Elevator Pitch

     In our recent Bible study, the speaker challenged us to come up with an "elevator pitch" for our testimony. The website, MindTools.com, defines an elevator pitch in the following manner:

An elevator pitch is a brief, persuasive speech that you use to spark interest in what your organization does. You can also use them to create interest in a project, idea, or product – or in yourself. A good elevator pitch should last no longer than a short elevator ride of 20 to 30 seconds, hence the name. They should be interesting, memorable, and succinct. They also need to explain what makes you – or your organization, product, or idea – unique.

     In our study, Prodigal Confessions, by Britta Lafont, she asks us to answer the following questions when creating our "elevator pitch" with which to share of personal testimony (the moment, and events surrounding the moment, when we chose Jesus Christ to be our personal Lord and Savior). She notes to write it down and practice it until you can say it in two minutes or less:

• Who has impacted my faith the most?
• How did I find "peace with God"?
• What does my "Before" and "After" look like? (In other words, what was your life before and after being saved by faith in Christ Jesus?)
• What does the "Process" feel like? (How have you matured in your walk with Jesus Christ?)
• What difference does knowing Christ make in my life?

     All Christians should be able to give an account of the day we said "yes" to Jesus Christ coming into our lives and making us new spiritual beings. When did we part with our old ways and thoughts and begin to align our hearts and minds with God's Word? 

     Saying, "I grew up in a Christian home, so I've always been a Christian," is like saying, "I grew up living on a boat, so I'm a sea captain." We don't become Christians through osmosis, absorbing the beliefs or behaviors of those around us. Becoming a Christian is a personal commitment to Jesus Christ by saying, "Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. I believe you died on the cross carrying the sins of the world. I believe that you had to sacrifice your life so that sinners like me could enter heaven one day to live eternally with our Holy Father God. Thank you for your sacrifices.  Thank you for loving me even when I'm unlovable. Thank you for your grace and mercy to accept all that come to you by faith. Please forgive me my sins, and help me to walk away from my old ways and become new in You." That's it, now you have a testimony. This day, April 9, 2015, you became a follower of Jesus Christ, a Christian. Praise God! 

     May you now pray for the Holy Spirit to do "housekeeping" throughout your mind, body, soul, and spirit, knocking down the cobwebs that have been cluttering and confusing your mind all these years. May you pray to have a hunger for God's Word which is the Holy Bible. May you pray daily for God's wisdom, knowledge, and direction for your life. So now, what is your testimony? Share it with others!

Mark 9:17-29 (NIV)

17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”

19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”

26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.