Today's devotion is from John 9:1-7.
As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me.
Night is coming, when no one can work.
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world. (vs. 4 & 5)
Jesus knew that His time on earth was short - He served with a sense of urgency! He was confident in His mission and served with a grateful, urgent heart! Do you know your mission?
How often do you work for the Lord with a sense of urgency, knowing that the time may be short for those around you to hear the Good News of Jesus?
One way we can share with others is by sharing our testimony - our personal story of how Jesus changed our lives and came into our hearts to be our Savior. It is important for you to be able to share with others what the change that becoming a Christian has meant to you.
Your testimony should be broad enough that those who have never heard about Christ and His promise of salvation can understand. As we embark on this trip to Scotland, you will have opportunities to share with others your own personal story. Keep in mind that your story is more effective when you share "why" you felt you needed Christ in your life. Give a clear and understandable reason as to why you needed this change in your life. And then share "what" has been the most important change in your life since you have surrendered your heart and life to Christ. You may have a lot of details like "DNow", "Falls Creek" or "Kanakuk" - most people will not know what these places are, so you could say things like "youth camp" or "youth group" - you don't have to share exact camp or church names or names of people. Remember that the core of your testimony is that you "needed" Christ in your life - and the "change" He has made since you surrendered to Him! These are the things you will want to focus on.
I thought that I might share a brief testimony with you about my salvation experience and my growth as a Christian.
When I was about 6 years old, the bus ministry at a local church in my hometown, came to our house to visit. My family and I were not attending church at that time and did not realize what it meant to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
I started riding the church bus every Sunday and eventually, my entire family started driving to church together! I began learning about God's love through Bible stories and then about the ultimate gift of God's love, His sending His own son, Jesus, to earth to be born, to die and to be ressurected - all to take care of my sin!
Wow! As a young child, this seemed like such a mystery to me. I knew that it was something important, but I didn't really realize just how important it was until I was 15 years old. My family and I were very active in our church, but not until I turned 15 did I realize that I had never surrendered my life to the Lord. I didn't participate in any real "bad" things - no partying or outwardly sinful habits, but I felt a void in my life. I never could find "purpose" in the things that I did.
When I was 15, I was at a Christian concert and the songs that were sung had a message in them that spoke so directly to me! Time was set aside at the end of the concert for people to come forward and pray at the altar.
I went forward and accepted Jesus as my Savior that night. I remember feeling such joy that evening. I knew that in Christ I had found that purpose I had been looking for.
As I continue to grow in Christ by reading my Bible and praying and being involved in my church, I am learning that God holds the key to all of my life's mysteries! Why would I want to trust in anybody or anything else? The night that I gave my life to the Lord, I gave Him control of the steering wheel, I surrendered everything to Him; but being a Christian means that I DAILY have to step aside and let Him work in me. I have to seek His will in His Word, I have to pray to Him and listen for His voice. Not audibly, although that would be wonderful, but in the things He shows me in His Word and the way He quickens my heart to serve Him.
I can't imagine what my life would be like now without the Lord at the helm - guiding my path through uncharted waters! I have a true confidence that Jesus Christ is looking out for me and I know that when my time on earth is finished - I have the promise of an eternal life in heaven with the Lord of Lords & King of Kings!
So, now it's your turn.....share a brief testimony about your life before knowing Jesus as your Savior and what your life is like now. Share it here on the blog or prepare it on a sheet of paper. By writing out your testimony, you have taken time to really think about the most important points and are prepared to share it with those who may not have a testimony of their own! Always be ready to give an account of your salvation!
Okay...
YESTERDAY'S SONIC WINNER IS........
Jenny Sorey......
Just kidding.....it's really.....
Hannah Johnson!
Keep up the comments Hannah - and everyone else who visits this blog!
I am so inspired to read what everyone writes and shares! It is so encouraging to see a light in this generation of our youth - ya'll keep on shining!
And today's Sonic challenge is...
Share a brief testimony of why you are going
on this mission trip to Scotland.
What is your mission?
And what do you hope to share with those you
come in contact with?
Love in His Name -
Jenny Blue-Sorey
Jenny,
Thank you for sharing from your heart today!..In fact, each time that you have shared your comments, I know that you have given us all a heart-felt praise to God for what He has done for each of us!
Each of us going on this trip will have multiple opportunities to share our testimony (what God has done for us. How we came to know Jesus as Savior and Lord). This testimony should be the most exciting thing to share in our life. Yet, sometimes it's the thing that we share the most least with others. All throughout scripture we read of men and women who came into contact with Christ and His message of salvation and couldn't stop telling others -- friends, relatives and strangers. It didn't matter who it was, they couldn't stop sharing what Christ did for them!
It is my prayer and strong desire that each of us will become contagious in sharing the life-changing, life-eternal, message of God's love to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. And may this desire to share and tell others move into our daily lives here at home, not just when we're on a mission trip.
I look forward to sharing my testimony with you tomorrow!
Thank you Jenny, for being so transparent with us.
Ken
Kenn Hughes sent this out to everyone today, but just in case you aren't getting his emails, I thought I would post it here. It's good!
"The Art of Traveling"
1. Travel Lightly – Mark 6:9 and Luke 10:4
Remember, you aren’t traveling for people to see you. Take only what you need and leave your fancy clothes at home.
2. Travel Expectantly – John 14:12
Every place you visit is a surprise package waiting to be opened. Untie the strings with an expectation of high adventure.
3. Travel Hopefully – 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
“To travel hopefully,” wrote Robert Lewis Stevenson, “is better than to arrive.”
4. Travel Humbly – Deuteronomy 10:19
Visit people and places with respect for their traditions and ways of life, as different as they may be from your own.
5. Travel Courteously – Philippians 2:4
Consideration for your fellow travelers and for all you meet along the way will enhance your pleasure.
6. Travel Gratefully – 1 Timothy 1:12
Show appreciation for the many things done by others for your enjoyment and comfort.
7. Travel with an Open Mind – Luke 10:8
Leave all your prejudices at home.
8. Travel with Curiosity – Matthew 13:16 and Luke 10:21
It’s not how far you go, but how deeply you go that mines the gold of the experience.
9. Travel Patiently – 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Take the time to understand the people in other countries – especially when there are language barriers. Learn a few words, if only to say “hello” and “good-bye”. The nationals will love you for it.
10. Travel with the Spirit of a World Citizen – Titus 1:1-3
You’ll discover people are basically much the same the world over. Appoint yourself an “Ambassador of Good Will” wherever you go.
I am going to Scotland, because I feel that God has bigger and better plans then anyone can ever imagine and that He will work His plans through you, if you allow Him to do so... I just feel God wants us to shine our lights whether in a school classroom or at a night concert. My mission is to share God's love with this world so that everyone can have the same love I feel everyday, so that no one goes to hell just because I didn't share my God's love with them. I hope everyone I come in contact with sees my love for Jesus and understands His love He gives us DAILY! Maybe through our songs and our sharing people will come to Jesus...that is my prayer :)
--Cara Cox
my mission for this trip- NEXT WEEK !!!- is just to be a light in the dark. i realized after going to baltimore last summer how important it is to just love people.so my goal is to be a light in the people in scotlands lives.hopefully they will be able to see Jesus through me
aaryn
This mission trip is a call and a challenge and a blessing from God that I may grow and strengthen may witness and confidence in Him! I am reminded of God's desire for us to encourage and spend time with one another that we may share His love. I am LIVING to serve God and to love Him with all my HEART, SOUL, MIND, and STRENGTH and in doing that I am made cheerful and in doing that it is evident that I have Jesus and He has saved my life and comforted my soul!
''For God has not given us a spirit of timidity but of power and love and discipline. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord...''2Timothy1:7-8
Karen and I are praying for "Mission Scotland 09" We love all of you and pray you will share Jesus Christ with all those you come in contact with because HE LIVES!!!!
Darren & Karen Horton