Give God Time
Prayer and Praise
Jesus said, “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” Matthew 26:40, so we start our journey of giving God time to work in us, by praying along with this hymn –
‘May the Mind of Christ My Saviour’. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gE5fOXSymBc
A Word in your ear
John 5:31-47 Testimonials regarding Jesus’ identity…
31 “If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not valid.
By law, claims had to be supported by 2 or 3 witnesses.
A). The testimony of John:- noted by Jesus only so that some might believe and be saved – not because He needed John’s testimonial. (See John 3:22-36).
32 But there is someone else testifying on my behalf, and I know that the testimony he is making is valid — 33 you have sent to Yochanan, (John), and he has testified to the truth. 34 Not that I collect human testimony; rather, I say these things so that you might be saved. 35 He was a lamp burning and shining, and for a little while, you were willing to bask in his light.
B). The testimony of the signs and wonders of the miracles…
36 “But I have a testimony that is greater than Yochanan’s (John’s). For the things the Father has given me to do, the very things I am doing now, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.
C). The testimony of His Father, God.
37 “In addition, the Father who sent me has himself testified on my behalf. But you have never heard his voice or seen his shape; 38 moreover, his word does not stay in you, because you don’t trust the one he sent. 39 You keep examining the Tanakh (Scriptures) because you think that in it you have eternal life. Those very Scriptures bear witness to me, 40 but you won’t come to me in order to have life!
Point C ctd.) God affirmed Jesus publicly at His baptism…
41 “I don’t collect praise from men, 42 but I do know you people — I know that you have no love for God in you! 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and you don’t accept me; if someone else comes in his own name, him you will accept.
44 How can you trust? You’re busy collecting praise from each other, instead of seeking praise from God only.
D). Lastly, the testimony of Moses, (their own mentor,) will one day accuse them.
45 “But don’t think that it is I who will be your accuser before the Father.
Do you know who will accuse you?
Moshe, (Moses) …the very one you have counted on!
46 For if you really believed Moshe, (Moses) you would believe me; because it was about me that he wrote.
47 But if you don’t believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?” (Acknowledgements to the Complete Jewish Bible).
—-Summary
They believed the Word of God to point them to the Person who they must put their trust in as the Messiah.
When they do find someone, Jesus’ accusers only accept one of their own from the world. Because they are worldly, they belong to the world. They don’t seek after God at all.
- Today’s Verse…
Who is Jesus? John 5:37
“… the Father who sent me has himself testified on my behalf…”
- Today’s Challenge
Even King David in the ‘Old Testament’ testified to the Son of God, (Psalm 2:7 & 12), without the benefit of hindsight which we have!
When was the last time you testified to the Son of God?
Prayer and Worship“… He went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.” Matthew 14:23.
Jesus taught His disciples what we call ‘The Lord’s Prayer’; (Luke 11). Listen here to Albert Malotte’s ‘The Lord’s Prayer’. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4O_8DBj99s
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever;- Amen.
Prayer suggestions;-
- The world. (ie ‘For those in authority.’)
- The ‘suffering church.’ https://barnabasfund.org/nz/pray/daily-prayer/#previous-dates
- Your own situation. (Suggest ‘needs’ rather than ‘wants’.)
