PRAISE God for WITNESSES!
SCRIPTURE: “Therefore since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 (NASB)
The word “witnesses,” as used in secular circles, has received a bad rap! I believe the pejorative term is “snitch?” Evildoers, of course, despise the term because those who are so deemed are likely to be reporting on the truth of a situation or some event. The “father of all lies” hates the truth, so it’s just like him and his cohorts to continually try to thwart the truth; however, praise God for His divine “spoiler alert” in Revelation 12:11 (and in many other places throughout His word, that TRUTH WINS OUT! The Christ-centered, Christ-honoring life is the only one WORTH living! He has presented a gigantic treasury of witnesses in the Bible that attest that Christ followers are on the path of true righteousness that culminates in eternal victory with our Savior!
We are surrounded by so many who have preceded us, and like them, there are weights that we simply MUST intentionally lay aside—just drop them each and EVERY time they re-emerge in our thought patterns! They will ensnare us otherwise. We are, doubtless, in a race, saints, and the only prizewinners are those who run ACCORDING TO THE RULES—not the world’s rules, mind you, but those of the Master of ALL—our Lord and Savior—our El Shaddai.
This, we know, requires our discernment, which is founded upon our heart-knowledge of God’s Word—which requires daily review, daily meditation! (If you know how to worry, as one preacher aptly stated, then you know how to meditate). Ten or fifteen minutes of quiet meditation on God’s Word beats spending NO time every time! (Sounds a bit like the virtues of physical exercise, doesn’t it? So, family, discipline your spiritual heart muscles by exercising them daily through application of that Word , through earnest prayers, and close ongoing fellowship with our loving Savior God. The Spirit, speaking through Timothy, phrased it best: “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for ALL things, holding promise for both the present life AND the life to come.” (1 Tim. 4:8) Let’s believe those scriptural witnesses, who give those of us who are steadfastly seeking the same, daily doses of that BLESSED ASSURANCE!
PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank and praise You that all Your words are true! In light of Your many witnesses, including that of Christ Jesus, Himself, please forgive us for indulging occasional bouts of slothfulness, when we should be cleaving to and living out all You have promised us as Your twice-born children. Thank You, in Jesus’ name! Amen.
By Sis. Denise Diggs
We are surrounded by so many who have preceded us, and like them, there are weights that we simply MUST intentionally lay aside—just drop them each and EVERY time they re-emerge in our thought patterns! They will ensnare us otherwise. We are, doubtless, in a race, saints, and the only prizewinners are those who run ACCORDING TO THE RULES—not the world’s rules, mind you, but those of the Master of ALL—our Lord and Savior—our El Shaddai.
This, we know, requires our discernment, which is founded upon our heart-knowledge of God’s Word—which requires daily review, daily meditation! (If you know how to worry, as one preacher aptly stated, then you know how to meditate). Ten or fifteen minutes of quiet meditation on God’s Word beats spending NO time every time! (Sounds a bit like the virtues of physical exercise, doesn’t it? So, family, discipline your spiritual heart muscles by exercising them daily through application of that Word , through earnest prayers, and close ongoing fellowship with our loving Savior God. The Spirit, speaking through Timothy, phrased it best: “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for ALL things, holding promise for both the present life AND the life to come.” (1 Tim. 4:8) Let’s believe those scriptural witnesses, who give those of us who are steadfastly seeking the same, daily doses of that BLESSED ASSURANCE!
PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank and praise You that all Your words are true! In light of Your many witnesses, including that of Christ Jesus, Himself, please forgive us for indulging occasional bouts of slothfulness, when we should be cleaving to and living out all You have promised us as Your twice-born children. Thank You, in Jesus’ name! Amen.
By Sis. Denise Diggs
Archive
2023
January
MOVING INTO A NEW YEAR AND LEAVING YOUR BAGGAGE BEHINDEncouraging You in the New YearA Veteran StudentAll of God’s Gifts Are Wrapped in JesusThe Gift that Keeps on GivingA Faith That’s Signed and SealedI Remember Grandma (Part I)I Remember Grandma (Part II)Roots Growing DeeperSTANDING IN HIS PEACEBE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part I)BE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part II)TIE A YELLOW RIBBON...[Part I]TIE A YELLOW RIBBON... [Part II]The One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IThe One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IIThe One That Got Away [Until Now] PartWINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part I]WINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part II]HE KNOWS!Godly Hope vs. Positive ThinkingHope DeferredCalled To Endure!The Greatest Expectation!The Ear and Eye GateCourage, Saints!!Getting to Know Him- Little By LittleSame Storm Different Boat pt2The Apron of ServanthoodGetting to Know Him- Little By LittleConfess It as Sin!
February
People Are Laughing Out Loud at My BibleMe, Myself, and I (Depression)I Have to Qualify to Run the RacePreach, Preacher!Does He Know You?LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part I)LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part II)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part I)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part II)PRAISE God for WITNESSES!Sock LintSock LintNO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part I)NO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part II)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part I)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part II)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part I)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part II)MORE THAN 'SUPER,’ MORE THAN 'HERO'!HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part I)HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part II)MAKE FEBRUARY THANKSGIVING HISTORY MONTHTAKE HEED HOW YOU WALKTrust and ObeySpiritual ImmaturityMake It PersonalCain was Able and So are YouClimate Change
March
Loving My SpouseStop! In the Name of Love!Ask Not, Have Not!Beneficial GraceThe Incomparable ChristRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IIDETRIMENTAL DELAYSFootprints On the Mountainside Part IFootprints On the Mountainside Part II...I SMELL SMOKE IN THE AUDITORIUM...The Heartbeat of His HeartThe Wayward and The ObedientThe Potter and His Vessels of ClayGod Can Use Anybody!You’re Canceled!Today’s Assignment!There You Go, Again!I Messed Up!The Worker and The Work!Repent and Obey!God Can Reach Anybody, But Will You?Wonder Working PowerThere is Work for You to Do!Yes, God Does Reveal Himself to Us!Now Hear ThisImperfect, But Usable!Preach the WordGod Can Save AnybodyThe Hard WordThe Message of Salvation from God
2 Comments
Amen my sister for this encouraging devotional!
Amen and Amen!