Tag: bible-study

Good Morning Sunshine! How Far Will Your Testimony Go? 

Mark 5:1-2,6-13,15-16,18-20 ERV ~ “Jesus and his followers went across the lake to the area where the Gerasene people lived. [2] When Jesus got out of the boat, a man came to him from the caves where the dead are buried. This man had an evil spirit living inside him. [6] While Jesus was still far away, the man saw him. He ran to Jesus and bowed down before him. [7-8] As Jesus was saying, “You evil spirit, come out of this man,” the man shouted loudly, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you in God’s name not to punish me!” [9] Then Jesus asked the man, “What is your name?” The man answered, “My name is Legion, because there are many spirits inside me.” [10] The spirits inside the man begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of that area. [11] A large herd of pigs was eating on a hill near there. [12] The evil spirits begged Jesus, “Send us to the pigs. Let us go into them.” [13] So Jesus allowed them to do this. The evil spirits left the man and went into the pigs. Then the herd of pigs ran down the hill and into the lake. They were all drowned. There were about 2000 pigs in that herd. [15] They came to Jesus, and they saw the man who had the many evil spirits. He was sitting down and was wearing clothes. He was in his right mind again. When they saw this, they were afraid. [16] Those who had seen what Jesus did told the others what happened to the man who had the demons living in him. And they also told about the pigs. [18] Jesus was preparing to leave in the boat. The man who was now free from the demons begged to go with him. [19] But Jesus did not allow the man to go. He said, “Go home to your family and friends. Tell them about all that the Lord did for you. Tell them how the Lord was good to you.” [20] So the man left and told the people in the Ten Towns about the great things Jesus did for him. Everyone was amazed.”

Read and study all of Mark 5:1-20

In looking through an old notebook from 2021, I found this question along with today’s scripture, and I want to pose it to you. “How Far Will Your Testimony Go?”

Have you ever felt ashamed to be a witness for Jesus Christ to others? To tell your story, the true story of your deliverance, because you were afraid of what someone would think of you. What will you say to them? But when I read this account of the demon-possessed man from the Gerasenes, it really leaves you with no excuse! What has God delivered you from? Have you told anyone about what Jesus has done for you? 

After this man had been demon possessed for most of his life, he was excited to be healed and free! Now you may not have had as many demons as this man or maybe you have had more, but thanks be unto God, you are healed and demon free today, you are clothed in your right mind! Are you rejoicing at what the Lord has done for you? Do you want to just be with Jesus Christ day in and day out? You need to tell somebody about it! After Jesus healed him and set him free all he could think about was being with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! He begged Jesus to let him go with Him, but Jesus said no! He needed him to be a witness of what the Lord has done! 

Jesus knew that it was far better for this man to be a witness in his home than a disciple with Him. So, when is it better to be apart from Jesus than with Jesus? When it is the Will of the Father! It was better for him to be sent away from Jesus than to remain with Him without His permission! Jesus needs you to be a mouthpiece for Him in your home, in your church, in your community and on your job. Somebody needs to see the change in you for themselves! Jesus told the free man, “Go home.” Go to your family, and then to your friends, and tell them what the Lord has done for you, how He has shown you mercy! This is to encourage you and those closest to you, for they will see with their own eyes just what the Lord has done for you! Don’t doubt the impact or importance of your influence on others! People are watching you, especially those that are close to you! 

Can’t nobody tell your story like you of what the Lord has done in your life! For the demon possessed man, nobody could tell his story to his neighbors except him, anyone else would not have been qualified to share the good news with them. They needed to see him for themselves, he is healed, free and in his right mind?  For those who knew him when he was in the caves and cutting himself with rocks, knew him, and now they see a a healed man and they know that it was Jesus! What Jesus did for Him was worth talking? Is what He delivered you from worth telling someone? I know He didn’t just deliver you from your sins and now you want to sit there like nothing happened! God forbids! 

Somebody needs to see you and hear your testimony! You have to be a witness for the Lord in this hour! When he went to his family and his neighbors and told them what Jesus did, they were amazed at the transformation! Guess what Jesus is not asking anything more from you then what He ask this man to do! You may not be a preacher or a teacher, but you are to be a disciple and a servant of the Most-High God, and you need to tell them just what God delivered you from! 

Tell them your own story and what Jesus did for you! Stop trying to fit in, it’s not about fitting in, it’s about standing tall, being your authentic and transparent self so that He may get the Glory for you! You were called to be different. You are in this world, but you are not of this world, and this means that you don’t operate by their standards, you don’t buy into their opinions. For you know what God has done for you and you have to be genuine when you explain that to others by being truthful and trustworthy! 

Today, look for ways to serve and love others while you follow Jesus, and as you follow Jesus listen to the Holy Spirit and do what He says to do, for He will give you the exact Words that you need to say! For your testimony is everything to someone who is going through and needs to be free. They need to know how you made it through and over, tell them it was only because of what Jesus Christ did for you on Calvary that you are here today! It’s time to be reconciled back to God! 

There is a song called, “Whose Going To Tell Them” By Marvin Winans! Please listen to this! 

Let’s Pray:

Father, Thank You! Father, bless me today, I tell them about what You did for me. Father I seek to share Your Word, my faith and Your Salvation with my family and friends who have not yet called on the Name of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior! Father I want to tell everyone I know that have not surrendered their lives to You, that time is running out and that You will be coming back soon! Father I know that it is Your desire that none would perish. Father, help me to share with them and to not push them farther away, give me the Words to speak that they may see You in me and see the transformation that had taken place in my life since I accepted You! Father I Thank You that nothing can separate me from You and Your love, for the length and breadth and height and depth of Your Grace and Mercy is beyond my understanding. Father, Thank You, for saving me, I pray that my testimony will draw others to You. For You are a Healer, Deliver, and a Comforter to the lost and to the broken hearted, Thank You for binding up all of our wounds and making us whole! Father I thank You that every thought that I have is held captive by You and Your Word. Father, I am willing to go where You send me and to tell those whom I meet, of the great things You have done for me. Thank You Father for having mercy on me, in Jesus Christ Name. Amen! 

Blessings…

Love, Minister Jean

Attachments area

Preview YouTube video Who’s Gonna Tell Them – Marvin Winans

Who’s Gonna Tell Them – Marvin Winans

Good Morning Sunshine! Will You Be Ready When Jesus Comes Back? 

Matthew 24:36,42,44 NIV ~ “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. [42] “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. [44] So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

I read this very profound story yesterday on Facebook! As I read this story, I thought about how often we read our Bible. Yes, we know it’s full of everything good that we need, all the instructions and information that we need to live in this life and what we need to do to prepare for our eternal life can be found among the scriptures in here! I mean most of us have a Bible in every room of our house and in every vehicle and on our desk at work. But with all the Bible’s you have, when is the last time that you picked one up and read it, study what God was saying to you! 

Here is the story that I read yesterday:

It starts off with a question! 

HAVE YOU READ YOUR LETTER?

“A man before leaving for work, left a letter on the dining table for his wife. Chores around the house kept the woman from seeing the letter until about 12 noon. When she finally chanced on the letter, she was so excited to see that her husband had taken time to write her a letter. She kissed the paper when she saw “my beautiful wife” at the top, hugged it when she saw “I love you with all my heart” at the bottom, and sniffed it when she realized it smelled of her husband’s perfume.”

Out of excitement, and without even bothering to read the content of the letter, she made up her mind to cook him his favorite meal for dinner that night. She quickly rushed to the kitchen and got to work. After cooking and setting the table, she went to the washroom and took a shower, put on her most attractive night gown and dressed the bed.

“Just as she was about to finish laying the bed her husband walked into the house. When she heard him come in, she went out to welcome him. To her surprise, her husband was very furious when he saw her. She became very confused and asked why he wouldn’t even let her welcome him with a hug but instead have that angry look on his face.”

The husband asked, “Did you read the letter I left you on the table?” 

The woman responded, “Oh yes, I saw it. That’s why I went through all the trouble to prepare your favorite meal for you. Thank you so much honey, it was sweet of you.” She leaned in to give him a kiss, but he pushed her away to her surprise. 

The husband went on, “If you did, then why haven’t you done any of the things I instructed you to do?” The man went inside and came out again quickly with an already packed suitcase. He headed straight for the door and said to his wife, “See you in 7 days.” 

The woman stood there confused but before she could utter a word, the door had slammed behind him. She went back to the dining table to take a second look at the letter. 

It read…… 

“My beautiful wife, My company has asked 4 colleges and myself to go on a seven-day trip to Dubai for a training program. They said that we can bring along our wives and I thought this will be the best opportunity for us to have the honeymoon we never did after we got married. I have already packed a suitcase for myself, so please pack yours. Our flight leaves at exactly 7 pm so I will be home at 6 o’clock for us to go to the airport. No need to cook dinner since there will be food on the plane. Just be prepare to go as soon as I get back. Please be ready before I get back, so we don’t miss the flight. I Love you with all my heart.”

I bet you thought this woman was unwise when you realized her mistake as you read this piece. 

Well unfortunately this is the state of many Christians in the Body of Christ today. We have accepted Jesus as our Lord and are excited about being children of God and the fact that He will come back again for us one day. Revelation 1:8! But we have not taken into account what He expects us to do before His return.  

This is because our Bibles are closed. We have read a few scriptures in the Word and are excited about promises but have completely ignored most of His instructions. You do not know the Man if you do not know His Word! 

How then do we profess to be married to a groom whose Word we have relegated to the background in the pursuit of signs and wonders. Unfortunately, what many don’t know is that the Word is the power for signs and wonders, so if we go for the Word these things we are chasing will chase us. Let us pay attention to His letter, which is the Word of God. It will draw us close to His desire for us and enable us to walk in victory over this world and its challenges.” James 4:8!

I pray that this story blesses you and encourages you to read and study the Word of God more! You can never read it too much, because as you grow in Word you get a greater understanding and revelation of what He is saying in these last days! 2 Timothy 2:15, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

So, when was the last time that you read your Bible? Or do you just look at the cover and reminisced about what you once read before, or do you just think about what you want it to be. And be honest with yourself if you have not read the contents of the letter (your Bible) it’s high time that you do, and today is that day, you have a fresh new start because you are here! 

Today, don’t just look at your Bible, and don’t just pick it up and look at it, you need to open it up; start at Genesis and work your way to Revelation! As you read and study you will see the character, love, power and sovereignty of your Father! You will fall in love with Him like never before! For the Bible is the greatest story ever written! When you pick up your Bible today, study Matthew 24:1-51! 

Let’s Pray:

Father, thank You, thank You, thank You for the great Love that You have shown me by giving me Jesus Christ, Your Son to be my savior! Father, You are known for Your Grace and Mercy, Your Love and Kindness, Your Truth and Your Holy Presence. Father, it is my heart’s desire, to keep You in the center of my life. Father, I pray that the eyes of my understanding would be enlightened and that I would come to know You in deeper ways. I ask that You fill me with Your Holy Spirit and that I may be a bolder and stronger servant and disciple for You. I pray that my love for You will surpass everything else in my life, and that my love will be a fire that never goes out. Father, help me in these last days to stay woke and vigilant, to always be ready, and to be counted worthy, for always watching for the glorious return of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Today, I cry out to my Abba-Father, Thank You for hearing my prayer, for I’m not just hearing Your Word, I’m taking heed to Your Word. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen! 

Blessings…

Minister Jean

Good Morning Sunshine! Sowing One!

Matthew 6:1-4 NJK ~ “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. [2] Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. [3] But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, [4] that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”

Who are you when no one is watching you? Do you have a story to tell others of what you have done for God and others? It’s been said that the best test of who you are is what you do when no one is watching you, it’s during these moments that your true character comes through.

I’m learning that much of what God calls us to do in our day-to-day lives isn’t always flashy and post-worthy, sometimes it’s simply an ordinary act of compassion, no attention or spotlight. Just you and Jesus! Keep your mouth closed, you don’t need to broadcast what you did. The right One saw what you did and why! You will get your just reward!

You can show quiet acts of kindness by simply smiling and helping someone out, these deeds are seen right in God’s eyesight, make sure that you are not doing this for others to see to you. Don’t be an attention seeker, because seeking self-glorification is always a sign of present danger. God tells you if you belong to God, you shouldn’t make a show out of what you do. Otherwise, you will have no reward from your Father in Heaven!

As you blossom in your walk with God, keep God in your heart and mind, pleasing Him and being rewarded by Him is the best thing you could ever receive! You may never gather a large audience to see what you are doing, but your service to Jesus is priceless, just keep serving Jesus by serving others, even when He is your only audience, He is the only One that matters, and He will reward you openly for others to see!

Prayer:
Father, help me to love and serve others with a pure heart. The only motive and agenda for my life is to glorify You.  I am your earthly representative here on earth, use me! You are the Most-High God and my desire is to please You in everything that I do. It’s for You and You only, that’s the only thing that will last! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Blessings…
Minister Jean