Tag: testimony

Posted on

Going Public

Daily Reading

Matthew 9-10

Daily Thought

“So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven.” ~Matthew 10:32

The rancher wanted the farmers to pay for his drowned cattle. “Judge, you know we’ve been having a drought. The farmers had a prayer meeting and asked God to send rain. I don’t put much stock in prayer, but dad gum if it didn’t work. It rained the next three days and flooded my ranch. Their prayers drowned my cattle, Your Honor.” The farmers objected, “There is no proof that it was God who sent the rain.”

“Let me get this straight,” clarified the judge. “What we have here is a man who doesn’t pray, nevertheless believes God answers prayer. And you guys who do pray say God doesn’t.”

“But whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” ~Matthew 10:33

Jesus charges his followers, “What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops” (Matthew 10:27), and yet, with an opportunity to praise God publicly, the farmers opt out.

We miss opportunities and shy away from opposition, but Jesus grants no Christian claim to a right to privacy. Following Christ means going public in his Name, the Name of Jesus. 

“You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” ~Matthew 1:21

Daily Prayer

God, You are faithful and true. I desire to be one who trusts in You, walks in Your Word, and steps out in faith. Help me with my faith where it lacks. Test me and strengthen me where I lack. I believe in You in word, but may I also believe in You in action.

I know, God, that it is fear that keeps me from standing tall for You at times. Help me build upon the solid foundation of Your Son, Jesus Christ. May I be one whose life points to You at all times. May I be one who stands for, lives by, and speaks aloud your Name.

Amen

Daily Question

Do you find it easy to say the name Jesus aloud in public? Why or why not?

Posted on

Tattooed Faith

Daily Reading

1Peter 1-5

Daily Thought

Peter puts a spotlight on those who follow Jesus, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (1Peter 1:14-16). Holy means to be set apart, to be something other, for all to see, to live on earth and display heaven. 

“Dad, I’m getting a tattoo.” Adam is a college sophomore; ‘No you are not,’ is no longer an option. “A cross with Romans 8:31 under it,” Adam described the design, “If God is for us, who can be against us.”

“How big?” asked Dad. Adam stretched his fingers out. “Big. Right here on my arm.”

“Okay, Adam, but you are in college with a lot of people who don’t know Jesus. That tattoo will let everyone know what you believe.”

“Dad, I’m getting the tattoo.”

“That’s great, Son. Just remember, everyone who sees it on your arm will be watching your life to see what it means.”

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” ~1Peter 2:9

Daily Prayer

Father God, You Son came into this world to be a light in a dark place. Thank You for shining that light on me because I was a dark place! I love Your Son.

Now I am a light shining in a dark place. I will not hide the light, but I will hold it up so that people can see. So that they can see Your Son. So that they can receive Your Son and be light, too. So that the world may know that You are God. My God. The only God.

Amen

Posted on

Talk Your Walk

Daily Reading

Psalm 66-69

Daily Thought

‘Walk your talk’ is an important reminder. The church is rightly accused of hypocrisy when we say one thing and do another. The book of James asks, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:14, 18). But what about when we live rightly and say nothing? We must earn the right to be heard, of course. living godly lives. But at some point say something. We must explain ourselves, talk our walk. Here’s what I mean.

Carlos sat down to lunch with Jack. “I made a huge decision this weekend,” Carlos shared. “I am now a follower of Jesus Christ.”

Jack was thrilled. “Wow!” he cheered. “That’s fantastic, Carlos.”

“Really? I wasn’t sure what you’d think.”

“Why not?” Jack looked puzzled. “I’ve been praying for you for years.”

“You have? Jack, you’re a big reason it took me so long to seek God.”

“What? Why? I’ve always tried to live a good life and be an example,” Jack protested.

“That’s just it,” explained Carlos. “You are a really good man, but you never talk about God.  I always figured if you could be good without God, so could I.”

“How are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 10:14). 

This is where the Psalms shine:

Come and see what God has done:
he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.
Come and hear, all you who fear God,
and I will tell what he has done for my soul. ~Psalm 66:5, 16

Daily Prayer

You entered this world and spoke to me, God. When I open Your Word, I hear Your voice. Your Son, also called the Word, shows me who You are. Your Spirit speaks to my Spirit. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God, teaming up for my salvation. Thank You.

Thank You, also, for those servants of yours, my friends and acquaintances, who knew You ahead of me. By their lives and their witness, they led me to You. God, use me to introduce others to You. I pray I will live godly and speak boldly and love fully, so that Your gospel will be seen and heard and received.

Amen