GOD STORIES FROM A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE

God Stories

Sharing what God has done in our lives.  A testimony of coming to Christ is an example.  So is an answered prayer.  It may be a growing moment in learning something about ourselves and getting in line with God’s truth.  There may be a big life changing event or a quiet moment of an awareness of God.  Each has its place and each honors God in its telling. 

Standing Stones Relate to a God Story

There is a story behind each of these markers.  This is borrowed from Ray VanderLaan and the That the World May Know series:  

The Hebrew word translated "standing stones" is massebah and means "to set up." The Israelites followed ancient customs by setting up standing stones as a reminder of God's covenant and supernatural acts on their behalf. The story of the stone was passed down from generation to generation through oral tradition.

Biblical Examples

On several occasions, the Bible mentions significant events that were commemorated with standing stones:

Jacob set up stone pillars at Bethel in order to remember his powerful dream, in which God reaffirmed his covenant with him (Genesis 28:18-21, 35:14-15).

Moses built twelve standing stones at the foot of Mount Sinai after receiving the Ten Commandments and other laws (Exodus 24:2-4).

The Israelites erected standing stones to remember their miraculous crossing of the Jordan River (Joshua 4:2-3, 8-9).

Joshua built a standing stone when the covenant was renewed at Shechem (Joshua 24:27).

Psalms Remind Us to Remember Our God Stories

God was at work in the lives of individuals and in the whole of Israel.  Their stories make up the Old Testament, but there were many more stories that we will have to wait until heaven to hear.  But God appreciated the remembering and the sharing of these stories of His relationship with His people.  

The Psalms below reflect the idea.  

·         But then I recall all you have done, O LORD; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.
Psalm 77:11 (NLT)

·         Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.  Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the LORD.  Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him. Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given,
Psalm 105:1-5 (NLT)

·         Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
Psalm 103:2-5 (NLT)

Has God done good things for you?  Has God forgiven your sins?  Has God healed you?  Has God kept you from death?  How has God crowned you with love and tender mercies?  What good things do you have in your life?  Tell the story.  What has God done? 

New Testament Stories

Mary from Nazareth has an amazing story of an angel’s visit and the birthing of the Messiah.  How do we know what happened to Mary?  She was the only one there.  She told her God story.  Her words are wonderful: 

  How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!  For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. Luke 1:47-48 (NLT)

There are stories from one end to the other of the New Testament, but here is one you may find interesting.  This is from Paul’s letter to the Colossian church.  Paul didn’t start the church.  He has heard stories about what God is doing there in the lives of people.  God stories.  Take a look:

For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News. This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace. You learned about the Good News from Epaphras, our beloved co-worker. He is Christ’s faithful servant, and he is helping us on your behalf. Colossians 1:4-7 (NLT)

Paul says that he and the mission team have heard about the people of Colossae’s faith in Christ and love for God’s people.  God stories.  Look what this great God story we refer to as the Good News is doing.  It is bearing fruit by changing lives.  Changed lives is fruit.  Do you know anyone whose life has been changed as a result of embracing the Good News?  Do you have a story from your own life about a shift in thinking, different attitudes, altered beliefs, or new ways of behaving as a result of what God has done?  

The people in the church at Colossae learned about the Good News through God stories told by Epaphras.  Who told you the Good News?  How did that make a difference?  What areas of your life are different?  Have you told others?  What God stories might you have?  

The hymn says it well: I love to tell the story; 'Tis pleasant to repeat; What seems, each time I tell it, More wonderfully sweet.

On what we call Palm Sunday the Lord Jesus was on His way into the city of Jerusalem. There were those who had seen what He had done or heard the stories and they were shouting and praising God as Jesus rode in.  Religious leaders were bothered by the praise and the behavior so they wanted to shut it all down. 

“But Jesus answered, "I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!" Luke 19:40 (NASB) 

Let us not be silent. 

God Stories You Might Consider

If you know Jesus, there is a story.  How you came to know Him is the story of God working in your life.  You may have had an experience of being in a biker gang and on drugs when a bright light came blazing from heaven and you heard God’s voice telling you to get right with Jesus.  That could be it, but probably not.  It may be that you can’t remember not knowing about Jesus.  Then you have the privilege of telling a God story about a family of faith that raised you in an atmosphere of God’s truth and love.  So your testimony whatever it may be is your God story of faith.  You might want to have that one down.  

You may have encountered God in ways that shot you forward in faith over the years.  By the way, no one moves in a steady straight line from the point of salvation to heaven there are always bends in the road.  What did you learn that helped you grow in the Lord or trust Him more?  

Think back at how you learned to feed yourself on God’s Word.  Did that happen automatically or did you happen to always know the Word?  There was someone God brought into your life that helped.  As you gained a knowledge of the Word and how to get into it on your own you grew in your faith.  That is a God story don’t you think?

Did you ever take a fork in the road of your faith that took you away from God in some way?  How did you come to recognize you were on the wrong road?  What brought you around?  What have you found meaningful in your relationship with God that you didn’t have?  There is a great story there. 

What do you know about God?  Are you close?  How did you get there?  Can you think of a time when God revealed Himself in such a way that you were changed?  Have you experienced the working of the Holy Spirit in such a way that you have been forever altered?  How intimate are you with the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit?  How did you get there?  Did you find Him in the Bible, prayer, a meeting, retreat, conferences?  Your experience is a God story.  

Have you prayed and seen God answer?  If so, tell about it.  What was the situation?  What did you ask God for?  What did God do?  How did God help?  

Have you struggled with being immoral, short tempered, prideful, mouthy, abusive, mean, self-absorbed and now God has changed you?  There is God at work.  Take joy in telling His story. 

In impossible life situations where there looked to be no way out have you seen God make a way?  You have a story.  

There you go.  Ask God to help you recall places in your life where He has shown up.  Write down your story.  Share it as you have opportunity, and give God the glory. 

THE BATTLE WITH DEMONS FOR FOLLOWERS OF JESUS

Be Strong

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10-12 (NLT) 

In this battle we are not able to stand on our own.  In this intense war we are to engage the enemy, but with the power and armor of God.  

The dark forces are intent on distracting the followers of Jesus from their life in Him.  This is darkness that hates the light and will do whatever it takes to destroy those who walk in the light.  The Apostle Paul says we are engaged in a real battle.  Billy Graham points out that instead of the battle with the evil ones being mythical it was real and was increasing at the end of the 20^th century. 

Demonic activity and Satan worship are on the increase in all parts of the world. The devil is alive and more at work now than at any other time. The Bible says that since he realizes that his time is short (Revelation 12:12) his activity will increase.  (Billy Graham, Angels All Around, Decision, December 1996, 3)

Be Aware

In a world where human technology and cleverness rules a spiritual battle with evil spirits seems remote, medieval and ancient.  But what if it were right on our doorstep?  Here are a couple of recent Mayes County Oklahoma cases.

The Case of the Agitated Spirit

Demons often camouflage themselves.  Usually the plan is to come in without being noticed and do the work of spiritual sabotage.  But there are times when in a move to distract and destroy the dark ones reveal themselves or their work in one way or another.  This is a case of an agitated spirit.  

It has to do with a young man who was at the point of deciding on a direction in life.  Some bad decisions had led to dealings with the law which he found distasteful.  Thinking about his situation he decided to move in a new direction.  The Bible gave him hope that a new way was possible.  As he explored pursuing Jesus and began attending church he also had visits of a most disturbing type.

A devilish spirit attached on to this young man.  Going after Jesus was not acceptable to the dark ones so the attacks began.  Whisperings from the dark side came to this new seeker of truth.   Temptations to go back to the old ways kept coming, but with greater and greater intensity.  Demons can adjust the atmosphere in a room so that feelings of a presence is noticed or the air gets heavy and maybe cold.  This young man was trying to go into a room he considered safe, but found it to be foul and uncomfortable.  He kept seeking the Lord, and didn’t know what to do with what was happening to him.  

Afraid of what people might think of him he risked talking to a pastor and then another and then another about what was going on.  He said the counsel he received was to read the Bible, pray and come to church, but he didn’t think they really knew what he was talking about or what to do about it.  

Unfortunately, although the Bible is clear about the issue of the demonic it is something most pastors are not trained nor experienced in.  In Jesus training of the disciples proclaiming the Kingdom of God and casting out demons went together.  We in our day may need to train better.  

Going home after work the young man would find things moved and tossed around in his room.  His parents weren’t responsible and no one else had been in his room.  The agitated spirit was taking this to a physical level. For the young man it was overwhelming.  He was trying to go to school and work and figure out his life and this darkness just kept him in fear, confusion, doubt, and down.  

During a very cold period of winter he gave up sleeping in his room and went out to his truck.  He couldn’t rest well as you can imagine.  He shared some of his story with a friend at school at which point I was contacted to see if I could help.  We met and started a process of counseling with him and spiritual training for the battle he was in.  He found relief from the agitated spirit by the power of Jesus. 

The Case of the Unsettling Spirit

Our enemy has an objective to “steal, kill and destroy” (John 10:10).  The methods are many.  In the case of the unsettling spirit it is a matter of keeping peace at a distance and distracting with strange occurrences which can disturb a family.  All of that is designed by the dark forces to create as many barriers as they can to people coming to and growing in Christ.  

The occurrences were knocking when no one was there, hearing footsteps walking and no one was there to make them, changes in atmosphere, appearances of people or forms who were not physical among others.  These were witnessed by young and old, by a person alone or with others.  The usual steps were taken to investigate and look for normal reasons these things happened.  After exhausting the normal approaches a look at the supernatural came into view.  

After some counseling and some direction in prayer steps were taken to deal with the dark spirit or spirits involved.  A reprieve was found.  But after a time a recurrence took place.  

Not all dark spirits stay away after being dealt with in God’s power.  They sometimes return just because they had a hold there, but at times something is done that draws them back.  And they are always looking for opportunities to unsettle anything good the Lord is doing.  Got to watch for them, and keep up the battle.  

These are recent cases, but it was another shared with me this week that brought to mind the need to remind you to be ready. 

Be Ready

This battle with the evil one began with Adam and Eve and will continue till Jesus puts Satan in the Lake of Fire so we must be ready.  Ready for the deception, the dark powers, the destruction the enemy brings.  Like a warrior getting ready for battle or an athlete training for a competition learn, practice, and excel at God’s ways of winning in spiritual warfare.  Here are some ways to prepare. 

Know the Ultimate Power Lies in Christ

The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8 (NASB)  The devil is at work, but Jesus has come and He is here to destroy the works of the devil.  The Lord intends to use us in this process which is why we need to be ready.  

Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 (NASB)  The power we have received in the Holy Spirit given to us by Christ gives us victory because He is greater.  

Dig into the Scripture and find more and more about who Christ is and what He can do.  Don’t be afraid to read theology books that deal with the nature of Jesus or the work of the cross.  This is so much better than superficial superstitions that assume something, but have no foundation in truth.  Study deeply, drink deeply at the well of Christology.  He is greater go find out why. 

Show the Devil that Your Allegiance Belongs to God

When a Christian just goes through some religious motions and still does things their own way the devil doesn’t get the idea that God is all that important to that person.  But when a believer intentionally gets close to God that lets the devil know who is really important to that person.  Look at this:

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. James 4:7-8 (NLT)

Practice getting close to God.  This is a relationship that calls for love, respect, and real conversation.  The devil knows he can’t take on God directly and when you are there with Him the devil has to go.  Build your relationship with God.  Daily spend time with Him learning, connecting, talking, listening, and letting Him work in you.  Set aside times for extended time with the Lord.  You get some on Sundays with church and maybe with a small group Bible study during the week, but add to that a time during the month or a few times a year when you focus on Him for a number of hours or days. 

The enemy won’t like that you are getting close to God and will do what he can to keep you from it.  During a retreat for an extended time with God an enemy agent came into my cabin in the night in order to distract, frighten or destroy the time with God.  With God’s power I stood against him and he left.  The enemy will come for you, but resist him and get close to God and the devil will leave. 

Be Trained

There is a lot more that could be said on this topic and much has been said in the Scriptures as well as books along these lines.  Do some work on this.  Be trained.  Find a mentor knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced and ask to be trained.  Read Ephesians 6:10-18 and the description there is of battle gear.  It is important to learn what the gear is for and to learn how and when to use it.  

Recent missionary story: 

After a few months on “our” mission field—a post-communist, dead, atheistic region—my family and I were reeling from shock. No, not culture-shock, though there was plenty of that. It was the shock of coming face to face with demonic forces beyond our comprehension.

Numerous strange events transpired: liters of urine poured into our stroller, blood splattered on our apartment door, a small hole drilled into our front door indicating a planned break-in (the hole is used to insert a small probe camera), much sickness, poor sleep, and even sensing an evil presence in our bedroom. At first we thought we must be imagining things, but the horrid climax was the nightmares that tormented our 2-year old son. For many months he'd wake up screaming bloody murder, and we could not easily settle him back down. At two and a half, he was finally able to verbalize what he'd been dreaming about for the past few months. One of his most vivid dreams was about a woman with black hair and red eyes who wore only a bra and black pants and would offer him a basket of rotten fruit and force him to eat. His nightmare was X-rated, not a typical toddler-being-chased-by-a-bear dream.

Satan was not playing fair. Now the shock turned to anger. I scanned the recesses of my brain. What had seminary taught me about demonic activity? I couldn't recall any class where we had discussed anything remotely similar to what we were experiencing. “Demonology 101” wasn't even offered! 

Because we were so overwhelmed with our situation, we needed help. We called our teammates to come pray with us. While our son was asleep, we prayed at his bedroom windows, that God would not allow any evil to enter into his room and that he would sleep peacefully. The next morning, I asked him, “Did you have a nightmare last night?” His toddler answer was flabbergasting: “Yes, but this time the woman was outside my window, and she couldn't come in.”

-Eowyn Stoddard 

Be trained.  

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NLT)

Summary

The battle with demons for followers of Jesus is real.  It is here.  It is coming.  We are to be involved.  We are to pray asking God the Father to “keep us from evil.”  The evil one is desperate to take you and me down.  Be strong, be aware, be ready, be trained and in Jesus we will overcome.  

-Randy

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR GOD STORY

Focus

In a God story the focus is on God.  Sure.  Simple.  It is so obvious why bring it up?  You know the human tendency to up talk ourselves and insert unnecessary elements while sometimes downplaying the place or role of the Almighty God.  Focusing on God in a God story may take some effort in order to rightly honor Him.  Interested?

Observe John’s telling of his journey to heaven.  Look for how he tells this story.  Read through it and we will review it afterwards.  

Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. 

Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit of God. In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal. In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back. The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty— the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.” 

Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,

“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.” Revelation 4:1-11 (NLT)

John’s God Story

A Goal of Honoring God is Present

The conclusion “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power” is woven in the whole of the story.  God is worthy and John wants Him to be central and not focus on his own feelings or questions or experiences or observations.  He has a goal and it is to honor God. 

A Personal Testimony to God is Involved

John tells his experience with God as it was.  What John witnessed he tells.  This isn’t a second-hand retelling (though there is a place for such stories, this is a personal God story).  He uses “I” to let us know what he experienced, but not to point to himself.  

A personal testimony to God is a powerful thing.  In Revelation 12:11 it is included as part of a trio that overcomes Satan.  In Acts 1:8 the disciples are told they will be witnesses to Jesus among all sorts of people in the world when the power of the Holy Spirit comes on them.  John is sharing what God invited Him to experience and to make known.  You have an opportunity to share what God has invited you to experience.  In the power of the Holy Spirit as you tell your God story you honor Him and overcome the enemy. 

A Story Free of Bunny Trails is Told

Have you heard a story told which could have gotten to the point with beauty and simplicity, but was complicated with layers of excursions which I am referring to as “bunny trails?”  Bunny trails are tangents the story teller finds interesting but don’t enhance the story or move it forward. 

John was in heaven in the presence of the Almighty and surrounded by amazing sights, sounds, feelings, aromas.  If anyone ever was in a position to start telling stories about all he experienced this would be a great time, but John stayed on track.  He tells this story in 341 words. 

Write Your God Story Down

That sounds like a waste of time since you already know your own story, right?  It will help to write it down so that you can see how it flows and where it goes. 

Look for words that don’t communicate well and find others.  See if you have enough detail in the telling so that others can understand what is going on.  See if you really make the point that is on your heart.  If you are comfortable with it have someone else look it over and give you some feedback.  Work with your written copy until you are satisfied it says what needs to be said and it honors the Lord. 

Practice Telling Your Story

You may have told your God story over and over, but with the process of shining it up it may be a little different.  Practice by reading through it as you wrote it.  Do that until you are comfortable with the way the story flows and where it goes.  

Practice telling your story without notes.  It doesn’t have to be exactly like your written copy, but it should keep the essential elements and reach the right objective.  Time yourself and see if you can tell your God story in 5 minutes going at an easy natural pace. 

Pray Over Your God Story

You have a powerful tool in your toolbox as a result of getting your story ready.  Pray and ask God to point out anything you may need to add or remove.  Ask Him to give you boldness as you tell your story.  Ask Him to use your story for His honor and glory. 

You Are Ready to Share Your God Story

At a moment’s notice you can now pull out a polished story to point to God.  If you have a chance to share with a stranger in a quick meeting, you have something wonderful to say.  If an opportunity comes up to tell about your great God at a public meeting you can join in the concert of praise. 

Then those who feared the LORD spoke with each other, and the LORD listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name.   Malachi 3:16 (NLT)

I am excited to hear your God stories. 

-Randy