Tag: testify

Men’s Praise

Barbara Weber

John 12:42-43 WEB

Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they didn’t confess it, so that they wouldn’t be put out of the synagogue, [43] for they loved men’s praise more than God’s praise.

Self-protection. We often care more about people’s opinions than we care for God’s opinion. It’s a matter of self-protection. It’s easy to tell if we care more about men’s opinions than God’s. We know it because we do not open our mouths when we should be telling others about Jesus. When people at church have a group opinion, we say nothing if we see a problem with the opinion. We are more concerned with being liked and included so we say nothing.

Those who do open their mouths are subject to derision and rejection. It is not easy to open our mouths for Jesus. But it is important. It is with our mouths that we confess Jesus (Rom 10:9), it is with our mouths that we rebuke sin in other believers, and it is with our mouths that we give God praise. We should also open our mouths to testify of God’s goodness to unbelievers. However, we often keep our mouths closed because we are protecting ourselves.

We can trust God to protect us. In Psalms, there are many verses that talk about the justice of God. The Lord justifies his children. When we trust the Lord fully, we can be assured that his justice for us will prevail. If we open our mouths in love to confront sin in the church, we must be bold. If we open our mouths to witness to the lost, we must be bold. We can’t be like the religious leaders of Jesus’ time on earth. They quietly followed leaders full of sin and disbelief for the sake of inclusion and destroyed the faith of many.

Lord, please help me speak up when I have opportunities to share your love with the lost. Teach me to lovingly rebuke sin in other believers. I pray I will not be ashamed to open my mouth for you. I trust you to keep me safe and justify me when I speak for you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Solidarity with Jesus

Barbara Weber

John 10:19-21 WEB

Therefore a division arose again among the Jews because of these words. [20] Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane! Why do you listen to him?” [21] Others said, “These are not the sayings of one possessed by a demon. It isn’t possible for a demon to open the eyes of the blind, is it?”

Jesus had trouble. In the verses above he is in a crowd and some of the people listening begin to accuse him of being demonized and insane. This is not so different from what believers experience today. In Christian circles, some would call Jesus demonized. At the same time, unbelievers today would likely call Jesus insane.

Jesus definitely had trouble at times when he was sharing the truth. Yet he spoke the truth anyways. Jesus did not get overwhelmed with a spirit of rejection or self-protection. Rather, he continued telling the truth which was a true act of love. Because Jesus loved others more than he loved himself he was able to stand for truth. Jesus also loved the Father more than he loved himself. That love helped him to defeat his flesh and stand for God.

Jesus experienced rejection and shame, yet, he did not turn against God. Instead, Jesus spent time in prayer, he knew the scriptures, and he testified to the truth. And many were saved. Today we are still mandated to witness to unbelievers with the hope that some will be saved (Mark 16:15-16). When we start sharing Christ, some will slander us and call us names. These are beautiful opportunities to lay our lives down, show the love of God, and stand in solidarity with Jesus.

Lord, please lead me into a love that is greater than my sense of self-protection. Teach me to love you and others more than I love myself. Help me to open my mouth and testify of your greatness and anoint me to lead others into a saving knowledge of You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

God’s Approval

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John 8:18-19 WEB

I am one who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me.” [19] They said therefore to him, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me, nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”

When Jesus says the Father testifies about him, he is referring to the many miracles he performed. It is clear in the text the Father approved of Jesus (John 3:2). The Father often released his power when Jesus asked it of him. So, if Jesus was openly approved of by the Father, can you and I be openly approved of by the Father (Rom 16:10)?

How can we tell in the modern age if the Father approves of someone? First, there are still miracles happening and they tend to be performed by people who are fully invested in God (Heb 2:4). They also meet specific needs. For example, missionaries often report they have experienced the miraculous.

So, a powerful move of God can show his approval. However, not many miracles are happening. How can we tell in the modern age if God approves of someone? You must know the Bible. Someone whose life is in line with the principles and precepts of the Bible is approved by God (1 Kings 11:38).

By extension, knowing the Bible and living it to the best of your ability is proof that you are accepted by God. If I do not know the Bible, I may be subject to the wrong teaching. I may be deceived.  So, no matter the denomination, you can test yourself by asking yourself how much of the Bible you are living. This will help you understand if you are approved by God.

Lord Jesus, I want to be approved of by you. Please help me comprehend and learn the principles and precepts of the Bible. Lead me into righteous and holy living. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

The First to See

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John 8:13-14 WEB

The Pharisees therefore said to him, “You testify about yourself. Your testimony is not valid.” [14] Jesus answered them, “Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from, and where I am going; but you don’t know where I came from, or where I am going.

Jesus came from the Father and was returning to the Father. It was simple for Jesus. He regularly cultivated his relationship with the Father, he knew how to hear his voice (Mark 1:35). Jesus knew scripture. Jesus knew who he was, and he knew what it meant (John 8:22).

The Pharisees could not even properly discern where Jesus was born, let alone anything else about him (John 7:52). Jesus rebuked the Pharisees because of their blindness (Mat 23:26). Jesus did not make excuses for their ignorance. They were the experts in scripture. The Pharisees should have been the first ones to realize Jesus was the Messiah.

Now, we are close to the end of the age. Jesus is coming back. Will we recognize him when he returns? With the modern-day push for all believers to know scripture, the church will be without excuse. However, with all believers educated in the Bible, we should be the first ones to recognize the Messiah.

Lord Jesus, please help me discern you in the world. If you return in my life, help me recognize you. Protect me from being deceived by the antichrist. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

Living Words

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John 5:37-40 WEB

The Father himself, who sent me, has testified about me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form. [38] You don’t have his word living in you; because you don’t believe him whom he sent. [39] “You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me. [40] Yet you will not come to me, that you may have life.

Have you ever heard the phrase “living word?” The idea is that some words contain special impartations of grace for our lives. Usually, when a scripture or prophetic utterance is a living word it will stay with the recipient for years. A prime feature of a living word is the way it remains in the memory of the receiver.

Jesus says something amazing about living words in this passage. First, he says living words come from the Father. Second, he says if we do not honor the one the Father sends we will not receive the living word. Jesus concludes by saying life is found in him. He is what the scriptures testify about. Jesus is the one who is sent. He is the one who gives life and the testimony of him carries life.

Our testimony of Jesus carries life to the hearer. In those moments, we are the one who is sent. And, like the above passage says, those who do not honor the one who is sent and do not believe the testimony of Jesus will not receive the living word. They will not come to Jesus, and they will not receive the life he offers.

Lord Jesus, I want to receive the life you offer. Teach me to honor those you have sent. Help me listen and hear when others testify about you, Lord. Use me to share your testimony with others. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

One Way the Father Speaks

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John 5:31-36 WEB

“If I testify about myself, my witness is not valid. [32] It is another who testifies about me. I know that the testimony which he testifies about me is true. [33] You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. [34] But the testimony which I receive is not from man. However, I say these things that you may be saved. [35] He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. [36] But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John, for the works which the Father gave me to accomplish, the very works that I do, testify about me, that the Father has sent me.

When I think of my works speaking, I shudder. Thank God for grace. Still, I can look back at times when the works I was doing were speaking for the Father. Times when things went wrong, so much that I began to believe the Father was telling me to stop. Other times, I have seen things go so remarkably well that I felt the Father was lighting the path as I walked. Like Jesus, I must recognize the Father to recognize when he is speaking and what he is saying.

Jesus was humble in his interpretation. He does not boast. In fact, he hedges when he says, “…the Father has sent me.” (John 5:36 WEB) It is hedging because he knew more but he keeps the scope small with a simple, “he sent me.” That is great because it is something I can do in my life. I can see where the Father is lighting my path and recognize its meaning, that I am sent. I do not have to know every detail. What is significant is that I can recognize I am on a path with the Father.

It seems Jesus expected to be judged. He tells his audience to judge the works he does, for they testify of Jesus on behalf of the Father. Jesus did not have an audible relationship with the Father while he was on earth. Like those around him, Jesus had to interpret the meaning of the signs that he was performing. His interpretation was that the miracles spoke for the Father. He believed in his own destiny because he could recognize the works of the Father.

Lord Jesus, please give me eyes to see and ears to hear so that I will recognize the works of God in my life. Help me to interpret what you do in my life accurately. Please give me the grace to rest knowing you are with me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

Those who will Receive

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John 4:39-42 WEB

From that city many of the Samaritans believed in him because of the word of the woman, who testified, “He told me everything that I did.” [40] So when the Samaritans came to him, they begged him to stay with them. He stayed there two days. [41] Many more believed because of his word. [42] They said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of your speaking; for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”

Jesus prophesied over the Samaritan Woman at the Well and she believed. The Samaritan woman took her belief and ran back to her town proclaiming the Lord. And many of the townspeople believed because of her words and many more believed when they heard Jesus speak. Jesus stayed for two days to preach to the city of Samaria, a city that no righteous Jew would even step their foot into.

Isn’t it amazing how the weak and disenfranchised so often respond joyfully to the message of Christ? It is hard to convince a person who has everything that they need Jesus. But go to someone who is outcast and neglected, you will find a receptive group that will receive the gospel message. So, why do we not focus on serving the poor? Probably because it cost money to run any ministry and the poor do not have much to tithe. It’s hard to reach the reachable because people in the middle class do not want to support the work.

Reaching the poor means that those in the middle and upper echelons financially, who are in Christ need to donate and keep donating. Unfortunately, what tends to happen, especially in the USA, is when it turns out the poor are going to continue being poor the wealthy turn away from them. It’s the mentality by the wealthy they are giving the poor a chance and when the poor do not use that opportunity correctly the wealthy turn to other projects.

Many that are poor are going to require years of ministry to overcome the challenges their life of poverty has burdened them with. Yes, a few reach out to Christ and get their situations turned around. But those few are not the majority. Most people in poverty have learned the thinking, habits, and behaviors of the impoverished. They lack money, education, and most significantly the acumen to socialize with the middle class. It is painful for those with mental poverty to interact with people that have a healthier perspective.

The only solution for that mental poverty is time with the Lord, time in church, time reading and learning the Bible, and time with healthier people. The challenge is people with a poverty mindset are hard for healthier people to socialize with. It is an all-out act of love to simply look past the awkward moments and choose to remain in close connection with someone locked in poverty.

However, it is worth remaining in connection with the poor. Ask any minister who is moving in signs and wonders, and they will tell you it is the poor who receive the most supernatural attention from the Lord. Remember, he came to seek the lost. It is the sick who need a physician.

Lord Jesus, please forgive me for struggling to connect with those in poverty. Help me have the grace to remain in connection with the poor. Please help my life bring healing and salvation to those who will receive healing and salvation. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Spiritual Truth

Barbara WeberLeave a comment

John 4:24 WEB

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

God is a spirit, so, why is it hard to believe that he works despite the truth of reality? He is a spirit and the works he does are spiritual. How he works is spiritual. Why he works is spiritual. His goals are all spiritual and point to a life after death. A life with God where he is, in the presence of Jesus and with the whole company of believers.

Have you noticed how hard it is to testify to God’s purely spiritual works? People tend to dismiss these testimonies as fanciful or wishful. There is no boasting in God’s spiritual works. His works refrain us from boasting. The truth is, to testify of His spiritual works can be costly. In fact, according to the truth of the Bible, his works are foolishness to the lost (1 Corinthians 1:18).

The good news regarding this is we have a truth that is founded upon reality. If the spiritual is foolish to the lost, then we need a reality-based tool to use. God is spiritual and he used the spiritual tool of anointing to inspire the writing of the Bible. No word of the Bible is apart from anointing. The Bible is inspired from the first verse of Genesis to the last word of Revelation.

The Bible is truth. We are to worship God in both spirit and truth. We must accept, recognize, and share that which is spiritual. We must also accept, recognize, and share that which is truth. When God changes our circumstances so that we have favorable outcomes, we must share, especially with other believers. When God leads us to share with a lost person we must testify from the Bible. Believers can receive the spiritual and the lost can receive the truth.

To fulfill our purpose in the Lord we must worship in spirit and truth. When we testify of the spiritual, we build up the body of believers. When we share from the Bible, we build up believers and harvest the lost. As people of the Church Age, we are bound by the great commission. Regardless of how or when the Great Commission was inspired and written, we are bound to work in the harvesting of the lost. It is our most significant purpose.

As our primary purpose, it should be our primary pursuit. Instead, many have fallen into the trap of pursuing wealth and prosperity. This is tricky because wealth and prosperity are a part of the blessing of the covenant of salvation. Yet, it is also testing for the spiritual. What you focus on in your witness or ministry is spiritual. The outflow of your spiritual condition becomes the reality of your goals and pursuits.

Lord Jesus, please forgive me for selfish pursuits. You died for me, and I am honored to pursue your direction and commission. Please cause me to become a soul-winner. I want to be a part of your harvest as the Bible commands. Please heal my spiritual health. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.