Thursday Testimony

Ephesians 2:10

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

     My pastor challenged the church with a question during the Wednesday night service; “What do I need to move (or remove) so HE can move in my life; to make ME what I need to be for him?” I am purposed and ordained to walk in obedience to ALL HIS word and not pick and choose what I want to be obedient to.  Do I need to remove stubbornness, rebellion, pride, idols, bad habits, bitterness, envy, jealousy, and the list could go on and on in each of our lives as we ponder the weight that may beset us in our walk with God (Hebrews 12:1). Sometimes if we don’t remove it, God just may do it for us. But he gives us free will to recognize and be obedient to what he has given us instruction through his word and his messenger, the man of God.

     Our preacher illustrated the thoughts of being a workmanship by the concepts of it takes talent, trouble, time, tools, and finally there is a trophy. He preached that some of the many tools include suffering and chastisement to help us grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord.

     Another big message that seemed to jump out to me during the message was to “GET UP!”  He is still working on us, or we would be in the grave.  The message was to ALLOW the Lord to keep working on us and not to stop or hinder this process.  We cannot grow without growing pains.  He works to shape and mold us as he sees fit.  Preacher gave reference to Job in the Bible and said through suffering God will make gold.

     My Pastor went on to say that chastening, which is another tool used in the process of workmanship, produces righteousness. This is because he loves us and is working on us through chastening at times. God has a job to do.  Let him do what is best for us.  It is up to us to LET him do what is best for us. Am I ALLOWING him to work in and upon me?  Am I submissive to what he wants in my life?  Am I delaying construction by not letting God work on me?  When I perceive that I have nothing to give, nothing to offer, or situations, circumstances have knocked me down, do I just stay down and give up? Is God correcting, perfecting, protecting, directing, or even redirecting me in a certain direction or path?

     My takeaway from this sermon is to be a vessel of honor to God, wherever he leads my life and be what he wants me to be in all areas of my life. God honors when we obey his word and heeds the messages he sends to us in and through his WORD that is so rich and true. 

     When he uses tools of suffering and/or chastisement am I receptive to his plan and will in these situations?  Do I grow bitter and resentful because I focus too much on myself and not God and his plan and purposes in my life as well as others?  It all points to him and his purposes in the grand scheme of leading others to Christ. God wants to use us as his workmanship to be good to others and use us to “edify each other and not tear down”. 

     If you have ever heard the song, THE VALUE OF ONE, meditate on those words to help you with this testimonial thought.  If one person gets saved out of our obedience it is worth every mile.  At the same time, if one person stumbles or does not get saved because of our disobedience…or lack of obedience..…OH ME!  Lord help us to see you and your purpose in and through it ALL.  Every single detail of our life.

“GET UP!!” – Pastor Tommy Turner

 “God uses us to edify…not to tear down.” Pastor Tommy Turner