JULY 29 2011. TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY JULY 29, 2011.
GLORY
DEFINITION:
Exalted honor; splendor; radiance; majestic beauty; adoring praise; worshipful thanksgiving.
SCRIPTURE:
In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Judges 17: 6.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Apart from Israel, no other nation has had such a Christian beginning as America. Under the blessing of God, Israel began with a glorious heritage. Like Israel of old, God’s blessing rested upon early America. Our pilgrim forefathers made it clear that they came to the shores of America to propagate the gospel. Yet like Israel, as told us in the verse from Judges above, America has not only forgotten our heritage but we have forgotten God. America has lost her GLORY! It happened in America the same way it happened in Israel.
In Judges 2:10 we read that a new generation arose which forgot their relationship with God. Just like Israel of old, America is doing, “that which is right in its own eyes.” As believers we should be challenged to face the concerns we have in America --- (and in many other countries like yours, if you are not living in America) --- that Israel faced in years past.
In Judges 9, Abimelech, an ungodly man, seized power in Israel through violence and deceit and led the nation straight into judgment. This came right after God honored Israel and its general Gideon by giving them a great victory over their enemy the Medianites. The scripture tells us that as soon as Gideon died, the Israelites forgot God. (Judges 8:33-35) They not only did not give God the glory for all He had done for them but they chased after other gods. They were unthankful and their ingratitude to God led them into apostasy. Here in America, and in most of the other countries of our world people have become a thankless population. For GOD’S GLORY TO SHINE AGAIN WE MUST FIRST BECOME A THANKFUL PEOPLE.
Secondly, we learned that Israel’s reward for its thanklessness was a godless leader who built his administration on a godless coalition by buying his support with silver. In America and other countries in order for us to see the return of GOD’S GLORY we must have the courage to elect godly leaders who have the courage to reverse the ungodliness in our countries.
And finally we read in Judges 9:7-15 that the youngest son of Gideon stood up and told this parable of the trees. All the good trees and vines were “too busy” to take the reins of leadership --- which is what we are seeing today in our homes, in our neighborhood, in our churches and in our government --- as a result a useless thorn-covered bush gladly agreed to become king. The thorn bush represented Abimelech who became King when Israel no longer made godly leadership a priority. His ungodly leadership brought destruction to Israel. The apathy expressed here about Israel is true today across our world. We need committed believers to give Godly leadership so we will see THE RETURN OF GOD’S GLORY! Ungodly leadership leads to destruction all the time.
For glory to return to our countries we must have a mass return of our people to God. God works through His people. Who does He have to work through today? God would rather forgive than to judge. We need to turn from our wicked ways and pray daily as we are told in II Chronicles 7:14. We need a mighty awakening in our land so we can all again witness the GLORY OF OUR LORD!
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Mark 10: 14-15.
“Let the little children come to Me and do not forbid them; for such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
PRAYER:
Help my family to remember that all that is necessary for evil to triumph in our world is for believers like us to do nothing. Give us a new drive to serve you and to reach out to the world that we live in to share the good news of the gospel to all we talk to today.
July 31, 2011
Holy Spirit: July 28, 2011
JULY 28 2011 TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY JULY 28, 2011
HOLY SPIRIT
DEFINITION:
The third person of the trinity; also called the Holy Ghost.
SCRIPTURE:
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” I Corinthians 6:19.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Most people have a pretty good understanding of God, the Father, and God, the Son (Jesus Christ). But there are three persons in the God-head known as the Trinity. The third person is God the Spirit. Often people are a little fuzzy in their understanding of the Holy Spirit.
When we accept the Lord as our Savior, God sends the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. The Holy Spirit within the believer is what sets apart believers from the rest of the world. There are two groups of people in the world. There are those who are guided by their sinful nature. The other group consists of people who have chosen to die to their sinful nature and be guided by the Holy Spirit. When you accept Jesus as your Savior, your body becomes a temple of the Holy Spirit who we receive from God (I Corinthians 6:19 above).
Let us consider now the power of the Holy Spirit and how He works in our lives.
THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVICTS: “When He comes He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment, according to John 16:8. It is the convicting power of the Holy Spirit that brings us to repent of our sins.
THE HOLY SPIRIT CONTROLS OUR MIND: “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires, but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” Romans 8:5. The mind controlled by the Spirit leads to life and peace. The Holy Spirit keeps our mind set on pleasing God and keeping His commandments rather than pleasing our sinful desires.
THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDES: “When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.” John 16:13. Although Jesus spoke these words to His disciples we can be sure that the Holy Spirit is working in us to enable us to determine truth from false doctrine and that He guides us in an understanding of all truth.
THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES US ASSURANCE: “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children then we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.” (Romans 8:16). The Holy Spirit gives us assurance that we have been redeemed and we have an inheritance of eternal life in heaven with our Lord and Savior.
THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS IN OUR WEAKNESS: “The Holy Spirit helps in our weakness.” Romans 8:26. God knows our weaknesses and that is why He sent the Holy Spirit so that we do not have to rely on our own strength.
THE HOLY SPIRIT PRAYS FOR US: “We do not know what we ought to pray for but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” Romans 8:26b. The believer has the comfort of knowing that someone who is wiser than we are is interceding before God for us.
THE HOLY SPIRIT SANCTIFIES US: “God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” II Thessalonians 2:13. The Holy Spirit sanctifies us by working in us to make us desire to become more like Christ and to live pure and holy lives.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Mark 10:14-15.
“Let the little children come to Me and do not forbid them; for such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
PRAYER:
Thank You Lord that You have given us the Holy Spirit to live in us and to convict us of our sin, to guide us into truth and to keep our minds focused on pleasing the Lord. Thank You for the assurance of my salvation that I have through the Holy Spirit. I am so grateful for the intercession that I receive from the Holy Spirit to help me in my weaknesses.
HOLY SPIRIT
DEFINITION:
The third person of the trinity; also called the Holy Ghost.
SCRIPTURE:
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” I Corinthians 6:19.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Most people have a pretty good understanding of God, the Father, and God, the Son (Jesus Christ). But there are three persons in the God-head known as the Trinity. The third person is God the Spirit. Often people are a little fuzzy in their understanding of the Holy Spirit.
When we accept the Lord as our Savior, God sends the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. The Holy Spirit within the believer is what sets apart believers from the rest of the world. There are two groups of people in the world. There are those who are guided by their sinful nature. The other group consists of people who have chosen to die to their sinful nature and be guided by the Holy Spirit. When you accept Jesus as your Savior, your body becomes a temple of the Holy Spirit who we receive from God (I Corinthians 6:19 above).
Let us consider now the power of the Holy Spirit and how He works in our lives.
THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVICTS: “When He comes He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment, according to John 16:8. It is the convicting power of the Holy Spirit that brings us to repent of our sins.
THE HOLY SPIRIT CONTROLS OUR MIND: “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires, but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” Romans 8:5. The mind controlled by the Spirit leads to life and peace. The Holy Spirit keeps our mind set on pleasing God and keeping His commandments rather than pleasing our sinful desires.
THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDES: “When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.” John 16:13. Although Jesus spoke these words to His disciples we can be sure that the Holy Spirit is working in us to enable us to determine truth from false doctrine and that He guides us in an understanding of all truth.
THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES US ASSURANCE: “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children then we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.” (Romans 8:16). The Holy Spirit gives us assurance that we have been redeemed and we have an inheritance of eternal life in heaven with our Lord and Savior.
THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS IN OUR WEAKNESS: “The Holy Spirit helps in our weakness.” Romans 8:26. God knows our weaknesses and that is why He sent the Holy Spirit so that we do not have to rely on our own strength.
THE HOLY SPIRIT PRAYS FOR US: “We do not know what we ought to pray for but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” Romans 8:26b. The believer has the comfort of knowing that someone who is wiser than we are is interceding before God for us.
THE HOLY SPIRIT SANCTIFIES US: “God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” II Thessalonians 2:13. The Holy Spirit sanctifies us by working in us to make us desire to become more like Christ and to live pure and holy lives.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Mark 10:14-15.
“Let the little children come to Me and do not forbid them; for such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
PRAYER:
Thank You Lord that You have given us the Holy Spirit to live in us and to convict us of our sin, to guide us into truth and to keep our minds focused on pleasing the Lord. Thank You for the assurance of my salvation that I have through the Holy Spirit. I am so grateful for the intercession that I receive from the Holy Spirit to help me in my weaknesses.
Contentment: July 27, 2011
JULY 27 2011. TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY JULY 27, 2011.
CONTENTMENT
DEFINITION:
Being satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else.
SCRIPTURE:
“Be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Everyone looks for contentment in their life. Many search for it their whole life and never find it. In the Bible two men, each from very different circumstances in life, give us a summary of their lives.
In his own words this is what one man said concerning his life: “I have worked hard, been in prison frequently, been flogged severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods and once I was stoned.
I was shipwrecked three times and spent a night and a day adrift in the sea. I was constantly on the move from place to place. I have been in danger from rivers and bandits. I have labored and have often gone without sleep. I have known hunger and thirst and have gone without food many times. I have been cold and naked.” This account is from II Corinthians 11:23-27.
The other man gave this account of his life: I had more riches and wisdom than anyone else. I had a beautiful palace. I built houses for myself and planted vineyards, gardens and parks. I had much silver and gold. I received 25 tons of gold a year. I denied myself nothing in life. I had 12,000 horses, 4000 stables and 1400 chariots. I did not refuse my heart from any pleasure. I had 700 wives and 300 concubines. I had everything a man could desire.
It would seem that only the second man had reason to be content. The man who had everything was Solomon. You can read about his riches in I Kings 10: 14 to 11:3. Although he had everything he tells us that he did not have contentment in them. To paraphrase Solomon’s own words he said that. As I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all just meaningless. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere. (Ecclesiastics 2:11).
In the last verse of Ecclesiastics Solomon tells us what became meaningful to him. He said, “Here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments.”
The first man who described his life as one of hard work and suffering was the apostle Paul. It would seem unlikely if not impossible, humanly speaking; to find contentment in the life that Paul endured. In his own words Paul said: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” Philippians 4:12.
Paul found contentment in his life because he was doing what God wanted him to do --- preach the gospel. Paul did not see his life as meaningless because he was focused on pleasing God, not on pleasing his personal desires. Paul’s conclusion was: “For me to live is Christ.” (Philippians 1:21).
If you are seeking contentment you will find it in loving the Lord, keeping His commandments and in living for Him.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Mark 10:14-15.
“Let the little children come to Me and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
PRAYER:
Help me, dear Lord, to seek contentment in loving and serving You. Help me to obey Your commandments and to guide my children on the right path of life by teaching them to obey Your commandments. May each of us in our family have faith in You and not in the things of this world we live in.
CONTENTMENT
DEFINITION:
Being satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else.
SCRIPTURE:
“Be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Everyone looks for contentment in their life. Many search for it their whole life and never find it. In the Bible two men, each from very different circumstances in life, give us a summary of their lives.
In his own words this is what one man said concerning his life: “I have worked hard, been in prison frequently, been flogged severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods and once I was stoned.
I was shipwrecked three times and spent a night and a day adrift in the sea. I was constantly on the move from place to place. I have been in danger from rivers and bandits. I have labored and have often gone without sleep. I have known hunger and thirst and have gone without food many times. I have been cold and naked.” This account is from II Corinthians 11:23-27.
The other man gave this account of his life: I had more riches and wisdom than anyone else. I had a beautiful palace. I built houses for myself and planted vineyards, gardens and parks. I had much silver and gold. I received 25 tons of gold a year. I denied myself nothing in life. I had 12,000 horses, 4000 stables and 1400 chariots. I did not refuse my heart from any pleasure. I had 700 wives and 300 concubines. I had everything a man could desire.
It would seem that only the second man had reason to be content. The man who had everything was Solomon. You can read about his riches in I Kings 10: 14 to 11:3. Although he had everything he tells us that he did not have contentment in them. To paraphrase Solomon’s own words he said that. As I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all just meaningless. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere. (Ecclesiastics 2:11).
In the last verse of Ecclesiastics Solomon tells us what became meaningful to him. He said, “Here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments.”
The first man who described his life as one of hard work and suffering was the apostle Paul. It would seem unlikely if not impossible, humanly speaking; to find contentment in the life that Paul endured. In his own words Paul said: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” Philippians 4:12.
Paul found contentment in his life because he was doing what God wanted him to do --- preach the gospel. Paul did not see his life as meaningless because he was focused on pleasing God, not on pleasing his personal desires. Paul’s conclusion was: “For me to live is Christ.” (Philippians 1:21).
If you are seeking contentment you will find it in loving the Lord, keeping His commandments and in living for Him.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Mark 10:14-15.
“Let the little children come to Me and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
PRAYER:
Help me, dear Lord, to seek contentment in loving and serving You. Help me to obey Your commandments and to guide my children on the right path of life by teaching them to obey Your commandments. May each of us in our family have faith in You and not in the things of this world we live in.
Christian Life: July 26, 2011
JULY 26 2011. TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY JULY 26, 2011.
CHRISTIAN LIFE
DEFINITION:
The process of living a life like Christ lived when He lived on this earth.
SCRIPTURE:
To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:19.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We decided on this subject today because it is very noticeable that fewer people are committed to living a Christian life today. The reasons are many but none of the reasons are acceptable in God’s sight. People seem to be too busy with “things” in their lives to read the Bible and to pray. There seems to be more peer pressure every year for both young people and adults. The life situations that people face daily are evil and godless and there is little if any evidence of our Judeo-Christian heritage having any influence.
Living a Christian life today is not easy, but God never promised us that it would be easy. God has given us a wonderful beginning to a Christian life when we accepted His salvation. It was at that time that our Christian life began. He expects us to live our Christian life, a life fully given to God, and a God-filled life.
In the 1800’s there was a town in Texas named Texline that was a thriving center with several thousand residents. It was built because of the commerce that came to them as a result of a railroad line. In the year 2000 most of the shops were closed and the population had dwindled to less than 400. On the internet it says it had a city limits sign at both ends of the town and literally nothing in between except a few houses away from the main street.
This reminds us of what kind of waste our Christian life can be if we choose not to give God our whole life to serve Him. From the time of our salvation (the “now entering” city limits sign) till we go to be with the Lord (the “now leaving” city limits sign) what is in between. For many people their Christian life is like a town that has dwindled to nothing. They have never sought to grow in their knowledge of the Lord. They are missing out on all that God desires to give them and all that God could do through them.
A rich and full life is available to all who believe in and will serve Jesus. In the verse we have put above the Apostle Paul prayed that all believers would “be filled with the fullness of God.” Paul lived an abundant life and Jesus said while He was here on this earth that He wanted us to know life “abundantly” (John 10:10).
When we have the fullness of God we have everything we need. We have all we need for our salvation and all we need to live right. God’s fullness enriches our life and brings grace and peace to us in abundance. Jesus came to give us life and have life abundantly.
Here is the big question for us today: How many of us experience even a small part of the abundant life Jesus promised to those who are faithful to Him? We must ask ourselves if we are missing out on God’s best in our lives.
God desires to give us a marvelous beginning with our salvation and a great ending in Glory. But what our life (our city) is like in between is our choice. Is your Christian life today all that God expects of you?
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Mark 10:14-15.
“Let the little children come to Me and do not forbid them; for such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
PRAYER:
Thank You Lord for the salvation You have given me and the sure hope of spending an eternity with You. I commit myself this day to making the most of my spiritual journey as long as You leave me on this earth. Help me to grow in my knowledge of You so that I can experience as much as I can from You and will be prepared to share Your love with those I meet today.
CHRISTIAN LIFE
DEFINITION:
The process of living a life like Christ lived when He lived on this earth.
SCRIPTURE:
To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:19.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We decided on this subject today because it is very noticeable that fewer people are committed to living a Christian life today. The reasons are many but none of the reasons are acceptable in God’s sight. People seem to be too busy with “things” in their lives to read the Bible and to pray. There seems to be more peer pressure every year for both young people and adults. The life situations that people face daily are evil and godless and there is little if any evidence of our Judeo-Christian heritage having any influence.
Living a Christian life today is not easy, but God never promised us that it would be easy. God has given us a wonderful beginning to a Christian life when we accepted His salvation. It was at that time that our Christian life began. He expects us to live our Christian life, a life fully given to God, and a God-filled life.
In the 1800’s there was a town in Texas named Texline that was a thriving center with several thousand residents. It was built because of the commerce that came to them as a result of a railroad line. In the year 2000 most of the shops were closed and the population had dwindled to less than 400. On the internet it says it had a city limits sign at both ends of the town and literally nothing in between except a few houses away from the main street.
This reminds us of what kind of waste our Christian life can be if we choose not to give God our whole life to serve Him. From the time of our salvation (the “now entering” city limits sign) till we go to be with the Lord (the “now leaving” city limits sign) what is in between. For many people their Christian life is like a town that has dwindled to nothing. They have never sought to grow in their knowledge of the Lord. They are missing out on all that God desires to give them and all that God could do through them.
A rich and full life is available to all who believe in and will serve Jesus. In the verse we have put above the Apostle Paul prayed that all believers would “be filled with the fullness of God.” Paul lived an abundant life and Jesus said while He was here on this earth that He wanted us to know life “abundantly” (John 10:10).
When we have the fullness of God we have everything we need. We have all we need for our salvation and all we need to live right. God’s fullness enriches our life and brings grace and peace to us in abundance. Jesus came to give us life and have life abundantly.
Here is the big question for us today: How many of us experience even a small part of the abundant life Jesus promised to those who are faithful to Him? We must ask ourselves if we are missing out on God’s best in our lives.
God desires to give us a marvelous beginning with our salvation and a great ending in Glory. But what our life (our city) is like in between is our choice. Is your Christian life today all that God expects of you?
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Mark 10:14-15.
“Let the little children come to Me and do not forbid them; for such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
PRAYER:
Thank You Lord for the salvation You have given me and the sure hope of spending an eternity with You. I commit myself this day to making the most of my spiritual journey as long as You leave me on this earth. Help me to grow in my knowledge of You so that I can experience as much as I can from You and will be prepared to share Your love with those I meet today.
Witnessing: July 25, 2011
JULY 25 2011. TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY JULY 25, 2011.
WITNESSING
DEFINITION:
Testifying to what is known by personal presence; testimony giving evidence from personal experience.
SCRIPTURE:
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the world.” Acts 1:8.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When we think of the word witnessing, we may think of someone in a court of law on the witness stand telling his or her story about an issue that they either saw or experienced. The word witnessing, basically, to most people, refers to giving evidence about a situation. But to a person who knows Jesus, witnessing has somewhat of a different meaning.
Witnessing as we deal with the word today basically are the words and actions that we share with others about our faith in Jesus. We are giving evidence as to how Jesus changed our lives. We are sharing with others the hope and peace we have in our hearts knowing Jesus as our Savior. In other words we are testifying to what we have personally experienced as a result of our accepting Christ as our Savior.
We have noticed over the years different types of witnessing. Some believers with good intentions literally button hole a person, force them literally into a corner, and tell them that they need to know Jesus. Others will say they do their witnessing through their actions and words. And then there are those whose style is somewhere between these two extremes.
The story is told of a woman that every morning pried the jaws of her dog open and forced some liquid vitamins down his throat. She would always think that the dog just did not know what was good for him and needed to be forced to take the vitamins. Then one day the bottle of liquid vitamins fell over and spilled all over the floor. At the same time she lost her hold on the dog. The dog sniffed at the liquid and then began lapping it up. He actually loved the vitamins but simply objected to being coerced.
There are some who force their testimony on a person and they feel coerced. They do not respond to the “in your face” type of confrontation. The result is that many times this person will be driven away from God instead of wanting to know more about God. We earnestly desire as believers to want to share the good news of the gospel by our witness but our method just might end up repelling people instead of bringing them to Jesus.
The Apostle Paul reminds us that when our Lord taught His disciples to witness (in Acts 1:8 above), He expects us to share the good news of the gospel by our witness. It is not our responsibility for someone’s acceptance or rejection of Christ. It is not our job to convict someone of sin. That is the responsibility of the Holy Spirit.
As you tell others about what Christ did for you, seek the Lord’s guidance and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. Learn to be sensitive, when to slow down, when to listen, when to answer questions and then let God’s Holy Spirit and His Word do the convicting that will bring salvation to that person that you are witnessing to.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Mark 10:14-15.
“Let the little children come to Me and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
PRAYER:
Make me a faithful witness and help me to learn to let the Holy Spirit convict the heart of one that I am witnessing to today. Thank You for giving me new opportunities today to witness to others of the good news of the gospel. Use my words and life to be a testimony of the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ to all those I witness to.
WITNESSING
DEFINITION:
Testifying to what is known by personal presence; testimony giving evidence from personal experience.
SCRIPTURE:
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the world.” Acts 1:8.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When we think of the word witnessing, we may think of someone in a court of law on the witness stand telling his or her story about an issue that they either saw or experienced. The word witnessing, basically, to most people, refers to giving evidence about a situation. But to a person who knows Jesus, witnessing has somewhat of a different meaning.
Witnessing as we deal with the word today basically are the words and actions that we share with others about our faith in Jesus. We are giving evidence as to how Jesus changed our lives. We are sharing with others the hope and peace we have in our hearts knowing Jesus as our Savior. In other words we are testifying to what we have personally experienced as a result of our accepting Christ as our Savior.
We have noticed over the years different types of witnessing. Some believers with good intentions literally button hole a person, force them literally into a corner, and tell them that they need to know Jesus. Others will say they do their witnessing through their actions and words. And then there are those whose style is somewhere between these two extremes.
The story is told of a woman that every morning pried the jaws of her dog open and forced some liquid vitamins down his throat. She would always think that the dog just did not know what was good for him and needed to be forced to take the vitamins. Then one day the bottle of liquid vitamins fell over and spilled all over the floor. At the same time she lost her hold on the dog. The dog sniffed at the liquid and then began lapping it up. He actually loved the vitamins but simply objected to being coerced.
There are some who force their testimony on a person and they feel coerced. They do not respond to the “in your face” type of confrontation. The result is that many times this person will be driven away from God instead of wanting to know more about God. We earnestly desire as believers to want to share the good news of the gospel by our witness but our method just might end up repelling people instead of bringing them to Jesus.
The Apostle Paul reminds us that when our Lord taught His disciples to witness (in Acts 1:8 above), He expects us to share the good news of the gospel by our witness. It is not our responsibility for someone’s acceptance or rejection of Christ. It is not our job to convict someone of sin. That is the responsibility of the Holy Spirit.
As you tell others about what Christ did for you, seek the Lord’s guidance and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. Learn to be sensitive, when to slow down, when to listen, when to answer questions and then let God’s Holy Spirit and His Word do the convicting that will bring salvation to that person that you are witnessing to.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Mark 10:14-15.
“Let the little children come to Me and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
PRAYER:
Make me a faithful witness and help me to learn to let the Holy Spirit convict the heart of one that I am witnessing to today. Thank You for giving me new opportunities today to witness to others of the good news of the gospel. Use my words and life to be a testimony of the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ to all those I witness to.
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