Your Today Testimony

​It was 12:20 pm. Another 10 minutes, and the meeting would be over. Our Bible Study leadership team was having its weekly after-study meeting. This was a part of the ongoing training that we participated in during the year. This week’s topic was how to share your testimony.  “Oh no!” I groaned inwardly, “not my favorite topic.” This was not something I ever felt comfortable doing. I sank in my seat, unwilling to volunteer and hoping I would not be called on to share. 
 
The leader spoke about how we can take a broader view of our personal testimony. I  thought about what she was saying and realized that she was right. My struggles with sin did not go away once I accepted Christ as my savior. As a matter of fact, they probably increased. I have faced situations that tested my faith and made me question if I really had a relationship with Christ. 

As I grew in faith by feasting on God’s Word, I was drawn closer to Christ. Victory over sin is a testimony I could share.  It is not the ‘accepting Jesus Christ as my savior’ testimony, but it's a testimony of what He is doing in our lives today; our ‘Today Testimony’ is the evidence of Godly living. 
 
In 1 Peter 3, the apostle is writing to Christians about Godly living. He tells wives to submit to their husbands and husbands to love their wives, according to their God-given roles. Wives are to obey because God commands them to, and husbands will find their prayers hindered if they dishonor their wives.  Peter encourages his brethren to love each other, be compassionate, humble, and to turn from evil and do good. Verse 17 of 1 Peter 3 tells us, “It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”  The challenge for these believers was to respond in love, even if they should suffer for doing what was right.  Living in exile, as aliens in a foreign land, they were facing daily persecution because of their faith in Christ. Despite the hardships they were facing, the way they lived their lives was a testimony to those around them. Each day, they could share a testimony with others of how and why they lived as they did, a ‘Today Testimony.’ Their ‘Today Testimony’ could lead to sharing their saving testimony.  
 
Jesus hung on the cross to save us all, but He, too, began with a ‘Today Testimony’ as He prayed, ‘Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing’ (Luke 23:34).  This led to one of the criminals who hung beside Him being saved that day (Luke 23:40-43). Because of Jesus’ example, we can share our ‘Today Testimony’ with others.
 
A Today Testimony is built on a Saving Testimony.
 
Have you ever struggled with sharing your testimony? Does telling your whole story seem too daunting? Then, how about sharing your ‘Today Testimony’? God is at work in your life every day, in small ways and in great ways. When your little one has a meltdown at the playground and you are able to hug him despite your anger and embarrassment, credit God for giving you patience.  When you can joyfully celebrate the birth of your best friend’s fifth child, despite your fourth miscarriage and your ‘still empty arms,’ credit the joy to your growing faith and trust in a sovereign God. Your ‘Today Testimony’ could lead someone to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. What an awesome privilege that would be!  

Memory Verse: “...Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have….” 1 Peter 3:15 

About the Author

Hi, I am Joan Lavori.  I have been married to my husband Joe for 33 years.  We have two young adult children and we live in NW Atlanta. I homeschooled my children through high school and currently teach in a hybrid homeschool program.  I love to write, read, sing and take long walks on the beach, listening to God's Word and soaking up His marvelous creation.  ​​