"But you are my witnesses, O Israel!” says the LORD. “You are my servant. You have been chosen to know me, believe in me, and understand that I alone am God. There is no other God— there never has been, and there never will be" - Isaiah 43:10 (NIV).
It has become quite common these days to run into street preachers. Of course, by publicly sharing the Gospel, and leading lost souls to Christ, we praise God for this endeavor. However, in acknowledging this method we shouldn't lose sight of other equally powerful witness methods.
There was once a certain senior official who was made to lag in a banking queue. When he finally go to the counter the junior officer brought to his attention that his matter had certain gaps that needed attention. The senior official politely went back, sorted through the gaps, and stood back again in the queue.
Somehow as he was about to be served someone who knew his status came by and was shocked at the way he had humbled himself. Puzzled, he got to know what had motivated the official was because as a follower of Christ he felt it was important to set a good example for all.
Wait a minute now, is this common! And wouldn't you think the junior officer upon learning that this senior official was neither rude nor overbearing to him that in itself would be a good witness that might lead a non-believer to Christ!
Oh, of course, the scripture says, "how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him?" (Romans 10:14). But also, scriptures remind us, "By their deeds you will know them" (Mathew 7:16).
So, just you should remember, yes, we can witness by calling out for the lost but just at the same time the way we live, our personal conduct, can draw as many to Christ!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, make me your witness not just in words, but also by deeds, this I pray in Jesus' Name.
Related upcoming events
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
