You Are A Testimony

King James Bible Daily Devotion – Learning Scripture One Day At A Time
Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Chapters: Acts 23-25
Message Title: You Are A Testimony

Hello My Friend,

Testimony, a solemn declaration or affirmation made for the purpose of establishing or proving some fact. As Christians we may not physically see the Lord, Jesus Christ, but never is a man more seen and prominent in the lives of those who walk with Him daily. When we first get saved, or as in my case dedicate our lives to Christ, we didn't realize the impact He would have on our lives, but as we walked with Him, He grew on us, and turned our lives into something unimaginable. We are testimonies, declarations of the living God living inside of us, and let me tell you the world notices, and it will cause a great division between you and it, even family and friends. “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” - John 15:19.

It's sad to see all the terrorist attacks taking place all over the world, they kill or die for the cause of their god. Did you know that Christians are labeled as terrorists? The last time I checked no Christian went off killing people for the cause of Christ (unless it was some personal agenda, which had nothing to do with Him). The recent attacks in Paris is a grave reminder that no one is safe anywhere and we need Christ more than ever. I case you haven't noticed, there is a great attack on Christianity itself, there always has been, but it's becoming more prominent as we near Christ's return. In Paul's days it was the unbelieving Jews that attacked Christians, as he stands before the counsel he stood before both Sadducees and Pharisees to represent himself, his defense was his testimony.

“And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest? Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people. And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle. And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.” - Acts 23:1-5,10,11.

“God shall smite thee,” God will get the vengeance on anyone who harms one of His own. Here are two different religious groups divided among one another, both believed in God, but one didn't believe in the resurrection. They believed to be that Paul's fate was in their hands, but little did they realize Jesus was with him the whole time and He was in control of Paul's fate, not them. God is always in control of our fate, we have our own choices, but He will stop at nothing to see us accomplish the tasks He has given us. We are a testimony in that God will use any situation in our lives, even if we caused the problem for His purpose. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28.

The unbelieving Jews were determined to find someone who would testify against Paul and so he could be sentenced to death, they even made a vow not to eat until he was dead. No matter where Paul went he was able to speak in his defense, he never stopped professing that he followed God and His Word. Now, he stands before Felix the governor, and even though he believed that Paul did nothing wrong, because it pleased the Jews he kept him locked up, and he was there for two years.

“But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.” - Acts 24:14-16,24-27.

“believing all things which are written in the law” Paul lived by the Scriptures and it was by doing so that he knew the truth and also trusted in the hope of God to get him through every one of the circumstances he faced. Being a testimony means knowing who God is, and as we grow closer to Him living through example according to His Word. It's not being ashamed to proclaim Christ, even if that meant it could cost you your life. All who are saved can join Paul in saying, “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” - Philippians 1:20,21.

Preparations were made for another hearing of Paul not in order to give a judgment upon him, he still was not charged with a crime, but to figure out what to do with him, or rather only to gratify their curiosity. Now, Festus, the new governor, speaks to King Agrippa on the matter. King Agrippa, is the son of that Herod who killed the Apostle James, and also the great grandson of Herod, the Great, who killed all the male children under the age when he was searching for Jesus after He was born.

“And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix: About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him. Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed: But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters. But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar. Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.” - Acts 25:14,15,18-22.

“whom Paul affirmed to be alive.” Festus may have heard the stories of Jesus, but couldn't grasp the concept that a man could die and come back to life. The world, and sadly, many so called Christian religions believed that Jesus died, but not that He resurrected. We must believe that He was born of a virgin, died a sinless death, was buried, and three days later resurrected. This is the Gospel we need to believe, anything else and we are not a testimony for Christ. We are to live by faith, yes, human reasoning this is impossible, but with God nothing is impossible. We who believe in His death, burial, and resurrection, and have personally received Him as our Saviour will one day resurrect ourselves, but believe it by faith. “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” - 1 Corinthians 15:14-17,22.

Today's Prayer: Jesus, It's sometimes hard to comprehend just what You did for us, and how easy it is for us to not only be saved from hell, but be one of Your own. As we grow closer to You we literally are transformed into something to the likeness of You. While we will never be perfect until we reach heaven or You return, and give us our new bodies, we do have You to guide and keep us in the right direction. We are testimonies of what it's like to have the living God living inside of us, let us do what is pleasing to You, not live in fear of what man can do to us, and be the example You need us to be to reach others for You. In Your name, Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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