My Witness for 2020

John 1:29-34

Have you ever given your testimony?  When I hear that question, I immediately picture a courtroom.  I am holding up my right hand, solemnly swearing to tell the truth, so help me God.  Then I sit down on a straight-backed chair, and face a lawyer who will ask me very pointed questions.  (where were you on the night of the 16th?  What was the victim wearing?  Why did you let him get away? And so on....).

John gives his testimony concerning Jesus in verses 32-34.  Other translations use the phrase "He bore witness."  John is very clear that Jesus surpasses him, even though John came before him.  And what was his clear testimony - that to which he bore witness?

"I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. "

This was what God told John to watch for:  "The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit." (vs. 33).

And he concludes his testimony with these words:

I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.

John's testimony was certain.  He did not waver.  Upon cross examination in a court of law, John would have remained certain that Jesus indeed was the Son of God.  He paid for his testimony with his life.

What is your testimony?  Do you know the Son of God?  Do you recognize when he is at work in your life?  Do you share this news with others?

A new decade is about to begin.  What will your testimony be?  What will mine be?  Let's ask God to bless our testimony and invite others to join us in His kingdom.

I Can See

Now keep this in mind: it was you, not your children, who saw and experienced firsthand all the lessons the Eternal your God taught you. You saw how He demonstrated His majesty and His overwhelming power. You saw the signs He performed in Egypt and everything He sent against Pharaoh the king and everyone in the country. You saw what He did to the Egyptian army, to its horses and its chariots, right when they were chasing you: He drowned them in the Red Sea! The Eternal destroyed them all, and the Egyptian army still hasn’t recovered. You saw how He took care of you in the wilderness and brought you safely to this place. (Deuteronomy 11:2-5 The Voice)

Life is not easy; we were never promised it would be. We are told that it is through the 'not easy' times that we will grow. Our faith will mature, and we will find our pathway to a better life. I know that when I was at my lowest, and I turned to God, I saw Him move. He touched my life and opened my eyes. 

I am so glad I wrote in my journal of all the times I cried out to Him and He responded. I can page though my notes and see how He works. When I forget how good He is to me every day, I simply go to my own record of His goodness and I see where He has been moving. 

I can see how He demonstrates His majesty and power in my life. I can see the signs He performs to keep me going physically, emotionally and spiritually. Looking back over my notes I can see His hand of protection and guidance steering around trouble and pain. Sometimes I see His hand directing me through these difficulties so that I can grow closer to Him.

I have seen in the past how He took care of me in my wilderness. I can see His provision to bring me safely to today, and then tomorrow. I am an eyewitness to His faithfulness, His love and mercy. Because I can see, I can also testify all that I can see.

Deuteronomy 11:1-15

1 John 1:1-2:2

               The Word of Life

With great anticipation and excitement we await the birth of our new grandson. He will be born somewhere around the 4^th of July. Another grandchild is expected to be born in December. Because I have experienced the miracle of birth first hand, and have seen the beauty of our God in those tiny hands and feet, I KNOW what joy this new infant will bring.

I also understand the challenges and heartache that accompany the commitment of being a parent yet would not discourage our children from the experience because the pleasure and love far outweigh the pain. The promise of what is to come as the baby grows and changes each day brings constant eagerness for what is next.

In the same way, Christ Followers go through periods of joy, excitement, transformation, peace, etc. as well as pain and heartbreak. 

Having never gone through child rearing before, it is impossible for new parents to wrap their head and heart around what is to come, but get them together with a another couple with their newborn and watch as the smiles grow, eyes widen, and questions flow. This impending new life has them consumed.

John's love for the Lord drove him to tell all who would listen of Jesus' life on earth and the promise of eternal life. Like a couple with a newborn sharing the sweet, innocent growth and changes in their baby, the experiences John had with Jesus were so awesome and consuming he had to share. His wish for others to feel the same joy and excitement drove John to reach out, write this book, and invite us all into fellowship with him, others, the Father and his son Jesus Christ. John knew along with this joy there would be suffering, but that is part of this meaningful journey.

Speaking of Jesus, in John 1:2-4 John writes; The life appeared; we have seen it 

and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father 

and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you

 also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his 

Son Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.”

As the new life of an infant becomes more precious when shared, John’s joy was not complete without sharing the message of God's Love and the promise of new life....eternal life. Amen!

Read/Listen to 1 John1:1-2:2

Rebuild for Remnants and Nations - Amos 9:11-15

Life is very tough, don't you agree?  Some days or some seasons are filled with pain, indecision and disappointment.  Recently I was experiencing doubt and wondered if I was really where God wanted me to be.  I felt alone, bored, and without purpose.  These feelings were probably a result of my having been so busy in my previous life that I did not know how to experience "retirement".

I called upon God and all the promises He had made during my years of praying and journaling and seeking His Word for me.  Just that quickly, God found a number of projects I could be working on; things I enjoy and know are not just busy work.

Have you ever noticed how many promises God makes?  His Word is filled with assurances of His faithfulness and His love.  When He promises something you can count on it and trust it will be just what is needed.  The Amos text as read in the Message I found to be very exciting, counting off the promises God made to His people and how they were going to be fulfilled.  Like this from Amos 9:13: "Things are going to happen so fast your head will swim, one thing fast on the heels of the other. You won't be able to keep up. Everything will be happening at once—and everywhere you look, blessings!

I can testify to the 'everywhere you look, blessings' part of the verses.  When I feel low and lost in my memories of what was and what should be now, God has provided me a special blessing.Without fail I was see a deer or a number of them cross my path, stand in the road looking at me or just grazing alongside the woods.  I see numerous deer each and every day.  Many of them in my own yard.  I know, those who live in the north woods of WI might consider this just a normal part of life, but I know it is God saying, "There you go my child, I am with you always."

Read the Amos 9:11-15 text here.
Note: This picture was taken last night just outside my door.