Witness

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Psalm 18:49 Where Will You Give Thanks?

Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and sing praises to Your name. Psalm 18:49

People like to talk about who they like or do not like. They are quick to tell everyone around them about certain people, both good and bad. Seldom is there any shame or fear of talking about someone that a person really likes, either for a relationship or just something that the other person does. The only time when a person does not like to talk about someone is when they are among the enemies of that other person.

David says he will give thanks to God while among the Gentiles and will always sing praise to His name.

The world is not ashamed to talk about who or what they like. In fact, many will strive to push their likes upon everyone else and often get angry at those who do not like the same things.

Too many in the church, however, are ashamed to give thanks for what God is doing or sing praises to God in front of non-believers. They do not want to offend anyone or make anyone mad at them. Many believe that their faith is a private thing and should not be ‘pushed’ on other people.

Instead of being ashamed or silent, believers need to be outspoken. The world needs to hear what God is doing and how great He is. The world, as a whole, is not inside the church, but out in the world and that is where believers need to go and be a witness. Every believer can be a witness by telling what God is doing in one’s own life among the Gentiles or non-believers.

As the world hears these testimonies, some will choose to believe in Jesus and be saved.

God has done various good things in your life. Some may appear to be small, while other things may be great and awesome. You most likely already give God thanks in your private home or space but be willing to give that thanks openly for the world to hear. There is someone outside the church that needs to hear what you have to say. They need to hear you give thanks and praise to God so that they may know He is real to you and can be real to them also.

Where will you give thanks and praise?

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will publicly give thanks for what God has done; that you will publicly praise God for who He is; and that you will not be ashamed of what God has done in your life.

Picture by Dim Hou on https://unsplash.com/photos/X7P5C1K73qUUnsplash

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Job 16:19 God Is Your Witness

Surely even now my witness is in heaven, and my evidence is on high. Job 16:19

When a person is accused of a crime, there are witnesses sought out to prove whether that person had done the crime or not. Sometimes there are witnesses that can easily be called forth, but other times there are no witnesses to verify whether the person is innocent or guilty. Not every time is there another human being around to see what is being done. This is even more true for crimes that have to do with thoughts being made.

Job, in his defense, states that in heaven he has one who is his witness and has evidence of his innocence.

It is a scary thing for a person to be accused of something in which that person has never done. For most people, proving that they are innocent is difficult, especially when the thing done wrong was supposed to have been done in secret.

People can only see from the outside and have a very limited view. No one can always know absolutely everything that has occurred with perfect accuracy.

Believers are often accused of doing wrong by the world and even other believers, especially when they are going through an extremely difficult time in their lives. Many believe that when a person becomes a believer, that person will never have any more problems. If that person has problems, it is because of sin. While this may be true in some cases, it is not in every case, as with Job.

Instead of focusing on what people are saying, believers need to see what God is saying. He is their witness in heaven who sees all and knows all that is going on or has gone on. God often allows trouble in one’s life to build up and to prove one’s faith.

During times of difficulties in your life, start with seeking God. Find out from God if the problems are due to sin or is it a time of testing and proving.

Focus your life upon living for God in every way possible. Trust His word that He has forgiven you and will lead you on the path of righteousness for His name’s sake. If change or repentance is needed, then do it. If not, then rejoice that God sees you faithful enough to put you through a trial as He did with Job and Jesus. Remember He is your witness.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know what God is doing in your life; that you will know what God is allowing in your life; that you will know what God says of you; and that you will trust what God says of you.

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Exodus 18:8 Tell What God Has Done

Moses told his father-in-law about everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the Lord had saved them. Exodus 18:8

As one goes through life there are many different challenges that he must face. Many will find different ways to overcome those challenges in their own strength and abilities.

People will be proud to talk about how they overcame a problem and will often forget to talk about how others may have helped them in the process. God is seldom seen in the picture.

When Moses father-in-law came for a visit, Moses told him all that God had done for them in rescuing them from Pharaoh and meeting their needs in the wilderness.

Since God is invisible and works in the background of what is going on in one’s life, people often forget to talk about what He has done or is doing. Instead of putting the focus upon God, the focus is placed on self and what one has done.

Having the right focus is important for a believer. One will realize that it is God who gives abilities to overcome the difficulties and challenges thrown his way. Instead of bringing focus to himself, he will point to God and His strength, power and abilities, knowing that he is unable to do anything in and of himself.

As the believer tells others about what God has done, it is being a witness of who God is. This is spreading the gospel message as Jesus commanded all believers to do.

It is also encouraging to other believers who are still in the process of learning and growing in Christ Jesus. And all of it is giving glory to God to whom it belongs.

Over the time of your life, you have most likely been through various challenges in which God has helped you get through. Do not hold this information back from other people but be willing to share what God has done for you.

Let the world know what God has done so that they may know who God is and what He is like. As it will encourage others, it will also help remind you of who is in control and did the work, taking the focus off of yourself and placing it upon God.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will recognize what God has done in your life; that you will tell others of what God has done; that other people will see who God is through your words; and that God will continue to meet all of your needs in His way.