“The Value of Your Testimony” 
 
We never know when we will be required to speak up for the Lord. Paul had been worshipping in the temple, when he was falsely accused of bringing a Gentile inside the temple (Acts 21:27-29). A riot followed (Acts 21:30-31). The captain of the Roman guard broke up the riot, and bound Paul with chains (Acts 21: 34). Paul asked the captain for an opportunity to speak up (Acts 21: 39-40). Paul then gave his personal testimony (Acts 22:1-15).

 
Like the Apostle Paul the best thing that we have to offer our world is not learned arguments but a personal testimony of what God has done for us. Revival will come to America not by powerful preachers with eloquent arguments, but when church members start telling the story of what Jesus means to them.

 
Look at the example of advertising, we do not have Ph.D’s explaining the value of the products. You have housewives and children and the guy next door talking about Aim toothpaste, Honda cars, and Hungry Jack biscuits. And what do they say? “It works for me.” So we run out and buy the product because we can identify with them. They are ordinary people just like us. This is a powerful reminder of what we should be doing with our witness for the Lord. Someone put it this way, “A Christian should talk to the Lord about his neighbors and then talk to his neighbors about the Lord.”

 
The story of Paul’s conversion must be important for it is found several times in the New Testament – three times in the book of Acts alone. It is told again in Acts 22 where Paul defends himself before a Jewish audience. And it is told again in Acts 26 where he defends himself before the Roman governors, Festus and Felix.

 
We also find reference to his conversion twice more in Paul’s letters, once in Philippines 3 and again in I Timothy 1. So we can gather from all of this the value of a personal testimony. When was the last time that you considered your testimony? How powerful is your testimony to others?

 
This brings to mind an article that was written recently in a Ft. Hood newspaper by Army Spc. Ryan Stroud about Brother Daniel Morris. Brother Morris attended the church in Killeen, Texas.  
 

The story began with a quote from Capt. Clayton Combs who said, “At times like these, it is important to remember that Staff Sgt. Morris was not ours to keep. Rather, he was called home ahead of all of us to a better place.”  Staff Sgt. Morris died Nov. 25, 2006 of wounds received in combat near Baqubah, Iraq.  
 

Soldiers from the Grey Wolf Brigade, many from the 1-12 Charger Battalion, gathered to honor the life and service of Morris during a recent memorial service on November 27. Many of the Soldiers spoke about their fondest memories of the fallen Soldier. 
 

“The one thing everyone knew about (Morris) was how strong his faith was, and how solid his character was,” Combs said. 
“Staff Sgt. Morris was a great Christian,” Capt. Christopher Conley, commander of Co. A, 1-12 CAB, said.  
“He believed in the Lord, Jesus Christ, as his Lord and Savior,” he continued. “He is currently in heaven, enjoying his eternal life. His walk with the Lord was well known, and as a result, his moral courage was unparalleled.” 
“Staff Sgt. Morris used his faith to draw strength in competence,” Conley said. “He knew that no matter what happened to him, he was going to be saved. Just like the men Joshua led into combat — he let the Lord guide him and his life.” 
“Staff Sgt. Morris was a great man,” Conley said. “He always treated everybody with dignity and respect…I wish I had 10 more Staff Sgt. Morris’.” 
“He was a good man, he loved his guys and loved his job,” Sgt. 1st Class Michael Davenport said as tears filled his eyes. 
“He was a man of his word,” Davenport added.

“If Staff Sgt. Morris told you something, it was true,” Davenport continued. “If he told you that you could depend on him, than he was the man you could depend on.” 
“His word was his bond,” Combs added. “…The truth is he loved his Soldiers and never once let them down.” 
“Staff Sgt. Morris was loyal to his men and his unit and to God,” Davenport said.  
“I know today, in my heart and soul, that he is in a better place, standing with God in heaven,” he said. “Staff Sgt. Morris will be missed. A brother has passed, but we will never forget.”  
“It is our comfort to know that such a fine man is surely in heaven today,” Combs said. “His men knew that he carried his Bible with him on every mission…”  
“And right before he left this world, he wanted everyone to know he cared,” Conley added. “And he wanted to make sure his Bible, the one he cherished so dearly and went on every patrol with him, made it back to his father.” 
“Staff Sgt. Morris gave us a task: return his Bible to his father,” said Lt. Col. Morris Goins, commander of the 1-12 Charger Battalion.  
“This was his request,” Goins said. “Staff Sgt. Morris, we have accomplished our mission.” 
“Hero, Soldier, Christian, friend — Staff Sgt. Morris, you will be missed but not forgotten,” he said. 
 

What is it that caused these men to make such striking comments about our Brother in Christ? What made Staff Sgt. Morris so different? I’ll tell you what it is. It is the power of Christ that made him different. And it is the power of Christ that makes each an every believer different.  
 

What makes this provoking and yes heart-wrenching article so special? It shows the dedication, devotion and love of one of our dear brethren. It displays the value of testimony and the value of what we portray to the world.

In this article we see how one man influenced the lives of many. Yes, Brother Morris may be gone from this life but his testimony lives on in the lives of those he came in contact with.  
 

Our testimony has an influence, either for the good or the bad. Our prayer should be, “Lord help me to have the right testimony before others. Before the saved and the unsaved.” It has been said, “Our life is the only Bible some may ever read…and in some cases there needs to be a revision.” If the church wants true revival, let each of us examine our own testimony and make the necessary revisions if needed. 
 

When Jesus healed the man in Luke 8:39 He commanded him, “Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.” 
The value of your testimony!

Rev. Gandy

 Killeen Daily Herald
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