Matthew 4:4 “But he answered and said , it is written Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God”.
Ten years ago, this month, my wife, Olajumoke, two of our daughters, Favor and Praise, and I moved to Minneapolis to start God’s work at Strong Tower Parish. We didn’t leave Maryland because we thought Minnesota was the best place to have a start-up ministry. In fact, we were clueless where Minnesota was the first time God told us about it! Looking back, and seeing the results God has granted us, it’s crystal clear why God wanted us here – Living by what proceeds out of God’s mouth!
Similarly, in 1998 I relocated to the U.S. in one of the most unusual ways. I was going to drop off my aunt at the airport in Lagos when I clearly heard God “You’ll be in the U.S. next week.” Immediately, I told my aunt by the time she returned from Saudi Arabia, I’d be in the U.S. Understandably, she waved it off as idle talk. She knew I had not applied for let alone gotten visa; hadn’t bought ticket. And she knew I was no diplomat. How then could I be in the U.S. 7 days later? Need I say I was in New York exactly a week after? Living by what proceeds out of God’s mouth!
Brethren, you may think your fancy job, house, degree, or even heritage is what you need to live by. You couldn’t be more mistaken. Look around and see how well each has held up under pressure. There’s only one thing to live by. Jesus revealed it to us in Matthew 4: 3-4:
And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said , it is written Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God”.
What is it that has proceedeth out of God’s mouth (Prophecy) that we may live by this month? God has said “September is Our Month of Testimonies”. This means God is ready to do unusual things in our lives that we cannot but tell others.
Testimonies are important because they reveal at least five things. They are:
• The law of God (Exodus 25:14-16; Psalm 19:7)
• Aftermaths of experiences with God
• A proof that God is the Almighty
• An evidence that God is still at work
• Proof that God has used a life to make a statement (Psalm 126:1-3; John 9:13-25)
Having seen the importance of testimonies, we next see five things they mean:
• The Tablet in which the Mosaic Law was described (Deuteronomy 4:4-5;6:20)
• The Ark containing the Tablets God delivered to Moses (Exodus 25:16-21; 26:33)
• The Divine Decree that attests the Scriptures
• First hand authentication of a fact or evidence
• Solemn declaration usually oral made by a witness under oath
• An open acknowledgment or public declaration of a spiritual experience after an encounter with God or His word
The fifth definition of testimony would be our focus. When you’ve had an encounter with God, you will have a compelling story to tell. Your experience will make a public declaration of His goodness inevitable. In the name of Jesus Christ, however difficult your current situation, because of this prophecy, you will have a different story to tell.
Luke 1:5 -70 tells the story of two challenged yet dedicated servants of God who had an encounter with the Almighty and subsequently had a different story. Zacharias and Elisabeth were hopelessly childless but nonetheless committed to serving God. And along came an unexpected encounter with God that transformed their situation. The supposedly infertile couple had a child as the angel told them (prophecy), and testimonies followed. After the divine encounter, Zacharias’ and Elisabeth’s experience made a public declaration of God’s goodness inevitable (verses 46-50; 58-70). In the name of Jesus, as September unfolds, may you have an encounter with God that will transform your situation and grant you testimonies.
The seemingly ironic thing about being a candidate for testimony as Zacharias’ story exemplifies is: you must have a challenge first. If you led a perfect life, what’s the need? Why should God give you a testimony if you had no challenges? That’s why Jesus said in Matthew 9:12 “But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, they that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.” What I’m I getting at? If you’re inadequate or challenged, your challenges become God’s raw materials for miracles. And those miracles in turn become compelling stories to your audience (testimonies).
This reminds me of the Samaritan woman Jesus met at Jacob’s well in John 4. She had been with five husbands; and as if that wasn’t enough, the man she was with currently wasn’t supposed to be her husband. After the encounter, her life was transformed and she couldn’t help but go tell others in the city (testimony) about Jesus.
The Samaritan woman’s story highlights two things one needs to be a candidate for testimony: One’s steps must be ordered. Psalm 37:23 says “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” The woman was at the right place at the right time. God needs to order your steps to the right place for you to have a testimony. This month everything you will do will lead you to your testimony. As God is looking for who to bless, your name will show up in the name of Jesus Christ.
One must also be God-led Romans 8:14 states “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Psalm 23:1-2 corroborates “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.” It is God that can lead anyone to where or to whom their situation can be transformed.
What must you do once your testimonies begin to manifest? At least three things:
• You must keep praising God as Zacharias did
• You must not forget who was responsible for your miracle
• You must use your story to encourage others in same or similar situation
God’s people, as September unfolds, God’s word to us is that this is our month of testimonies. If you’re like me, you have the right ingredients to be a candidate for testimonies. My prayer is that God will order your steps and lead you to your miracles that will bring your testimonies.
Yours in this Divine Assignment,
Pastor Emmanuel S. Olowokere.
