How can we "declare...what great things the Lord has done" in our lives? Mark 5:19—Our Launching Point “ But Jesus would not allow him. ‘Go home to your own people,’ He said, ‘and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.’ ” Grasping the Command • Jesus links our testimony to everyday relationships—“go home.” • He calls the works of God “great things” and highlights His “mercy,” giving us two clear talking points: what He did and why He did it. • The instruction is immediate and personal; no lengthy training required—just obedience. Why Declaring Matters • Psalm 66:16—“Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul.” • 1 Peter 2:9—we “proclaim the excellencies” of the One who called us. • Revelation 12:11—believers “overcame … by the word of their testimony.” When we speak out, we strengthen faith (ours and others), push back darkness, and give glory where it’s due. Practical Ways to Declare His Great Works • Speak Naturally – Fold short snapshots of God’s intervention into ordinary conversation. – Keep it clear: describe the situation, God’s action, and the change. • Write It Down – Social media posts, blog entries, or handwritten notes to friends. – Aim for authenticity over polish; let mercy shine through. • Celebrate Milestones – Mark anniversaries of answered prayer with family gatherings or church testimonies. – Use tangible reminders (journals, photos, saved hospital bracelets). • Serve Out of Gratitude – Channel the story into action: volunteer in areas where God delivered you (e.g., addiction recovery, grief support). – Acts 26:22 shows Paul both speaking and serving. • Disciple the Next Generation – Deuteronomy 6:6-7 instructs us to talk of God’s works “when you sit at home and when you walk along the road.” – Share age-appropriate stories with children; they learn theology through lived experience. • Incorporate Scripture – Pair personal experience with verses that mirror it (Psalm 40:2 for deliverance, Isaiah 53:5 for healing). – This anchors testimony in God’s unchanging word, guarding against exaggeration. Attitudes That Amplify the Message • Humility—credit goes to the Lord alone (Psalm 115:1). • Specificity—details make mercy visible and relatable. • Consistency—keep declaring even when seasons change; God’s past faithfulness fuels present trust. • Joy—glad hearts are magnetic; they draw hearers to the Source of gladness. Guardrails for Faithful Testimony • Accuracy—report events truthfully; resist embellishment (Proverbs 12:22). • Christ-Focus—avoid spotlighting self; highlight the Savior’s mercy. • Love—speak with gentleness and respect (Colossians 4:6). • Hope—frame even ongoing trials within God’s bigger redemption story (Romans 8:28). Living a Testimony-Centered Life Declare daily, not occasionally. Let conversation, celebration, service, and Scripture weave together into one steady chorus: “See what great things the Lord has done, and how He has had mercy on us!” |
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