Testimonies
Last Sunday was such a significant Thanksgiving service on so many levels! And a powerful way to soak in His blessings during our “Blessing” series!
Watch Last Sunday’s “Thanksgiving Service” in “The Blessing” series
We weren’t just sharing “ordinary things we’re thankful for,” which is good in itself, but our testimonies were communal, deep, and illumined by Jesus!
For those grieving, we spoke of God’s comfort found in one another.
For those struggling, we spoke of felt support through prayers of faith and connections that go beyond the church walls, even beyond our region.
For the young, we spoke of an intergenerational impact.
For the old, we shared of the energy and passion the younger bring.
For the hungry, we spoke of the momentum of God in this new season.
For the lost and lonely, we spoke blessing, affirmation, and words of friendship.
And many times, and in many ways, we spoke of the presence of the Holy Spirit who rests upon our church.
“The things that are revealed (uncovered) belong to us and to our children forever” (Deut. 29:29).
It’s said that “As we thank God, we’re postured to experience more of His blessings.”
And I think this is true…
Whether we’re in a hard season where the Lord is tilling the soil of our hearts, shaping, testing, and preparing us…
Or we’re in a season of provision where we are living in the answers to our prayers, learning to steward these things with His heart and love.
Thankfulness allows us to receive the nutrients of God's work in our lives and cultivates our faith for increase.
In the Old Testament, the presence of God among Israel rested upon the “Ark of the Covenant” in the Holy of Holies. Because God’s presence was on the Ark, the people gathered in worship, God’s power met them, led them, cleansed them, and empowered them for HIs work in the nations.
Did you know the Ark of the Covenant is often called the “Ark of Testimony?”
“And you shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony that I shall give you” (Exodus 25:21).
So we can say, the presence of God literally rests on the testimony of what He has done.
Wait, if His presence rests on the testimony in the Old Testament, then what might that mean for me? Would His presence also rest on my testimony?
Yes! If you were there last Sunday, then you know, when you speak out authentically about what He is doing, who He is becomes felt, palpable, tangible in our bodies, our souls, and our relationships.
This is key for true Thanksgiving. These testimonies are gold for navigating this holiday season.
What has God done?
What is your history with Him?
Who has He been to you in the past?
What has He been speaking to you? In your times with Him? Through others? In the Scriptures?
Pay attention, speak these out, and, before you know it, He’ll show up (see Luke 24:36). The presence of the Holy Spirit still rests on the testimony, in you. He literally wrote the law and testimony on our hearts, and so His presence wants to and can rest on us (Jer. 31:33).
It’s all because of the testimony of Jesus. And when we realize He is present in us and with us, then thanksgiving is a natural overflow.
With Thanksgiving today, and Christmas festivities and Advent just around the corner, we’ll carry this “Blessing” into our new Christmas series this Sunday, “Home for the Holidays.”
“Home for the Holidays” connects to the homey nostalgia of the Christmas season with Jesus’ deep desire to make us His home, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14:23).
And as we celebrate how He literally made home with us on earth as a baby, we’ll invite His presence to come make home in our hearts, our families, and our church and we’ll study how His birth story stirs us to treasure Him and live our everyday life in His presence.
Let’s lean into His presence. Speak of His testimonies. And welcome Him into the home of our heart this season.
Pastor Dave
P.S. Happy Thanksgiving to you from me and all of us at High Street!