Coffee With The Lord

THE TOPIC TODAY?  THE POWER OF A CHRISTIAN’S “TESTIMONY”… I mean, what’s happening here?  “Testimony” the topic in “Coffee with the Lord” again within a week!  Must be important!!

Just let me say… I’m impressed with the power of a brand new believer’s testimony!

I’ve seen it over and over again.  A person hears the gospel – the story of Jesus – and responds with trust and commitment.  Their lives are powerfully transformed!  And then they begin enthusiastically sharing with anyone who will listen what has happened to them – the wonderful things they’ve discovered in Christ!  Their network of friends – those they shop with, work with, live nearby… their “neighbors” are positively impacted by the change in their lives and their words.  Often even family members – those who know them best – cannot escape the power of their testimony (and they come to Christ)!  One life-transforming testimony leads to another!  Ultimately a whole neighborhood – a whole network of friends and family, even people in their workplace, come to Christ!  It’s exciting!

There’s a story like that in the Bible (John 4:1-42)…

A Samaritan woman with a string of messed up marriages and empty life discovers Jesus … the “Living Water”!  What an impact His words made on her life – a life-transforming encounter!  She leaves her water jar at the well where she encountered Jesus and immediately goes back into town and tells everyone she meets, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did!  Can this be the Christ?!”  And then the Bible says this…

“Many Samaritans from that town believed in Him BECAUSE OF THE WOMAN’S TESTIMONY… And many more believed BECAUSE OF HIS WORD.  They said to the woman, ‘It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for WE HAVE HEARD FOR OURSELVES, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.” (from John 4:1-42)

So I guess the lesson is this… Never, never, never, put down or underestimate the power of the testimony of a brand new follower of Jesus!  They may not have all the esoteric theology down right, but THE PERSONAL STORY OF A TRANSFORMED LIFE IS A POWERFUL THING!  Their testimony oozes excitement, conviction, and authenticity!  And if you’ve known the Lord for awhile… Never lose the wonder, the excitement and deep appreciation about what the Lord has done for you!  Keep your personal story alive!  Share it every time you get an opportunity!  The Lord will use it!  People will be attracted to it!  Point people to Jesus – He transforms lives!

Hope I have an opportunity to share my story with someone today! 

What a “Sip!” – both a warning and a wonderful assurance!

“Some people’s sins are obvious, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others surface later. Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.” (1 Timothy 5:24-25 HCSB)

Truth is often found in contrasts… This morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I was reminded of a truth taught by contrast… Here it is…

“The path of the righteous is like the first light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day!”

“The way of the wicked is like deep darkness [some versions – “deepening darkness”], they do not know over what they stumble.” (From Proverbs 4:18-19)

Check out the pics I’ve posted… I’d express the truth this way…

“THE PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS” – BRIGHTER AND BETTER!

“THE WAY OF WICKEDNESS” – DARKER AND DANGEROUS!

When I decided to follow the Lord and trust Him I found that suddenly life began to make sense – there was a purpose!  What was once a puzzle – a “muddle” – suddenly began to have meaning!  Not only that, it got better and better (even in the face of what I didn’t fully understand!  In the worlds of an old gospel song… “If it keeps getting better and better, O Lord, I don’t know what I’m going to do!”  My pathway?  Brighter and better!

On the other hand… another illustration:  I’m a runner and always cringe a bit when I see a fellow runner leave late in the day, as it is getting dark, on a run.  Not a good choice!  I’ve had some bad experiences!  As they run it will get darker and darker, and depending on the length of their run, it will probably be dangerous the longer they run.  My experience?  I’ve taken some bad falls over things I could  not see!  The pathway of the wicked – those who choose to go their own way?  Darker and dangerous!

I’m glad I chose to go “God’s way” – the way of righteousness!  Hey, it’s getting brighter and better!  It’s the way of blessing!