May 22, 2023 … Sharing My Story

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023 - Day 142

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from the group Avalon singing … Testify To Love … powerfully singing of how we Christians testify to God’s wondrous mercy and grace by our Lord, King Jesus, dying to save us from ourselves and our sin. 

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Highlight Passage: … 1John 1:3 [NLT] … 

3 We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.  

… John’s testimony about King Jesus and the wonders He performed during the Lord’s time on earth so that others may believe on Him as Lord and Savior..       

                         

Highlight Passage (Context): … 1John 1:1-4 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… The Apostle John testifies as a witness to Christ’s life, death, and resurrection and the ministry of Jesus’ ministry on earth.                                                 .                     

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Reference Passage: … 1Chronicles 16:8 [NLT] … 

8 Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.  

… King David sings of God’s call to proclaim the greatness of our God to the world.

Reference Passage: … Daniel 4:2 [NLT] … 

2 “I want you all to know about the miraculous signs and wonders the Most High God has performed for me. 

… The Prophet Daniel testifies to the wondrous wonders performed by the Most High God.                    

Reference Passage: … Acts 1:8 [NLT] … 

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. <b>And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere</b> — in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 

… Jesus, as He ascended back to Heaven, calls (i.e., commissions) all His disciples to witness to His glory during out lives on this earth.  

Reference Passage: … 2Timothy 1:8  [NLT] … 

8 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. 

… The Apostle Paul charges Timothy, and all Christians, to be willing to suffer and use God’s empowering grace to share God’s good news with others.      

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 3:15 [NLT] … 

15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 

… Peter charges fellow Christians to ALWAYS be ready to testify to the work of Christ as Lord of our lives.

                                                                                                                          

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Bill Crowder … AT THIS LINK …   tells of Robert Todd Lincoln, was able to be a witness and testify to his involvement in three presidential assassinations, … his father’s and that of President’s Garfield and McKinley.

And we, as fellow Christians, may not have events in our lives that are as historically dramatic as did Abraham Lincoln’s son; but, as disciples of Christ, we do have a first-hand story of how Christ came into our lives to save and sanctify us for His glory. And, be assured, as the Scriptures above declare, we are called to testify to how Christ saved us from ourselves and our sin to be witnesses of God’s glory.  

And I pray we all are ready and willing to be His witnesses today as our Lord called us to be in Acts 1:8 and from Christ’s “great commission” (see Matthew 28:19-20, which I hope my readers have memorized and are committed to follow.          

My THANKFULNESS:... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for calling me to share my story of Your saving grace.              

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to be Your witnesses again today, Lord.     … AMEN 

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Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.