Some days it’s difficult to remember who I’ve talked to or where I heard something by the time Paul and I sit down to dinner. I’ve promised to pass along a message from one of our kids or I wanted to share an amusing story about one of the grandkids. I’m reminded of a childhood game we called telephone. One person whispered a message to another and the message was passed down the line and repeated by the last person. The original message was hardly recognizable by the end. I used to write things down. Now I make reminder notes on my phone. I want to keep my facts straight so as to remain trustworthy but I also want to keep my mind sharp as I age.
Repeating something aloud several times helped me hold information in my head when I was younger. I guess I’ve grown so accustomed to my own voice that I can tune myself out. I think of an item to add to my shopping list while brushing my teeth and by the time I finish brushing and pick up my phone to access the list, I’m distracted by the notifications on the Lock Screen and the addition is delayed and completely forgotten. As helpful as my cell phone can be, it can also present a huge distraction.
My daughter shared one way she’s been using her alarm for more than just waking up in the mornings. She sets a daily alarm time that corresponds to the chapter and verse of the scripture passage she’s memorizing. For the last few weeks, anytime I’ve been around at 12:02, her alarm sounds and she pauses to quote Romans 12:2 with her boys. It only took three year old Thomas about two weeks to master this fairly lengthy passage. The scriptures that I know best are the ones I learned when I was fairly young. I’m thankful that Caroline includes her boys while she’s making scripture memory a priority.
“Everyone who believes [with a deep, abiding trust in the fact] that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) is born of God [that is, reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose], and everyone who loves the Father also loves the child born of Him.
The one who believes in the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies confidently on Him as Savior] has the testimony within himself [because he can speak authoritatively about Christ from his own personal experience].
The one who does not believe God [in this way] has made Him [out to be] a liar, because he has not believed in the evidence that God has given regarding His Son.
And the testimony is this: God has given us eternal life [we already possess it], and this life is in His Son [resulting in our spiritual completeness, and eternal companionship with Him].
He who has the Son [by accepting Him as Lord and Savior] has the life [that is eternal]; he who does not have the Son of God [by personal faith] does not have the life.”
1 John 5:1, 10-12 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/1jn.5.10.AMP
Can you speak authoritatively about Christ from your own personal experience? I once heard someone say that your personal testimony is the one thing no one can argue because it is entirely yours. You and you alone know your story. There is truth to this statement but it is only half truth. God is the Author of the only storyline that matters and our stories are interwoven across time and eternity along with all who will ever live. He knows me and you infinitely better than we know ourselves, but more importantly, it’s His story. We are all minor characters. Ask Billy Graham or Mother Theresa. Ask Peter or John or Paul. Ask Moses. Ask Elijah. Their testimonies agree.
John wrote, “Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself.” He followed with a statement about the testimony we carry. “God has given us eternal life and this life is found in His Son.” In the gospel bearing his name and in his letters, the apostle John calls Jesus the living Word of God, quotes Him as referring to Himself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and captures His conversation with Nicodemus highlighting the Father’s purpose for His life.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”
John 3:16-18 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.3.16-18.ESV
“What, then, of those who despise the Son of God?
who treat as a cheap thing the blood of God’s covenant which purified them from sin?
who insult the Spirit of grace?
Just think how much worse is the punishment they will deserve!
For there is no longer any sacrifice that will take away sins if we purposely go on sinning after the truth has been made known to us.
Instead, all that is left is to wait in fear for the coming Judgment and the fierce fire which will destroy those who oppose God!”
Hebrews 10:26-27, 29 GNT
https://bible.com/bible/68/heb.10.29.GNT
“I say this because many people have tried to fool others.
These people have gone out into the world.
They don’t agree that Jesus Christ came in a human body.
People like this try to trick others.
These people are like the great enemy of Christ.”
2 John 1:7 NIRV
https://bible.com/bible/110/2jn.1.7.NIRV
John referred to himself in his writing as the disciple whom Jesus loved. (John 13:23, 19:26, 20:2, 21:7, 21:20) I am one whom Jesus loved, for whom He died. So are you.
“Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.
You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.
He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.
All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature.
By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.
(It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)
For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.
So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
God saved you by his grace when you believed.
And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
Ephesians 2:1-10 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.2.10.NLT
“Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.
And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed
and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].”
Romans 12:1-2 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/rom.12.1-2.AMP
Testimony is a solemn attestation to the truth of a matter. Attestation is an official verification of something as true or authentic. Authenticity can be proven or tested. When something is authentic, it’s the real deal. It’s not a fake or imitation. When someone is authentic, their actions are congruent with their values despite pressures to social conformity. Authentic Christianity conforms to Biblical principles regardless of what culture dictates. Ours is not to argue or defend, but to obey. Authentic Christians are indwelled by the Holy Spirit. We are meant to be living proof that God’s Word is truth, that Jesus is God’s Son who took on human flesh and sacrificed Himself once for all time, the righteous for the unrighteous to bring us to God. (I Peter 3:18)
Jesus is the beginning, middle, and end of my story. My birth, my salvation, my life, my works, and my future- I can’t take credit for any of it! What purpose would it serve if I did? I can’t save anyone. Jesus can and He does.
“Remain in me, and I will remain in you.
For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches.
Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.
For apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:4-5 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.15.4-5.NLT
“Find out for yourself how good the Lord is. (GNT)
Experience for yourself the joyous mercies he gives to all who turn to hide themselves in him.”
Psalms 34:8 TPT
https://bible.com/bible/1849/psa.34.8.TPT
““Therefore, the one who confesses and acknowledges Me before men [as Lord and Savior, affirming a state of oneness with Me], that one I will also confess and acknowledge before My Father who is in heaven.
But the one who denies and rejects Me before men, that one I will also deny and reject before My Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 10:32-33 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/mat.10.32-33.AMP
World events should give authentic Christians pause. We are stewards of the testimony of Jesus Christ.
“You should think of us as Christ’s servants, who have been put in charge of God’s secret truths.
The one thing required of such servants is that they be faithful to their master.
Now, I am not at all concerned about being judged by you or by any human standard; I don’t even pass judgment on myself.
My conscience is clear, but that does not prove that I am really innocent.
The Lord is the one who passes judgment on me.”
1 Corinthians 4:1-4 GNT
https://bible.com/bible/68/1co.4.1-4.GNT
Jesus was explicit.
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.
Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
Matthew 24:36, 44 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.24.36-44.ESV
“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval.
Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.
Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior.
But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.””
2 Timothy 2:15-16, 19 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2ti.2.15-19.NLT
“He replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and saying, ‘The time has come!’
But don’t believe them.
And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic.
Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won’t follow immediately.”
Then he added, “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven.
But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution.
You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers.
But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.
So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!
And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars.
And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides.
People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory.
So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!””
Luke 21:8-15, 25-28 NLT
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