June 7, 2013 … Go Testify to Love!!

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 158

Passage of the Day #1: John 3: 11 [Jesus, giving testimony to Nicodemus … ] [NLT] …  
11 I assure you, I am telling you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe us. 
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Contextual Study for today’s passage: John, Chapter 3 [NLT] … Go to this link … 
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Reference Passage #1: Acts 1: 8 [The power of witness Is in your story. ] [NLT] …  
" ... 8 But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about Me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Reference Passage #2: Romans 1: 16 [Sharing our story willingly is our gospel power. ] [NLT] …  
16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—Jews first and also Gentiles.

  Reference Passage #3: 1st Peter 3: 15 [As the Boy Scouts used to say, “Be prepared!” ] [NET] …  
15 But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess.

My Journal for Today: My friend, if you’re reading here with me, may I ask if you share Jesus with others? And if so, how do you share the gospel truth as you witness of God’s love in your life? … Do you try to beat a seeker over the head with the truth of the Scriptures? … OR, … do you use the most powerful tool you have to share Christ with others … YOUR STORY?

 In today’s highlight passage from John 3, we read that telling story of Jesus being confronted by one of the elite Jewish leaders of His day, … Nicodemus, a member of the Hebrew Sanhedrin. And this Jewish leader was openly curious and wanted to know more about Jesus and His life. And when Jesus had this divine appointment, this opportunity to share Himself, … what was it that our Lord shared with this man. Well, … it was His testimony. Go back and read and meditate on that encounter; and you’ll see that all Jesus did was share His story with Nicodemus; and in doing so, Jesus was sharing the power of the gospel to this doubter, … this seeker after truth.

Dear one, do you realize that your story is the most powerful tool to witness your faith you have? Oh, most certainly sharing some of God’s truth from Scripture with others is powerful; but usually, when we bring out the big guns of the Bible in sharing Christ with others, it causes non-believers to get defensive and sometimes it even repels them from listening or wanting to hear the truth.

However, it has been said truthfully that no one can argue with a testimony. Your story of how Christ changed – or is changing – your life, is your story; and no one can argue with it. Oh, … most certainly listeners can choose to reject your witness of how Jesus moved (or is moving) in your life; but one who hears your story is hearing how the gospel moved (or is moving) in your life to transform you into a new person (see 2nd Cor. 5: 17). Yes, my friend, there is great power in your story of Christ moving in your life. But the question is raised today by Os Hillman, … are we willing and available to share our testimony when we’re given the opportunity to do so?

I hope we share the attitude of the Apostle Paul when he wrote to the Romans about not being ashamed of the Gospel (see Romans 1: 16); and the next time we are confronted with someone who’s openly seeking to know about our faith or is willing to stop for a moment and hear about how Christ has changed us, we need to be ready to share our testimony (see 1st Peter 3: 15 quoted above in the NET); because God’s Spirit will bless such a moment with His ministry of enlightenment.

Our story – YOUR story – is a powerful weapon, fellow believer. Let’s pray for opportunities to share it with others; and then when the door of opportunity opens for us, let’s jump in and testify to God working in our lives. And in that regard, may I close by linking you to a wonderful song sung by Avalon in this video, … Testify To Love .
  
My Prayer for Today … Lord, for as long as I shall live, I will testify to Your love and how You have changed my life! … Amen