Category Archives: Witnessing

Angels, Battles, Bible, Choices, Dependence, Disciplemaking, God's Will, Messages, Scripture, Witnessing

AN ANGEL OF GOD

GALATIANS 4:14

“and you did not despise that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition, nor express contempt, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.” 

Perhaps you have heard of an evangelist by the name of David Ring (davidring.org). David has cerebral palsy and often refers to it as he preaches. He is known to say, “I have cerebral palsy. What’s your problem?” Some people may be offended by David’s brazen portrayal of the Gospel. In fact, he has been arrested for street preaching against some immoral activity in businesses. But that does not deter David from sharing the message the Lord has given him.

Paul, undoubtedly, had a fairly serious malady while in Galatia. This verse hints at something that may have offended the Galatians. Perhaps his ailment was disfiguring in some way. Maybe an infection caused him to have a physical appearance which could cause some people to turn away. But he praises these Galatians for accepting him “as an angel of God, as Christ Himself.” Their acceptance of him in this condition obviously meant a lot to Paul.

APPLICATION

Okay, here is where the rubber meets the road. What excuse are you using for not sharing the Gospel? Carl, I’m too old. Carl, I’m too weak. Carl, I just too busy. We all have excuses, don’t we? Paul could have used his physical ailment as an excuse (and an understandable one) to take a break until he was better. Look how he describes this in 2 Corinthians 12:7. “Because of the extraordinary greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!”

After asking the Lord to rid him of this “thorn in the flesh” and having that request refused, Paul says this later in that same chapter. “Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” Can you say that about the excuse you are giving? Will you lay down your excuses and allow the Lord to use you just as you are?

God can use anyone anywhere at any time if they will only submit to His will. Ask the Lord today to show you His will for your life. Ask Him to give you His message to share with others. He will. He’s just waiting on you.

Father, take my weakness and make it strong with Your power and might.

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Bible, Imitation, Influence, Relationships, Scripture, Witnessing

JUST LIKE ME

GALATIANS 4:12

“I beg of you, brothers and sisters, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong;” 

When I travel internationally, I intentionally try to embrace the foods and customs of where I am traveling. They eat differently than I do back home. They may take morning and afternoon tea breaks. They certainly dress different, and in some countries, they drive on the opposite side of the road. I have to become as they are. If they came to the U.S., they would have to adjust their way of living temporarily.

Similarly, Paul is explaining to the Gentile believers there in Galatia how he had become like them, giving up the keeping of the Mosaic law. He had become like them. So, he implores them to become like him. “Imitate me,” he says. Paul tells them to do as he is doing, not like those who are trying to put them back under the Law. They are free in Jesus now. There is no need to follow the Mosaic law anymore.

APPLICATION

In I Corinthians 9:19-22, Paul explains this idea more fully. “19 For though I am free from all people, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may gain more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might gain Jews; to those who are under the Law, I became as one under the Law, though not being under the Law myself, so that I might gain those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without the Law, I became as one without the Law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might gain those who are without the Law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak; I have become all things to all people, so that I may by all means save some.”

Now, that was a long passage, but I wanted to share it to show you how Paul did it. We can do the same. Paul became like others, without embracing any sinful lifestyle, to reach them for Christ. Who can you reach that way? Is there a certain group of people you can “become like” to reach? Jesus never expects us to lower His bar of holiness, but He does expect us to lower ourselves in humility. There’s a difference.

This week look around you and ask the Lord who you could “be like” in order to win them to Christ. I am sure there is someone in your sphere of influence whom you could come alongside to lead them toward a saving knowledge of Christ. And be like Paul – don’t be offended by them. Love them like Jesus does.

Some people are hard to love, Lord. Love them through me.

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Belief, Bible, Captivity, Escape, Freedom, God's Will, Redemption, Scripture, Witnessing

PURCHASED

GALATIANS 3:13

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written: ‘CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE’—”

Over 150 years ago here in the U.S., slavery was a part of the economic system. Slaves were purchased off the slave block as they arrived on ships. Most of these slaves came from Africa, but not all. Where they came from was not important. Where they were now was. The horrors of slavery have been told over and over. We should never forget it. The freedom for those slaves was purchased by acts of brave men who saw it as evil. These abolitionists even bought slaves in order to free them.

The word used in today’s verse for “redeemed” is exagorazó. It is not the usual word used for “redeem.” It is more general in nature. Albert Barnes explains the word this way. “It occurs in the New Testament only in this place, and in Galatians 4:5, Ephesians 5:16 and Colossians 4:5. It properly means, to purchase, to buy up; and then to purchase anyone, to redeem, to set free. Here it means, that Christ had purchased, or set us free from the curse of the Law, by his being made a curse for us.” One man for many!

APPLICATION

You and I do not have to do that today. We do not purchase people out of slavery. But we do have the privilege to show them a Savior who can set them free from all their sins. Acts 1:8 still has application for us today. “‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’” Do you believe that? I do.

How about 1 Peter 3:15? “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” You see, we still have a mandate from God to help execute this “purchase.” He is still using people like us to provide this ransom for their souls.

Will you commit to being part of this team? God wants to use us to see lost souls come to Jesus. Yes, God could part the skies and proclaim, “Repent now in Jesus’ name.” He could send every single person on earth a personal message. He can do anything. But He has chosen to use us in these last days to deliver the message. Let’s do this!

I am thankful You purchased me off the slave block of sin where I was doomed to an evil master.

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Bible, Calling, Following, God's Will, Gospel, Ministry, Missionaries, Scripture, Witnessing

TRAVEL PLANS

GALATIANS 1:21

“Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.”

When I travel, I like to have the travel plan mapped out. I want to know how far we are going, where the best stops might be along the way and where we are staying once we get there. My wife accuses me of panicking when I miss an exit, or the GPS stirs us wrong. It’s not that I panic. I just want to know where I am and how to get where I am going. I would not be a very good nomad, lol.

After Paul’s visit to Jerusalem, he tells us he traveled to Syria and Cilicia. Some background to this would prove helpful, I believe. We find this described in Acts 15:22-23. “22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, 23 and they sent this letter with them: ‘The apostles and the brothers who are elders, to the brothers and sisters in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles: Greetings.’” Paul and Barnabas had previously spent over a year in Antioch teaching after the Word had spread there. It was in that city that believers were first called Christians.

APPLICATION

Thanks for the history lesson, Carl, but what does this have to do with me? Well, I am glad you asked. Where is God sending you? Where has he called you to go and share the good news? I remember a quote I heard from Keith Parks, one of the former presidents of the Foreign Mission Board of the SBC (now called the International Mission Board). He said unless God has called you to stay home, you are called to go and spread the gospel. That is true. We are all called to go somewhere – across the ocean or across the street.

Acts 1:8 tells us, “‘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.’” How about this one? Jesus tells us in Mark 16:15, “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’” One more Jesus quote – Mark 13:10, “‘And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.’”

I think you can see now how today’s verse in Galatians applies to us. We are just like Paul; in that we are being sent out to proclaim the good news to a lost world. Take some time right now to ask the Lord who He wants you to share with today. It could be that crusty, old neighbor who just grunts at you when you meet at the mailbox. It might be a server at a restaurant or your car mechanic. Your mission field is your mission field. Pray for it.

Lord, I am grateful You call each of us uniquely. You have a place for us to go and share the good news.

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Bible, Gospel, Messages, Repetition, Salvation, Testimony, Witnessing

LET ME REPEAT THAT

GALATIANS 1:9

“As we have said before, even now I say again: if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!”

Sometimes you just have to repeat yourself to be understood clearly. In our Every Man A Warrior ministry curriculum, we repeat the skills we are teaching the men over and over. When they memorize a verse, they say the reference (where it is from) before and after reciting it. Repetition is used by preachers in sermons to drive home points. Many of them say what they are going to say, say it and then say what they said. Repetition!

Paul clearly repeats himself here in verse 9. Remember there were no chapters and verses in the books of the Bible originally, so this letter to the Galatians was written just like you would write a letter or email or text. Of the fourteen times the Greek word for “have said before” is used, Paul uses it nine times. He liked to repeat himself. That word also means to predict or say beforehand. Paul repeats his statement to make sure he is not misunderstood.

APPLICATION

What does this verse mean to us? You and I need to keep telling the story of Jesus to everyone we meet. We need to share His love to a lost and dying world every chance we get. 1 Peter 3:15 is a good verse to memorize on this. “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect;” Did you catch that? Peter said, “always being ready.” That means you have had to prepare. You can spit out those verses. You can share your testimony.

Let me encourage you to do your own word study on this. What does the Bible say about sharing the Gospel, about sharing your testimony? You need to have your testimony prepared to give in 1 minute, 3 minutes or 8 minutes. Share it according to the situation but share it. If you are a believer, you have a testimony. You have a story that needs to be told over and over. The more you share it the more comfortable you will be sharing it. Repetition builds skills, remember.

Set a goal this week to share your testimony and the Gospel of Christ with at least one person. Next week try two. Keep sharing. Keep testifying. Guess who you please. Not the preacher. Not your Sunday School teacher. You are pleasing the Lord Jesus. Remember the words of Paul in Colossians 3:23-24.
“23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, 24 knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward  of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”

Lord, this week give me the opportunity to share my testimony and the Gospel to those who need to hear it.

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Abiding, Appearance, Attitude, Bible, Reflection, Scripture, Testimony, Witnessing

HIS REFLECTION

MALACHI 3:3

“‘And He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness.’”

I have never watched a silversmith working, but I hear it is fascinating. The silver is melted to remove the impurities which are called dross. Like I said, I have never seen this process, but I have been told that the silversmith continues heating the silver and scooping off the dross until he can see his reflection in the melted silver.

The Lord intends to purify these priests and the people so they are worthy to present offerings to Him again. Again, think back to the process I described above. God wants to see His reflection in the priests and people. He wants them to reflect their God on others. That had not been the case. They had been reflecting evil desires and worldly living. God is about to change all that.

APPLICATION

Ezekiel 22:17-22 is worth sharing here since it also talks about this process. “17 And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 18 ‘Son of man, the house of Israel has become metal to Me; all of them are bronze, tin, iron, and lead in the smelting furnace; they are the waste metal of silver. 19 Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says: “Because all of you have become waste metal, therefore, behold, I am going to gather you into the midst of Jerusalem. 20 As they gather silver, bronze, iron, lead, and tin into the smelting furnace to blow fire on it in order to melt it, so I will gather you in My anger and in My wrath, and I will place you there and melt you. 21 And I will gather you and blow on you with the fire of My wrath, and you will be melted in the midst of it. 22 As silver is melted in the furnace, so you will be melted in the midst of it; and you will know that I, the LORD, have poured out My wrath on you.”’”

Proverbs 27:19 gives us a glimpse into what we reflect also. “As in water a face reflects the face, so the heart of a person reflects the person.” What are you reflecting today? Are you showing off the face of Jesus or your own self-determined face? We have a choice each day. The Lord expects us to be a reflector of His love and grace to others. Let’s do that today.

Oh God, help me reflect only You. Let me be hidden behind Your radiant grace.

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Accountability, Accused, Admonished, Bible, Modeling, Obedience, Reputation, Scripture, Testimony, Witnessing

YOU AIN’T NO GOOD

MALACHI 2:9

“‘So I also have made you despised and of low reputation in the view of all the people, since you are not keeping My ways but are showing partiality in the instruction.’”

I can remember growing up in South Georgia and overhearing the “old timers” talking about some men in our small hometown. They would often say, “He is just ain’t no good.” For those of you not accustomed to Southernize, that means they were not good. These individuals had proven to be untrustworthy and prone to bad behavior in the community.

The Lord saw the same in the priests who had violated His covenant with the tribe of Levi. They had consistently ignored or twisted the Law to suit themselves. Therefore, the Lord had allowed the priests to sink to a level of disrespect and of low reputation among the people. Their privileged status was tattered.

APPLICATION

How is your reputation? How do others see you? As believers in Jesus Christ, we have a model to follow. We need to be the best representatives we can possibly be to the world. Think of one area in which you are struggling right now. Ask the Lord to help you with it so that you can improve your witness to others.

I have a friend who came to Christ but still struggled with smoking cigarettes. He always felt convicted and knew this habit was costing him in his testimony. When he finally gave it to the Lord, he was able to quit. He no longer smells like a chimney (lol) and has a stronger testimony of what the Lord can do for you.

Just take a look at what Paul said in Philippians 2:14-15. “14 Do all things without complaining or arguments; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world…” How can I add to that?

Father, guard my thoughts and actions so that I may be considered “above reproach” by You.

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Abundance, Bible, Calling, Counting, Friends, God's Will, Gospel, Judgment, Salvation, Scripture, Witnessing

A LITTLE MATH

ZECHARIAH 13:8

“‘And it will come about in all the land,’ declares the LORD, ‘that two parts in it will be cut off and perish; but the third will be left in it.’”

I used to be pretty good at math. I kind of naturally got the concepts. So, when we were taught fractions, I understood it.  Fast forward to adulthood. Who would have ever thought I would use those numbers again? But they come up all the time. Just about every day there is something to measure or weigh or divide. Thanks Mrs. Barry, for all those things you poured into my head.

The Lord did not need to be taught math concepts. He is the Creator of all things. He uses numbers in describing the judgment that would befall Israel. Scholars disagree whether this prophecy shared by Zechariah applied to Israel’s fall under Rome or a judgment yet to come. Either way, it had to be hard to hear that only one third would remain.

APPLICATION

We find similar measurements in other parts of the Bible. Look in 2 Samuel 8:2. “And He defeated Moab, and measured them with the line, making them lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death, and a full line to keep alive. And the Moabites became servants to David, bringing tribute.”

How about in Ezekiel 5:12? “A third of you will die by plague or perish by famine among you, a third will fall by the sword around you, and a third I will scatter to every wind, and I will unsheathe a sword behind them.” God has always measured judgment exactly.

Romans 11:5 tells us, “In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice.” God is always looking out for the remnant, those who will choose to follow Him. Unfortunately, the mass of people in this world will not. It is our job as believers to try to share with as many of them as we can.

While we are doing math, count the number of lost friends you have. How many are there? Now, how many of them are you going to share Jesus with this week? This year? Start counting the number of people you see come to Christ this year because of your friendship. God is counting every soul. We should too.

Father, help me be a better enumerator of souls that are won into your kingdom that are part of my circle of friends.

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Abiding, Belief, Bible, Devil, Evil, Following, Identity, Obedience, Relationships, Rescue, Scripture, Witnessing

WHO IS THIS SHEPHERD?

ZECHARIAH 13:7

“‘Awake, sword, against My Shepherd, and against the Man, My Associate,’ declares the LORD of armies. ‘Strike the Shepherd and the sheep will be scattered; and I will turn My hand against the little ones.’”

When I was a boy, there was a television program called To Tell The Truth. On this program, three contestants were presented to a guest panel of four people. All three contestants said they were the same person. Only one was the real person. Questions were asked and finally one was asked to “tell the truth.”

Why am I describing this program? Because in today’s verse we have a “Shepherd” that is not identified. The Lord, through Zechariah, does not come right out and say the person’s name. However, because we have other evidence, we can point out this person’s identity. This Shepherd is none other than God’s only Son, Jesus. He was the one struck. It was His sheep that were scattered. Jesus fulfilled this prophecy through His death on that cruel cross.

APPLICATION

So, how do we apply this verse to our lives today? Can people identify you as a follower of Christ? How do people know what you believe. The Word, Jesus, tells us in John 13:34-35, “‘34 I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.’” Don’t you want to be identified with the Shepherd?

Too many believers hold their faith so close to their chest that no one would know they are a child of the King. We need to be shouting it from the rooftops. What is stopping you from being more bold in your witness? Just think of what He did for us. He underwent all the suffering of the cross to rescue us. The least we can do is stand up for Him.

Now, I must warn you. When you do that, we run the risk of being persecuted, just as is described in today’s verse. It says His sheep were scattered. The world will not like the fact that we are identifying with Christ. We can identify with anyone else or with any other group and we will be just fine. But the moment we identify with Jesus, watch for the fiery darts of the evil one to come our way. That’s okay, though. Why? Because any suffering we may endure gives glory to Him. Amen? Amen!

I know I am a sheep of the Shepherd who was pierced for my transgressions. Thank You, Lord.

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Accountability, Bible, Calling, Commands, Gospel, Missionaries, Obedience, Scripture, Witnessing

SO MANY PEOPLE

ZECHARIAH 8:22

“‘So many peoples and mighty nations will come to seek the LORD of armies in Jerusalem, and to plead for the favor of the LORD.’”

I have to be honest – I hate crowds. As much as I love football, the thought of having to fight the crowd at a Georgia football game makes me cringe. I have been in big crowds. There has never been one that I truly enjoyed. Oh, the event I may have attended was good and all, but fighting those crowds in and out of the stadium or arena makes me just want to stay home.

So, when Zechariah shares the words of the Lord that “many peoples and mighty nations will come,” I am sure some people were not too happy. But we have to move past our own likes and dislikes, don’t we? So did they. These people were coming “to plead the favor of the Lord.” They were to be welcomed and shown the love of their God. What a change for them. Instead of dreading the impending masses of armies, they were now serving the Lord of armies by welcoming these pilgrims.

APPLICATION

I think you can guess where I am going to go with this. We need to not only welcome people as they come to Jesus, but we also need to seek them. I have friends who live in countries where there are billions of people who need Jesus. They live in cities that are packed with people literally shoulder to shoulder. They go not because they like those living conditions. They go to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

We are clearly commanded by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20 to go to all the nations and make disciples. That starts at home with our neighbors. We are also told in Acts 1:8 by Jesus, “‘but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.’”

Where is the Lord calling you? There are truly so many people who need to hear the Gospel. We are all called to share it to as many as we can. What is the result if we don’t? They will spend eternity in hell, separated from God. None of  us want that. So, tell someone the good news this week.

Lord, put me in the path of those who need to hear about Your Son and let them listen and receive it.

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