THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 21:10-19
“And so you will bear testimony to me.” (Luke 21:13)
Jesus does not expect us to convert or change anyone.
We are not to be His enforcers, making people believe.
We are called to be witnesses, to testify to what we know about Jesus.
And a witness can only testify to what they have experienced.
Too often christians feel the need to be eloquent or convincing.
They talk of doctrines they’ve been taught, but don’t really understand.
They defend Jesus and the faith by arguing and attacking what others say or do.
Jesus asks to testify to what we have seen and heard of Jesus – our experience.
But to do this, we have to be aware of that experience, to be able to share it.
No one can take away my experience of Jesus.
They can hate me, seize, persecute or imprison me, but they can’t take it from me.
They can even torture me to deny it, but that would not change my experience.
Such a testimony may seem weak, but remember the Spirit: He is the persuader.
He will give us words and wisdom, He will connect the truth with other’s hearts!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be prepared to give the reason for my hope, to honestly share how You have impacted my life, and to trust that Your Spirit will do the rest!
Here is a little testimony of a testimony…
A few days ago I spent some time in silence in prayer after I had prayed through some requests for direction from God. One of my requests was about my direction at work.
Yesterday, randomly, one of my close colleagues came up to me and said she was thinking about me the night before. She then said she thought I was perfectly suited for my job and that it would be such a shame if I moved on to something else because I could do so much good where I was. I was shocked that she would even be thinking about my job, thanked her so much for her encouragement and then realized about 15 seconds later that this probably was God’s way of answering my prayer. My colleague grew up in the church but has left and as a rule I never initiate any faith talk. But….this time I told her that I had prayed for a sign the other day and I think God may be answering me through her thoughtful words. And then said no more because I’m pretty sure that was all I needed to say. God please water our small seeds…
Standing firm.
Standing upon the Rock
upon which my anchor is cast.
At all times and in all situations
Remember God is with me
and tells me to stand firm for Him.
And when we/I stand firm
He will continue to lead and guide me along the way
if only I focus on Him
and bear witness of my Saviour.
Emmanuel. God with us.
That is my power. My Enabler.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! Stand in His strength alone,
The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own;
Put on the gospel armor, and watching unto prayer,
Where calls the voice of duty, be never wanting there.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! the strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song;
To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory shall reign eternally.