Do you have a testimony or a history lesson?

Scripture

Joshua 24:31

The people of Israel served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him—those who had personally experienced all that the LORD had done for Israel. 

Observation

1. The Israelites served the Lord as long as Joshua was their leader.

2. The Israelites served the Lord as long as those who personally experienced all the Lord had done were alive.

3. The book of Judges records that when Joshua and the elders died, Israel turned away from God.

Application

1. Never underestimate the power of Godly leadership.

Joshua and the elders influenced the people towards God.  The led them into righteousness.  Leaders have great influence on people.

2. Never underestimate the power of personal experience.

It is hard to live what you have not experienced.  To be told about the power of God in the past is not the same as living it in the present.  Head knowledge does not inspire a vision for the future.  Personal experience empowers people to lead others to experience the same.  When one person has an encounter with God, he can communicate it to another.  He is not giving a history lesson but a testimony.

We are in the need of testimonies today.  We need people who have encountered the power of God in their life to influence this generation.  I am am afraid that we are relying on what God did yesterday and not experiencing God for ourselves today.

Prayer

I do not point my finger at others, I ask for a fresh filling of your Holy Spirit in my life today.  I cannot live on yesterday's manna, I need a fresh encounter with you today. Fill me afresh and anew.  May I have a testimony not a history lesson.