🌿 Testimonies from 30 Days to Awaken Your Spiritual Senses
From EH, Taoyuan, Taiwan – TW017 Prayer Altar
❤️ Experiencing God’s Presence Every Day with an Attentive Heart
Today is the last day of the Month of Praise, but this is not the end. Rather, it marks the beginning of a new journey into a deeper experience of God.
As I sit here sipping my coffee, surrounded by its rich, inviting aroma, my heart is filled with a sense of contentment. Looking back on the spiritual senses’ exercises throughout September, I am filled with gratitude. I thank Pastor Jamie for her guidance in helping us become more attentive to God’s wonderful works in our everyday lives through our different senses, and for teaching us to experience His presence more deeply in the ordinary moments of life.
This month, I have learned to slow down—to look with my eyes, touch with my hands, smell with my nose, taste with my mouth, listen with my ears, and feel with my heart. So many things in daily life that we often overlook can serve as reminders, helping me see God’s grace anew.
One day, after a busy day had come to an end, I stepped out onto the back balcony and gazed at the Stephania erectamy classmate had given me. I couldn’t help but marvel at the wonders of God’s creation. When I first received it, it was nothing more than a round caudex, resembling a small stone, without even a single root hair. Yet, after some time, it began to sprout, sending out tender green shoots and leaves, eventually unfurling a round leaf with beautifully defined veins. What appeared to be an insignificant little caudex contained such remarkable vitality! As I looked at it, I was deeply reminded that life comes from the wisdom and power of our Creator. Even a tiny caudex or an ordinary leaf speaks of God’s glory.
This month’s exercises have also taught me to count God’s blessings in the little things of everyday life. I thank Him for the gift of restful sleep, which restores my weary body and mind; for sending rain to nourish the earth; for establishing the Church, where we support and love one another in Christ; and for giving us the freedom to proclaim the gospel. I am also deeply grateful that He has preserved and entrusted the Scriptures to us through our elder brothers, the Jewish people, enabling us to know the truth and grow firm in our faith.
During the exercise titled “Touching His Provision,” I touched my linen-blend blouse, my Bible, and a glass cup, rediscovering the simple yet tangible blessings woven into everyday life. Wearing soft, breathable clothing reminded me of the comfort my body enjoys. Picking up my Bible filled me with gratitude for the Bread of Life God has given us. Then, lifting my glass and taking a sip of rich, aromatic coffee refreshed me and awakened my senses. These seemingly ordinary moments reminded me that God’s provision is present in every aspect of our daily lives—from what we wear and eat to the places where we live and the ways we go about our day. When I am willing to slow down and truly see, touch, and taste, I discover that the blessings I have received far exceed what I had imagined.
This month of practice has also awakened my heart, making me more sensitive to God’s presence and more receptive to His comfort and encouragement throughout daily life. When I face difficulties, instead of becoming consumed by my circumstances and emotions, I am learning to turn my eyes toward Jesus. For I know that the One who is in me is greater than the one who is in the world.
Walking with God does not require a special setting, nor does it always involve dramatic miracles. In the ordinary moments of each day, when I quiet myself and pay attention to the things around me, I am reminded of His grace and become more deeply aware that He has been walking with me all along.
I am grateful to Pastor Jamie for her encouragement and for leading us in these spiritual senses’ exercises. Throughout this month, I have received an abundance of grace and been deeply moved. Thank You, Heavenly Father. You are the God who created the heavens and the earth and breathed life into us. You are also the Lord who provides for our daily needs and walks alongside us throughout our journey in life.
May I continue to cultivate an attentive and grateful heart, recognizing Your works in my daily life, experiencing Your wonders in ordinary moments, and keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus even in the midst of difficulties.
“My soul, praise the LORD, and do not forget all his benefits.” — Psalm 103:2
Hallelujah! Praise and thanks be to the Lord! 🙌🌿❤️
From JH, Taipei, Taiwan – TW025 Prayer Altar
Even before the Month of Praise began, I was already looking forward to it, longing to see more of God in my everyday life and to be more intentional about praising Him aloud.
I am especially grateful to Pastor Jamie for inviting us to experience God through our five senses—sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. God is so wonderfully attentive to the smallest details. As I began seeking to connect with Him through the little things in everyday life, I experienced firsthand the truth of Scripture:
“How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them!”
There are many times when I do not feel an immediate stirring in my heart at the moment I receive something from the Lord. Yet, when I continue to meditate on the day’s Scripture and open my senses to what is around me, that deep sense of being touched by Him often wells up unexpectedly in a particular moment.
One evening, for example, as I rode my scooter home from work, an entire row of streetlights suddenly illuminated the road as dusk settled in. In that moment, I suddenly understood more deeply what the Lord meant when He said, “I am the light of the world.” The physical light could illuminate the road home, but it could not illuminate the direction of my life. What I truly need is to walk each day in the light of Jesus, the true Light of life.
Having our way illuminated by the true Light does not mean that life will suddenly become smooth sailing or that all our problems will disappear. Rather, through every upheaval and every rise and fall, I experience firsthand that He is the firm Rock who steadies my steps. He keeps me from becoming trapped by my circumstances, accompanying me every step of the way with His comfort, timely reminders, and unconditional love, enabling me to press forward with steadfastness.
I thank the Lord for His faithfulness. Whether the timing seems favourable or not, I can continue to experience Him and praise Him. Through Christ, who gives me strength, I will keep moving forward with a heart full of hope. Amen!
From TL, Melbourne, Australia – AU003 Prayer Altar
This year’s Month of Praise is very different from previous years. During these 30 days, we practiced six different cycles: Awakening Our Spiritual Senses, Experiencing God’s Works, Engaging with God’s Word, Encountering Jesus, Living Out the Kingdom, and finally, Becoming a Blessing. Each cycle helps us experience Him in our everyday lives.
We have five senses to explore and practice through what we see, hear, touch, taste, and smell. Each day, we follow a different theme and practice using one of our senses. We also have a Bible verse to meditate on and reflect on what touches our hearts. Through these practices, God opened our spiritual eyes, ears, and hearts, helping us naturally recognise His creation and His presence in our everyday lives. For God desires us to draw close to Him and enjoy His nearness.
One day, as I was driving, the words on the back of a car in the lane to my left caught my eye. They said, “With God All Things Are Possible.” Immediately, I felt God’s peace so strongly in my heart. “Do not be afraid; only believe.” Within seconds, peace overcame fear. God knows my every thought, and His Spirit is at work all the time. Thank You, Jesus, for the gift of peace that warmed my heart in such a tangible way. Interestingly, my husband, who was sitting beside me, didn’t even notice the car. I believe those words were meant for me at that particular moment.
On Day 28, I asked the Lord, “Who do You want me to bless today?” When I walked our dog, I met one of our neighbours who lives behind our house. The last time I saw her was a few months ago. She told me that she had the flu and had been unwell for a while. I politely asked if I could pray for her. At first, she hesitated and said there was no need. I told her I would simply say a short prayer to bless her. With her permission, I gently placed my hand on her shoulder and prayed for her health, her family, and that she would have a joyful heart.
About a week later, I walked past her house and saw her in her front garden. She told me she was feeling much better and thanked me for the prayer. She also mentioned to her daughter that she had met a kind sister who prayed for her.
We praise God when we see answers to our prayers, and we also praise Him when He calls us to be still. May we continue to give Him all the praise, even when we face storms.
Lastly, I thank God for Pastor Jamie, who invested her precious time and effort in guiding us through these 30 days to Awaken Our Spiritual Senses.
All glory be to God!
From CS, Melbourne, Australia – AU002 Prayer Altar
Praising God for this year’s Month of Praise theme, “30 Days to Awaken Your Spiritual Senses.”
Through these 30 days of practicing six cycles of using our five senses to praise and worship God, I have learned to read the Bible differently and appreciate the beauty of the natural world around me.
Although I haven’t had a profound spiritual experience, I have learned to praise God through my senses, finding His presence in the simple things I see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. Every morning, the birds outside my house start singing at different pitches to wake me up. In the past, I would be annoyed by their noise. Now, I appreciate their songs as beautiful melodies. 😄
One night, there was a wild storm. The next morning, beautiful birds were singing, and the sun was shining. This reminded me of Psalm 30:5: “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favour lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” I have come to understand how we can relate the Bible to nature.
During my devotion, I came across a few Bible verses that talked about the senses. God has already spoken to us about our senses through His Word. We need to be mindful of and sensitive to His presence.
The other day, I watched a TV program about a family attending a wellness course. In one session, they were invited to walk through a nature park, where they were asked to touch, smell, and taste. Wow, isn’t this what we have been learning over the past 30 days in Awakening Our Spiritual Senses? God speaks to us through the nature He has created. Hallelujah!
Now, whenever I eat a meal or drink water, I feel grateful for what God has provided for me. I also pray for those who are suffering from hunger and for nations where water is scarce.
It is indeed a blessing to practice using our spiritual senses to praise God in our daily lives. Amen!