"I am not struck so much by the diversity of testimony
as by the many-sidedness of truth."
~ Stanley Baldwin
Day Six: Testimony
'edah: "[act of] testimony"
'eduth; "[object of] testimony, evidence"
from 'ud, verb, "to duplicate or repeat; to bear witness, to obtain authentication"
In a court of law, facts are established by testimony. The truths of our faith are established by the testimony of God’s Word, His Spirit, His people.
Thoughts on Testimony ...
Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,
Who seek Him with the whole heart!
~ Psalms 119:2 (NKJV)
When faith wavers in the present, we need a fresh awareness of God’s intent to work for good. If we would seek Him with the whole heart, He can be found by keeping [remembering, studying, meditating upon] in our hearts the testimonies of the past—whether in personal experience or the Bible.
Your testimonies also are my delight
And my counselors.
~ Psalms 119:24 (NKJV)
The delight of peace comes not only faith for today but also in hope for tomorrow. They are evidenced by testimony of all God has done.
Incline my heart to Your testimonies,
And not to covetousness.
~ Psalms 119:36 (NKJV)
Testimony of His past actions evidences that the Lord does not work toward what we covet. We do not overcome temptation by trying to push it away, for it will quickly come back into the resulting void. We overcome covetousness by crowding it out with what is of God.
I cry out to You;
Save me, and I will keep Your testimonies.
~ Psalms 119:146 (NKJV)
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony,
and they did not love their lives to the death.
~ Revelation 12:11 (NKJV)
To belong to Christ is to recognize the need of salvation, cry out for it, and testify to it. Giving testimony is a requisite of salvation; salvation is to believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ as living God, and “to confess with the mouth” He is Lord (Romans 10:9). We can only confess what we personally know to be true. Hearsay—what we've heard but not experienced—is inadmissable before either human or divine court.
Do you testify from personal experience: “Jesus Christ is living God and Lord of my life” ?
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy Own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside.
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand has provided.
Great is Thy faithfulness,
Lord, unto me.
~ Thomas O. Chisholm
#powerofwords
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
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I just recently told to couple of women who came to evangelize me that if we don't have relationship with God it doesn't matter that we read about Him or that we have mental knowledge about Him and His Word.
ReplyDeleteThis was wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI am finding out how much I need that "fresh awareness" when things are heavy and difficult. Quite honestly, I need it also when life is easy. My selective memory tends to forget the simple and the miraculous. So, I have begun to write it down. It may be nothing more this day than a beautiful sunrise or a hot cup of coffee but its simplicity should not disregard the grace of the Giver.
In the writing I am given perspective and often, that is what I need most -- new eyes.
I am grateful that I have found your blog. I know that coming here I find Truth, love and encouragement.
May the Lord's grace fall upon you and your family in overwhelming ways this Christmas.
Shalom,
Denise
I have known Jesus from "hearsay", and now I know Him from personal experience--praise God for His Salvation! Yet I wish that I had always known Him so, that I had been one who accepted Christ at four years old rather than as an adult. But I will be grateful and not question the will of God, only thank Him for an eternity to make up for the missing years when I didn't know His Son. May peace and grace fill your day, dear Anne, and exhiliration comparable to a dive off an airplane! :) God bless you.
ReplyDeleteJesus is the living God and Lord of my life.
ReplyDeleteSomething about the words "hope for tomorrow" made me think of the movie Life is Beautiful. Obviously the hope in that movie isn't for the Lord, but it is a glimpse of what people need to hold onto to. Once eyes are opened to the enormity of the all encompassing HOPE that Jesus is...the darkness fades.
~ Wendy
Your words ~ "He can be found by keeping [remembering, studying, meditating upon] in our hearts the testimonies of the past—whether in personal experience or the Bible" ~ such a good reminder, memories of His goodness are powerful.
ReplyDelete“Jesus Christ is living God and Lord of my life!!!” :)
ReplyDeleteYour words are inspiring and encouraging!
(Is that you dancing at the bottom of your blog!? Beautiful!)
Have a Merry Christmas and a blessed new year!
MichaelAnn
Natasa, you go girl! Funny how often we expect to give something and wind up walking away receiving. I pray your words to them might bear fruit.
ReplyDeleteDenise, your comment and your blessing DO overwhelm me. Oh my! First off, the idea that our need for faith is as great in the 'easy' moments as the difficult ones. Perhaps we're only less aware of our dependence in the easy moments. (Independent cuss that I've been, I think the Lord's had to keep drilling that into my thick skull.) You bless me in the words "truth, love, encouragement." But the blessing you gave? Thank you, Denise. You've brought tears to my eyes.
Gwen, you also today? You wish me such exhiliration? God's grace is amazing every day. Between you and Denise, I'll be holding my breath.
Wendy, did you see that Life is Beautiful is among my favorite movies? It's because of that hope. Even when Guido no longer has hope for himself, as he faces death, he maintains the light that gives hope to his son. Darkness MUST not overcome the soul filled with Light.
Patty, your comment is safely here, and I'm grateful for it. Memories are powerful, whether for good or evil. There is nothing of God which holds anything but good.
MichaelAnn, keep up the good fight of living out that testimony. "Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words." (~ Francis of Assisi.) Hey! I think I'll go tweet that. And yes, that's me. If I get more practice I can concentrate less on movements and remember to smile bigger next time. :D
Testify Sister!! I'm really enjoying your 12 Days series.
ReplyDeleteRussell, thanks for your appreciation. I've so much enjoyment for delving deeply into Psalm 119 again that I'd keep going anyway. Glad to know I don't need to be that selfish, LOL.
ReplyDelete