WHAT’S YOUR TESTIMONY?
Has Jesus done anything for you? How about sharing!
Psalm 66:16, Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
Six years ago, my brother-in-law got saved. He was a heavy drinker prior to the Lord saving him. The day he got saved he went home and the Lord convicted him of the booze in the refrigerator. He dumped it all down the drain. You see, when a person repents of their sin, confesses their need of Jesus as Saviour, and trusts Jesus to save their wretched souls, Jesus saves them! He makes them a new creation! From that point on, he has had a testimony of God’s grace in his life.
When someone says they are saved, I encourage them to follow the Lord. However, what I want to see is them a few years later. I want to see how they are serving the Lord in the future because actions speak louder than words!
Six years later, my brother-in-law is still saved, in church, and serving the Lord faithfully. How about you? Do you have a testimony? If not, why not GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH learning what Jesus has done for you and allowing Him to work in your heart?
Oh, if you see Phil Coty, ask him to share his testimony. He will and it will be a blessing to yah!
HOW’S THE VIEW OF YOU?
A good reputation is more valuable than money. -Publilius Syrus
Proverbs 10:7, The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
Actions speak louder than words! We can say we are going to pray for someone. We can say we are going to help a friend in their time of need. We can say this or that but talk is cheap! Our actions will be what people remember about us.
While I may fail you and you may fail me, we have a Saviour that will always be true to His Word! He is always faithful! He not only told the disciples what He was going to do, He did it! (Matthew 12:40)
Let us be doers of the words we speak in order to share the Good News of the Gospel with a lost and dying world!
CONSECRATED?
It is a great deal better to live a holy life than to talk about it. Lighthouses do not ring bells and fire cannon to call attention to their shining-they just shine. -Moody
1 Peter 1:13-16 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
I was not raised and for you English majors, nor reared in church. I didn’t have the desire to learn John 3:16 until I received Jesus as my personal Saviour at age 22. I didn’t care what the Lord thought of me. I didn’t care what the Bible had to say about anything. I just didn’t care because I didn’t know God. I hope you get my point there. If not, here let me help you; I was lost and on my way to hell and I didn’t even know it. I didn’t want to bring honor and glory to God because I didn’t care.
One thing that I have always wondered is why some Christians want to bring their former music, former dress standards, or anything they had before they were saved that didn't bring honor and glory to the Lord before into the church. The music that we listen to doesn’t save us. The way we dress doesn’t save us. The only thing that saves us is humbling ourselves before a thrice holy God, repenting of our sin, and asking Him to save us from all our unrighteousness. Thus, accepting the free gift His Son provided on the Cross of Calvary. But why, why do we want to bring rock, dirty holey clothes, alcoholic beverages, and whatever else you would like to throw in the list into our churches? Be holy in ALL manner of conversation means, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
Are we doing all for the glory of God or the glory of self?
I’VE GOT PLENTY OF TIME- NOT.
Do not believe that you are standing still; you are not. Your pulses each moment beat the funeral marches to the tomb. You are chained to the chariot of rolling time. There is no bridling of the steeds or leaping from the chariot. -Spurgeon
Psalm 90:12, So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
New Year’s Day is here and another year has passed. What did we do with the 8,760 hours the Lord gave us last year? Did we take some classes to enrich our knowledge? Did we increase our 401K in this awesome market? Did we spend time with friends and family? We need to understand, early on in our life, that we only have so many heartbeats in this life. We ought to use each beat to point others to Jesus! We ought to invest each one in something that will last throughout eternity. Evangelist C.T Studd penned a poem some time ago entitled, “Only one life”. For the final passage of each stanza he commented, “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
We cannot do anything about this past year and we don’t have plenty of time. What we can do is ask the Lord to help us understand how valuable life is because we recognize that we are not guaranteed tomorrow.
STEP UP
Nobody will know what you mean by saying that God is love unless you act it as well. -Jacks
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12
Paul was telling Timothy to be an example in every aspect of his life. Not just on Sundays. Not just when he felt like it. Not when it mattered most. Paul was telling Timothy to always be an example: in word (In the Truth of God’s Word), in conversation (By your life actions), in charity (In the love of Christ), in spirit (With the right heart attitude.), in faith (Without faith it is impossible to please the Lord.), in purity (Having not only the body in subjection to the Lord but our minds as well!
There will always be someone watching you so step up and be an example everyday!
IS IT REALLY WORTH IT?
An age builds up cities: an hour destroys them. -Seneca
Psalm 90:12, So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Folks spend a lifetime building a family but it can end it within a few moments. How does this happen? It doesn’t happen overnight! One doesn’t wake up one morning and say, “It’s over!” No, this happens when we do not guard our heart. When we give place to the Devil. When we compare our lives to something fake Satan has lied to us about.
It’s like one of those old cigarette commercials. You never saw an ugly man or woman advertising for them. You never saw anyone in the hospital suffering from cancer. You never saw anyone on an oxygen generator. The truth doesn’t sell, so they would never show you that.
Satan will never show you the truth when it comes to a broken home. You never see the kids laying in the bed heartbroken, wondering what they did wrong. You never see the teacher holding the kids at school. You never see the principal trying to figure out who to believe. All Satan does is show you the bad in your spouse keeping you angry, bitter, and wanting something different.
Friend, look past your spouse’s faults and failures. Look past at who they are and what they have done, to what they could be. Is it really worth you throwing in the towel? Is it really worth losing your family? Is it worth the heartbreak? Number your days and apply your hearts to wisdom by fight for something Satan wants you to quit on!
RESOLUTION OR REVIVAL
To know yourself, get into the Word of God. — O’Dell
Psalm 39:4, LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.
Year after year we hear folks making New Year’s resolutions. They’ll last a few days but then slip right back in the same old routine. Instead of a resolution what they need is a revival! What they need is to learn who they are!
One thing I have learned over the past 28 years that I have been saved is that I really don’t know myself as good as I think I do. How do I know? Well, the Word of God keeps revealing to me just who I am; a wretched sinner who was saved by the grace of God!
Do you know who you are friend? Have you heard who God says you are? Today would be a great day for you to GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH to find out who you are, where you are going, and what you need to do to if you don’t know!
DO SOMETHING
For Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do. -Watts
Colossians 3:23, And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
There are doers of the Lord’s work and then there are talkers of doing something for Him. Folks that do the work of the Lord get criticized by those who only talk about doing something. They are quick to find fault and criticize but actually, they don’t do anything themselves.
Friend, don’t worry about those who find fault and criticize. Don’t give them the time of day. You keep on following God’s Word, yielding to the Spirit’s guidance and doing something for Him! You will bring Him honor and glory!
JUST BE HONEST
Some people wonder why their children are such liars. If they'd look into a mirror, they'd probably see the reason. - D.L. Moody
Proverbs 22:1, A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
An honest reputation is something that can be achieved before man but what is even greater is to be honest before God. You see, like Job, we should strive to have characteristics of our Lord and Saviour. What did the Lord say about Job; “…that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?”
What made Job an honest man? His relationship with the Lord! His reverence toward God! His hatred of evil! How about your walk with the Lord?
AN EXAMPLE OF GOD’S LOVE
Take a moment to praise someone for something they have done.
Proverbs 27:2, Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
On the way back home yesterday, we saw a friend of ours pushing his Grandson around in a wheel chair in the neighborhood they live in. His Grandson has autism and needs special care given to him 24/7. As I was riding by, I was blessed and challenged at the same time. To see this humble man taking care of one of God’s choice servants was one of the greatest examples of the love I have seen in a while!
Do you display God’s love only with your words? Is it only on your social media accounts that anyone can identify you as a Christian? Let me remind you of something you may have forgotten: Actions speak louder than words!
Man what a tree…
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Acts 5:30
As I got up this morning, I looked across my living room floor to see standing a beautiful CHRISTmas tree. With its ornaments hung in their prefect places, its lights strung so nice, and the few presents hidden within. It has been there for the last few weeks but this morning…this morning it hit me, the tree Jesus hung on for my sin was not so beautiful.
As I stood there, I was reminded of the tree Jesus hung on many years ago. It was not decorated with beautiful lights, ornaments, with presents under it. It was stained with the blood of my Saviour, pierced by the three nails that held Him to the tree, and had a sign hung at the top saying, “this is Jesus the King of the Jews.” This morning, of all mornings we need to see the reason of the season! We need to see Jesus CAME to seek and to save that which was lost. He CAME to seek and save you and I! So GET UP, GET READY, and GO WORSHIP The SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD in your home, at Grandma’s house, and at friends!
HOW’S LIFE GOING?
What a wonderful life I've had! I only wish I realized it sooner. -Colette
James 4:14, Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
This can be a very stressful and gloomy time of year for some. Some are heartbroken over the loss of a loved one. Others, haven’t been able to work as much as they normally would and they can’t give presents like usual. It becomes a little much and you lose the joy of the season.
Hey Friend, is this you? Do you endure the Christmas season instead of enjoying it? Replace your sadness by reminiscing of all the memories made while they were with you. Rejoice for the years you were blessed where you could provide more. Before it’s too late, be reminded of what a wonderful life you have right now!
WHO HAVE YOU TOLD?
Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ is the greatest thing we can do as a Christian.
Luke 2:17, And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
There is no greater joy than to see a lost sinner come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. To see someone that was bound for Hell to repent of their sins and trust Jesus as Saviour cannot be trumped by any other event. This is why throughout Scripture we are commanded to share the Truth of the Gospel. Share God’s Word. Share your testimony. Give them Jesus! It is the greatest gift we can share not just at Christmas but every day of the year.
Who will you tell about Jesus this Christmas?
ENJOYING CHRISTMAS
Those that make God their Joy may rejoice in hope for he is faithful that has promised. -Henry
Titus 2:13, Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Oh, it’s a busy time of the year! Picking up those last-minute gifts, preparing your boss’ favorite casserole dish for your work Christmas luncheon, going to Grandma’s on both sides of the family, and putting together the kid’s gifts can all be so overwhelming! Wait, I forgot the batteries for Susie’s doll and Johnny’s truck, UGH!
Hey Christian friend, in all of the hustle and bustle, take time to enjoy Christmas. Take time to worship your Saviour. Take a few minutes and tell the Good News of Jesus Christ. Take some time and go to church! The greatest gift you can give your parents is for you to be sitting right beside them in church this morning! So, GET UP, GET READY, and GO MAKE MOM’S and DAD’S DAY! And by the way, you’ll enjoy Christmas a little bit more if you do!
IT’S ALL ABOUT JESUS
JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON
Luke 2:11, For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
As I sit on my couch this morning waiting for two missing pieces of my immediate family to get to our house, I am reminded of the reason of Christmas. Some say its family, they’re wrong. Some say it’s the gifts, no way. Some say it’s the time off of work, boy did they miss it. The reason of the season is Jesus. Without Him there would not be any Christmas. Without Him there would not be a Cross. Without Jesus there would not be redemption. Without Him I would still be lost and on my way to Hell.
How about it friend, do you know Jesus as Lord and Saviour? Is He the reason of your Christmas season? He was born to die for you! Will you confess your sin and trust Him as your Saviour today? Christmas will never be the same!
Watch your mouth!
A vessel is known by the sound, whether it be cracked or not; so men are proved, by their speech, whether they be wise or foolish. -Demosthenes
James 3:10, Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
I see a lot of professing Christians share memes that have cursing in them or they just out right curse. I’m not sure why they’re compelled to do so. It puts a mar on their testimony and maybe even shows what’s really on the inside. (Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh.)
Christian friend, guard your mouth. Take note of what is being shared and where it is coming from. You’re an ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are called to a higher standard. Not a holier than thou standard but a standard in which the lost will take notice that you have been with Jesus! So, watch your mouth and proclaim the Good News of the Gospel!
GIVE THEM UP!
Burdens are best when shared.
Galatians 6:2, Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
I recently had to get something and it weighed about 140lbs. It had a caution on the box, “Best if picked up by two people.” It made sense to me but I wasn’t going to let some box tell me what to do! Ouch! Pain and suffering from back injury could have been avoided if I would have just shared my burden with someone else!
You know what Christian friend? A lot of pain and suffering can be avoided if you would just share those burdens with some good Christian friends! They will pray with you. They will pray for you! They will go boldly before the throne of Grace making their request known on your behalf! So give them up!
QUIT YOUR WHINING!