Testimony and The Church

Theme For The Week: Our main text for this series of devotionals is from Luke 8.1-3. You can listen to teaching on this passage here: (part 1) & (part 2)

Intro Prayer: “Jesus, please help me in this time to be fully present to You and to myself that I may commune with You for the sake of your glory and the world around me.”

Silence: In this time, try and become silent before the Lord both internally and externally for 5 minutes. If your mind wanders, gently bring it back to stillness.

Praise: Bless the Lord by declaring these truths about Him!

“You forgive sin and are faithful in all that you do. You are the first and the last. You are the Father who is building a family and fulfilling your promises. You are a friend of sinners and a consuming fire. You are the founder and perfecter of our faith. You are filled with joy and the whole earth is filled with your glory.”

Devotional: Now that we have learned about testimony, we look to our key text for this series with new eyes. If you have been reading through Luke, he has introduced us to already to the 12. Amongst them were Peter, who was a business owner and had a power-encounter with Jesus while at work. Matthew was a tax collector, known for his greed and dishonesty. He encountered Jesus and was transformed from a greedy man to a generous man. Mary Magdalene, we learn in this passage had demons and encountered Jesus and He delivered her. Each person represented here had a testimony of the way Jesus had worked in their lives.

In every town they went into, not only were they proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God in their words and their deeds, but you could see living proof of the Kingdom’s power in their unique stories.

This is a picture of the church. In the church we are a community of people who all have testimonies of the way Jesus has been at work and the power of the Kingdom of God. As you read today, think about your church or your small group and the testimonies contained in your group. How might God want to use your church or your small group as a team to show off his goodness and glory?

Scripture: Read today’s text slowly. Feed your spirit on the words. Your goal in this time is to commune with Jesus through His Word. Take note as you sense His Presence.

Luke 8.1-3. After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

Worship: Respond to Jesus with worship today! Our worship song for this week is Overcome by Jeremy Camp:

Listen: Take time to listen to the Holy Spirit. Write down anything you sense the Lord speaking.

Obedience: What from today is the Lord calling you to put in practice? Could be to pray for someone, to call someone, to serve someone etc.