YOU ARE GIFTED WITH A POWERFUL TESTIMONY TO SHARE
SCRIPTURE:
“King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” 29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” (Acts 26:27—29)
OBSERVATION:
Sometimes our struggles and challenges feel like it’s never going to end. Paul on his way to Rome to appeal to Caesar has been in trouble and was called a troublemaker by the religious leaders who could not agree with his message. His message was about the resurrected Christ. The religious leaders could not stomach the power of his convictions and testimony of the resurrected Messiah. Paul was accused of causing troubles in the city at the temples.
Every religious leader who gathered at the temple were quietly listening until Paul mentioned about Christ whom he had opposed before his conversion. Paul used this opportunity to share his testimony of how his life changed when he had an encounter with Jesus one sunny bright afternoon on his way to carry out his orders to persecute anyone who follow Jesus.
Jesus intercepted Paul while he was on a mission to destroy believers. He mentioned that he hated Christians until Jesus changed the course of his life Paul’s testimony of this encounter was so well articulated that Porcius Festus who oversaw his case interrupted his defense, saying, “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”
Paul turned to King Agrippa, and asked, do you believe in prophets? I know you do. Agrippa counter, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian? Paul was so wise in his response saying, Short time or long, I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.
The power of our testimony and the courage to stand up for truth can rattled the perception of those who question the truth of our conversion. Paul taught me today that every opportunity that God has given us whether we are in difficult times or good times are opportunities for my testimony to be shared.
Conversion of people is not my responsibility; it is God who will work in people’s heart because they see the courage and authenticity of the changes that Jesus has brought into my life. I know I don’t always take the opportunity to share my testimony. I want to seize every God given opportunity to share my testimony of how Jesus has changed my life and continue to change my life. King Agrippa, and all the high officials of the Roman governments heard how Jesus changed Paul.
Paul’s testimony affected the people on the street, the religious people around him, the military personnel who escorting him and all the way to judges and leaders who litigating his case. There were no walls for sharing the good news as far as Paul is concern. There was no limitation of where he can share his testimony. Agrippa’s response to Paul’s presentation of how Jesus changed him, shows that he was affected deeply by the testimony. I am reminded today that the power of my testimony must be seen and authenticated with the way I live today.
APPLICATION:
My testimony is a powerful tool that Jesus has gifted me with to share with the others around me. I am going to use every God given opportunity to share my faith with others and to live my life accordingly so the changes that I share with others will be seen and felt by those around me. I want to make sure I my ears are on the Holy Spirit as he guides and leads me daily. I want to be sensitive to his purpose and will as I mingle with believers or non-believers. I am grateful for the example of faith and courage from Paul to STAND ALONE with Jesus even if others believers aren’t.
PRAYER:
I pray today will make a difference in the way I perceive opportunities to share Jesus with others. I ask Lord that you give me the courage, the sensitiveness to your leading so I may be able to share your testimony in my life with others. Jesus, give me the courage as well to continue to be a bold witness and someone who can articulate well the works that you are doing and have been doing in my life. Holy Spirit lead and guide me opportunities that you have for me so I can share your work with others. Amen!
