Live to Honor God

Just DO IT - T is for Testimony

As I’ve said before, I like acronyms. DO IT is a short acronym to help with 4 key concepts related to honoring God.
D - Desire
O - Obedience
I - Intimacy
T – Testimony

 

One of the most powerful ways we are able to honor God is by sharing our personal testimony.  In fact, telling others what God has done in our lives seems to be God’s plan for spreading the good news of Jesus and forgiveness through his sacrifice. The book of Acts is basically about Jesus’ followers sharing their testimony and the miraculous works the Holy Spirit did through them.  Here are a few passages from the book of Acts:

“With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.” Acts 4:33 NIV

I love how this verse says “with great power the apostles continued to testify...”  When you share your testimony you are paving the way for God’s power to work through your testimony.  The great power I am talking about doesn’t come from us, it comes from God.  We open the door for God’s amazing power to work in a situation through our obedience in sharing our testimony.

“We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Acts 10:39-43 NIV

In this passage, Peter is telling Cornelius and his household about Jesus.  He states “we are witnesses” in verse 39 and then in verse 42 says Jesus commanded them to preach and testify.  A lot of people witness what God has done in their lives and their family, but, they fail to share it with anyone.  A witness that doesn’t testify is not fulfilling their true purpose. There are a lot of reasons why a witness wouldn’t testify:

• fear of what others think about them
• fear about what others might say about them
• fear for their lives
• they might believe they don’t have anything worth telling
• they might not believe God could use them

Fear seems to be the most common reason but there are too many to mention here.

“Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.” John 1:40-42 NIV

This is the essence of sharing testimony--Andrew was so excited about finding Jesus he went and found his brother to tell him and about Jesus.  Sharing our testimony should be a joy, not something to fear.  Over the years I have had the opportunity to share my testimony with many people. I am basically an introverted person but God has given me the ability to tell about Jesus without fear. When I was a very young Christian I was nervous about it but over time even that went away.

“So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.” 2 Timothy 1:8-9 NIV

Possibly the most powerful thing about sharing our testimony is it cannot be disputed.  It is my personal story of what God has done and is doing in my life.  I am not necessarily trying to convince others about it’s truth I am merely sharing my experience with God.  God is then able to take the seed planted through my testimony and nurture it in His own time in a person’s life.  Or maybe, God uses my testimony to water a seed already sown. 

There are so many ways to share your testimony besides the obvious--telling the story of what God has done.  Sometimes you “speak” a strong word of testimony when you refuse to join with the crowd when what they are doing doesn’t reflect Christian values. Another example might be bowing your head and saying a silent prayer when you are out to eat with coworkers.  There are many examples of how living your life according to what the Bible teaches can be a powerful testimony to the world--sometimes even more powerful then telling them.  But, don’t use that as an excuse to stay silent when you know in your heart God wants you to speak.  Every situation is different and God wants you to testify in many ways about his work in your life.

As Christians, we need to realize sharing our testimony, in whatever way God makes available for us each day, is an expectation and not just simply an option.

One final Bible passage before I end.  This is when Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin after healing a lame man before the Temple.  The Sanhedrin questioned them and told them not to preach about Jesus anymore.  Peter and John left and started preaching again and were brought before the Sanhedrin again.  When they were asked why they didn’t quit talking about Jesus they replied:

“But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”  Acts 4:19-20 NIV

It is one of my ongoing  prayers, for the strength to be more like Peter and John who couldn’t help speaking about what they had seen and heard.

Sharing our testimony with others who need to hear about God is a basic requirement for honoring God in our life. Our testimony does not have to be a prepared speech, eloquently presented. The testimony God can use most is a genuine, outward expression of God’s great love at work inside us. Our greatest testimony will flow out of us naturally in words and deeds prompted by God’s love flowing through us.

Leave a comment and tell how God has used your testimony to bring honor to his name.

Here are some other posts you might be interested in.

Just DO IT – D is for Desire

Just DO IT - O is for Obedience

Just DO IT - I is for Intimacy

Witnesses

The Widow's Gift

A New Lesson from the Parable of the Sower

 

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It's Saturday and Nothing is Happening at the Tomb

  Today, Saturday, is the day when nothing is happening at the tomb.  On Friday, there was a burial.  The Gospel of John says Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus buried Jesus in an empty tomb nearby. On Friday there was much grief, sadness, and I'm sure a lot of confusion among Jesus' followers.  On Friday, it seemed the forces of evil had dealt the ultimate blow and put an end to God's work through Jesus.  On Friday, the hopes of all the disciples of Jesus were dashed at the foot of the cross along with Jesus' blood, the essence of his physical life, dripping from his hands and feet and pierced side.  On Friday, all hope of God's Kingdom, the Kingdom Jesus spoke about, was buried with His bruised, beaten, lifeless body. 

On Saturday, the tomb was quiet, probably even peaceful. It was the Sabbath and not just any Sabbath, it was the beginning of Passover, when they remembered their ancestors being delivered from Egypt.  How ironic, their deliverer lay buried in a tomb. The Disciples' grief must have been unbearable.  The man they left everything to follow was dead.  I'm sure some of them wondered which one of them would be next as they hid in the upper room where they ate their last supper with Jesus. On Saturday, the long minutes passed--all was quiet at the tomb. 

Today, Saturday, all is calm.  Nothing is happening at the tomb.  But, Sunday is coming. Everything changes on Sunday.  The unlimited power of God destroys death's hold on Jesus and He lives again.  Like Jesus, we will rise again.  We will share in his resurrection by the same power of God if we trust Him as savior and LORD. 

We will have days like Friday, when we feel defeated and overwhelmed by the evil in this world.  We will have days like Saturday when it seems nothing is happening; when we wonder where God is and don't see His work in our lives. We don't know God's plan nor His power that is waiting for just the right moment to break through and do the amazing and miraculous in our lives.

Today is Saturday and all is quiet at the tomb--but keep trusting in God with all your heart because Sunday is coming.

 

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Just DO IT – I is for Intimacy

I like acronyms. They help me remember things. DO IT is a short acronym to help with 4 key concepts related to honoring God. 

D - Desire

O - Obedience

I - Intimacy 

T

Intimacy with God is an elusive goal for many people. The idea of having a relationship with an all-powerful God that you cannot see, touch, or hear is just too much for a large part of the population.   Even those of us who completely believe in and trust God for salvation through Jesus, sometimes find it hard to maintain an intimate relationship with God. 

There is no doubt about it, true intimacy is hard in all relationships.  It requires a lot of work.  But it is well worth it.  Once you begin to experience real intimacy with God you will enjoy joy and peace like never before.  Here are some keys to a more intimate relationship with God.

Spending time with God leads to intimacy.

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.  2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2 NIV

These 2 verses indicate a man is blessed when he chooses to spend time meditating on God’s law (The Bible) instead of spending time with the wicked and sinners.  More than just spending some time, verse 2 says “meditating day and night” is “his delight.”  

If you want long-lasting intimacy with God you must spend a lot of time reading and meditating on His word found in the Bible.  It’s true you might enjoy moments of intimacy in other activities like worship services, singing worshipful songs, Bible study group, prayer meeting, etc.  But, I don’t think you will experience enduring intimacy without devoting yourself to reading and studying the Bible.

Psalm 103 is another passage that shares some keys to intimacy with God. This Psalm focuses on the many wonderful and amazing things God has done and continues to do for us.  This Psalm points to another, important part of intimacy with God--it’s a two-way street.  We do our part and God does His part.  Psalm 103 is filled with examples of God doing His part. Here is a small sample--5 verses of the 22 verses in Psalm 103 (NIV).

“Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. 6 The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.”  Psalm 103:2-6

There are times, all we need to do is receive the great blessings God provides.  Psalm 103 shares many examples of this.  Sometimes we must put forth great effort.  Reading and studying the Bible is the key to understanding true intimacy with God. I encourage you to establish a plan for reading the Bible on a daily basis with the goal of reading the entire Bible at least one time per year.  There are many daily reading Bibles available.  Here is a post about the one I am using currently Read Through the Bible.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus shares another key to intimacy with God. 

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8 NIV

If you approach God with a sincere desire for intimacy you will achieve intimacy with God. God knows what is in our heart.  He knows whether our desires are pure or not.  God desires intimacy with us.

Paul shares another truth about intimacy with God--experiencing what Jesus experienced will lead us to a deeper level of intimacy.

“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:10-11 NIV

Paul understood the importance of an intimate relationship with God.  In this verse, from Philippians, he shares some things that grow out of intimacy with Jesus. He connects intimate knowledge with the power of resurrection and “the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings” which will eventually lead to death, and then, resurrection from the dead.  Sometimes intimacy with God might lead to suffering but it will always lead to joy and peace and eventually resurrection. 

The last passage I want to share is from Psalm 51.  David wrote this Psalm after he committed adultery with Bathsheba and sent her husband to his death in the heat of battle.  Let’s take a look at what he says:

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.” Psalms 51:1 NIV

To his credit, David humbled himself and asked for mercy as soon as he realized his sin. David continues to confess his sinfulness throughout the first 10 verses. 

To have intimacy with God we must have a humble attitude and confess our sinfulness.

“Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”  Psalm 51:11-12 NIV

The second half of this Psalm (verses 11-19) is devoted to David’s desire for continued intimacy with God.  David understood that sin separates us from God.  We are human and we sin, that is a fact.  We must follow David’s example and confess our sins to continue intimacy with God. Also, like David, we must truly desire to maintain our intimacy with God.

You honor God by seeking a more intimate relationship with God.

Here are some other posts you might be interested in:

Just DO IT – D is for Desire

Just DO IT - O is for Obedience

R is for Relationship

Spiritually FIT

5 Ways to Honor God Today

A Harmony of the Gospels

FOCUSed on Jesus

The Time I Honored God the Most

Righteousness

 

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Just DO IT – O is for Obedience

D – Desire

O – Obedience

I

T

In the last post I wrote about desire—to honor God we must have the desire to honor God. After our desire is focused on honoring God, the next logical step is to obey God. God is honored more when sincere desire leads to obedience rather than obedience without the desire. This principle is clearly seen with the religious leaders in the Gospels of the New Testament. They were obedient to what they understood God’s law to be but their obedience was more about achieving righteousness through their own actions than about honoring God. 
Obeying God is always better than not obeying God, but, obeying God because of a sincere desire in our hearts to please and honor God is what truly honors God, and in fact, what God desires of us.

Obedience is a fundamental requirement for a relationship with God.  The Bible is filled with commands to obey God.  Also, there are numerous examples of the positive and negative consequences of obeying God.

To show the importance of obedience let me share some facts with you.  Every verse in Psalm 119 is about the importance of the Law of God.  The word “obey” appears 17 times in the NIV version and 20 times in the NLT version of this Psalm.  The writer of the Psalm 119 knew the importance of obeying God.
The word “obey” appears 66 times in the King James Version, 109 times in the New King James Version, 162 times in the New International Version, and 352 times in the New Living Translation.  I didn’t take the time to check other, similar, words like obedience, obeyed, obeying, not to mention any synonyms.   The point is, the concept of “obeying God” is not an occasional thought throughout the Bible--it is a fundamental part of every verse in the Bible. 

Here are a few specific passages that relate to obedience:

“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.”  Hebrews 5:7-10 NIV 

This passage from Hebrews is fascinating.  Speaking of Jesus, the writer says, “he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.  Jesus learned about the meaning of obeying the Father in Heaven through his suffering.  He submitted himself to beating and death to become “the source of salvation for all who obey him.” This verse clearly indicates the role of obedience in salvation.  To be saved, I must obediently, confess my sin and my need to a Savior.  Obedience is part of everything you will do as a Christian.

“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We're going to drown!”  26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”  Matthew 8:23-27 NIV 

Even the winds and the waves obey him.  There will come a day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus is LORD.  There will come a day when every living thing will be made to obey Jesus whether they want to or not.  I would rather obey out of love for God and give Him the honor and praise he deserves.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:18-20  NIV

Jesus clearly wants us to teach obedience to the people we bring into His fold. 

“If you love me, you will obey what I command.” John 14:15 NIV 

“Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.”  John 14:23-24 NIV

“If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.”  John 15:10 NIV  

These 3 passages from John 14 and 15 express clearly that Jesus expects us to obey Him.

“But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God.” Acts 4:19 NIV 

This last passage is when Peter and John are brought before the Sanhedrin for teaching and healing in the name of Jesus from the Book of Acts.  Obeying God is ALWAYS the right answer.

One of the reasons obedience is so important in our relationship with God is there are times when we won’t understand why God wants us to do something.  When we clearly understand that God is telling us to do something we must obey without questioning, arguing, ignoring, or, my personal favorite, negotiating.  I say, negotiating is my personal favorite in sarcasm since that seems to be the one I have tried to do most in the past.  It has taken me a long time to let go of my stubbornness and become more obedient.  Notice, I didn’t say completely obedient since I am human and make my share of mistakes.  I am getting much better but still not there yet.

We must make becoming more obedient a priority in our Christian walk.  I encourage you to spend some prayer time seeking God’s guidance in your life related to being more obedient to His will.

Related posts:

Just DO IT – D is for Desire http://www.livetohonorgod.com/2012/03/just-do-it-d-is-for-desire.html

FOCUSed on Jesus - http://www.livetohonorgod.com/2011/07/focused-on-jesus.html

A Living Sacrifice to God - http://www.livetohonorgod.com/2011/01/a-living-sacrifice-to-god.html

5 Ways We Fail to Honor God in Our Daily Life - http://www.livetohonorgod.com/2009/06/5-ways-we-fail-to-honor-god-in-our-daily-life.html

O is for Obedience - http://www.livetohonorgod.com/2009/02/o-is-for-obedie.html

See all posts in the category – Obedience http://www.livetohonorgod.com/obedience/

 

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Just DO IT – D is for Desire

D – Desire

O

I

T

I like acronyms. They help me remember things. DO IT is a short acronym to help with 4 key concepts related to honoring God.

Honoring God begins with the desire to honor God. I’m speaking about a genuine, heartfelt desire to live every minute of every day in a way that pleases, and therefore, honors God. I’m not saying that anyone can possibly honor and please God with every moment of their life – but, to truly desire to honor God. On the other hand, those who try to please God out of a sense of obligation only, will be less likely to honor God since that is not truly the desire of their heart.

Jesus spoke about this in Luke 12:34 (NLT), he said, ”Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.” If honoring God above all things is the treasure I seek, then, my thoughts will be about ways I can please God and do His will.

Being a father, I have seen unwilling obedience many times after warnings of the punishment coming for disobedience have swayed my daughter to do what I wanted even though she did not want to do it. I can honestly say, I never enjoyed it or felt “honored” by it.

An important thing to remember is we cannot fool God—He knows my heart and my desires. In fact, I believe God is pleased by our desire to honor Him even when we fail.

I believe desire is such a central component of truly honoring God that I want to share a Biblical example that perfectly illustrates what I’m talking about. After Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses went up on the mountain to commune with God. While there, he received the 2 stone tablets with the Ten Commandments. God also showed him the pattern for the Tabernacle and give him detailed instructions for building it.

So, I want the pick up the story in Exodus 35. Moses has returned to the camp of the Israelites and is sharing the plan for building the Tabernacle with the people. Part of this plan was to ask the people to bring specific items to Moses to be used in making the Tabernacle. (These item were given to them by the Egyptians as they were leaving—God was preparing for the Tabernacle even before they left Egypt.) Exodus 35:20-24, and 29 says:

20 “So all the people left Moses and went to their tents to prepare their gifts. 21 If their hearts were stirred and they desired to do so, they brought to the LORD their offerings of materials for the Tabernacle* and its furnishings and for the holy garments. 22 Both men and women came, all whose hearts were willing. Some brought to the LORD their offerings of gold—medallions, earrings, rings from their fingers, and necklaces. They presented gold objects of every kind to the LORD. 23 Others brought blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, fine linen, or goat hair for cloth. Some gave tanned ram skins or fine goatskin leather. 24 Others brought silver and bronze objects as their offering to the LORD. And those who had acacia wood brought it.” NLT

and

29 “So the people of Israel—every man and woman who wanted to help in the work the LORD had given them through Moses—brought their offerings to the LORD.” NLT

Notice, verse 21 says, “If their hearts were stirred and they desired to do so, they brought to the LORD their offerings,” and verse 29 says, “every man and woman who wanted to…” God was honored because people gave because it was in their heart to give. If you continue reading this story in the Bible you will notice eventually, Moses tells them to stop bringing these offerings for the building of the temple since they had already received enough.

God could have told Moses to tell the people to bring these offerings whether they wanted to or not but He wanted to give them the opportunity to honor Him through giving prompted by the desire of their hearts.

We honor God when it is our heart’s desire to honor God.

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Forgiveness Honors God

“For the honor of your name, O LORD, forgive my many, many sins.”  Psalms 25:11 NLT

God is honored when we seek His forgiveness

When we seek the forgiveness of God we recognize and acknowledge his holiness and our lowliness.  God is honored when we approach Him in humility and truly recognize that we need what He alone can give.  We recognize our need to be forgiven in order to be in His presence. 

God is honored when we receive His forgiveness

God is holy and righteous; we cannot be in His presence until we are made righteous through Jesus.  My favorite definition for the word righteous is “right relationship.”  We are righteous when we have a right relationship with God--with no sin or sinful nature coming between us.  This is only possible through receiving the grace of God given through the sacrificial death of Jesus. 

16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17 NIV

Many people know John 3:16, but they stop there. Verse 17 has some important clarification--God’s plan is to save the world through Jesus.  We have a right--relationship with when, and only when, we confess our sinfulness, receive God’s forgiveness, and we make Jesus our LORD and Savior.

The Psalmist recognizes his many, many sins and realizes only God is able to provide the complete forgiveness He needs. When we receive the forgiveness of God we allow God’s miraculous, life-changing power to work in us.  God’s forgiveness is a gift that He truly wants to give us because He loves us so much.  When we receive God’s gift of love we honor Him by accepting it and allowing it to change our lives.

God’s forgiveness has a “realness” to it that can’t be found in any other way. 

I remember when I got on my knees at 20 years old, in my college dorm room, and confessed my sinful nature to God.  I remember the feeling of the burdens being lifted at that moment.   I felt a joy and a freedom I had never experienced before--I couldn’t contain it.  I went looking for the RA of my floor; his name was Jim, he was studying to be in the ministry.  I found him studying in the library.  I told him what happened.  We left the library and spent the next 4 or 5 hours talking about God.  It was more than just a “feel good” experience--my life had completely changed in that instant.  The forgiveness of God altered the course of my life.

God is honored when we forgive others

When we follow God’s example and forgive those around us we complete the cycle. 

12 ”Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ 14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”  Matthew 6:12-15 NIV

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”  Colossians 3:13 NIV

When we practice forgiveness we experience other opportunities to let go of burdens, such as, resentment, hurt, disappointment, and bitterness, to name only a few.

God is the author of forgiveness

God created the concept of forgiveness.  He was offering forgiveness long before we even knew we needed forgiveness. 

Forgiveness honors God. 

I want to encourage you to meditate on the awesome forgiveness of God and how you can complete the cycle.

I would love to hear your comments about this post.

Blessings,
Tim

Related posts:

Treating Others How God Treats Them

Jesus Lives to Bear Our Sins

 

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