No Bows Necessary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8AB0vUU038

Overcome ~ Jeremy Camp

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…” ~ Revelations 12:11 NKJV

Is Testimony 1) a story I tell about the challenges I have overcome in my life; or 2) the action of giving an eye witness? Unfortunately, the first definition has been more accurate of my view. Don’t misunderstand; I knew that Jesus was the only reason for victory in my life, but I failed to understand that the point of a testimony is to point to Jesus.

After her baptism, Savannah was given “The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name,” with the underlying purpose of showing that a Savior was needed since the beginning. Only through Him do we have our victory. Sadly, many Christians believe that once they know Jesus, and have witnessed victory in their lives, that will be the end of their trials and victories. Many also feel--and I have fallen into this trap--that we have to see the victory in order for it to be part of our testimony; that, somehow, Christ isn’t enough if there isn’t a happy-ending-bow to tie off that part of the story. Please know that Jesus doesn’t need us to add anything to Him or His story. Rather, Jesus invites us to be part of His story as He uses our lives to demonstrate His power and glory. 

If you feel your story isn’t worth telling, let me assure you that knowing Jesus is something that others need to hear. Revelations 12:11 says, “They overcame [the Accuser] by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.” The Liar, the Accuser, is working hard to convince you that you’re the only one feeling this pain or enduring this struggle. Sharing our stories with others--even in the midst of a trial, with lack of a happy-ending-bow--helps them realize they aren’t alone. Remember, your story isn’t about you. Your story is being written to point others to Jesus.

©Heather Potts 2021

Testimony

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony… ~ Revelation 12:11 NKJV

For the past several weeks, life’s been testing us: Brad’s been sick, the girls have been waking me most nights, Savannah’s been fighting getting dressed, Elizabeth’s been chewing the binding off our books, and to top it all off, I’ve been seeing lightning flashes in my field of vision. Concerning the latter, I consulted a friend who told me to get it checked out. Fortunately, the optometrist didn’t see anything, but was concerned about the lightning and sent me to a retinal specialist. I was calm upon leaving the optometrist’s office, but became anxious when the time came to see the specialist.

After numbing and dilating my eyes, they had me watch a video explaining retinal tearing and detachment. The fear and anxiety were high! But I said, “No! I don’t have a spirit of fear. I have a spirit of a sound mind!” I was OK in the exam room until the doctor said he needed to push on my eyes with a Q-Tip. The right eye hurt so badly. I jumped at the pain, every muscle tightening. But when he switched to the left eye, something amazing happened: I heard a choir of angels singing boldly, “Oh praise the Name of the Lord our God. Oh praise His Name, forevermore. For endless days, we will sing Your praise. Oh Lord, oh Lord, our God!” It was so powerful and triumphant that I hardly noticed as the doctor pushed on my left eye. He said there’s nothing wrong with my eyes—he thinks (maybe) something to do with migraines, but he’s not sure and wants to check my eyes again in a month.

This was such a huge praise experience, I just HAD to share it with you! Revelations reminds us that our enemy is overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of OUR testimony. My prayer is that this testimony encourages and helps you remember that we will overcome!

©Heather Potts 2017