" Ye Shall Be Witnesses "

Acts 1:8   "But ye shall receive power, after that the HOLY GHOST is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto ME both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

     As believers in JESUS CHRIST, we are to be witnesses of HIS person, HIS work, HIS saving power, and HIS ability to give victory over sin in the life. Sadly, many Christians today are poor witnesses. They are good witnesses of the world and all it offers but poor witnesses of the SAVIOR WHO delivered them from the power of the god of this world. The Bible is full of examples of good and bad witnesses. Consider Daniel and his three Hebrew Friends. They held true to their convictions by not defiling themselves with the food and drink of the Babylonians (Daniel 1:3-20). They testified, through their godly obedience to the LORD, of the goodness and power of their GOD.

     Notice once again the instructive words of the late T.C.Horton, a godly author and Bible teacher: "Our LORD is entitled to clean-cut testimony from the lives of HIS followers; and the needy world is also entitled to the testimony of GOD's power to sustain HIS followers in their separation from the things which defile and demean . . . . Who else can testify and witness for HIM if we who are redeemed by HIS precious blood and exalted to the position of sons of GOD, fail HIM ? The test of Daniel and his friends was a three years' test, and they stood it and proved the rightfulness of their claim. Oh, that the church might rise to the privilege which is hers and be able, by the lives of her members, to be saying, 'Here is the proof.' " Carefully read today's text once again. GOD is not asking us to be witnesses. We are HIS witnesses to a lost world. Are we accurately representing our SAVIOR and testifying of HIM when the opportunity arises ? Are we standing out from the world as lights in the midst of darkness ? MDC
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

" Walking With GOD "

Genesis 5:18-24   "And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch: and Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: and all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died. And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: and Enoch walked with GOD after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: and all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: and Enoch walked with GOD: and he was not; for GOD took him."

     To the average reader of today, Genesis 5 could easily be considered a chapter of nobodies - just names, nothing more. However, such a conclusion would unjustly underestimate these people. It has been said, "The best part of human history is never written." Many well-known names have graced the pages of our history books while simple, honest, godly men have not been known six doors down from their own house. No great, swelling words will ever describe their passage here on this earth; they have lived and died with little notice. However, be not too hasty in your journey along the "flat road" of Genesis 5. This road takes us from Seth to Jared with little more than the "begat(s)" and the repetitive "and he died." Ah, but then we are met with Enoch. "Enoch," you ask, "who is he?" His son (Methuselah), in the minds of some, is more important because of his long life. The noblest deeds are often forgotten, but Enoch is introduced as one of the few men in the Bible against whom GOD had nothing to say. In addition, the Scriptures note that "Enoch walked with GOD" (vv.22,24). Passed over by many, Enoch was not forgotten or ignored by the LORD.

     He "walked with GOD" - such a wonderful expression ! Does it not project the most extraordinary image ? The word walk signifies "the whole round of the activities of the individual life." He "walked with GOD" - imagine how difficult that was in a world filled with vice and violence during the years right before the flood, when only a remnant of people believed GOD (Genesis 6:5). Despite the obstacles, he walked in fellowship with GOD (vv.22,24), and by faith (Hebrews 11:5) he was taken to Heaven. What an example ! JED
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used  with  permission.    www.feasite.org