Posts Tagged 'witnessing'

The Most Powerful Witness

Published April 24, 2023 devotional , Jesus Speaks , Uncategorized Closed
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JESUS SPEAKING

Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gaderenes. And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.” For He had said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” Then He asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” Also he begged Him earnestly that he would not send them out of the country. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. So all the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us to the swine that we may enter them. And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine […] and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea. So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region. And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled. (Mark 5: 1 – 20)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

In this passage we read about a demonically possessed man living an isolated life in a graveyard. No one could subdue him; thus enabling him to abandon his family and friends. The naked man cried out day and night, uttering strange and frightening things. He had also begun cutting his own flesh with sharp stones (a form of self-injury indicative of demonic possession.) Without warning, the suffering man stumbled out of the tombs and met Jesus, who cast out the evil spirits living within him. The man’s sanity was immediately restored. Those who came out from the city to investigate what had occurred saw him “sitting and clothed and in his right mind.” This simple observation was so powerful that they became frightened and begged Jesus to leave their area. Although the restored man yearned to follow the Lord, Jesus commanded him to return home and share his miraculous transformation with his family and friends. A transformed life is the most powerful testimony anyone can offer as evidence for God’s divine presence.

We read in John 12 that Jesus went to Bethany six days before the Passover to dine with Lazarus in his home. Lazarus was the man Jesus had previously raised from the dead; calling him out of the tomb where his body had been lying for many days. We read in verse 9 – 11, “Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead. But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.” A man who had been dead and brought back to life was a walking testament of God’s power and authority. His mere existence was drawing many to the Lord.

Like Lazarus and the demon possessed man, those who have been healed and reborn are living examples of God’s transformational power. He can heal the sick, raise the dead to life, and turn sinners into saints. For those of us who have been healed, the sanity, the purity, and the goodness of our new lives is the most powerful message we have to pass along to others. If we share about the miracle that God has performed in our lives, others will be drawn to Jesus Christ. Our testimony is beautiful, it is powerful, and it is productive.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we praise you for healing our hearts, our minds, and our bodies. You have taken what was dead and brought it back to life again. May we continue to live as committed Christians; reborn and transformed by the power of Your Holy Spirit. May we continue to share our testimony with others; that they might see a miracle in us and be drawn to You. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

Personal Testimony

Published November 1, 2021 devotional , Jesus Speaks , Uncategorized Closed
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JESUS SPEAKING

‘Now as Jesus passed by he saw a man who was blind since birth […] He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam.” So he went and washed, and came back seeing. Therefore the neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was blind said, “Is not this he who sat and begged?” Some said, “This is he.” Others said, “He is like him.” He said, “I am he.” Therefore they said to him “how were your eyes opened?” He said, “A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received my sight.'” (John 9: 6 – 12) Later, in an attempt to discredit Jesus, the Pharisees demanded that the man born blind testify before them. The Pharisees told him to “give God the glory. We know that this man is a sinner (referring to Jesus).” He answered and said, “Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.” (John 9: 24 – 25)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

The blind man in this scripture provides us with a simple example of how we can share our own personal testimony with others. His response to the pharisees is direct and concise; consisting of three primary components. First, what his life was like prior to meeting Jesus; second, how and where, and in what manner he interacted with Christ; and finally, how his life was transformed by this encounter. “That though I was blind, now I see.” For some, sharing their personal testimony can be difficult, intimidating, and even frightening. However, sophisticated words and eloquent speeches are often unnecessary; we don’t need a degree in theology to properly evangelize. Instead, our personal witness is sufficient; we need only explain what it was like before we met Jesus, how we received salvation, and what our lives are like now. We were all once dead in our sins, but are presently alive in Christ Jesus.

Stories of radical conversion are extremely powerful and can prompt many to put their faith in the Lord. For example, near the end of world war 2, one of Hitler’s bodyguards was a man named Kurt Wagner. He adored the crooked leader and revered him as a god. And yet as the allies moved in, Hitler committed suicide in a Berlin bunker. Kurt’s faith in the Feuhrer was shattered and he was planning to commit suicide. While going for his final cup of coffee, he picked up a discarded gospel tract and read it—first carelessly, but then with great interest. As the result of reading this Gospel tract, he sought out a Godly Pastor who led him to Christ. Kurt was immediately transformed. Upon receiving Jesus as his Lord and savior he became a new creation. This once evil and hardened man had become a peace-loving man. He eventually became the Pastor of two churches in Frankfurt, Germany. His miraculous conversion and subsequent testimony have become influential examples of the power of God’s redeeming grace.

Like Kurt, as believing Christians we also have a personal testimony to share; a witness of what God can accomplish in the lives of those who have once walked in darkness, but have seen the light. He can take broken things and make them whole; He can heal minds and transform hearts. In fact, there is no limit to what God can do when someone becomes a willing vessel. Many of us have met Christ at some point and have been transformed by Him. The record of this event and our subsequent rebirth is a powerful way to spread the gospel. When we are out in the community, may we have the tenacity to tell others what God has done for us; how our lives have been changed, and how they too can be reborn. This is our personal testimony; and it is simple and powerful.

“Lord Heavenly Father, give us the courage to share our personal testimony with others; that You might receive all of the glory and honor. May we desire to tell our fellows about how you have transformed our lives. May they see Your unending joy in us and hunger for Your salvation. Give us opportunities to witness to others, to evangelize, and to spread the gospel message. Fill us with your compassion and love; steady our minds and soften the hearts of those who might hear our words; that they being blind, may also com to see. We love you Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

The messengers of God

Published March 25, 2013 Uncategorized Closed
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JESUS SPEAKING

                While journeying through Samaria, Jesus became tired and sat down next to a well; as he rested, he began speaking with a Samaritan woman who had come to draw water; during their conversation he revealed to her the intimate details of her life; details that only God Himself could know.  Amazed and astonished, ‘the woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet […] I know that the messiah is coming (who is called Christ.)  When he comes he will tell us all things.”  Jesus answered her saying, “I who speak to you am he.” […] The woman then left her water-pot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, “Come, see a man who told me all the things that I ever did.  Could this be the Christ?” […] And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in him because of the word of the woman who testified saying, “He told me all that I ever did.”  So when the Samaritans had come to him, they urged him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days.  And many more believed because of his own word” (John 4: 19 – 41.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

                Jesus Christ chose to reveal himself to an immoral woman who had ventured to the well to find water; completely unaware that on that day she would find the Son of God and receive salvation and eternal life.  After the Lord disclosed to her the intimate details of her existence, she was overwhelmed with joy; the astonished woman left her water-pot behind, and ventured in to the city to seek others she might lead to Jesus; many who eagerly followed her came to receive the free gift of God.  All individuals who place their faith in Jesus Christ become his messengers.  Having been redeemed they make every effort to lead those who are sick to the ‘Great Physician;’ the one person who can mend their wounds and heal their broken hearts.

                Like the ‘Great Physician’, there was once a missionary physician who was working in one of China’s many hospitals; in his efforts to alleviate the suffering of his fellows, he surgically cured a man of cataracts (a clouding of the lens of the eye that causes blindness.)  A few weeks later 48 blind men arrived from the wilds of china (each one seeking the same incredible procedure.)  All 48 were holding on to a rope guided by the man who had been cured.  These men had walked in chain for 250 miles until they had safely reached the hospital.

                There are so many people in this world who have been blinded by sin and death.  People who need someone to guide them to the ‘Great Physician.’  Like the Samaritan woman and the blind man, all those who have been enlightened are given the task of leading others to Jesus Christ.  As ‘re-born’ believers we are instruments in the hands of the Almighty.  He uses us to reach out to our family members, co-workers, and friends.  Our task is to testify of the wonderful things He has done and will do in the lives of all those who believe in Him.

               “Lord Heavenly Father, fill us with Your Holy Spirit.  May we be amazed anew every day by Your miracles and wonders.  May we continue to embrace our duty to lead others to Your Son.  Provide us with opportunities to witness to our family members, co-workers, and friends; that they would hear our words and deeply desire the gift of eternal life.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things in Jesus Christ’s name.  Amen.”  God bless all of you.

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