PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 21:10-19
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“And so you will bear testimony to me.” (Luke 21:13)
Jesus does not expect us to convert or change anyone.
We are not to be his enforcers, making people believe.
We are called to be witnesses, to testify to what we know about Jesus.
And a witness can only testify to what they have experienced.
Too often christians feel the need to be eloquent or convincing.
They talk of doctrines they’ve been taught, but don’t really understand.
They defend Jesus and the faith by arguing and attacking what others say or do.
Jesus asks us to testify to what we’ve seen and heard of Jesus – our experience.
To do this we have to be aware of that experience, so we can share it.
No one can take away my experience of Jesus.
They can hate me, seize, persecute or imprison me, but they can’t take it from me.
They can even torture me to deny it, but that would not change my experience.
Such a testimony may seem weak, but remember the Spirit: he is the persuader.
He will give us words and wisdom, he will connect the truth with other’s hearts!
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be prepared to give the reason for my hope, to honestly share how you have impacted my life, and to trust that your Spirit will do the rest!
Lord thank you for your protection and strength. Thank you for giving us the words and the wisdom so we don’t have to worry about preparing the arguments or statements or persuasion.
Jesus says: “Stand firm, and you will win life.” How well do I stand firm – to be honest I get anxious easily enough. Seeing tragedies in this world is tough – just being with a family that lost a little girl due to drowning – is tough. The earthquake that hit Haiti is tough, watching homes burn down in the face of wildfire is tough, as it is seeing homes being torn apart by raging water. Lord help me stand firm – convicted that I am safe in your hands – even in the face of this pandemic.
This is God’s world. In times like these with earthquakes, fires, floods, wars, disease, etc I still need to bear witness that Christ Jesus is mt Redeemer, Saviour and Friend. He will continue to be my Guide and lead me through. He will enable me to speak and bear witness in times like these. All my days I need to live for Him by what I do and say.
Refrain:
All of my life, I will praise the living God,
My heart full of joy,
I will bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
And never forget his gifts.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He pardons all our sins.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He saves us from all harm.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He fills our life with good.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He keeps us ever young.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
His mercy never ends.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
His kindness never ends.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
His promises he keeps.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He died to bring us life.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He is the Bread of Life.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
In him we find all love.