How easy is it for us to give thanks for the things that we enjoy, that we like, and for the wonderful situations that we find ourselves in? How many times though, do we give thanks for the unwanted things, the despised things, and the trials that we face? It’s rare, very rare indeed when we approach God with a thankful heart, when things aren’t going the way we want them to do. Generally, we want to blame other people for our problems, we even want to blame God for our problems and losses. Yet, what we need to do is give thanks in all circumstances, "Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thes 5:16-18 NIV emphasis mine)
The key to this, is not to give thanks for the circumstances, but in the circumstances. While we are going through the trial, give thanks to God, praise God, give the glory to God. Why? That is God’s will for you. He wants you to give thanks, regardless of the situation you find yourself in. When Paul and Silas were in prison, instead of grousing about the unfairness of the situation, complaining to anyone who wanted to hear, or even blame God, they sang hymns to God. They were giving thanks, not for the situation, but they were giving thanks to God.
What if the situation is something that we caused? Give thanks to God for the wake up call. If you get pulled over for driving under the influence, don’t blame the police, the bartender, or your neighbors dog. God allowed you to go through that situation so that you can conquer that addiction. Give thanks to God for that is what He wants.
What if the situation is something that we have no control over? "Consider it pure joy my brothers when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. . . Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:2,3,12 NIV) When we find ourselves in a trial, God is testing us and our faith. These trials aren’t little struggles that we find ourselves in. These trials are major faith testing scenarios. Death, illness, loss of a job, end of a relationship, and countless other things that make us question whether God exists, or even cares about us. First we should be joyful that we are facing these trials. Does that mean we don’t weep? Not at all, if we lose a loved one, for any reason, we should weep for the loss. This isn’t baseball so it’s ok to cry. But, do not consider it a curse or punishment. Realize that when we face these trials, God is trying to enhance our faith and make us grow. There are times that we get a little self absorbed, forget about God’s grace, and focus on ourselves. These trials, let us refocus on God. Sometimes, we get away from God and He uses these trials to bring us back.
What about the people in our lives that bring us misery? Give thanks for them. Love them as you love yourself. Pray for them, do not curse them. "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:27,28 NIV). How do you do good? First and foremost, forgive them of their transgressions against you. You have to release the animosity, anger, and hurt that you have carried for this long. Pray to God to help you with the forgiveness for that person. We can not expect God to forgive us, if we don’t forgive those who transgress against us. Is it easy? No, not at all, but it is necessary, for your own sake and your own spiritual growth. Don’t seek vengeance or reparations from the person. If they stole something, forgive them, don’t ask for the object back. Yes it’s tough, but continue to read Luke, scripture even states, don’t ask for it back. Forgive them and be nice to them, and it will be like holding hot coals over their heads. Yes, it is hard and difficult, but that’s what God is there for. To help you overcome your trials. From a personal standpoint, I was stuck spiritually for a long time, and it took a while for me realize it was unforgiveness on my part. When I prayed to God to help me with my unforgiveness, I felt a burden release from me. I felt a part of me grow. I even enhanced the personal relationship with this person, and I feel no animosity towards the person. I see the person as God sees the person, one of His own.
There is only 3 times that we should thank God. When times are good. When times are normal. When times are bad. Whatever struggle, or burden you are carrying, go to God and give thanks. Ask God to help you with your struggles and commit yourself to His will.
Have a blessed week
Daniel G Vandenburg
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Begun the Clone War Has
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth . . .So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him." (Gen 1:1,27) Then in the year 2006, man decided to create man in his own image. No matter the spin, we have entered into the area known as cloning humans especially for the purpose of destruction, but soon, for other purposes. Daniel you are an alarmist, the procedure doesn’t call for cloning, and it is only for stem cell research, then the embryos will be destroyed. No loss of human life. Like I said, no matter the spin, life will be created by humans, (not the natural wonderful way to create humans), and soon, maybe not in my lifetime, but for other purposes. The movie The Island may have prophetic overtones after all.
How important is stem cell research? Useless, and very important. When it comes to stem cell research, the main thing that isn’t talked about is what type. Those that support embryonic stem cell research are misleading, to out right lying to the public. When they point to all the advances that have come from stem cell research, they are somewhat right. I personally support the initiative to increase stem cell research, and a lot has been done with stem cell research. Cures, and medicinal therapy have resulted in stem cell research. Advances in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson disease, MS, and various other genetic diseases have come from stem cell research. Those are facts that can not be disputed. The other aspect of these facts, that the embryonic stem cell supporters don’t want you to know, is all of these advances have come from adult stem cell research. There has not, I repeat, not been any advance or cure done by embryonic stem cell research. All that embryonic stem cell research has accomplished is the destruction of human life.
The authors of the Missouri initiative to increase stem cell research kept pointing out that their bill does not mention cloning. The problem is the use of the language. Top medical schools, Johns Hopkins, the AMA, various other scientific journals and universities all said that it increases the use of cloning. Regardless of the language that they used it increased and promoted cloning. What is going to happen in the future? There are many possibilities, and some will accuse me of being an alarmist, or even a doomsayer, but knowing human nature, this is a strong possibility of happening.
What is that you might ask? Adult clones.
Hitler once dreamt of the Aryan race. With cloning now on the forefront, that dream of his will not be far off. Man can determine if the child will have a genetic defect and therefore lead to aborting the baby. Man can manipulate the gene pool, to make sure the baby doesn’t inherit any genetic flaw. People can determine the sex of the child, and the very make up of the child. And if they don’t like the results, they can abort the child and start again.
Through the results of cloning, laws can be past to regulate who will have children. The government will decide if the couple is worthy enough to have children, and then if they can, they have to spend a bundle to make the right child. Don’t believe me, people have been writing books and short stories for the past 70 years, discussing these things. China has laws to prohibit certain people from having any babies, not just 1, they can’t have any. China has a large sterilization policy that affects a lot of people.
Aside from the limits, will come the harvesting clones. The movie The Island dealt with that topic. Ewan McGregor (a second movie about clones for him) plays a clone on an island. The movie is about clones that are unaware that they are clones. The just think they live in a city with the chance to go to paradise in the lottery. What they are unaware of is that the lottery is not a good thing, nor is it random. When chosen for the lottery, they are taken into a lab and their body parts are harvested for the original person. They are basically their originals organ donors. We might come to that some time soon.
Then there is the clone army. I’m not just talking Star Wars here. There will come a point where the powers that be, instead of taking enlisted men, will start to create their own perfect soldier. It is the Aryan race with the purpose of going to war. They will be grown, bred, and trained for destruction. An actual clone war will break out.
Ultimately though, we are crossing into a threshold that belongs solely to God. God is the creator of all things. He created the heavens and the earth. He created the animals of the land, the birds of the air, the fish of the sea. He created you and me. "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s wound." (Psalm 139:13) "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."(Jer 1:5) "Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me if you understand." (Job 38:2-4)
We are starting to play God. We are denying the creator and worshiping the created things. We are making our own laws and disobeying the Lawgiver.
We can no longer truly say we are a nation of Christians. We as a nation have turned to away from God. We are serving the created instead of the creator (evolution). We knew God, but we no longer glorify God. We claim to be wise, yet we are foolish, (Read Romans chap 1)
Jesus said that if we are not for him then we are against him. As a nation, we pretty much showed that we are not for him. We allowed a cloning law, we allowed for homosexual marriage, we didn’t even get out to vote. A voice of silence is acceptance.
Being the Star Wars fan that I am, I can understand how Bail Organa felt watching the clone ships take off. He stood there on the balcony overlooking the area, and clenched his fist in despair and pressed it against the ledge.
As Yoda said to Obi-Wan Kenobi, "The shroud of the dark side has fallen. Begun the clone war has."
Have a blessed week
Daniel G Vandenburg
How important is stem cell research? Useless, and very important. When it comes to stem cell research, the main thing that isn’t talked about is what type. Those that support embryonic stem cell research are misleading, to out right lying to the public. When they point to all the advances that have come from stem cell research, they are somewhat right. I personally support the initiative to increase stem cell research, and a lot has been done with stem cell research. Cures, and medicinal therapy have resulted in stem cell research. Advances in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson disease, MS, and various other genetic diseases have come from stem cell research. Those are facts that can not be disputed. The other aspect of these facts, that the embryonic stem cell supporters don’t want you to know, is all of these advances have come from adult stem cell research. There has not, I repeat, not been any advance or cure done by embryonic stem cell research. All that embryonic stem cell research has accomplished is the destruction of human life.
The authors of the Missouri initiative to increase stem cell research kept pointing out that their bill does not mention cloning. The problem is the use of the language. Top medical schools, Johns Hopkins, the AMA, various other scientific journals and universities all said that it increases the use of cloning. Regardless of the language that they used it increased and promoted cloning. What is going to happen in the future? There are many possibilities, and some will accuse me of being an alarmist, or even a doomsayer, but knowing human nature, this is a strong possibility of happening.
What is that you might ask? Adult clones.
Hitler once dreamt of the Aryan race. With cloning now on the forefront, that dream of his will not be far off. Man can determine if the child will have a genetic defect and therefore lead to aborting the baby. Man can manipulate the gene pool, to make sure the baby doesn’t inherit any genetic flaw. People can determine the sex of the child, and the very make up of the child. And if they don’t like the results, they can abort the child and start again.
Through the results of cloning, laws can be past to regulate who will have children. The government will decide if the couple is worthy enough to have children, and then if they can, they have to spend a bundle to make the right child. Don’t believe me, people have been writing books and short stories for the past 70 years, discussing these things. China has laws to prohibit certain people from having any babies, not just 1, they can’t have any. China has a large sterilization policy that affects a lot of people.
Aside from the limits, will come the harvesting clones. The movie The Island dealt with that topic. Ewan McGregor (a second movie about clones for him) plays a clone on an island. The movie is about clones that are unaware that they are clones. The just think they live in a city with the chance to go to paradise in the lottery. What they are unaware of is that the lottery is not a good thing, nor is it random. When chosen for the lottery, they are taken into a lab and their body parts are harvested for the original person. They are basically their originals organ donors. We might come to that some time soon.
Then there is the clone army. I’m not just talking Star Wars here. There will come a point where the powers that be, instead of taking enlisted men, will start to create their own perfect soldier. It is the Aryan race with the purpose of going to war. They will be grown, bred, and trained for destruction. An actual clone war will break out.
Ultimately though, we are crossing into a threshold that belongs solely to God. God is the creator of all things. He created the heavens and the earth. He created the animals of the land, the birds of the air, the fish of the sea. He created you and me. "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s wound." (Psalm 139:13) "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."(Jer 1:5) "Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me if you understand." (Job 38:2-4)
We are starting to play God. We are denying the creator and worshiping the created things. We are making our own laws and disobeying the Lawgiver.
We can no longer truly say we are a nation of Christians. We as a nation have turned to away from God. We are serving the created instead of the creator (evolution). We knew God, but we no longer glorify God. We claim to be wise, yet we are foolish, (Read Romans chap 1)
Jesus said that if we are not for him then we are against him. As a nation, we pretty much showed that we are not for him. We allowed a cloning law, we allowed for homosexual marriage, we didn’t even get out to vote. A voice of silence is acceptance.
Being the Star Wars fan that I am, I can understand how Bail Organa felt watching the clone ships take off. He stood there on the balcony overlooking the area, and clenched his fist in despair and pressed it against the ledge.
As Yoda said to Obi-Wan Kenobi, "The shroud of the dark side has fallen. Begun the clone war has."
Have a blessed week
Daniel G Vandenburg
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Media: Madonna vs Mel
"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." (John 15:18,19 NIV) Recently there has been a struggle within myself with the always politically correct media. The media will tell you there is no discrimination amongst their news stories. They view all discrimination with disdain. Yet, they perpetuate their own versions of discrimination, without regards to the people they offend. Daniel, I’ve watched the news and they are vehemently against discrimination, what news discriminated against African- Americans, homosexuals, Jews, or Muslims? None, that I am aware of, but there is a strong anti-Christian bias within the media. Before you have a hemorrhage, read the whole entry.
Just recently I was flipping the channels and happen to come across the Crap News Network. They ran a 10 minute story on the evil anti-Semitic Mel Gibson. TEN MINUTES!! On something that happened a while back. (Also understand I don’t think Mel is an evil anti-Semite. That’s how the media portrayed him). What he did is reprehensible, but he has repented and felt very remorseful for what he has done. Is what he did unforgivable? Not at all. We all have had a momentary lapse of reason and when we repent and ask forgiveness, God will forgive us, and as Christians we are to forgive those who sin against us. Which actually brings me to my problem with the media.
Just even more recently the beloved Madonna was stripped of her "artistic creativity" because "fundamentalist Christians" petitioned NBC not to show a part of her show. The part of the show, her giving herself a mock crucifixion. In an interview with a famed woman journalist, Madonna claimed that she was censored and should have been allowed to show her mocking of the crucifixion. She is an artist and she should be able to do what she wants, even if it offends a certain type of person. If she did something that offended African-Americans would the media still be encouraging her? Of course not, and they would be treating her with the same disdain that they treat Mel at this point.
A couple of years ago, I was listening to Focus on the Family, and Dr Dobson had on an African-American pastor. (Unfortunately, I can not remember his name, but I remember the conversation) He made a valid point: All the references that the media made about him being a Christian (or anything Christian) would have been made about his race, he could sue for discrimination, but because it was about him being a Christian there wasn’t anything he could do about it.
When we think of persecution of the Christians we think of people being beheaded or thrown to the lions. We think we are a civilized society and none of that happens today. Wake up and look at what’s going on in our society. Lawsuits are being presented to stop children from bringing Bibles to school, children praying over their lunch, and organizing of Christian after school groups. Christians are being portrayed as narrow minded hate mongers, (unfortunately, there are some "Christians" that help spread that image) or simple minded idiots. Christians are portrayed as hypocrites and mindless lemmings. Christians are being sued for preaching hate, when they speak out of the Bible. Pastors are being persecuted, maligned, and hated by the media, because they speak God’s word. Why? Read the opening quote. I never gave that much thought until just recently. People hate Christians because of Jesus.
I was watching Bill O’Reilly one night and he had on his show a liberal woman. I used to like this woman as an actress and comedienne, but after that interview I was turned away from her. She talked about how "Christian conservatives" were narrow minded and wouldn’t let other people express their opinions. Bill masterfully wove the conversation onto that discussion. It was interesting to watch her stumble bumble around after he turned the tables on her. What did he say? He just pointed out the liberal style of thinking. "It’s all right to have an open mind as long as you agree with what they say. But, they're narrowminded if they don't agree with you." I have seen countless interviews from many people and it is my opinion that the liberal interviewers won’t allow others to speak their mind, unless it’s something they want to hear, and conservative interviewers to allow others to speak, even if it differs, but respond with truths, and the other person has a problem with responding back. It’s interesting how when someone quotes scripture on TV, they become narrow minded, yet when someone quotes Gloria Steinem they’re open minded.
Another case in point, Saturday, on my drive to visit my pa, I was listening to the radio. The topic was on abortion, particularly partial birth abortion. A woman called in to say she believed abortion to be all right. So the host asked about partial birth abortion, and the woman said she supported an abortion at any stage to be the right of the mother. The host then described a partial birth abortion to the woman. WARNING: The following account can be disturbing, read the following very very carefully, if you have a weak stomach or love for children skip to The media wants to. . .
The host described a partial birth abortion. He said, "A partial birth abortion is when they deliver the baby, except for the head. So the legs are flailing around, the arms are swinging. The stomach is compressing. The heart is beating. And the doctor then slides a scalpel into the woman and makes an incision into the head of the baby, and then uses a suction tube and sucks out the brains of the baby, causing the skull to collapse, aborting the child. What then is the difference in 3 inches and the doctor doing the same thing, after the baby has been delivered." The response of the woman, "You don’t need to put it in those terms, that makes it sound bad." The hosts response, "That’s because it is bad. And the current laws make no difference between 3 inches, between abortion and infanticide. Abortion is infanticide!" And a certain news channel was upset because the host of the show disagreed with the caller, and made her think.
The media wants to make Madonna a saint and Mel the second coming of Hitler. The media wants to make Christians to be narrow minded hate spewing idiots. The media wants you to think anything Christian is stupid. And they will do everything they can to portray Christians in a negative light and anti-Christians in a positive light. When you ask yourself why the media does what it does, keep the opening scripture in mind.
Have a blessed week
Daniel G Vandenburg
Addendum: This is posted after I originally posted this blog. An independant study in the new stories released a study. It was done on the media coverage in the last 6 weeks beginning in Sept. of the political parties. It found that 77% of the media stories favored the democrats and 12% favored the Republicans. That is the news stories, not the advertising. And to say there is no bias in the media.
Just recently I was flipping the channels and happen to come across the Crap News Network. They ran a 10 minute story on the evil anti-Semitic Mel Gibson. TEN MINUTES!! On something that happened a while back. (Also understand I don’t think Mel is an evil anti-Semite. That’s how the media portrayed him). What he did is reprehensible, but he has repented and felt very remorseful for what he has done. Is what he did unforgivable? Not at all. We all have had a momentary lapse of reason and when we repent and ask forgiveness, God will forgive us, and as Christians we are to forgive those who sin against us. Which actually brings me to my problem with the media.
Just even more recently the beloved Madonna was stripped of her "artistic creativity" because "fundamentalist Christians" petitioned NBC not to show a part of her show. The part of the show, her giving herself a mock crucifixion. In an interview with a famed woman journalist, Madonna claimed that she was censored and should have been allowed to show her mocking of the crucifixion. She is an artist and she should be able to do what she wants, even if it offends a certain type of person. If she did something that offended African-Americans would the media still be encouraging her? Of course not, and they would be treating her with the same disdain that they treat Mel at this point.
A couple of years ago, I was listening to Focus on the Family, and Dr Dobson had on an African-American pastor. (Unfortunately, I can not remember his name, but I remember the conversation) He made a valid point: All the references that the media made about him being a Christian (or anything Christian) would have been made about his race, he could sue for discrimination, but because it was about him being a Christian there wasn’t anything he could do about it.
When we think of persecution of the Christians we think of people being beheaded or thrown to the lions. We think we are a civilized society and none of that happens today. Wake up and look at what’s going on in our society. Lawsuits are being presented to stop children from bringing Bibles to school, children praying over their lunch, and organizing of Christian after school groups. Christians are being portrayed as narrow minded hate mongers, (unfortunately, there are some "Christians" that help spread that image) or simple minded idiots. Christians are portrayed as hypocrites and mindless lemmings. Christians are being sued for preaching hate, when they speak out of the Bible. Pastors are being persecuted, maligned, and hated by the media, because they speak God’s word. Why? Read the opening quote. I never gave that much thought until just recently. People hate Christians because of Jesus.
I was watching Bill O’Reilly one night and he had on his show a liberal woman. I used to like this woman as an actress and comedienne, but after that interview I was turned away from her. She talked about how "Christian conservatives" were narrow minded and wouldn’t let other people express their opinions. Bill masterfully wove the conversation onto that discussion. It was interesting to watch her stumble bumble around after he turned the tables on her. What did he say? He just pointed out the liberal style of thinking. "It’s all right to have an open mind as long as you agree with what they say. But, they're narrowminded if they don't agree with you." I have seen countless interviews from many people and it is my opinion that the liberal interviewers won’t allow others to speak their mind, unless it’s something they want to hear, and conservative interviewers to allow others to speak, even if it differs, but respond with truths, and the other person has a problem with responding back. It’s interesting how when someone quotes scripture on TV, they become narrow minded, yet when someone quotes Gloria Steinem they’re open minded.
Another case in point, Saturday, on my drive to visit my pa, I was listening to the radio. The topic was on abortion, particularly partial birth abortion. A woman called in to say she believed abortion to be all right. So the host asked about partial birth abortion, and the woman said she supported an abortion at any stage to be the right of the mother. The host then described a partial birth abortion to the woman. WARNING: The following account can be disturbing, read the following very very carefully, if you have a weak stomach or love for children skip to The media wants to. . .
The host described a partial birth abortion. He said, "A partial birth abortion is when they deliver the baby, except for the head. So the legs are flailing around, the arms are swinging. The stomach is compressing. The heart is beating. And the doctor then slides a scalpel into the woman and makes an incision into the head of the baby, and then uses a suction tube and sucks out the brains of the baby, causing the skull to collapse, aborting the child. What then is the difference in 3 inches and the doctor doing the same thing, after the baby has been delivered." The response of the woman, "You don’t need to put it in those terms, that makes it sound bad." The hosts response, "That’s because it is bad. And the current laws make no difference between 3 inches, between abortion and infanticide. Abortion is infanticide!" And a certain news channel was upset because the host of the show disagreed with the caller, and made her think.
The media wants to make Madonna a saint and Mel the second coming of Hitler. The media wants to make Christians to be narrow minded hate spewing idiots. The media wants you to think anything Christian is stupid. And they will do everything they can to portray Christians in a negative light and anti-Christians in a positive light. When you ask yourself why the media does what it does, keep the opening scripture in mind.
Have a blessed week
Daniel G Vandenburg
Addendum: This is posted after I originally posted this blog. An independant study in the new stories released a study. It was done on the media coverage in the last 6 weeks beginning in Sept. of the political parties. It found that 77% of the media stories favored the democrats and 12% favored the Republicans. That is the news stories, not the advertising. And to say there is no bias in the media.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
We Are Witnesses
What is a witness? A witness is someone who has first hand knowledge of the events that have transpired. What makes a good witness? In today’s society a good witness is one who has seen or experienced the events that have transpired. As Christians, we are called to be witnesses to Christ. The following is the gist of the message that God gave to me to give to my brothers and sisters at Dayspring Christian Fellowship Church in Junction City KS, on October 29th 2006.
Peter and John were found standing in the porch of the temple before a crowd of people. They had just healed a lame beggar who went throughout the temple, jumping and praising God. This got the attention of some of the people that had come on this day for worship. As the people came to Peter in amazement, Peter began to lecture (sermon) those gathered around about the history of Jesus. He boldly called them murderers and then proceeded to inform them about the power of Jesus. The power of change, the power of love, and the power over death. And how did he know all of this, his statement as recorded in Acts 3:15 "You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this." (NIV, emphasis mine). Now, as Christians, we must boldly proclaim those same three words. WE ARE WITNESSES.
We may not have seen the death and resurrection of Jesus, but we have experienced the transforming power of the death of resurrection of Jesus Christ. We know what it’s like to be a new creation, we know what it’s like to be redeemed, justified, and sanctified by the power of the resurrection of Christ. So why then, do we remain silent.
The great commission tells us to go and to proclaim the gospel throughout the land. In the four gospels of the New Testament, in one form or another, the great commission can be found. We are to spread the gospel into all the nations. Beginning in Jerusalem and working it’s way out. The town you live in, is your Jerusalem. Begin by telling your neighbors, your friends, your co-workers, your enemies, and your family about Jesus Christ and what he has done in your life.
If you don’t know what to say, start by saying what Jesus has done for you. No one can deny nor take away from you what Jesus has done in your life. What have you been delivered from? Porn? Alcohol? Adultery? Satanism? Getting involved with a Satanist? Homosexuality? Drug Addictions? Or from something else. Ignoring the family? Caring only for yourself? Unbelief? Idolatry in worship (Traditions that lose it’s significance)? Lack of faith? Whatever your sin, you have been delivered from it. Tell people about him and what he has done for you.
If you don’t want to tell people about your own testimony, for one reason or another, tell them about someone else’s testimony. Can’t think of anyone, tell them about me. I’m now a child of the living God, sanctified, justified, and purified, by the death and resurrection of the Savior Jesus Christ. I am a sinner saved by grace through faith. I have been bruised, crushed, broken, but remade in the image of Christ. If that doesn’t work, tell them about other people you know. Josh McDowell was an atheist who absolutely wanted to prove to the world that Jesus never existed. Through exhaustive and extensive research, wrote a book titled Evidence That Demands a Verdict. Josh McDowell, became saved while trying to prove Jesus didn’t exist.
Tell people about Jesus. Look for a situation where you can optimally open up the love of Jesus for that person. Don’t walk up to them, grab them by the shoulders and shake them saying, "Do you know Jesus?" In any conversation where you are unsure of their knowledge of Jesus, just ask them, "What is your relationship like with Jesus?" or "How well do you know Jesus as your Savior?" Be kind to them and show them love.
Witnessing isn’t just about the words we use, it’s about the actions we do. St Francis of Assisi remarked, "At all times preach the Gospel, if you must, use words." We are more judged by what we do than what we say. The old saying is more true than what people tend to make it, "Actions speak louder than words." Don’t just say it. Do it. Don’t just say it. Show it. Don’t just say it. Live it. Be a witness for Christ in your actions and your everyday living. I’m not just talking about going to church Sunday morning, Sunday evening, Wednesday evening and any time the doors of the church are open for service. Wherever you’re at, be a witness for Christ.
Show God’s love an applicable way. Do you know someone who is not involved in any church, has been dissuaded by "organized religion", or has completely tuned out the Gospel of Christ? Fix them a dinner and take it to them. Take them to the grocery store, or ask them if they need something to pick up while you’re there. Mow their lawn. Wash their car. Do something to show them that God loves them. All the while, you’re going to be witness.
Do you have an enemy? Do you have an antagonist at work? "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those that hate you, bless those who curse you, pay for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:27,28) And how do you bless them and love them. By being a witness for Christ. This is one of those instances where your actions will speak volumes. If you are mistreated, pray for that person. Love that person, do things to help that person out. Show God’s love in an applicable way, witness to that person.
We are to go into the nations and preach the good news to all. It is not a Christians responsibility to prove Jesus lived 2000 years ago, but it is a Christians responsibility to show that Jesus is alive today. Proudly proclaim: WE ARE WITNESSES.
Have a blessed week
Daniel G Vandenburg
Peter and John were found standing in the porch of the temple before a crowd of people. They had just healed a lame beggar who went throughout the temple, jumping and praising God. This got the attention of some of the people that had come on this day for worship. As the people came to Peter in amazement, Peter began to lecture (sermon) those gathered around about the history of Jesus. He boldly called them murderers and then proceeded to inform them about the power of Jesus. The power of change, the power of love, and the power over death. And how did he know all of this, his statement as recorded in Acts 3:15 "You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this." (NIV, emphasis mine). Now, as Christians, we must boldly proclaim those same three words. WE ARE WITNESSES.
We may not have seen the death and resurrection of Jesus, but we have experienced the transforming power of the death of resurrection of Jesus Christ. We know what it’s like to be a new creation, we know what it’s like to be redeemed, justified, and sanctified by the power of the resurrection of Christ. So why then, do we remain silent.
The great commission tells us to go and to proclaim the gospel throughout the land. In the four gospels of the New Testament, in one form or another, the great commission can be found. We are to spread the gospel into all the nations. Beginning in Jerusalem and working it’s way out. The town you live in, is your Jerusalem. Begin by telling your neighbors, your friends, your co-workers, your enemies, and your family about Jesus Christ and what he has done in your life.
If you don’t know what to say, start by saying what Jesus has done for you. No one can deny nor take away from you what Jesus has done in your life. What have you been delivered from? Porn? Alcohol? Adultery? Satanism? Getting involved with a Satanist? Homosexuality? Drug Addictions? Or from something else. Ignoring the family? Caring only for yourself? Unbelief? Idolatry in worship (Traditions that lose it’s significance)? Lack of faith? Whatever your sin, you have been delivered from it. Tell people about him and what he has done for you.
If you don’t want to tell people about your own testimony, for one reason or another, tell them about someone else’s testimony. Can’t think of anyone, tell them about me. I’m now a child of the living God, sanctified, justified, and purified, by the death and resurrection of the Savior Jesus Christ. I am a sinner saved by grace through faith. I have been bruised, crushed, broken, but remade in the image of Christ. If that doesn’t work, tell them about other people you know. Josh McDowell was an atheist who absolutely wanted to prove to the world that Jesus never existed. Through exhaustive and extensive research, wrote a book titled Evidence That Demands a Verdict. Josh McDowell, became saved while trying to prove Jesus didn’t exist.
Tell people about Jesus. Look for a situation where you can optimally open up the love of Jesus for that person. Don’t walk up to them, grab them by the shoulders and shake them saying, "Do you know Jesus?" In any conversation where you are unsure of their knowledge of Jesus, just ask them, "What is your relationship like with Jesus?" or "How well do you know Jesus as your Savior?" Be kind to them and show them love.
Witnessing isn’t just about the words we use, it’s about the actions we do. St Francis of Assisi remarked, "At all times preach the Gospel, if you must, use words." We are more judged by what we do than what we say. The old saying is more true than what people tend to make it, "Actions speak louder than words." Don’t just say it. Do it. Don’t just say it. Show it. Don’t just say it. Live it. Be a witness for Christ in your actions and your everyday living. I’m not just talking about going to church Sunday morning, Sunday evening, Wednesday evening and any time the doors of the church are open for service. Wherever you’re at, be a witness for Christ.
Show God’s love an applicable way. Do you know someone who is not involved in any church, has been dissuaded by "organized religion", or has completely tuned out the Gospel of Christ? Fix them a dinner and take it to them. Take them to the grocery store, or ask them if they need something to pick up while you’re there. Mow their lawn. Wash their car. Do something to show them that God loves them. All the while, you’re going to be witness.
Do you have an enemy? Do you have an antagonist at work? "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those that hate you, bless those who curse you, pay for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:27,28) And how do you bless them and love them. By being a witness for Christ. This is one of those instances where your actions will speak volumes. If you are mistreated, pray for that person. Love that person, do things to help that person out. Show God’s love in an applicable way, witness to that person.
We are to go into the nations and preach the good news to all. It is not a Christians responsibility to prove Jesus lived 2000 years ago, but it is a Christians responsibility to show that Jesus is alive today. Proudly proclaim: WE ARE WITNESSES.
Have a blessed week
Daniel G Vandenburg
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