TESTIFY WITH POWER
With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all…
Acts 4:33 (NIV)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 (NIV)
There’s a difference between speaking about Jesus and testifying about Him. One is sharing information; the other is inviting transformation. The early believers didn’t just tell stories about Jesus. They spoke with power because they had encountered the living Christ. Acts 1:8 says, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses.” Their power wasn’t human persuasion. It was the Spirit of God who brought them back to life, and through them was changing the lives of the people they met… people in the thousands!
The word testimony in Hebrew (the language of the Jews and much of the Old Testament) is Aydooth (sounds like my tooth). In essence, this word means do it again with the same power and authority. Every time we testify about the truth of God, or even more personally, share our story, we are saying Lord, do it again with the same power and authority as you did before.
I have a fairly stunning story of conversion. I was lost. In the dark. When Jesus saved me, I felt a power and strength I had never known. The cool part is that every time I tell the story of God’s work in my life, I’m reminded of God’s truth and am filled with a passion and power to share this with others. When that happens, I’m not simply trying to convince people of some truths written on paper. Rather, the life-giving power of Jesus is living in me. Powerful and present. Your story matters because it’s part of His story.
APPLICATION: How have you experienced God's work in your life, and who has He put in your path that needs to hear about what He’s done? Ask God to bring someone to mind, then speak boldly, love deeply, and let the Gospel’s power flow through your life. Someone’s faith may begin with the power of your testimony.
PRAYER: Thank You for living in me and empowering me with the same power that raised Jesus from the grave. I pray You’d give me boldness to share the grace and hope You’ve freely given me. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?