04/17/2022
Once the Holy Spirit begins to move on us we receive great power, but the often overlooked gift of the Spirit is our ability to give testimony to others. The apostles testified regarding the resurrection of Jesus, and although we can speak of that too, our most effective testimony comes when we not only speak of Jesus, but give witness to our own experiences, such as how we came to know Jesus as our savior, our own moments of amazing faith and grace, and how we now await anxiously for His return, and our own resurrection.
“And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.”
Acts 4:33 ESV
I pray that none of us ever forgets the moment of our own acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Lord and savior; the instant He became our redeemer, and the center of our lives. I pray also that we share this moment of salvation, and transformation, whenever the opportunity presents itself, and with all those around us, so that they too might believe.
“Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.”
Romans 13:11 ESV
The story of Easter, the resurrection, and the defeat of sin and death by Jesus Christ, didn’t end on the first Easter morning, no, it lives on today, and is evident in each of us who believes, who has been redeemed by the blood of Christ, and is sustained by the mercy and grace of God that leads to everlasting life.
“We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.”
Romans 6:9 ESV
My own testimony begins as a nine year old boy sitting in a Vacation Bible School (VBS) class in Augsburg Germany, listening to every word that was being taught. It continues as my spirit is awakened, and the Holy Spirit begins to move over me. Then it culminates later that day when I ride my bicycle to my VBS teacher’s house and knock on their door. Mrs. Palm answers the door, and I tell her why I am there… I want to give my life to Jesus. She calls to her husband Col. Ira Palm, and together we sit on their living room couch where I profess my faith, answer some questions regarding my understanding of what I was doing, and then pray the prayer of acceptance together with them. This moment was sweet, and filled with great joy. In the Palm’s living room, with two incredible believers, I felt the full power of the Holy Spirit for the first time, and I can recall clearly how I felt as I rode my bicycle home that day. It felt as though I was flying, that the wheels of my bicycle weren’t even touching the ground, and I couldn’t stop praying and praising God as I went.
“Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.”
Psalm 146:1-2 ESV
I am now a few days from being 70 years old, and I have experienced so much in my life of faith. My testimony has grown from its simple beginnings in Germany, that I can easily tell you in a single paragraph, into one that would fill volumes, and thrill your heart, mind, and soul. Even the story behind these devotional messages that I write each morning is filled with miraculous, and amazing, movements of God, and Jesus Christ, that astounds those who hear it, and leads them to believe, or move deeper into their established faith. These are testimonies of faithful lives that the Holy Spirit gives us the power to share. They are stories of healing from sickness; God’s rescue from certain disaster; provision in times of need; each and every one a revelation that has inspired us, and a story of suffering that led us to a new or greater depth of faith. As we live our lives with Jesus, and walk the way of believers, our testimony continues to grow, and it gives us powerful words to speak when others need to hear that they are not alone when experiencing similar challenges, suffering, and mourning.
“This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer,”
Luke 21:13-14 ESV
So, are we sharing the gospel of Jesus, but find ourselves neglecting the powerful testimonies of our own faithful walk with Him, and the lives we are living now with the Lord? Do we recall what was once written, but not what is being written on our hearts today? In moments of opportunity let the Spirit direct your words because God not only knows your heart, but the heart of the person to whom you are speaking.
“and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.”
Matthew 10:18-19 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you today, Easter Sunday, for your Son Jesus, His gospel, and the resurrection we are singing of today. Open our mouths also to the personal stories regarding our daily walk with Him, and give voice to the lives we live with Him each and every day… even today. Let our testimony be not only of His life, but of our lives with Him. Give us powerful voices through the Holy Spirit as we tell everyone of your wonders, and miracles in our lives, and of how your love is with us always. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who resurrected Jesus from the dead, and who now presents Him alive to us. Praised be your name for His seat at your right hand, and for how he abides in us, and we in Him. Merciful are you who has freed us of sin and death, and who now interacts with us daily as we draw closer to you. Help us Lord to give voice to every blessing you give us, and each miracle you work in our lives. Teach us to be witnesses to your glory, and messengers who shout of your glory in a fallen world filled with lost souls. Show us the way by our testimonies, and witness, to redeem the lost and encourage the saved. Praised be your name now, and forevermore.
Rich Forbes