Yesterday was a testimony day at church. Those who have accepted the Lord and wanted to glorify God by testifying to what God has done in their lives walked up in front of the church and displayed a cardboard sign indicating what they were before Christ came into their heart and then flipped it over and showed the after. It was very encouraging to see what God had done in so many people’s lives. The entire day was devoted to glorifying the Lord. They asked me to give my testimony verbally at the end of the service, because what I was before and after Christ is so over the top that it would not fit on a singular cardboard sign. My favorite song Amazing Grace was beautifully sung at the end of the service and I feel certain that God was smiling on us all morning throughout both services.
After I got home, I was thinking about this service and I went to the Lord in prayer and thanked Him for what He has done and continues to do for me including my early dark years. In one sense I am ashamed and deeply regret my former life, but on another I am very happy about it. Before you get the straight jacket and come after me, hear me out. First I believe my life’s experience gives me a much greater appreciation for what Jesus did on that cross than had I started out a good person and only gotten better.
Because of all of the sordid things I did, I know with certainty that I was a sinner and I know that hell is where I belong. Jesus took the punishment for my black sins and I know that my sins helped scourge Him, beat Him, and nail Him to that cross. I feel very bad about that and I can only guess, but I would surmise that I love Him so much more deeply than most because I know what He did for me. Some have a hard time believing that there little white lies and small sins are deserving of hell, but we know from the Bible that even one sin will eternally separate us from God without the blood of Jesus.
I know in my heart that I am a sinner and deserve hell. Instead of just letting me go there, He took my just and deserving punishment on that cross in order that I might live and then cared enough about me that He miraculously transformed my life and blessed a wretch like me beyond my capacity to understand His amazing grace.
While most would look to the peace and joy of having a happy Christian family, or tremendous business accomplishments, or financial and material things as being the blessings to which I allude. You might be surprised to know that I take far more pleasure in the blessing of now having a powerful testimony to offer to others that might play some role in leading others to Christ. I, better than most, understand that the things of this world cannot bring happiness apart from God and that they are all temporary and I will not take anything with me when I die, (which could be today); therefore I do not put much stock into them.
I look at my treasures in being that God has provided me with an inspiring life story, skills, and tremendous financial means to witness to others and I have the great honor and privilege to do so at every opportunity. Personally I think I am one very fortunate person who has found his purpose in life. I believe that everything that has happened in my life happened for a reason and should be used to glorify God and inspire others to follow Him.
I say all of this to say that the Bible tells us that we are nothing without Jesus Christ. He is the vine and we are the branches. We cannot live apart from the vine; we will die. Branches that do not bear fruit are worthless and in His words will be pruned from the vine, piled up and burned.
The guy who is the creative collaborator with me for the book that I am writing about my life, in addition to being a professional writer, teaches memoir writing. He told me the other day that he has learned through the years that we ALL have a story to tell. The huge participation in church yesterday demonstrated that with certainty. New flash – God expects you to tell that story to others just like all of us did. In so doing you will glorify Him and demonstrate His strength and power through you and you too will be enormously blessed by so doing. The Bible tells us that if we do so, we will bear fruit; which means others will be led to the Lord and/or encouraged in their daily walk. Don’t be dormant and don’t be a dead vine. Be thankful for what Jesus has done for you. Be proud of your Father and tell others about Him and glorify Him.
When you think about it, one must come to the conclusion that this is God’s purpose for ALL of His children. Some might say that they are not a speaker. That is what Moses said and he was wrong and so are you if that is your belief. Others might say that they will take care of rug rats in the nursery, pick up trash in the church parking lot, usher, or bring flowers for the sanctuary, but please don’t ask me to open my mouth and witness. Sorry, but the Bible is plain that we must be a witness to the world and although your shining life is a witness of sorts, I honestly believe that God wants us to verbally tell others about Him. Don’t be shy, for the Lord is aware of how hard it is for some folks and He has promised that He will teach you what to say, just as He did for Moses. Do it! You will be glad you did.
Through the years, I have never once regretted witnessing to someone, but I have often deeply regretted not doing so when the opportunity presented itself and then vanished like a vapor.
Luke 12:12
For the Holy Spirit will teach
you in that very hour what you ought
to say.
Gotta be a witness
Jan
26
2009
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Jan
26
2009
Posted in, Witnessing