Faith: Now Testimonies

Jesus lives. He said: "My Father is working until now, and I am working". Testimonies abound to the truth of these words.

 
"Therefore [Jesus] is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them" (Hebrews 7:25).
 
In recent days our family have twice seen our God Jesus intervene with intensely personal and uplifting help.
 
Like people everywhere, those near to me all experience trouble and difficulty; my understanding is that every generation sees troubles. We all think that we are very up-to-date and doing things in the very best up-to-date way, yet life is not perfectly smooth.
 
Job's friend Eliphaz was clear: "Humankind is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward" (Job 5:7).
 
Jesus said: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
 
When we see God's hand at work in our life we are encouraged. Our faith is affirmed and we know joy and peace. We find the strength to "press on" (Philippians 3:12).
 
 
Becky's and Chris's House - January 2026
 
Our youngest, Rebecca, married Christopher, then last May Sophie was born, she is now an 8 month old delight.
 

The couple have been looking for a house for some time. This is hard here because there is a severe housing shortage, more people are immigrating here than homes are being built. Prices have been rapidly rising. Even so, every "for sale" property is quickly snatched up.
 

Becky and Chris are "young" Christians but have been hearing Trish's and my testimonies for years. We told them about Jesus undertaking for us when we moved to the country; He answered our prayers and helped sell our city properties in a very depressed market. This enabled us to buy our beautiful country acres where so much of our family history was lived out.
• This story is in PsalmsOfJohn.com post "Our Lord Will":
https://www.psalmsofjohn.com/2010/06/our-lord-will-t3.html
 
I remember saying something like: "You may feel that you don't know Jesus well enough to ask for such a big thing as a house, but He's always known you and He loves you and put you together into a family, so pray. Pray simple prayers, ask for what you need, give detail".
 
Well, last night we received a message, their offer on a lovely house in a sweet part of the city has been accepted. It is near a primary school. Becky added: "Hallelujah! Praise the Lord". They will move in April.
 
One of our family responded: "You've done the almost impossible at the moment". So true. Thank you Jesus who cares for us and answers prayer. Our faith is well placed in our faithful and loving God and Saviour. Amen.
 
 
An Old Man's Testimony of God's Goodness in Jesus - December 2025
 
Our time at camp down South in Busselton was especially precious this summer as it was my last camp in a tent.
 
We had a few days with just Trish and I, then Becky arrived with her Chris and baby Sophie, followed by Frank and his Anlia and Jude, Hamish, Ada and Elroy. We had such great family time, lots of children, love, hugs, bush walks, fun in the sea and great food. Wonderful.
 
Jesus gave us a beautiful testimony. As we were gathering our camp gear, food, books and everything, I could see that this camp was beyond the now older me. (Last year was tough but ok, now I am notably weaker, less stable, less flexible, with less stamina).
 
But by then it was too late to say "not going"; Trish and I have so much "base camp" stuff that everyone always relies on, and they have no capacity to bring it along with their own stuff.
 
So I prayed that Jesus would undertake for me, give me strength, energy and alertness for the gathering together, loading up, travel, unloading and set-up.
 
We pressed on with the thousand-and-one tasks we have done dozens of times. The loading went so very well, Everything fitted, my Hilux truck was full, the trailer was full, even with three kayaks. We set off. 

When we were about half-way there Trish asked how I was going. My reply: "I am being carried, Jesus is carrying me along, it is Isaiah 40:41. I am not tired, I have energy, the load is perfectly balanced and I am enjoying this drive through our beautiful Western Australian countryside". Jesus’ spiritual reality was impacting our physical world (Matthew 10:7).
 
We arrived, unloaded and set up. Two old timers doing these big jobs. It went so smoothly. We had to have rests from time to time, we had brought lunch and drinks and pressed on in peace and harmony. The sun and the heat were ok, we were stretched but fine.
 
By about 4:30 we had a camp, it was not complete but was nicely livable. Then a swim in the ocean and a cool drink as the sun set in the West. A simple pre-planned dinner. Early to bed. Glorious.
 
That day we lived Isaiah 40:41 - it was answered prayer: "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint".
 
Jesus was manifestly present with us and gave us everything we needed to have a day accomplishing what was beyond us but was needed. We were at peace in the knowledge that we were in Jesus' hands for the purposes of restoration after a very big year for Trish, and for beautiful fellowship with family.
 
Praise Jesus.
 
Over the two weeks of camping I lost more than two kilograms in weight. Once we were home I needed to rest. I finished and posted "Faith: How We See" which I have been working on for a while, otherwise I tried to not do much. Our hearts are full. My "last camp" was an array of glorious moments – now poignant heart memories.
 
Meanwhile Trish is settling into being retired. This summer she does not have to plan her preparation for next school year, but rather is thinking about visiting her brother in Melbourne and more.
 
Hallelujah, our world may be in a worsening mess but the Kingdom of God stands and is a glorious sanctuary for Jesus' people.
 
Amen.
 
 
Favourite Bible Verses
 
When Jesus first drew me to Himself I asked for a Bible for my birthday. Trish gave me an NIV, very new at that time. This is where it opened; that day Jesus spoke to me in a way I knew was for me, and have always remembered and valued. I am so grateful.
 

"Then Jesus said to his disciples: 'Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? "Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you - you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also'" (Luke 12:22-34).
 
Praise Jesus our Creator, Saviour, Sustainer, Rabbi, Lord and friend. Thank you. Amen.

Permalink:  https://www.psalmsofjohn.com/2026/01/faith-now-testimonies.html

Faith: How We See

Seeing With the Eyes of Our Heart
 

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1 NIV).

This is likely the best known Bible verse describing faith, the different English translations use different words in their effort to be true to the original Greek New Testament. I like the NIV because of its clarity, and also the Amplified because it speaks, then speaks again.
 
In essence, faith can be said to be our ability to believe. When a person has faith we say he or she believes.
 
"While all believers exercise faith to some extent, the 'gift of faith', (1 Corinthians 12:9a) is distinct: it is a special empowerment by the Holy Spirit enabling a person to believe that God will act, often in extraordinary ways" (Biblehub.com).
 
Some say that Peter spoke from a gift of faith (Acts 3:6) when he told the lame man to "get up and walk"; certainly, we see that a miracle occurred.
 
In my Christian walk I have been hugely blessed with experiences and testimonies. I have seen faith in action, both from my own ministry, and from others.
 
Trish and I were present when a man was restored to life after he had a heart attack during a Christian conference in our state capital. A doctor, present with us, told us that the man had died. Our conference leader declared how wrong it was that a life should be taken as we were together worshipping our God of all Creation, praying, singing and learning. When we prayed together, the man came back to life. An ambulance had arrived and was able to take the now-restored man to hospital. We were thrilled to see God's hand working amongst us.
 
Was this an instance of our combined faith bringing a miracle? Or, was it a "gift of faith" to our conference teacher (or an unknown "other") for the man's life? I do not know. Neither do I know how to distinguish between Christian’s saving faith and Holy Spirit gifts of faith. Or, did God arrange this as a present-day demonstration of His love, power and might (John 9:3), for us who were asking God by faith (John 14:14; 1 John 5:14)?
 
Praise Jesus that He leads us to pray as He wills, for His purposes. Faith is complicated, it seems to me. We can "know" faith from time to time, but I find it difficult to understand and explain - another of God's mysteries. God’s fullness is found in Jesus, and through Him, in us: "To the Lord's people, God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).
 
"And in Christ you have been brought to fullness. [Jesus] is the head over every power and authority" (Colossians 2:10).
 
"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness" (2 Peter 1:3). By faith we see our God working this out in our lives
 
My prayer: "Dear Jesus, I pray that what we are writing together is clear to others and helps them in their walk of faith with you. Amen"
 
Faith is about belief, our faith shows our ability to believe, it is about what we "know" in our inner person to be true, in our heart and in our spirit, and therefore, in our worldview.
 
"We look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18).
 
And about trust: "Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge" (Psalm 62:8)
 
My heart truths have their foundation in what I know to be true. I can trust our God whom I know as my Savior and Lord Jesus (John 1:16; Colossians 1:16-17) because of what I have seen and learned of Him and of His Creation in which I rejoice every day.
 
Jesus is always with us (Deuteronomy 31:8; Isaiah 60:19-20; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5). When we are with a brother or sister, or spouse, or dear friend, we tend to communicate more-or-less continuously. It is no different with Jesus and us. Intimacy and friendship with Jesus (John 15:15) are part of our salvation and our "full life" (John 10:10) in Him under the New Covenant (Hebrews 8:6). Relationships like this grow trust, and from that, faith.
 
(Intimacy with Jesus - see PsalmsOfJohn.com post "Greatest Gift" 

• Permalink https://www.psalmsofjohn.com/2010/05/t-01-greatest-gift.html
• Podcast link https://open.spotify.com/episode/1vKKkxPKv0you75hmF6zj4 )
 

At Bible college we encountered lots of new words, including "extant" which means "existing or remaining", especially in a literary or historical context (Oxford Dictionary). I know God to be eternally "extant". He calls Himself "I AM" (Exodus 3:14).
 
For me, this is the very foundation of faith. This God who is there is eternal and without measure, nothing is beyond Him. My Bible College studies included "systematic theology" with lots of big words which, all together, try to describe the vastness and lovingkindness and completeness and complexity of our God. Our teachers showed us that even all the big words were insufficient; the concepts are outside our human experience:
Infinite (without any limit). Immutable (never changing). Omnipotent (all powerful). Omniscient (all-knowing). Omnipresent (always everywhere).
Also loving, wise, creative, faithful, glorious and more.
 
God's bigness is a mystery (Psalm 147:4; Isaiah 40:12) we will only grasp when we go and live with Jesus in Heaven (John 14:2).
 
When I think about faith I ponder the Creation and God's attributes. I completely believe the Bible account of those first seven days, and also the biblical history of all humankind. My eyes can see the work of God's hands, my mind assures me that the world and all life must have been made by an all powerful, loving, purposeful, pre-existing intelligence. It all makes sense.
 
Jesus was all the light that was needed for the first three days (Genesis 1:1-4; John 1:10) - and will be all the light for the new heaven and new earth He will create after this one is "rolled up like an old garment" (Isaiah 51:6; Revelation 21:1).
 
Then, on the fourth day, God created the galaxies, the constellations (Job 9:9), the billions of stars (Isaiah 45:12); He reached out His hand and placed each one where He wanted it (Psalm 8:3), and gave them all names (Psalm 147:4) Then He created our sun and moon, so that they would be there for us (Genesis 1:14-17).
 
Big. Creative. Capable. Forward thinking. Love in action. God made the Creation so we would have a glorious place to live, then He made us. (I'm writing this at a favourite camp-site by the sea in our South-west, I am "close to nature" here, so lovely - with every breath I know that I am in God's Creation).
 
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands" (Psalm 19:1). I hear His declaration and His proclamation; I know that our God knows all things and can do all things, I can trust Him.
 
Because we see and acknowledge what God has done in the past, our spiritual eyes are able to see and our ears are able to hear what God is saying and doing now; we can have "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1 ESV), the "evidence" (KJV) of a certain faith.
 
Jesus asks us to be available (Matthew 16:24). When I was still a "young" Christian we were in a fellowship where one person could begin singing a song and the whole congregation would join in and sing it through - sometimes I would start "Here am I, Send me!" (a hymn from Isaiah 6:8 and Luke 1:38). I was available to Jesus' prompting in my heart, at the same time, obedient (Matthew 7:21) to the passion He had given me. The entire congregation happily joined in; at one in the Spirit.
 
Our obedience comes from Jesus' call: "follow me" (Matthew 4:19; John 21:22). God's great plan includes us, each one: "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10). (See also Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Corinthians 9:25; Philippians 4:9; Colossians 3:23-24; 2 Timothy 2:15).
 
Jesus acknowledges our works: "I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first" (Revelation 2:19). Our hearts can know our Lord's approval. Our faith grows.
 
Seeing With Our Awakened Spirit
 
The new thing I've found in Hebrews 11:1 is "see". The writer is talking about us not seeing. But, truly, faith is seeing - seeing in our spirit what we "do not see" with our physical self.
 
Jesus said, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, 'though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand'" (Luke 8:10).
 
Our spirit "wakes up" when Jesus takes hold of us, and makes us "born again" (1 Peter 1:23), and "a new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17). We begin to learn to "see" spiritual things (Ephesians 1:18-19).
 
For me, the mystery is: how do I discern God's plans at any time? How do I align with His will? How do I bring my faith into line with God's moving, here and now?

By faith - this is what our Bible is telling us - "Jesus said, 'only believe'" (Mark 5:36). I have known teaching along these lines, it is clear and fully supported in our Bible. But I am able only sometimes to "believe". I struggle, perhaps that is why Jesus has had me pondering "faith". It is good to remember Mark 9:24: "help my unbelief!"
 
It seems to me that we almost never talk in terms of things being spiritual. We mostly talk and behave as though our "reality" is the physical world around us, our health, work, abilities, social circle, the political situation in our country, what is in the news or on social media. You know, what we all see and experience of life.
 
Truth is, the highest part of us is our spirit; the spiritual is greater than our body and our soul, always. God is Spirit (John 4:24); He spoke and His Word created the Universe, our world and all life.
 
So many times I have sought God's help in prayer. I look to my faith so that I can stand on the promises of God and can see the truth of His Word, Jesus. Reading my Bible always helps, it affirms that we are God's people. Jesus is always with us (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5), and always for us (Romans 8:28). There are so many accounts of Him saving, rescuing, healing and setting free when people are in need (John 14:14).
 

When my heart's desire for a person or situation is not met, when my faith seems to be insufficient, Jesus does give me peace when I pray. I love to pray with Trish; we will spend time together, some of it praising our Lord, some in silent prayer, some in conversational prayer and some pouring out our heart's. Always we find a deep sense of shalom; "the kingdom of God has come near" (Mark 1:15).

A miracle is a "supernatural" event, meaning "something greater than natural laws would allow", it will have a spiritual source. I have seen hundreds of miracles; that I am alive today is the result of miracles - praise Jesus. All those miracles were stronger than accident or disease or death.
 
God has a plan, we read about it from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22. "God is spirit" (John 4:24); by His Spirit He is ultimately over everything that is, and everything that happens, the precious, the beautiful, even the ugly and hurtful things which come as a result of sin (2 Chronicles 7:13).
 
Paul's words: "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know [1] the hope to which he has called you, [2] the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and [3] his incomparably great power for us who believe" (Ephesians 1:18-19). Father God wants us to see who we are in Jesus by His Spirit.
 
When faced with a problem, we men, (I believe this is a very "man" thing), jump right in to find solutions; logic demands and our flesh cries out "show me, I can help". By Holy Spirit and our spirit, we can see deeper. Then we will have the "assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1 WEB). When we seek the will of God, we align our self with Him - we look to see what He sees, His reality.
 
Gifts to Help People
 
Jesus gives us spiritual gifts to help people: "gifts of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:1-13). These enable us to do more than ever we could by our self with our own strength, thoughts, skills and resources.
 
Jesus told His disciples what to expect: "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" (Acts 1:8).
 
John Baptist foretold this same blessing in Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:7-8, Luke 3:16, and John 1:33. Baptism in Holy Spirit is for all Christians and enables us to do what is explained in Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do". This is true today, we are "God's handiwork", just as were young Timothy and John Mark in Bible times.
 
My testimony is that spiritual gifts are widespread in Jesus' church today. Trish and I have been blessed by Jesus' spiritual gifts for decades; some givings are long-lasting and others especially for a person or event.
 
The spiritual gifts I see most often are gifts of prophecy, knowledge, and discerning of spirits.
 
Gifts of "speaking in different kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:10) are widespread in Jesus' church. Some people feel uncomfortable with this. I have heard people say that the Christian is losing control. "Tongues" are "spiritual languages". My experience and observation is the opposite of loss and confusion; we are able to pray and sing in harmony with our Lord Jesus and the heavenly host. For myself, this gift helps me to "fix my eyes on Jesus" (Hebrews 12:2); later I will be aware that things I have been pondering are now clearer; my spiritual conversation in "tongues" will bear much fruit.
 
"Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant - not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life" (2 Corinthians 3:5-6).
 

Seeing Through God's Prophetic Word
 
My testimony is that Jesus often gives me a prophetic understanding, (also Trish and others we know). He speaks and I will be able to see something, a Bible phrase, an idea or thought or picture, at other times Jesus will instruct me, simply and clearly in my mind. Sometimes Jesus’ word will be for another; Trish and I have been truly blessed to hear God’s thoughts toward us expressed by a Christian brother or sister.
 
We can be ready for Jesus to give a practical "word" or spiritual "glimpse" of what He is doing or planning to do. This will be His doing; we can ask, but not demand. Jesus is "truth" (John 1:17, 14:6, 18:37); He will always reveal truth. We can ask Holy Spirit to help us; He always reveals Jesus (Psalm 19:1; Daniel 2:28; Amos 3:7; Amos 4:13; John 14:17).
 
I have vivid dreams. Sometimes Trish will interpret them; they are clearly Jesus speaking by His Holy Spirit. Her interpretations enrich our life together; they are "seen" by her spirit.
 
After I began work on this piece I awoke one morning and Jesus told me: "Get your hot drink John, pray, then review what we have written. After that, focus on your taxes", (our tax returns were due the next week); Jesus wanted me to work to his priorities. My testimony is that Jesus leads and encourages in all the work of PsalmsOfJohn. Last night I awoke briefly and "saw" a sentence which truly completed a paragraph I had written that day.
 
Many times I have been interrupted with His conversation about family and household things, always with love, I know He is smiling as He speaks, He is always gentle, I know I am safe with Him. This grows my faith. Because Jesus is a man and human, just as I am, I can easily relate to Him. I know He is God. I find this very encouraging. Old Testament people like Abraham and Elijah heard Him as a distant and un-seeable Lord.
 
For me, words of knowledge are less frequent; I will be praying and "know" to pray in a certain way, with a particular emphasis. After my prayer I'll experience a deep satisfaction; there will be an answer to that prayer: "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1 KJV).
 
"Yet Abraham did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised" (Romans 4:20-21).
 
Every day I "press on" with what I know to do, with my life and work (Philippians 3:12). Mostly we do not need constant guidance because we have been taught and trained (Hebrews 12:11), other times Jesus' leading is minute-by-minute.
 
A week or two ago I was walking for exercise in our community pool, two women shared my lane. I heard one say "This problem is so big, I'm glad that I can talk every night to God about it. I know that we can't know if God is real but I certainly feel better".
 
I apologised for overhearing and asked if I could say something; my spirit believed that Jesus wanted me to speak. I shared the truth that we can know that God is real and that He is approachable in Jesus, the same Jesus who is the centre of Christmas, the One who came to set us free and Who is always ready to help people who look to him. The woman was thrilled and thanked me, grinning, understanding, relieved. Her friend was amazed, her expression said "Really? I did not know". Our God is the God who reveals Himself (Psalm 19:1; Daniel 2:28; Amos 3:7; John 14:17). Our lovely Jesus brings comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) and help (Matthew 11:28). "He is not far from any one of us" (Acts 17:27).
 
I spoke what I know by faith to be true; I am shy and often stumble over words, but at these times I and am so grateful when Holy Spirit gives me words, and puts them into clear sentences. Those words were for the two women; Holy Spirit gave me what Jesus wanted them to hear. Holy Spirit always reveals Jesus (John 15:26; 1 John 4:2).
 

Eyes to See – The Prophetic in Scripture
 
The word "prophesy" describes our being able to hear God's voice, and then to share His thoughts with others, (regardless if it is Father God speaking, or Jesus the Son, Saviour and Lord, or Holy Spirit, our teacher, counselor, comforter and guide).
 
Jesus spoke about "eyes to see" and "ears to hear" (Mark 8:18). In 1st Corinthians 14 Paul tells us about God's prophetic gifting; he says "Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy .. the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort ... the one who prophesies edifies the church ... I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy" (1 Corinthians 14:1,3,5).
 
Trish and I were blessed to meet a couple who saw a lack in the church around them. They studied Christian prophecy, (Holy Spirit's prophetic gifting), and were led to start a school. Wonderful. In the beginning I found it scary but soon saw that, throughout the Bible, God speaks to people all the time. Then I truly wanted to learn.

 
(The phrase: "the word of the Lord came" is more than 100 times in the Old Testament).
 
"Behold", we are in the family of God, God's children (1 John 3:1), we are able to call our Father "Abba", just as Jesus does; that intimate Hebrew name for a loving father one fully trusts, (Romans 8:15). It is natural that our Father wants to talk to us and guide us.
 
When Jesus told His disciples that they were His friends, He was teaching all of us, all His disciples through all time. The Bible is alive, it is Jesus, the living Word of God (John 1:1), in written form. This truth is for us, each one. As Jesus' "friends" we can expect to communicate freely, just as we do with our family and friends in the world.
 
Like many aspects of Christian life, some find the idea of us receiving, and being empowered by ministry gifts from Holy Spirit easier to accept than others.
 
(Some believe that the giving of spiritual gifts ended when the Holy Bible was completed. Perhaps you have been taught this? I ask that you examine this teaching in the light of what you know of our God, and what you see in your Bible study. I see nothing in Scripture to support this belief, and so much which tells us that Jesus' ministry work in the world is still needed, and we are being equipped and led to participate and continue with Him as He leads us from His place in Heaven, and that this will continue until Jesus returns., Hallelujah).
 
My testimony is that I often talk with Jesus and gladly receive His gifts. Others say that they communicate with Holy Spirit. (I believe that such distinction is unimportant and comes from our individual growing knowledge of who God is, and our self in relation to Him, Father, Son and Spirit). At Bible College we learned that where our Father is, there are Jesus and Holy Spirit too, and what Jesus is doing, Father God and Holy Spirit are also doing - the Holy Trinity is always united in all things).
 
I see that many Christian people are conforming into their "born again-ness" (Galatians 5:22-23) and showing more fruit from being "filled with the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:1-11), particularly in their ability to hear what God is saying through Jesus and by His Spirit (Matthew 10:20, Mark 13:11, John 16:13, 1 Corinthians 2:13). This can be called "hearing God's prophetic voice" and, Scripture tells us, is a normal part of the life Jesus wants for us. This is good, it helps us, individually and as the body of Christ, to "stand" (Ephesians 6:11,13,14) and to "do" (James 1:22) "But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves".
 
Some years ago when I was a struggling Christian, Jesus gave me a series of visions to show me how sure and "faith filled" He was of how He was growing me. I wrote about it and called the piece "Jesus’ Faith in Me", It seems to me that today I am saying much the same thing with different words:
• Permalink to web page
https://www.psalmsofjohn.com/2010/06/jesus-faith-in-me.html
"Jesus’ Faith in Me" is now a podcast on Spotify under PsalmsOfJohn
• Public link to podcast
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6o9LlqVi6RRzfNtaok0EM5
 

Some Conclusions
 
Jesus is our source: "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17). Let us stay close to Him.

I have come to believe that we can grow our faith only by drawing near to Jesus (Matthew 11:28). He has given us so much teaching on how to grow as Christians, in "devotion" (Matthew 22:37; 1Co 7:35), in "following Him" (John 21:22), in "humility" (Luke 18:14) and "service" (John 12:26), in "caring" (Matthew 10:8), in "generosity" (Luke 12:22-32) and one-anothering "one another" (Romans 12:10).

 As we grow in Jesus, so we will grow in "knowing God" (Ephesians 1:17) in all His love, beauty, foresight, wisdom and power. We will also learn to see and hear God, what He is doing and what He is saying. Thus our faith also grows.

 We cannot make miracles happen, but it is the glorious grace of God that we can participate with Jesus as He works our Father's will in this very troubled world.

I know that I have faith. Jesus leads me, He asks me to participate with Him in His work, and I love to do this. How does my faith compare with that of Abraham or George Muller or John Lake? It does not compare - I am uniquely me. You are uniquely you. This is one of the blessings of being human, and especially of being Christian; we are each hand-made by God, intentionally for His glory and His purposes.

I am not perfect in my seeing, my availability or my obedience, but I know that my Lord Jesus loves me completely and is happy with my growing towards "the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). This is good!

"Our God who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6). I am so grateful.

And grateful too, that Jesus "helps me with my unbelief" (Mark 9:24), and, praise His name, He has enough faith for both of us (Mark 11:22)

 As our lovely theology teacher so often assured us: the answer is always "Jesus".

Amen.

 

I am reminded of a favourite old hymn:
 
"I Know Whom I Have Believed"
by Daniel Whittle, 1883
From 2 Timothy 1:12 and Jude 1:24
 
I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.
 
Refrain:
But "I know Whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day".
 
I know not how this saving faith
To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word
Wrought peace within my heart.
 
I know not how the Spirit moves,
Convincing men of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word,
Creating faith in Him.
 
I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days,
Before His face I see.
 
I know not when my Lord may come,
At night or noonday fair,
Nor if I walk the vale with Him,
Or meet Him in the air.
 
 
"Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]" (Hebrews 11:1 Amplified).
 
Praise Jesus. Amen.
 

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Separate

Our God wants to have a people for Himself; He wants to share His and Jesus' glory (Matthew 16:27; John 1:14) and to have a bride for His son Jesus, a bride holy and pure, without "spot or wrinkle" (Ephesians 5:27; Philippians 2:15). 

Elohim God began "in the beginning" when Adam and Eve were made in their "image and likeness" (Genesis 1:26). We see something of God's glory here, in those early days. Adam and Eve will have known God as "Father", in the same intimate and loving way that Jesus does. They will have "known the Father's business" (John 15:15), and what was "good" and what was "evil" (Genesis 2:9); they worked with Father God during the day and "walked and talked together" in the beautiful and fruitful garden "in the cool of the evening" (Genesis 3:8).
 
Then came "the Fall" (Genesis 3:11), sin entered the world; "sin" is everything that does not please God. Sin causes separation between humankind and God, the opposite of God's loving desire.
 
Many generations after Adam and Eve, God chose Abraham and made covenant to form a people for Himself, the nation of Israel: "For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, His treasured possession" (Deuteronomy 7:6).
 
God cares for "His treasured possession" to this day. We Christians are "chosen" (Ephesians 1:14) to be "different", "holy" (1 Peter 1:16), set aside for our God who calls on His people to look only to him: "I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy" (Leviticus 11:44).
 
Jesus calls to us: "'Come out from among them, and be separate', says the Lord. 'Touch no unclean thing. I will welcome you. I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters', says the Lord of Hosts" (Isaiah 52:11; 2 Corinthians 6:17-18; Revelation 18:4).
 
I still ponder all this in relation to my life and my worldview; Jesus is growing me into the John He always planned that I would be. Jesus' work continues: "He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber or sleep" (Psalm 121:3).
 
In Old Testament times God saw that His people were being corrupted by their non-Jewish neighbours, (and even by their Kings and those in leadership over them). Do we see something of today in these prophetic Bible words from centuries ago? "Yet my people have forgotten me; they burn incense to worthless idols, which made them stumble in their ways, in the ancient paths. They made them walk in byways, on roads not built up" (Jeremiah 18:15-16). Do we give our time and money to what Father God would call "worthless idols", with what is popular or "trending"? I find myself avoiding more and more what our culture presents.
 
Jesus is front and centre of the whole Bible and is the "all" of God (Colossians 1:15-20). (Some say: "He is hidden in the Old Testament and revealed in the New", I found this to be true at Bible College where we were assigned psalms to present as pre-class devotions, I always found Jesus in the psalms I was allocated). It is clear that Father God wants us to look to Jesus in "all things" (Hebrews 12:1-2). 

I have come to see that Jesus is now in a deep and eternal relationship with me, and through that He has brought me into His Father's family as a son, and into the constant care of His lovely Holy Spirit. My response is to love in return. "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind'" (Matthew 22:37).

I find that I do love our Father and Jesus and Holy Spirit, and also that Jesus is my focus; His humanity and the New Testament stories make Him so approachable. As I read my Bible I can see Him in my mind's eye (Luke 6:19). Now, through Holy Spirit's prophetic gifting, (1 Corinthians 14:1,3), I often see Him, feel His touch and hear His voice (2 Samuel 23:2). Jesus is my friend (John 15:15) and I know this to be true. Even as I write this I am singing "Jesus at the centre".. "Nothing in this world will do".. "Everything revolves around You", (Houghton, Massey, Ranney: 2014).
 
Jess Ray sings: "it may seem too good to be understood, but it's not too good to be true" - we hear her joy as she testifies to her certain knowledge of her relationship with our Saviour and Lord.
 
"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved" (Ephesians 2:4-5).
 
I see Jesus as front and centre of everything, the "fullness" of God (Ephesians 4:13; Colossians 1:19), and that "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ", (Ephesians 1:3), reveals Jesus endlessly (Matthew 3:17; John 14:6-7), as does Holy Spirit (John 16:14).
 
Jesus mediates a New Covenant for us, a covenant which gives us spiritual closeness to Father, Son and Spirit, a spiritual confidence (2 Corinthians 3:3-6; Ephesians 3:12; Philippians 1:6), an understanding that, although we live in "this present darkness" (Ephesians 6:12), Jesus is with us, we have spiritual authority and can know shalom, God's peace (John 14:27).
 
It may seem that the "powers" in the world, (Ephesians 6:12), are gaining more and more control and influence over us, our societies and our cultures, but we can choose to "abide" in Jesus (John 15:4), and live a "full" and "abundant" life (John 10:10); only Jesus offers this, "by His Spirit" (John 7:39).
 
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3) - note "every", a big word.
 
"You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2:5).
 
When we think in terms of "Jesus", we recognise His desire for intimate relationship with us, each one, and that He has brought us into His "team", (more than simply His salvation and His protection). Jesus is risen; He rules and reigns from the throne room of God; He equips us and commands us to "do the works I have been doing" (John 14:12). This is "boots on the ground" living in faith; there is no guarantee of comfort or glory. We are His "friends" (John 15:15), and also His "servants" (Revelation 19:5): "Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve" (Matthew 20:28).
 
Paul reminds us: "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things" (Philippians 4:8), this verse is now on many hearts. See also Romans 13:14.

How Then Should We Live
(Also see post www.psalmsofjohn.com/2023/06/how-then-should-we-live.html)
 
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will" (Romans 12:2).
 
As a Christian I have found a sense of being "foreign" to my old life, but with no desire to "fit back in" with the worldly culture I consciously left behind. This was hard, and still is; we lose friends, some enjoyable activities are now "out of bounds". Happily it is rewarding too, richly satisfying.
 
I have lived in four countries. The early days in each place were exciting and also difficult. Everything was so new, truly "foreign". I assimilated over time; I "fitted in" to the local way of things, and to their kind of "English"; (birth language to all of us but with different ways of speaking, a different idiom or vernacular). I am still "assimilating" into Jesus' "way" (Ephesians 4:13), praise the Lord.
 
"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household" (Ephesians 2:19).
 
"And you shall be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine" (Leviticus 20:26).
 
"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged" (Deuteronomy 31:8).
 
Testimony
I worked in an office where (I believe) I was the only Christian. I was blessed to be there, work was scarce and the money was good. Still, it was hard. Not only was I new, but I was "different"; I asked that people would stop using foul language in the office. Some became hostile; ridiculing or contemptuous. I was isolated and excluded from much of the comradery of the workplace.
 
Jesus found that work for me, it was not advertised. I was given some interesting and knotty problems to solve, one of which had defeated two programmers before me; my business users were overjoyed with my solution, they had been waiting more than a year.
 
By the time all my work there was finished I had found some welcome. I had opportunity to talk to some of my workmates who were experiencing deep personal troubles; they thanked me and said I was "wise and kind". This was Jesus work, He gave time for "divine encounters"; perhaps these ones saw something of Jesus' love and healing, and "Christ in me, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).
 
The job was timely, and the money was welcome for our family. But perhaps I was there for those struggling, so that Jesus could touch them? I survived having to "be separate”; I know that I grew from it; this was, and still is, precious. I was aware that Jesus was "always" with me (Deuteronomy 31:8; Isaiah 60:19-20; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5).

 
"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us" (2 Corinthians 5:20). 

Thank you, my lovely Lord and friend.

Rick Joyner wrote about a study which showed that about 65 percent of all Americans considered themselves to be born-again Christians, but only 3 percent had a Christian or biblical worldview; viewing the world as Christ does, knowing and adhering to His teachings. [Similar numbers appear in other studies]. These results show how poorly the church is accomplishing Jesus' Great Commission; we are commanded to "make disciples", not just converts, and to "teach them everything [Jesus] commanded us".
 
"Being a committed Christian, being baptized in the Spirit, involves a reorientation of life that is significantly different from the way the ordinary modern person thinks - it is a revolution in outlook on the world [our worldview]. We are able to explain the gospel message in a way that allows people to see how great the salvation is that is being offered, and how great a difference there is between living under the rule of Christ – life 'in the Spirit', and the rule of the world - life 'not in the Spirit'". (Discerning the Times, Part 53, 2009).

 
We are saved from sin and death by Jesus' great and sacrificial work; our salvation brought our "justification" (Romans 8:30), we have been given Jesus' "righteousness" (Romans 3:22), henceforth we are being "sanctified" (present tense continuous), being set apart, separated, for our Lord, (John 17:19). Our salvation is forever. (See Note 1).
 
Go
Jesus said: "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" (Acts 1:8).
 
Later, Paul declared: "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10).
 

Our God of all the Creation has plans for each one of us, His people, plans which will require our commitment and dedication. Let us ponder the words of the songs we sing to Him, and our heart (1 Samuel 16:7) and our life (John 14:6).

 
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you" (Deuteronomy 31:6).
 
"But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you" (John 14:26 Amplified).
 
"Be confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6).
 
Jesus said "Come unto me" (Matthew 11:28).
 
My prayer, for all of us, Jesus’ people: "O Lord, you have brought so much to our lives (1 Corinthians 2:12). Go before us please, guide us into a greater commitment to you, your way (Acts 2:42-47), and your work (Philippians 2:13). Let it be clear, both in our selves and in our lives, that we are yours. Amen". 

Jesus' words, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35).

Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

Note 1. Our Salvation Is Irrevocable
Even now we can be diverted, as we were before Jesus got a-hold of us: "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God?" (James 4:4). These are strong words, but they do not mean that we will lose our salvation if we slip and briefly befriend the world.
 
Once we are in our Father's heavenly family we are there forever. Sometimes we see people "fall away" who appeared to be fully part of Jesus "body"; this is a mystery and only Jesus knows. Jesus is "our redeemer" (Ephesians 1:7).

 

Our Bible is clear; once we are "saved" and "in" Jesus' Kingdom, vital aspects of who we are, are changed, renewed:

• Ezekiel 36:26 - He gives us a new heart and puts a new spirit in us; He will remove from us our heart of stone and give us a heart of flesh.
• Romans 8:30 - Jesus' plans include our glorification.
• 1 Corinthians 6:19 - Our bodies are now temples of Jesus' Holy Spirit.
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 - We are a "new creation", the old has gone.

• 1 Peter 1:23 - We are made new, "born again".
• 1 Peter 2:5 - We are "living stones", a part of God's house.
• Titus 3:5 - He "saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit".

(Also see post www.psalmsofjohn.com/2011/02/lukewarm.html) 

 
Bless us all. Amen.

  

P.S. The photos for this post were taken on Trish and my winter-school-break holiday in the bush a couple of hours South from our house. Lovely, cold but beautiful. A true holiday, Jesus was with us :-)

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"Separate" is now a podcast in Spotify under PsalmsOfJohn

• Public link to podcast

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Amen.

Witnesses

"O give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name, make known His doings among the peoples!" (Psalm 105:1 - David's words). 

We are Jesus' witnesses; we walk in His footsteps. 

Whilst here on Earth, Jesus ministered, He suffered, died, rose and ascended to Heaven - He witnessed about our Father, about love, and about the Kingdom of God. He taught, He loved, He performed miracles. He said: "follow me".
 
At the end of Matthew's Gospel, Jesus gave us "The Great Commission", which is well known among Christians.
 
commission: (noun) the act of granting certain powers or the authority to carry out a task or duty; the authority so granted; the matter or task so authorized. (American Heritage Dictionary).
 
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20 - Jesus words).
 
Today we are Jesus followers, this commission is for us, each one, and for all Christians everywhere. I find this to be daunting but am encouraged by Paul’s words: "And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers" (Ephesians 4:11). The broad scope of the Commission does not mean that I must be an evangelist and a missionary. Rather, I discern (after all my years following Jesus), that my rôle is to help to disciple Christians (of all spiritual ages), sharing and teaching something of the beauty, love and strength of the Lord which He has shown to me.
 
(Though sometimes Jesus does enable me as an evangelist, He prompts me for a particular person; we call this a "divine encounter").
 
I am a "what? why? where? when? how?" kind of person, a seeker after truth. It is natural for me to want to share what I have learned, and to help others to grow where I have struggled.
 
Testimony was, and is, a big help and a significant feature of my Christian walk. (Testimony is the active witness of what people have seen and heard). It was the testimony of excited Christians that carried me beyond simply knowing that "God is". Here He was, alive and vibrant, this Jesus, who I did not know, vitally active in lives near me.
 
In time, Trish and I also became "excited Christians". We too came to know Jesus and to know His love and His power (1 Corinthians 2:4). Now I find that, even in my small world, there are times where my telling about Jesus' miraculous, compassionate and loving work in me, or someone near me, has had a profound effect on others. 

Witnesses of His Majesty
 
While our children were still at school I had a long time unemployed and looking for work. It was a desperate time; I learned that a man who could not support his family lost something of his "man-ness", his sense of worth and of hope. We struggled financially. We learned what it is to be poor in an affluent society. All my training, skills and great work experiences seemed worthless. A desperate time.
 
(We now know that Jesus was always with us, He brought blessings as He invariably does. We never missed a meal or had a bill reach the "debt collector" stage. But during that season our family learned to stick together and to manage, even thrive, with what we had. We are still very close and know how to love and care for one another, a great blessing).
 
Then one morning, while Trish and I were having our quiet time with Jesus, I heard "Bible college" very clearly. I looked at Trish, she had not heard these words, maybe I was mistaken. "Father", I whispered, "I want a good job, what would I do at Bible college?" In my heart I was hoping He had made a mistake, why send me when so many people I knew would really make something of the opportunity? When I shared God's words with Trish she immediately became enthusiastic: "please don't be excited Trish", I said, "I have no desire to go, what I want is a job".
 
We agreed that we would research and see where that led. We reached a short-list of three colleges and went for interviews. One school stood out. Their motto was from 2 Peter 1:16: "Witnesses of His Majesty".
 
It was clear that I was not suited for "Ministry", "Mission", "Counseling", "Youth Ministry" or "Music". That left "Theology", (the study and understanding of God). I had done some teaching as a computer person, theology people tend to teach, so this sounded "possibly ok" to me.
 
Once I was enrolled, it became my desire that "the glorious Father, may give [me] the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that [I] may know him better" (Ephesians 1:17).
 
I now have a bachelor degree in Theology. Absolutely the correct choice, thank you Father! I discovered Jesus afresh, got to know my Abba Father and, like Jesus, my sonship (Matthew 17:5; John 17:22). I learned about God's faithfulness, (Church History 1), and something of how we humans function (Counseling 1 & 2), the whole-ness of the Scriptures (Old Testament, Exegesis, New Testament, Ministry of Holy Spirit). We learned to lead "Devotions", and so much more. I began to lose my anger and my fear. But mostly I grew in Jesus. My theology teacher and I became dear friends and deeply respect one another. Hallelujah!
 
I still remember the College motto: "Witnesses of His Majesty" and believe that this is the essence of what I learned (grew in?) there; to be so centred on Jesus that He has become a key part of me, and all my thinking and life and work. I love testimony, both hearing of others' experience of God's grace and miracle power, and being able to share my own testimonies. "Witnesses of His Majesty". Those years saw me "mushroom" in understanding, after years with seemingly little fruit.
 
I learned to see Jesus as the centre of everything (Colossians 1:16); this is how Father God sees Him; (so I am in good company). God became more personal to me, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; intimately, rather than as an idea I agreed with (so, not simply propositional). The truth of "in Jesus, in Father, in me" became rooted and still fills my life and my worldview, (see Note 1).
 
These truths are the essence of the New covenant. Under the Old Covenant, God chose Israel as His own special possession (Deuteronomy 7:6) but was still over-arching. People visited God at alters, and in His Temple at specially appointed times; only the priests got anywhere near Him. The written Law was rigid and overseen by the priests, scholars and other "special" people. The priests would deal with people's sins once a year; the people had to come to the temple and make the correct sacrifice.
 
Now, under the New Covenant, our sins are permanently covered, God "takes our sins away" (John 1:29) and will "remember them no more" (Hebrews 8:12, 10:16-17). The only sacrifice needed has been made, we need only to repent from our heart; Jesus shed His blood and gave His life to pay for our meanness, wrongdoing and sins, and fully redeem us (Luke 1:68; John 3:16).
 
Now we Christians are "the temple of the living God" (1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 6:16). This is spiritual; our spirit and God's Holy Spirit are bonded together inside of us, every Christian; a mystery and a miracle. This can only be possible because Jesus has given us "His righteousness" (Micah 7:9; Romans 5:17), we are now "clothed with Christ" (Galatians 3:27).
 
God takes our history, no matter how broken or messy this may seem to us. He loves us and finds each one of us so beautiful that our Father in Heaven is preparing us to be His Son's bride, "without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless" (Ephesians 5:27).
 
Jesus' "Great Commission" is often a subject in our prayer meetings. We intercessors know that our availability and obedience to Jesus' calling is an important part of our "new life" in Him (Acts 5:20). But I am shy, not a mixer or networker, and am slow to make friends. Talking to strangers is scary for me, I often stumble over my words.
 
But I do love to disciple and to share about Jesus. I am so blessed with the Christian teaching, training and ministry I have received; many lovely, and loving, people have been patient with me, longsuffering even (Exodus 34:6). Their work has been rewarded in my spiritual growth (Colossians 1:9-10).
 
As I was reading my Bible, I saw many "witness" and "witnesses" verses. "Ah", I thought, "this word is my link, my connection, to Jesus' "Great Commission", I am truly a witness of Him, from my heart".
 
"Witness" is a word with an exact meaning: a witness tells what he or she has seen or heard, neither more nor less. Being a witness is serious. In a court of law, witnesses are sworn to tell "the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth" so that justice may be served, to lie is a crime.
 
I love truth (John 1:14). I love to find out how things work, how they "are" in their essence. Perhaps this is why I love Christian testimony, people are so clear as they share what they have seen, heard or experienced as the Kingdom of God has come near to them (Matthew 4:17; Luke 10:9). I love too how the hearers are affected; they recognise that the testimony is true, for some this is the beginning of their "knowing" Jesus, His "salvation" (Luke 8:10), and his "life" (John 10:10). They can see that blessing and life can come to anyone through Jesus, the source and giver of life (1 Corinthians 8:6) and "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). 

Bible Witness Heroes
 
Throughout history our God has treasured His witnesses. Here are some of my heroes:
 
Abram/Abraham - I first met this great man of God when I was a new Christian, a friend gave me a book about him and he quickly became a hero to me. Abraham heard God speak to him and obeyed. He left his home and headed out to "a place I will show you" (Genesis 12:1). This would have been extraordinary, at that time, for a man in his social "landed" position.
 
Abraham's obedience was not perfect, his journey was long and his reward difficult to see, but his faith was steadfast. I find this so very encouraging, I well know that my obedience has not been perfect and my walk halting and slow. I too find our lovely God faithful in the progress of my life and in my troubles, and this causes my faith to grow.
 
God "appeared" to Abraham (Genesis 18:1-2); we learn from Scripture that he encountered the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ (John 8:56). Abraham rejoiced at his understanding that God's Saviour would come to all humankind. (We see the same eternal Jesus in John 1:1).
 
Abraham’s story witnesses to us today as it has throughout history: Jesus is real, He is the God of Heaven and Earth (Colossians 2:9) "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form .. He is the head over every power and authority". Jesus was and is and eternally will be.
 
Moses is another hero. He lived a small life and had simple communication skills, then God spoke to him: "Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say" (Exodus 4:12). Moses obeyed, he did speak, he helped our God change the world. Through the Bible and so many Bible stories Moses witnesses to us still.
 
Mary was unwavering in her love and devotion to both our Father in Heaven and to her Son, Jesus. Mary's prayer, known as "The Magnificat" (Luke 1:46-55), speaks to this and is known far beyond Christian circles. She endured humiliation by being unmarried while expecting her baby, and then knew devastation at Jesus' unjust condemnation and crucifixion. Another heroic witness.
 
New Testament - We also remember Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, then Paul, James, Peter, Jude and the author of Hebrews, whose witness fills the New Testament. 

And the hundreds of millions of Christians, not so different from you and me, who have shared about our lovely Lord Jesus, our faith, the Kingdom of God, and hope, love, forgiveness, healing, peace, and belonging, and who share the glory of our Father and His Saviour Son, Jesus Christ.
 
Heroes, yet simply servants; witnesses of His Majesty.
 
Praise Jesus for his ceaseless work among us all. Amen.
 
Note 1 - "In Jesus", "In Father" and "In Me" Bible References:

"On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me, and I am in you" (John 14:20).

See also: John 10:38, 14:17, 15:4, 17:21, 17:23-26; Romans 6:23, 8:1, 8:39, 12:5; 1 Corinthians 1:30, 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:6,10, 2:22; Colossians 1:27, 3:3, 3:16-19 and more ...

Also see post "In"

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Or the "In" podcast on Spotify under PsalmsOfJohn

• Public link to podcast

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Favourite "Witnesses" Bible Verses

 
"I have revealed and saved and proclaimed - I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses' declares the Lord, 'that I am God'" (Isaiah 43:12).
 
"And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14).
 
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms" (Peter 4:10)
 
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9)
 
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10).
 
Amen.

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Praise Jesus.

Forgiveness

Everyone knows trouble. For some, our trouble was brought by another person and the anguish and pain is with us still. It may seem impossible to forgive that person - don't they deserve a full punishment for what they have done? 

Jesus is here to help; He always wants the best for us (Matthew 7:11); He is the great reconciler and restorer (Colossians 1:19-20). I pray that my experience and testimony will help you, I bring understanding from my own healings, and from much study. Praise Jesus that the effects of unforgiveness are today being recognised among God's people.

For many years Galatians 5:1 has been a favourite Bible verse - I sought freedom and have found freedom, and peace, in Jesus, "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).
 
When Jesus died and rose from the grave He defeated death and sin, humanity's two biggest problems since The Fall (Genesis 3). "For our sake [God] made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21).
 
Jesus is our shepherd and will guide us and care for us all the days of our life (John 10:11, 14:6). He has given us tools to help us. The Lord's Prayer is one such, a beloved and perhaps the most spoken prayer on Earth. (On Easter Sunday 2007, it is estimated that two billion people spoke this prayer).
 
"Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen".
(Luke 11:2-4 and Matthew 6:9-13, in words I learned as a child).
 
We see that Jesus links our being freed from our sins to our forgiving others and setting them free from their sins against us. This is a theme throughout the Bible.
 

"Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord" (Leviticus 19:18).

"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins" (Mark 11:25).
 
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32).
 
Healing Our Heart
 
To forgive someone who has hurt us may seem unfair and unreasonable, but with prayer and perseverance Jesus will bring us through, we will be released from our anger and pain. O, the relief, the healing of our heart!
 
Along the way we see the truth of what our friend Bev P. says: "Unforgiveness is like us drinking poison and hoping the other person will get sick". Often the person who hurt us is unaware of our pain, they carry on with life with no burden from their wrongdoing. 
 

Our emotions of resentment and anger, and our desire for revenge produce a bitterness in our heart, (medical people know this as a "toxic thought pattern"). Our Bible warns us about this: "See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no bitter root springs up and causes trouble, by it many are defiled" (Hebrews 12:15). Those emotions are "bad fruit" in our life, the opposite of the "fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-23) which Jesus grows in us (Luke 11:13).
 
This is a spiritual problem which cripples us and has profound impact on our ability to help others.
 
Another thing. God is in charge of justice. "Do not seek revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord'" (Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19).
 
It may be that the offending person is already remorseful; we humans learn to wear masks to cover our negative feelings. I have been amazed at the number of seemingly successful, outgoing, "comfortable" people who have confided in me their deep insecurities and profound feelings of guilt and shame. The repentance we hope to see may already be present. Our worry will not help us or them.
 
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:1-2). How many times did I read these words before they came alive in my heart? Prayer is needed before we can release everything to our Lord Jesus.
 
Christians remind one another: "Let go and let God"; our children love to recite a favourite memory verse: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6). I find these thoughts uplifting in times of difficulty. Paul calls on us to renew our minds (Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 2:16), this is a conscious process which bears precious fruit.
 
Here is a song which brings joy to my heart, especially when I am troubled:
 
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
 
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
 
Eight great verses! Joseph Scriven, 1855.
 
My Testimony
 
Twice I have had major healings through forgiveness, (and a thousand other healings too).
 
Arthritis: I was at work and reached out to answer the phone. A searing pain shot through my right shoulder, I was frozen, totally surprised. My boss sent me to see a doctor who said: "John, this is arthritis; often it will strike out of the blue like this. There have been big advances in treatment, and we will begin by trying this medication which helps many people like you". I was upset. "We will try?", I responded, "you are not sure what to prescribe?" The doctor explained that there was no way to determine the best medication for any arthritis patient, and no guarantee at all of success. Some people suffer terribly for life. Not encouraging news.
 
At the pharmacy I waited in line behind two women and could not help overhearing their conversation, (I totally believe that this scene was set by our mighty Lord Jesus). One woman said: "O, that Sonja, she still complains all the time. She has seen every doctor and they can't help her. I keep telling her: arthritis is a disease caused by unforgiveness. She just refuses to forgive that ex-husband of hers".
 
I had about 20 minutes to wait for my tablets and nothing to do but ponder those words. Unforgiveness? Arthritis? "Jesus, were those words for me?" The medication I was prescribed did no good at all, neither did the doctor's second "try".
 
My morning quiet times took on a whole new shape. I looked at my life: Who has hurt me? Who do I resent or hold in unforgiveness? Also, how do I forgive? Just saying the words will not be enough, God looks at our heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
 
This was a battle. When I thought I was done, Jesus would soon bring to mind another person or event to be forgiven: from my childhood, my teens, my 20s, from friends, family, even from myself. From betrayals, from mistakes and misunderstandings. Three times I thought I had completed this task.
 
Then the pain went away and I had full use of my shoulder once again, and still do to this day. Hallelujah. Thank you Jesus. This was big. I was still young, with a wife and six growing children. Jesus has faithfully kept me mobile all these years since.

Every Day: We Christians progress towards "unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God; until we become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). But we still seem able to hurt one another and be hurt ourselves: in marriage, in family, and with others. Sometimes we may blame God for our pain or lack or trouble. We can cause or feel offence or pain. Happily, in Jesus forgiving is always possible. Trish and I have learned to repent often and forgive each other quickly (Ephesians 4:32). "Short accounts" are good. I often think of our marriage as a lovely long conversation.
 
Cancer: More recently I had a big fight with prostrate cancer. By the time they found the tumors they were well established. My doctors decided that radiation was the best treatment for me. I was told that there was hope for success but the risks were high; our prostrate is near several major body parts and the cancer can easily spread.
 
A prayer friend sent me some links from a Christian doctor who studied medical advances in the light of what God's Word says about health and healing. I watched the talks, downloaded the big PDF book and had it printed.

Jesus made it plain that I was to clear the "toxic thought patterns" from my life; these included anger at the declining state of our culture and the world, and once again, unforgiveness, of myself and of others. A weeks-long prayer battle followed.
 
I re-learned to: ".. take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). I pondered what "every" means!
 
Once again I prayed and sought forgiveness for my own sins, prayed and forgave others, and myself. Once again this process needed to be repeated. It is very hard work. My knowledge of my dependence on Jesus became radiant. I sought to ensure that nothing would impede the flow of His grace to me.
 
I went through my treatment as one of a cohort, we were together every weekday for months. I was at peace and made a remarkable recovery. Most of the other men appeared to suffer more, in every way, as the radiation affected us; they seemed to feel a great weight as their days slowly passed. My days were filled with life and prayer, Jesus was manifestly with me, He kept my spirit, my soul and my body for me. At the same time I was able to do less around the house and apologised to Trish. "O John", she replied, "you are fine, you could be all grumpy and demanding but you are not, we can manage, it is ok". Bless her! Jesus was with us in every way.
 
Jesus Helps
 
Jesus is complete love, its source and its essence: "So we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them" (1 John 4:16). We know that Jesus is "always" here with us (Matthew 28:20).
 
My prayer for you: Dear Lord Jesus, I pray that, by your Spirit, you encourage and help this person who is reading what we have written together, to let go of all those they hold in unforgiveness, even them self, and that he or she may find the peace, freedom and hope only you can bring". Amen.
 
Favourite Bible Verses 
 

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27).
 
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).
 
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).
 
Thank you Jesus my beloved friend (John 15:15).
 
Bless us all, come Lord Jesus.
 

• Permalink to web page

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"Forgiveness" is now podcast at Spotify under PsalmsOfJohn

• Public link to podcast

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3kjyRVP4OhLYwoKsw7zoHN

Amen.