September 15, 2014
The Blood of the Lamb and the Word of Your Testimony
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
“They overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:11 NIV, 1985 ed.).
Friend to Friend
Have you ever wondered why Jesus kept the scars on His hands, feet, and side when He was resurrected from the dead? He could have returned without them. After all, He is the One who put fresh flesh on the rotting limbs of lepers, who took the bent and bowed and made them straight, who opened the closed eye, who untangled the mangled hand. But He chose to keep the scars. Have you ever wondered why?
On the day of His resurrection, the disillusioned disciples huddled in their hiding place. Suddenly Jesus appeared in their midst. He didn’t knock. He didn’t open the door. He simply appeared.
“Peace be with you,” Jesus said.
But the disciples didn’t recognize Him. He looked like Jesus, talked like Jesus, but how…how could it be?
In order to convince the disciples that He was indeed the risen Christ, Jesus made a simple gesture. He held out His hands and revealed His scars. He lifted His tunic and revealed the scar.
It was then…that they believed.
There is power in your scars. There is power in your story.
When you are not ashamed to tell your story about what Jesus has done in your life, people see Him in you. I’m not talking about the sugarcoated version of “I was lost and now I’m found.” I’m talking about the real story.
The abortion that grace forgave.
The affair that grace forgave.
The sexual promiscuity that grace forgave.
The broken heart that grace mended.
The broken marriage that grace restored.
The addiction that grace removed.
Don’t be ashamed of your scars. Satan wants you to be. He wants you hide them under a bushel. Here’s a truth that makes him tremble: “They overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:11 NIV, 1985 ed.). The word of their testimony!
Satan is defeated every time a saint tells his or her story of redemption.
Healing…it’s what God does. Telling others about His healing power in our lives…it’s what He longs for us to do.
Let’s Pray
Dear LORD, thank You for mending my broken places, filling my empty spaces, and healing me with Your graces. Help me to be an instrument of healing by sharing the good news of what You have done in my life. Help me to never waste my sorrows, but invest the riches of my story with those in need.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Read the story about the woman with the twelve year bleeding problem in Luke 8:40-48. What did Jesus encourage the woman to do after she was healed?
Who was blessed because she told her story? Who would have been blessed if she had quietly slipped away?
Can you think of one person’s story that has strengthened your faith in Christ? If so, leave his or her name on my Facebook page. Let’s celebrate.
More From the Girlfriends
There is so much power in your story! If you would like to learn more about how to turn your pain into purpose, your messes into your message, and your hurt into hope, check out my book, Your Scars are Beautiful to God: Finding Peace and Purpose in the Hurts of Your Past. True freedom comes when you use what you have gone through to minister to someone else. Also, if you have a wound that is yet to heal and become a scar, this resource will help you in that area as well.
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Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 1311
Huntersville, NC 28070
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