Testimonies have incredible power because they carry within them the seeds of faith it took to bring them to pass the first time. In fact, the word, “testimony” means, “to do again!” Pastor Bill Johnson of Bethel Church, states that “Testimony is the spirit of prophecy.” If prophecy causes change in present events, then releasing a testimony is like prophesying into the future
What this means is that when you hear or read a testimony, many times the same faith that produced the miracle the first time leaps into your heart and reproduces that same miracle in your life!

Focusing on what God can do
God told His people all throughout the Bible to record what He had done so when they experienced a new obstacle they could remember what He had done for them in the past and draw on that experience to gain fresh faith for the present. This is especially important for those who have not yet seen their prayers answered. It is so easy to focus on what God has not done, rather than focus on what He has done. This will also help you maintain a life of gratitude!
Another reason God tells us to write down our testimonies is so that our children, and our children’s children, will have faith in God!

“Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord.” (Psalm 102:18)

The testimonies of what God has done strengthen the faith in others to believe for the impossible. Testimonies remind us of the goodness of God! And testimonies allow others for generations to come to share in the amazing things God can do!

Regularly take time to reflect on the things God has done for you and through you. Creating this habit will foster an attitude of gratitude and will also stir your faith to believe He will continue to move!

(from Pastor Joel Phillips' blog archive)

"Take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17)

For Roman soldiers, marching into battle meant a face-to-face confrontation with their enemy. They needed special skills to use their sword, which was one of most important weapons and could save their lives. The sword was the only piece of equipment that could be used both in offense and defense. The sword could deflect an enemy's blow, or deal a deadly blow.
The Roman sword was about two feet in length, with a two inch wide blade. Being double-edged, the sword could cut in any direction the soldier swung. The sword's small size allowed the soldier to deploy it rapidly. This was because most battles were fought close-up, on a one-on-one personal level. It was for this reason the Roman soldier needed a weapon that was quickly available.

Take the Sword with you
We fight evil with God's Word, which is sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). In combat against evil, we are to use the Word to cut and thrust, or block and knock away.  The Word is compared to a weapon because it pierces and penetrates so that neither Satan nor his attacks are able to get the upper hand on the properly equipped Christian soldier.
The Sword of the Spirit is not the Bible on the bookshelf or laying on the table in your living room, or placed in a prominent position in your bedroom. That does not scare the devil or his army. It’s when you know the Word and speak what it is written in faith that it becomes the Sword that can deflect the enemy's blow, or deal a deadly blow.

Activation
Find a verse that speaks God's truth over a situation you are facing and wanting to see change. Write it on sticky note and put it on your bathroom mirror, turn it into a wallpaper on your phone, whatever keeps it up front and gets it into your spirit! Read and declare it OFTEN, especially when that situation begins to rob your peace and joy. Watch God move on your behalf in response to His Word being declared!

(from Pastor Joel Phillips' blog archive)

At face value, this is an obvious statement. Of course fatherhood is a blessing! Most of us understood this when we held our child for the first time, or saw our infant son or daughter sleeping soundly in their mother’s arms. We felt the blessing when we heard for the first time the name “daddy” being directed at us, or hearing the laughter of a giggling baby.

We continue to hold onto this blessing, but it can become slippery and lose its firmness. Loss of sleep, and the ongoing stresses of raising a child can seem to wear the blessing down. However, it's a mistake to think that the blessing has changed or faded.

When God blesses us with a child, that blessing never changes, only the circumstances change. For us to experience the blessing of fatherhood to the fullest, it’s essential that the blessing define our circumstances instead of our circumstances slowly redefining the blessing. This isn’t something we need talk ourselves into, but allow the Holy Spirit to speak into our lives daily to strengthen and equip us for the challenges of fatherhood.

Dark nights, weary days
Being a father is a role that expresses affection, authority and heredity all at once, and that is a blessing. To be the first impression of manhood to a little boy or girl is a blessing. To express the love of God through discipline and mercy is a blessing. To taste the goodness of God’s selfless love toward us as we attempt to exhibit that same love toward our child is a blessing. But because we lose perspective, it becomes easy to make the mistake of equating the blessing of being a father with being free from challenges and hardships.

The blessing of fatherhood exists because of who God is and does not fade because of Him. Knowing this will carry us through the dark nights, the weary days, and the fretful moments. It will keep us strong for the sake of our children. It will remind you of the treasured blessing you have as a father, and help you to live as a blessing to your children.

(from Pastor Joel Phillips' blog archive)

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