02/07/2022
Things are hard for us in life, so what should we do? We are feeling depressed and downtrodden, so where should we turn? We are feeling that our faith is ebbing away, how should we bolster it? All of these are questions that can be answered to our satisfaction by God, and when they are, we need to witness to the world regarding how wonderfully our Lord has been moving in our lives. It is good to tell others that we believe, but providing evidence to them can turn their lives around, and save their souls.
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13 ESV
We speak of witnessing to others, but just as Jesus performed miracles, and glorified God in them, we too should show those around us what God is doing in, snd through, our lives, and how powerful the name of Jesus is. We too should do these things, experience these things, and then sing of the glory of God. Whether it is by the simple things that occur…
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV
Or, the greater miracles and blessings we receive, which are done in the name of Jesus unto others; these should all be done, or received for the glory of God.
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:17 ESV
Being secretive regarding the movement of God in our lives is like hiding our light under a basket. If we pray in the name of Jesus for a brother to be healed, and he is, what good is it to remain silent about that? At very least the one who is healed should know of our prayers, and the blessing he has received.
How will it serve to win souls, and glorify God if we keep these things secret? If we experience the presence of Jesus, the Holy Spirit moves around us, or if our Heavenly Father comes to us in a dream or vision, we should share what we have felt, heard, and seen, so that others might be edified, and God receive the glory for what is happening. Just as we are inclined to do when we perform good works of faith in our lives that might encourage others, and bring glory to God by speaking of them.
““You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16 ESV
I was attending a church that didn’t believe in the use of incense during its services, but one Sunday while the Senior Pastor was preaching he suddenly smelled a strong scent of incense. He was taken aback but continued preaching while he looked around the alter but could not see any smoke or find any source of the smell. When the service was over he asked those sitting close by if they had smelled anything odd during the service but they said no.
The next Sunday the same thing happened, and once again he subtly looked for the source of the smell, but couldn’t find one. He wondered if he was imagining it, or if someone was playing a practice joke on him. Once again, no one had smelled anything out of the ordinary.
Before the next Sunday’s service he watched the sanctuary closely, and payed special attention to the altar area. Satisfied that no one had visited the sanctuary, or entered the altar area, he conducted the service as usual, but as he began to preach, the strong scent of incense returned.
Being satisfied that it wasn’t a joke, or his imagination, he was visibly moved by the experience, and it was reflected in his sermon that was better than he normally was able to preach. After the service he was greeting members at the door as they left, when an elderly woman, walked up to him, and quietly said “I have been smelling the incense. I like it.” He was stunned. He had seen her sitting near the back of the sanctuary that morning. How could she smell it there, and he smell it from the pulpit, but no one else notice it?
He never smelled the incense again, but he did tell the congregation about the experience during his next sermon, and there was a strong move of the Holy Spirit when he did. Twice he had kept it to himself, but after the third time he shared what was happening, and God was glorified as His Spirit filled the sanctuary.
So it is that we should also share with others how God is moving in our lives. I can recount many, many, times when the Lord has revealed himself in my life, and I am certain that you and others can too. I encourage you to do this because the Lord doesn’t just pay occasional visits to our lives… he is there always, and is writing volumes on them. Oh, what glory this brings Him!
“Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.”
John 21:25 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for being with us always, and sharing yourself with each one of us every day in signs, visions, miracles, and many other more subtle happenings that might go unnoticed if we were not encouraged to watch for them by the revelations of other saints, and your Holy Word. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who reveals himself to us regularly as we walk the way of righteousness together. Praised be your name for the unmistakable signs, visions, and miracles you show us, but thank you more for the small and seemingly insignificant things you allow us to see, touch, and smell, every day. It is in the small things that we come to realize just how far our faith has grown, and our spiritual senses have been heightened. Merciful are you Father for encouraging us, and allowing us to glorify you. Your grace abounds, and from it flows too many signs and wonders to recount. Hear our prayers Holy Father, and through them reveal yourself, and speak to our hearts. Wash us in the cleansing blood of Jesus, and find us worthy in Him to receive eternity with you, where we can bring you glory always.
“Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!””
Revelation 5:11-13 ESV
Rich Forbes