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 Jesus 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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https://www.psalmsofjohn.com/2019/05/in.html

Or the "In" podcast on Spotify under PsalmsOfJohn

• Public link to podcast

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5tW22vU4Xr3BvXFIvMr1dQ

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.

•  Permalink to "Witnesses" web page:

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"Witnesses" is now a podcast in Spotify under PsalmsOfJohn

• Public link to "Witnesses" podcast

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0IVzRZcg6B2TJNFJZlZKXg

Praise Jesus.

And Not Look Back

Testimony Of My Life Journey

Sometimes we take a path which looks right; we've thought about things, reached conclusions in which we strongly believe, and decide to go a certain way.

It's all part of our life journey.

But life has a way of showing me when I have made a wrong turn. This may be the right thing for others to do, it's not right for me, just at this time.

The hard thing is to acknowledge my mistake and turn away from it, and in this present case, to take up again what I have been doing for most of my life with Jesus; and that is to focus on prayer.

I am reminded of one of my favourite Bible passages, Ephesians 6:10-18, which concludes: "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people" (Ephesians 6:18).

In Christian terms moving on from an error always involves forgiveness and repentance, (often forgiveness of oneself). For this to work for me I need to make some tough decisions, about letting go and pushing ahead, and then stick to them, "and not look back" (Genesis 19:17; Jeremiah 47:3; Nahun 2:8).

Experience shows that this is not easy. Often there are times of moving forward and then sliding back. I've heard many testimonies of other people struggling a long time to get beyond their earlier mistakes, they'll say things like: "I recognised where I was, I'd been there before, I realised that I was going around the same mountain again"!

Forgiving someone is often hard, we think "why should I forgive him, he was such a rat to me". But until we forgive the other person we cannot become free, unforgiveness cramps our heart and grows into bitterness; this hurts us badly. The other person, the one who caused the pain, is usually unaware of our continuing anguish, they carry happily on with their life.

I will remember the Lord's Prayer where Jesus tells us that forgiveness requires forgiving: "forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us" (Matthew 6:12), and that once forgiven our sins are gone from our Father's memory "you have put all my sins behind your back" (Isaiah 38:17), a liberating realisation.

This is where "and not look back" comes in. In my human weakness I like to pretend that my mistakes were not mistakes; that they were things I did which would have worked out fabulously had circumstances been a little different or I had more resources, or people had helped more, or maybe if I just spend more time thinking it through it will work out when I try it again. Mostly this is just wishful thinking. So taking the focus off me, and off the old, and really pressing into what I'm now doing is the best way; it also means that I do not become a butterfly, touching on this thing, then dashing over there and trying that, then having a try with someone else's idea ..

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have fully taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14).

The important thing is to find "the goal .. for which God has called me". Jesus is always clear in what He wants us to be involved in. When we seek His will for our life, He will say "follow me" and show a way forward. He does this all the time for all His people, though sometimes it is difficult, today, to know what He wants.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).

"Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father" (John 14:12).

Once I have acknowledged my mistake, healing can begin. Yes, healing. We get damaged when we fall off our bike or get a splash of hot fat while cooking. We also get damaged by events and circumstances in our lives, particularly those involving other people and our relationships with them. In my present case, acting on strongly held beliefs, thinking that I could do some good, when in fact, I had very little connectedness or authority to influence others or to help steer policy or decisions.

For a number of years I've been a volunteer for politicians. They are on the conservative side. We believe: "Hey, our country is great, over centuries we grew out of some fundamentally good ideas and structures, we have a balance of fairness for everyone, including our minorities who belong, with us, in this nation. We are each able to live the kind of lifestyle we want, do the kind of work that interests us, mix with the types of people we like or admire, worship as we wish and live a life of faith if we want. Certain established and proven attributes of government, law and social structure have been put in place over centuries which ensure that our hard won freedoms are maintained (see NOTE 1).

Over the past year or two I have been getting more and more frustrated by the way our Federal government is abandoning these widely held and long established core attributes. Our freedoms are being eroded, mostly by political correctness (which is always a lie being presented as a universal truth). Trish tells me that my frustrations show when I talk to people, instead of being gracious and peaceful, I sometimes sound angry and unbending. This is not at all intended. I'm trying to speak gently and with much common sense, but this is not always how it comes out.

Fortunately, when Trish and I were very new Christians, we mixed with others who all prayed. Our prayer meetings were among the most important and exciting events of the week. They were so significant because we saw Jesus at work in the world in response to our prayers. Talk about a boost for your faith! To witness someone healed of an illness, or to see seemingly impossible changes of heart or of circumstances is incredible. Testimonies of miracles abound. In our family and my own life there have been many miracles. Prayer is a part of our sharing with Jesus in His work on the earth. It is us speaking into the spiritual world with power given by God Himself.

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power" (1 Corinthians 4:20).

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us" (2 Corinthians 4:7).

"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:4).

"For the Spirit God gives us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-control" (2 Timothy 1:7).

"Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done - by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God" (Romans 15:17-18).

Jesus often taught His people to pray, and to pray "always, and not give up" (Luke 18:1-4). Sometimes we don't see an immediate response to our prayers, but I find that knowing that I am sharing my burdens and all my issues with God is extraordinarily reassuring. Also, frequently seeking Jesus' will for me is an essential part of my prayer life.

"Yet, Lord my God, give attention to your servant's prayer and his plea for mercy. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence" (2 Chronicles 6:19).

Whilst living in New Jersey many years ago we attended prayer meetings based on "ACTS": "Adoration (singing and worship), Contrition (repentance and forgiveness), Thanksgiving (being grateful), Supplication (prayer and intercession)". I found this to be a great way to be balanced and to not simply come to my Lord Jesus with a big shopping list and perhaps sound like a whinger. "ACTS" has stayed with me even if we now live in Western Australia. Often now I'm less formal in my prayers. That group also used to journal all the prayer requests and record when that need was met. It was so very encouraging to see how many needs were met, and in many cases, how quickly.

"In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Now on a Saturday evening, before dinner, Trish and I will often take an hour or so and simply soak in prayer with Jesus and our Father. As we are each unique, this soaking prayer is probably different for everybody. My time is spent remembering lovely encounters I've had with Jesus and things that I'm grateful for. I ponder recent national or family events, not to find solutions, but rather to bring all my concerns before the King of kings and Lord of lords. These times are very rich. We conclude with communion together, and a time of sharing. Both Trish and I feel that these are some of the most productive times of our week!

"And not look back" takes on a real importance when seen like this, pressing forward is a discipline which helps us to be balanced and peaceful in our place in the world, and to live out "faith, hope and love" in our life (1 Corinthians 13:13).

Amen

Favourite Bible Verses

'Jesus replied, "No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God"' (Luke 9:62).

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people" (Ephesians 6:10-18).

NOTE 1 - The Core Of Democracy - Freedoms hard won by our ancestors, most of which are based on Christian principles from the Ten Commandments of God and from Jesus' teaching:

·         Freedom of speech

·         Freedom of conscience, and by extension, freedom of thought

·         Freedom of association, and by extension, freedom of religion, worship and faith

·         Everyone being equal under the law, even the Queen and Prime Minister, and by extension, giving everyone else, and expecting for oneself, a "fair go" - a very Australian concept, broadly and deeply felt

·         Democratic governments where every adult person contributes to the selection of governments, and can influence how laws are enacted and repealed

·         Being protected in our nation, internally by our laws and police, and externally by well trained and well equipped military forces

·         Enjoying universal health care

·         Taxation for all, together with support and welfare systems ensuring that the rich don't eventually own all the assets, and the poor or disabled or unable-to-cope can live, with food and shelter and can still send their kids to school ..

Hallelujah!

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"And Not Look Back" is now a podcast on Spotify under PsalmsOfJohn

• Public link to podcast

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5MaUVmyPa7dCSY7UGBjWsa

Amen.