Tag Archives: Witness

December 3, 2018

21 Day Experiment-Day 19

By marilynnchadwick

I noticed my well-worn Bible sitting on my bedside table; the collection of prayer journals stacked below. Reminders of the times I’d seen God move in my life. Answered prayers, healings, even a few miracles. A testimony to my close walk with the Lord.

Then, it hit me. If my Christian life was only about my relationship with the Lord, my world of personal concerns, and my blessings, then so what?

Now don’t get me wrong. I am incredibly thankful for my relationship with the Lord. I treasure those prayer journals—their record of answered prayers; footsteps of my journey with Christ; knowledge I’d gained through years of Bible study.

But as important as these blessings are, they were given to me so that I would be a blessing to others.  As God said to Abraham, we are blessed so that we will be a blessing to others (Genesis 12:2,3).

I sensed the Holy Spirit quietly whispering, “Your life is either a so what or a so that.”

That scenario—just as I described it—happened over twenty years ago. My epiphany that day marked a dramatic shift.  I began to look for ways to step out of my well-managed life and into a broken world. That shift has since taken me to those who are hurting in my own neighborhood. To fragile communities all over the world.

So many are thirsty for the good news of Jesus Christ. As we approach the final chapters of John’s gospel, we catch a glimpse of John’s purpose in sharing his eye witness account.

He writes, “The man who saw it has given testimony…He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe” (John 19:35).   John’s words are for us.  He told his story of Jesus so that you and I, and all that have come before us or after us, may believe!

No doubt John was blessed by his close relationship with Jesus. He was also blessed to be an eye-witness to Jesus’ signs and wonders. All of these blessings were so that he would be a blessing. So that others will believe. How can we do less?

Prayer: Lord, once again, I ask this same question: Is my life a “so what?” or a “so that?” I listen for Your whispers today, alert to Your nudges. Who is on Your heart? Show me how, even in a small way, I can be a blessing to someone who needs Your touch.

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December 1, 2018

21 Day Experiment-Day 17

By marilynnchadwick

Ever feel like you’re not of this world? I know I do. Shouldn’t come as a surprise.  What the world believes is often opposite to the principles in Scripture.  Just another reminder that this place is not our home.

So why don’t we just gather up all those with like-minds and form our own little separate society? A survivalist community where we all share the same biblical world-view?  Wouldn’t that be the safest way to live out our time here on Earth? Maybe the disciples wondered the same thing.

Jesus knew His time on earth was short.  He also knew His disciples would be out-of-step with the world. So He prays to the Father: “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world” (John 17:14).

But look what He prays next:  My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one (John 17:15).

God could airlift His followers out of the fray and send us all to more peaceful pastures.  But here’s the catch: The very same world that hates us actually needs us.  They need our message of good news.  They need grace.  They need Jesus.

There are many in this broken and hurting world who are desperately thirsty for the Gospel.  That’s why Jesus doesn’t call His disciples out of the world.  “As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.”

If we’re believers in Jesus, we have those early disciples to thank. They didn’t retreat to a safe place, but risked their life to take the Word of Christ “to the ends of the earth.”  So that somewhere along the way, someone would share the Good News of the Gospel with you and with me.

Jesus prays for us, too.  His prayer is my watchword for the day. Let the words of His prayer soak in:

My prayer is not for them alone.  I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me (John 17: 20,21)

Jesus knew you and prayed for you before you were born.  Astounding, isn’t it? Take comfort in that assurance.  Go boldly into your world today. Jesus prayed for you so that you will seek and save the lost.  Stay alert. Watch for the person in your path who desperately needs to know how much He loves them. And remember, He has already prayed for your protection as you go!

 

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , | posted in Arm Yourself with Spiritual Strength, Courage, finding strength

November 26, 2018

21 Day Experiment-Day 12

By marilynnchadwick

Who doesn’t like to be affirmed? I know I do. And I have yet to meet a child who doesn’t respond better to praise than criticism.  But the desire for praise can sometimes be a liability when it comes to our faith.

My commitment to follow Jesus sometimes brings me face-to-face with a choice.  Will I speak and act in ways that win praise from people or from God?  Sometimes, it’s impossible to have the respect and admiration of both.

Praise comes from the Greek word doxa, which means “honor, respect, prestige, fame, or approval.”

In John 12, we see that despite the controversy surrounding Jesus, many religious leaders had come to believe in Him.  But they wouldn’t openly acknowledge their faith to the religious “in-crowd,” for fear they would be put out of the synagogue (John 12:42).

The next verse challenges me to take a look at my motives. It’s my watchword today:

They loved human praise more than praise from God (John 12:43). The Message Bible puts it this way: When push came to shove they cared more for human approval than for God’s glory.  

Ouch! Any approval-addicts out there?  Do I say or do things that make me look good in the eyes of those around me or in the eyes of God?

Some time ago, I sensed the Holy Spirit nudging me to approach the topic of abortion with a good friend.  She’s intelligent and has strong opinions—but we have very different views on this volatile subject.

So I prayed and took the risk. I shared with her how my beliefs about the sanctity of life are grounded in the Bible. Jesus is called “the author of life” (Acts 3:15).  Since we didn’t create life, I explained, I don’t believe we have the right to take life…even in the womb.

She listened and paused to think about what I had shared.  Silently, I continued to pray. I sensed the Lord’s presence—the conversation did not turn hostile. What’s more, doors were quietly opened to further conversations with her about my faith. God is truly at work!

Prayer: I pray for those of you following along in the 21 Day Experiment. I sense the Lord is giving someone the courage to speak truth in love today. He is putting someone on your heart right at this very moment. I pray for open doors…and for just the right words. May the Holy Spirit be present in a powerful way! And may you hear the quiet whisper of His approval—the best kind of praise of all!

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November 16, 2012

so that!

By marilynnchadwick

So that!  Ask yourself  this question:  Is my life a “so what?” or a “so that!”  Several years ago, I noticed my well worn Bible sitting on my bedside table.  I surveyed  my collection of prayer journals on the shelf, along with the countless Christian books I’d read.  I pondered the many times I’d seen God move in my life, sometimes miraculously.  I thought about all the answered prayers.  And I realized that if my Christian life was only about me, and my relationship with God, and my world of concerns, then so what?  Continue reading

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November 6, 2012

blind!

By marilynnchadwick

Blind! The man had been born blind. Imagine.  He had never seen daylight, his own hands, or his parents’ faces.  We can tell from the account in today’s reading of John 9 (in our 21-Day Experiment ) that the man had never even heard of Jesus.  And yet, he would soon experience a dramatic healing encounter with this controversial Rabbi. Continue reading

2 Comments   |  tags: , , , | posted in Arm Yourself with Spiritual Strength, Pray with Authority, Wake Up and Pray! Be Alert