“Confessing Christ in the Hard Times”

 

Perhaps you will be encouraged as I was after reading the following from Hannah Whitall Smith’s The Christian’s Secret of a Holy Life:

Again today I have tried to witness a good confession to the work the Lord hath wrought in my soul. But it is hard to testify where there is so little feeling, and Satan tries to hinder me by every possible suggestion he can bring forward. He tells me it is all a lie, and that I had better have had my tongue cut out before I ever presumed to say such a thing of myself, and tries to induce me to stay away from the meetings and from every place where confession could be made. But my indwelling Saviour keeps me from yielding to these suggestions or from entertaining them for a moment, and enables me to set my face like a flint that I will hold fast the confession of my faith without wavering, because faithful is He that hath promised.

Yes, I will believe, I will trust; even though the Lord should never again show me the light of His countenance, nor manifest Himself to my soul! My Jesus is dwelling in me, and has established His Kingdom there, and I am altogether and only His! Oh praise His holy Name!

One blessed result I do find, and that is that I love His will now with a genuine love that makes a cross borne for His dear sake filled with an untold sweetness.—Journal, June 15, 1869 ( from Smith, Hannah Whitall, and Melvin Easterday Dieter. The Christian’s Secret of a Holy Life: The Unpublished Personal Writings of Hannah Whitall Smith. Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997. Print.)

Main Text— 2 Timothy 1:8–9 (NIV84) 8 So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me His prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9 Who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time..

Additional Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD,  I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights. Habakkuk 3:17–19 (NIV84)

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.—Romans 5:3–5 (NIV84)

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.2 Corinthians 12:9–10 (NIV)

Lord Jesus Christ, be my strength as I endure hardships and insults. Let my weakness manifest Your strength. In Your Name, Amen

Pastor Mike

“Be A Witness”

 

My Thoughts:

I remember when classes were offered in churches on “how” to witness. We were taught to write down our testimony and how we came to Jesus; then condense it into a 2-3 minute presentation. In other classes we were taught how to you a little ‘gold’ book, or another book of colors with no words….

But, Lifestyle worshiper, I do not see the verb, “do” in our Lord’s command, do you? I see the verb, “be”: “you will be my witnesses…” (v. 8 below; emphasis added). I see this as a whole different training method.

In this training method, I see character the focus and the inner life of the believer the core. The Fruit of the Spirit is the ‘witness,’ and when ripened, attracts others to the Tree of Life.

I was at a semi-pro baseball game with a dear friend in Denver a number of years ago. As we were ‘warming up’ in the stands before the game, along came a vender selling his wares: “Peanuts! Get Your Peanuts!” His delivery was rather entertaining from behind the back to an overhead hook…. My friend commented, “Now that guy enjoys life.” I wasn’t quite clear where that comment came from, but apparently my sober mood prior to the game was part of the ignition. Obviously, I have not forgotten that “passing” comment and have often wondered what kind of fruit my branches were bearing: the Fruit of the Spirit; or some other kind…? In order for me to be a witness for Jesus, I have to yield to some self-inspector of Fruit. How about you? How it your fruit hanging?

Main Text: — Acts 1:8 —  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. [NIV84]

Additional Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

  You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven — Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV84)

 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. —Matthew 7:20 (NIV84)

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. — Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV84)

 Lord Jesus Christ, as the Fruit of the Spirit ripens in my Life, may my life attract others to You, the Tree of Life. In Your Name, Amen. 

Pastor Mike