Testimony: November 17, 2009

TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY NOVEMBER 17, 2009.

TESTIMONY

Defined by Webster:
The statement or declaration of a witness under oath; evidence in support of a fact or statement; proof; open declaration or profession as of faith.

GODS WORD

“This is the disciple who TESTIFIES of these things, and wrote these things, and we know his testimony is true.” John 21:24.

“And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the TESTIMONY of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” I Corinthians 2:1-2.

“He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the TESTIMONY that God has given of His Son. And this is the TESTIMONY: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” I John 5:10-11.

WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE

The word TESTIMONY is probably best known in the secular world as statements made in a court session. In the Christian world a TESTIMONY usually refers to the words one gives in a group or to an individual concerning ones relationship with Jesus. This testimony usually contrasts ones life before accepting Jesus as ones Savior with the life one is living now.

We can remember as kids going to church and often hearing moving TESTIMONIES of life changing experiences. When we were working with Youth for Christ we had Saturday night youth rallies attended by thousands each week. The programs included music, skits, and contests and always ended with the TESTIMONY of some speaker, usually a known personality whose life had been completely changed because they had accepted Jesus as their Savior.

In these scriptures we have listed above, we deal with another important reference to the word TESTIMONY. In John 21:24 the Apostle John is speaking of himself as the one who is testifying that Jesus was God. John’s TESTIMONY is true because his was an eye witness and his account was based on his personal relationship with Jesus. John walked with Him, talked with Him, and worked with Him daily while He was on this earth. John’s words verify that Jesus is the Christ and that He was the Son of God.

In the passage we noted above from I Corinthians chapter two, Paul is writing to the church at Corinth verifying the TESTIMONY that Jesus is Lord and Savior and available for them. Paul always looked for every opportunity to give his TESTIMONY that Jesus was his Lord and Savior. Paul was a learned scholar and could preach with eloquence. In this passage Paul says he preached a simple TESTIMONY of Jesus and wants us to understand it is not the eloquence of the words of a persons TESTIMONY that brings others to faith and a relationship with Jesus, but it is by God’s power. We should never fear to give our TESTIMONY because of its simplicity because God will use our TESTIMONY no matter how eloquent or simple.

And finally in I John 5:10-11, John tells us that whoever believes and receives the TESTIMONY that God has given us, will receive His promise of eternal life. These are only three examples from the scriptures that give us the assurance that the Bible is a true testimony that God is who He says He is.

If you ever doubt personally or talk to one who doubts the certainty of your relationship with Jesus, just remember you have the TESTIMONY of Jesus Himself that He is Gods Son. You have the TESTIMONY of the disciples who walked, talked and lived with Jesus while He was on this earth. And you have the TESTIMONY of Gods Word, the Bible, and those that were led by the Holy Spirit to write down for us the TESTIMONIES of those that were affected by their relationships with Jesus.

TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER

I rejoice today in the certainty that I have of knowing You and the anticipation of spending eternity with You. Thank You for the TESTIMONIES that You have given us to confirm that You are my God and my Savior. May my life radiate daily my TESTIMONY of my love for You.