of their sinfulness and the necessity for their Savior. There is no radical change that took them from a life of sin to a life of following the Lord, their life is one lived of growth in grace. (2) The Consious Convert has tried in vain to fill the void they have in their life. This person may have grown up in church knowing the right words to say and things to do and yet do not have a relationship with God, or they may have grown up in a non-God-fearing enviornment. What happens is that they, as teenagers or adults, hear the calling of the Lord and turn their lives over to Him. While the daily struggle is still there, they have recieved the grace of the Lord and their life is passionately turned to living for Him. (3) The Wandering Believer has grown up in the faith but for a season, they walk in the darkness and stray from their relationship with God. Things of this world wedge themselves between the wandering believer and their Father. They grow distant and falter, but in His time, God calls them back to faithfulness.

To help you write your testimony, you may use this basic outline:

1- Describe your life before your acceptance of Christ. This is not a biography per say, but an explanation of what you were looking for, what you sought/did to fill the void, and the things you deemed important in your life and why.
2- Explain the circumstance that brought you to the foot of the cross and the steps you took to become a Christian.
3- Discuss the changes that occurred after you accepted Christ. This should relate, somewhat, to the before part of your testimony.
4- In conclusion, summarize the needs have been met by God and how has it impacted your own and others’ lives.

This is such an amazing tool God has given us to help win souls for His glory. I hope each of you can contribute so that we can testify the way God wants us to and inspire those who read this.

Reference: http://www.scribd.com/doc/11593367/How-to-give-your-Testimony

Glory to God Forever - Fee

Day After Day - Kristian Stanfill

All Things New - Brett Younker

Hosanna – Hillsong United

 Still – Hillsong United

I said all of that to say this: with the many talents that I do lack, God has given me plenty of talent in other areas. I don’t consider myself a brilliant writer by any means, but I love to write. I can put words down on paper better than I can say them aloud. Also, I love to give and do for others, especially if I can make it specific to what they need or could use. Talents are given to us by God so that we may glorify Him; it is one way we can give back to Him all that He has given to us.

When we think of talents in relation to the Bible, it is often we refer to The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30 NLT); talents in this case mean money. The story is of a man who is going out of the country so he gives each of his three servants a portion of his money to look after; 5 talents, 2 talents, and 1 talent, respectively. Right away, the first two servants put the money to work and they are able to double the original amount they were given. The third servant, however, hid away his 1 talent for protection. When their master returns and is told of what the first two servants did, he “answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’” (Matthew 25:21) They were rewarded for doubling what they were given. The third servant, however, was deemed “wicked” and “lazy” because nothing fruitful came of his talent. He chose to bury it away rather than do with it what the others did.

What we are trying to be told is that we were given abilities and talents so that we can put them to good use. We are to use what God has given us to glorify His name and to win others for God’s Kingdom! We shouldn’t hide or bury our talents like the third servant. Talents were given to be shared and multiplied. What better way is there to glorify God than to share with others what He has given you?

A while back, I was laying outside on my driveway with one of my good (and very talented) friends. One of my favorite things to do is listen to someone play the acoustic guitar, which he happens to be amazing at. So, he was playing and singing while I was lost in the music and the stars.

After he played several songs, he asked me what I would like to hear next. Without pause, I answered “Heaven Song” (by Phil Wickham). As he played, I closed my eyes and had a much needed conversation with God. I was thanking Him for everything He has done for me, telling Him of my worries and insecurities about my future, and asked in desperation of what I should be doing. I really felt like I needed Him to show me that he heard me and that He is working in my life.

Right after, I opened my eyes and saw a brilliant shooting star. It was not like any shooting star I’ve seen in the past. It was longer, brighter, and more beautiful than I have ever seen. It instantly comforted my heart and put a smile on my face.

He showed me His beauty and His love by giving me one of my most favorite sights to see. The rest of the night, I was just filled with love and joy and knew my Father was looking down on me and that He was proud of me.

It is truly and amazing feeling knowing that, no matter what is going on, God will be there and comfort you when you call his name. Ask God to show His love and beauty to you, and He will do it in the most special way. He truly loves us all so much and just wants us to love Him with all of our hearts in return. He is always trying to romance us, but we miss it because we are too busy with our daily tasks. Allow Him to show you His love… you will not be disappointed.

And about my worries and insecuritites, they no longer exist. I will be okay no matter what I decide to do in life. My Heavenly Father will always be there to help, love, encourage, and support me. He has a plan for me beyond anything I can imagine.

I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. Jeremiah 29:11 (The Message)

How has God shown you His love this past week?