“I will tell what He has done for my soul.” — Psalm 65:16
Testimony time is a part of our church services when people tell how God works in their lives.
My aunt, Sister Langford, as she was known at church, was known for filling her testimonies with praise to God. This was especially true of the story of her conversion. Gratitude to the Savior could be more than half of everything she said. Her heart was overflowing with the desire to glorify the Lord, who by His grace had changed her life.
In a similar way, the testimony of the author of Psalm 65, which tells about what God has done for His people, is filled with praise. “Go and look at God’s works,” he exhorts (v. 5). God’s works included a wonderful salvation (v. 6), preservation (v. 9), trials and education, as a result of which the people of Israel came to the Promised Land (v. 10-12). Although we have much in common with other believers, there is also something unique about our personal journey of faith. Have you ever had moments in your life when God manifested Himself particularly vividly? These moments are worth sharing with those who need to know how God works in the lives of believers. “Go and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what He has done for my soul” (v. 16).
How can you better tell people about the manifestations of God’s goodness in your life? How have the testimonies of others helped you trust Him?
Heavenly Father, I am comforted by the many manifestations of Your kindness. Help me tell others about them.
Author: Arthur Jackson
“For I will forgive their guilt, and I will no longer remember their sin.” — Jeremiah 31:34
One December morning in 1992, I was driving down the road in my grandfather’s pickup truck when suddenly the rear wheels began to skid. I didn’t see the icicles, but I felt them well. The car began to be thrown from side to side: one skid, the second, the third – and here I was in the air, thrown off a five-meter embankment. Пам’ятаю, як подумав: “Це круто, ось тільки вмирати не хочеться”. In a moment, the car landed on a steep slope and, overturning, rolled down. I climbed out of the wrecked cabin, fortunately completely unharmed.
God had mercy on me. What about grandfather? He didn’t say a word to me about the car, which was beyond repair. He did not scold, did not make material claims, nothing. I was just smiling, glad that I was alive and well.
Grandpa’s forgiveness reminds me of God’s mercy, as the prophet Jeremiah says. Despite the indisputable guilt of the Israelites, God promised to restore relations with His people, saying: “I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more” (Jer. 31:34).
I’m sure grandpa remembered until the end of his days who crashed his pickup truck. But he did the same as God, without mentioning it, without reproaching and without demanding compensation for damages. Like the Lord, Grandpa chose to act as if what I did never happened.
How does God’s forgiveness affect your perception of your own sins? How can you show mercy to others?
Heavenly Father, thank you for your forgiveness. When guilt robs me of peace of mind, help me to remember that in Christ You will not remember any of my sins.
Author: Adam Holtz
“And he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord.” — 2 Kings 20:2
A recently widowed woman was on the verge of despair. In order to receive life insurance benefits, she had to provide information about the accident that claimed her husband’s life. The policeman she spoke to promised to help and gave her a business card, but she lost it. What to do? The widow began to pray, asking God for help. A few days later, when she came to the church, she saw the same card on the windowsill! The woman had no idea how she ended up there, but she knew who had arranged it all. The Holy Scriptures say that God hears our petitions. “For the Lord’s eyes are on the righteous, and His ears are on their prayers,” wrote the apostle Peter (1 Pet. 3:12).
The Bible contains many examples of how God answered prayers. One of the most vivid cases happened with the Judean king Hezekiah. He fell seriously ill, and the prophet Isaiah said that he would not recover. But Hezekiah knew what to do. He began to pray! (2 Kings 20:2). And the Lord immediately conveyed another message through Isaiah: “I have heard your prayer” (v. 5). Hezekiah was given fifteen more years to live.
God doesn’t always answer like our widow or King Hezekiah. But He assures us that when difficulties come, we will never be alone. The Lord sees us and hears our prayers.
What problems bother you? How can you entrust them to God’s guidance and care?
Heavenly Father, thank you for always being there and hearing my prayers.
Author: David Brenon
“If I even touch His clothes, I will be healed.” — Matthew 9:21
On the landing of the office building, I suddenly felt dizzy. There was a feeling that the stairs began to spin. Stunned, I grabbed the handrail. My heart was beating faster, my legs were bending, and I was clinging to the railing, rejoicing in its strength. The examination showed that I have anemia. Although the cause was not serious and the dizziness soon passed, I will never forget how weak and helpless I felt that day.
This is why I admire the woman who touched Jesus. Despite her weakened state, she was not only able to push through the crowd, but also showed amazing strength of faith, daring to approach the Lord (Mt. 9:20-22). After all, she had very good reasons not to do this. According to the Mosaic law, she was unclean and could face serious consequences if exposed (Lev. 15:25-27). But the thought: “If I even touch His clothes, I will be healed” pushed her forward. The Greek word translated “I will touch” means rather “I will take” or even “grasp”. The woman grabbed hold of Jesus. She believed that He could heal her.
Among the large crowd, the Lord saw the desperate faith of this woman. When we similarly cling to Him in our need, He receives us and comes to our aid. Let’s tell Him everything, without fear of rejection or punishment. He says: “Hold on to Me.”
What is the cause of your suffering and fear? До чого чи до кого ви зверталися по допомогу? How can you lay hold of Christ today?
God, thank you for your love. I don’t need to be afraid or ashamed. You accept me as a father would a child.
Author: Karen Huang
“And at that time, when they began to sing and praise, the Lord ambushed the sons of Ammon and Moab… and they were defeated.” — 2 Chronicles 20:22
During the Second World War, on the battlefields of Europe, to help soldiers feel less homesick, derivative pianos were airlifted directly to their units. The musical instruments contained only ten percent of the usual amount of metal and were treated with a special waterproof glue and insect repellent. Pianos were cheap but sturdy and provided hours of entertainment for soldiers who would gather around them and sing their favorite songs about home.
Singing, especially songs of praise, is one of the effective ways by which believers acquire peace and tranquility in the face of adversity. King Jehoshaphat was convinced that a huge enemy army had come against Israel (2 Chron. 20). The king called all the people to prayer and fasting (vv. 3-4). In response, God commanded him to lead an army to meet the enemy and promised that this time they would not even have to fight (v. 17). Jehoshaphat believed God. He appointed singers who were to go ahead of the soldiers, singing praises to the Lord for the promised victory (v. 21). When the singers began to sing, God miraculously defeated the enemies and saved His people (v. 22).
Victory does not always come as we expect. But we can always proclaim Christ’s victory over sin and death, which is already for us. We can be calm and worship the Creator even in places where real fighting is going on.
How can you glorify God where you are? How do you enjoy the fruits of the victory that the Lord Jesus won for you?
God, You are stronger than all my enemies! I magnify Your Name with faith.
Author: Karen Pimpo
“I am the Lord, this is My Name, and I will not give My glory to another, nor My praise to the gods.” — Isaiah 42:8
Too late, Tom heard an ominous click under his soldier’s boot. Instinctively, he jumped aside. But the deadly device, hidden in the ground, did not detonate. Later, a team of sappers discovered forty kilograms of explosives at this place. Tom wore his shoes until they fell apart. “My lucky boots,” he called them.
Maybe Tom was just doing it in memory of that happy incident. But often people attribute supernatural properties to ordinary objects, call them “lucky” or even attach a spiritual label to them – “blessed”. This is a dangerous occupation that has its own consequences.
The Israelis learned this lesson through their own bitter experience. The Philistine army had just defeated them in battle. And so it occurred to someone from the Jews to take the “ark of the Lord’s covenant” into battle (1 Sam. 4:3). Everyone received this idea with enthusiasm, because the ark was a sacred object (vv. 6-9).
But they were wrong. The ark alone could not help them. Relying on an object, and not on the one true God, the Israelites suffered an even worse defeat, and the enemy, moreover, captured the sanctuary (vv. 10-11).
You can keep relics that encourage you to pray and thank God for His goodness. There is nothing wrong with that. But let us remember that they are not blessed. The source of blessings is in God and only in Him.
What is your faith in God? When a crisis occurs, what do you hope for?
Loving Heavenly Father, forgive me for sometimes being tempted to rely on something other than You.
Author: Tim Gustavson
“Pray for those who wrong you.” — Luke 6:28
For many years, John created problems in the church. He was quick-tempered, demanding and often rude. He constantly complained that he was poorly “served” and that the management and voluntary assistants did not cope with their duties. To be honest, it wasn’t easy to love him.
So when it became known that John was diagnosed with cancer, it was difficult for me to pray for him. His harsh words and unpleasant character were constantly mentioned. But, remembering Christ’s teaching, I offered a short prayer for John every day. A few days later, I found that I began to mention his negative qualities less often. He must be very hurt and lonely now, I thought.
Prayer, I have learned, not only reveals to God what we feel about others, but also allows Him to intervene and put a heavenly perspective into our thoughts. The Holy Spirit is slowly but surely changing our hearts. It is not surprising that the call of the Lord Jesus to love one’s enemies is connected with the call to prayer: “Pray for those who wrong you” (Lk. 6:28).
I have to admit that even today, when I think of John, I have mixed feelings. But with the help of the Holy Spirit, I am learning to look at him with the eyes of God and to see in him a person who needs to be forgiven and loved.
Why is it important to pray for “difficult” people? What can you ask God for them?
Loving God, You know what I think about those who offend me. Fill my heart with mercy and compassion to love them and pray for them.
Author: Leslie Koh
“The sheep follow him because they know his voice.” —John 10:4
As a child, I lived on a ranch in Tennessee and spent days with my best friend non-stop. We walked in the woods, rode ponies, went to the rodeo arena and watched the cowboys handle the horses. But I should have heard my dad’s whistle – a clear, clear sound that cut through the wind and all the other noise – as I immediately dropped all my classes and headed home. Today, many years later, I would easily recognize this whistle.
Speaking to the disciples, the Lord Jesus compared them to sheep, and Himself to a shepherd. “The sheep listen to his voice, and he calls his sheep by name and leads them out,” he said about the good shepherd (Jn. 10:3). While many self-styled teachers tried to lead the disciples after themselves, He declared that His sheep would be able to know His loving voice and make the right choice. “The sheep follow him because they know his voice” (v. 4).
Let us listen carefully to the voice of Christ, because His truth remains unchanged. The Lord may speak to us through a text of Scripture, a sermon in church, a good word from a believing friend, or the Spirit may prompt you in some other way. The Lord is calling His sheep. Listen to Him.
What prevents us from hearing the voice of Christ? What has He been telling you lately?
God, I need a reminder of what You are saying and I need to listen. Help me to be attentive, to hear and to respond.
Author: Wynn Collier
“And the Lord God called to Adam, and said to him: ‘Where are you?'” – Genesis 3:9
“The chicks will fly tomorrow!” – said my wife Kari with joy. She enthusiastically followed the family of oxeyes that built a nest in a hanging basket on our porch. Every day, she took pictures of growing babies and their mother, who brought them food.
The next morning, Kari got up early and moved the branches that covered the nest. But instead of chicks, she saw the narrow, ominous eyes of a snake there. A predatory reptile climbed into the nest and devoured its inhabitants.
Kari was heartbroken. I was not at home that day, I had just gone out of town, so she called a neighbor to chase away the snake. But the damage could not be repaired.
The Bible tells us of another creeper that did far more damage. The serpent in the Garden of Eden deceived Eve by offering her a fruit that God had forbidden them to eat under pain of death. “You will not die! For God knows that on the day you eat from it, your eyes will be opened, and you will become like Gods, knowing good and evil,” said the snake (Genesis 3:4-5).
As a result of this untruth and disobedience of Adam and Eve, sin and death entered the world. The deception of the ancient serpent, “that he is the devil and Satan,” continues to this day. But the Lord Jesus came into the world “to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8) and return us to God. One day He will make all things new (Rev. 21:5).
How has Jesus destroyed the works of the devil in your heart and life? What do you expect from Him?
Free me, Lord, from the devil’s temptations. Savior, give me the strength to live for You!
Author: James Banks
“See what love the Father has given us, so that we may be children of God.” — 1 John 3:1
After Sherman Smith convinced Deland McCullough to play football for the University of Miami, he effectively replaced Deland with a father he never knew anything about. Deland admired Sherman and aspired to be like him. Ten years later, when Deland sought out his biological mother, she shocked him with the news: “Your father is Sherman Smith.” The same Sherman Smith! Is it necessary to describe how this news stunned both – father and son!
When they met, Sherman hugged Deland and said, “Son!” Deland first heard this word from his father and understood that he wanted to say: “I am happy that I have you.”
We should also be awestruck by the perfect love of our Heavenly Father. Apostle John writes: “See what love the Father has given us, that we may be children of God” (1 John 3:1). Don’t you feel the same way that DeLand felt, who never dreamed that someone like Sherman could be his father? Is it true? Apostle Ivan confirms: yes! That’s how it is!
If you believe in Christ, then Heavenly Father is also your Father. Maybe you felt like an orphan, completely alone in this world. But now you have a perfect Father and He is happy to call you His son or daughter.
What does it mean to you to be a chosen child of God? Who can you share His love with?
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for calling me Yours. Help me to show with my life that I am Your child.
Author: Mike Whittmer
