MAY 2014
ISSUE 11
T H E N E T WO R K From trial to testimony At our vision evening in February of this year, one of the themes that emerged for 2014 was the theme of turning our trials into testimonies. That is to say, having come through the 'Refiner's Fire' season, we are able to see how God has been active in and through those difficult times, and we give glory to him for how he has not only turned the situation around, but how he has grown something in us as a result. Our trial becomes our testimony. And testimonies are powerful things they become part of the story of our lives, landmarks along the journey. They bring meaning to the 'Refiner's Fire' season. As Friedrich Nietzsche once up it: 'He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.' To come to understand what God was doing in the 'Refiner's fire' season, even if only in part, provides a sense of purpose about that season. What then gives real power to that is that we share that as a testimony.
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies."
was, but at the same time, don't downplay or diminish the things that God actually HAS done. Make sure it is God who gets the glory - the testimony is about what God has done. Having heard your story, people should end up praising God, not praising you! Focus on life change - this is not a story about your trial, this is a testimony about how God has been actively involved in your life. Another way of looking at this by asking three questions: 'what? So what? Now what? What? What was the trial and what did God do about it? So what? What was the significance of this for you and how have you grown in and through it? Now what? Looking ahead, what changes have come into your life and how are you going to think, choose and act differently now?
Tredworth church is taking this challenge to turn trials into testimonies seriously. Their current morning sermon series, entitled: 'What's Your Story?' is spending 8 weeks alternately looking at various stories in the Bible of how Jesus touched people's lives interspersed every second week with Psalms 107:1-2 NLT testimonies from people in the congregation of how Jesus has touched Speaking out - telling others what God and changed their lives. If you have ever has done in your life during that season experienced a baptism service at of trial - is often the difference between Kingfisher, you will appreciate how powerful this going to be! Eight weeks you getting to the end of that season feeling like a survivor and coming out of of life changing stories from the Bible and from people that you know - this is it with a positive sense of growth and going to be emotional, powerful and full renewed confidence in The Lord. So of joy. what testimony do you have to share about your 'Refiner's Fire' season of A second, and related, theme to have trial? As you think about this, here are emerged so far this year is the theme some guidelines to help you give a of But God. We have just finished our testimony: Lent series of 40 But God thoughts for Keep to the facts - don't embellish the the day. A But God moment is the point at which God steps in and does or says story to make it sound more miraculous or sensational than it really something decisive in what might seem like a hopeless situation. It is the But
!
God intervention that turns a trial into a testimony, and But God interventions often occur at the darkest, most difficult point of the trial. Take Noah, for instance. The story of the Flood employs a literary device called a 'Chiasm'. It works as follows: Genesis 7:10 after 7 days the waters of the flood came upon the earth Genesis 7:17a the Flood continued 40 days on the earth Genesis 7:24 the waters prevailed on the earth 150 days Genesis 8:6-7a at the end of 40 days, Noah opened the windows of the ark and sent forth a raven Genesis 8:10 he waited another 7 days and sent forth the dove out of the ark. 7 days...40 days...150 days...40 days...7 days. That is a chiasm, which is intended to direct the reader's attention to what happens in the middle of the story. The middle of this story is Genesis 8:1, which reads: “But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and livestock with him in the boat. He sent a wind to blow across the earth, and the floodwaters began to recede�. Genesis 8:1 NLT But God is at the very centre of the 'Refiner's Fire' season, turning the trial into a testimony of his grace, mercy and power.
So, what's your story? Have you been through a 'Refiner's Fire' season of late? Perhaps you are still going though one. Can you see the But God moment yet, turning that trial into the opportunity to give a testimony? Take the opportunity - TELL YOUR STORY!