“Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” — John 7:38
Awaken O Church … week day devotionals
Don't let your week days become “weak” days. Read or listen to Awaken O Church, our daily devotionals designed to awaken, encourage, and strengthen the Church.
Monday — 20
A Neglected Weapon
by Randall D. Kittle
Revelation 12:11 spells out for us the weapons of our victorious warfare over the accuser of the brethren. It says that they overcame the accuser by “The blood of the Lamb ... and by the Word of their testimony ... and by loving not their lives unto death.” Though all three of these weapons have been neglected by the Church, I believe the word of testimony is the most belittled weapon of our warfare. This is because we don’t understand the power of the spoken word in the mouth of the redeemed.
Think of the power of the words God declared in the book of Genesis ... they created the world and everything in it! Now remember that we were created in God’s image and are called to be like Him!
Our words are powerful and that is why Satan fights so hard to pollute our tongues with gossip, judgments, harshness, and cursing. He wants to use the creative power of our words for destruction
What most of the Church has forgotten the advertizing industry realizes — testimonies are very powerful ... they create hope, question, hunger, thirst, desires. Let us overcome the plans of the enemy by using the powerful testimony of Jesus to bring hope and create hunger for the living God.
Think of the power of the words God declared in the book of Genesis ... they created the world and everything in it! Now remember that we were created in God’s image and are called to be like Him!
Our words are powerful and that is why Satan fights so hard to pollute our tongues with gossip, judgments, harshness, and cursing. He wants to use the creative power of our words for destruction
What most of the Church has forgotten the advertizing industry realizes — testimonies are very powerful ... they create hope, question, hunger, thirst, desires. Let us overcome the plans of the enemy by using the powerful testimony of Jesus to bring hope and create hunger for the living God.
Tuesday — 21
A Testimony is Part of Salvation
by Randall D. Kittle
Did you know that when you declare the testimony that Jesus has dramatically changed your life that Jesus declares to Father God that you belong to Him? Jesus told us this in Matthew 10:32, “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.”
Sharing the testimony of what Jesus has done in your life is a critical part of your salvation. Romans 10:10 says, “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” The testimony is not what brings salvation, but belief that brings salvation will always bring with it a declaration! Sharing the testimony of Jesus is the fruit that reveals the true root of salvation!
One of the blessings when a new believer shares their testimony is that it helps burn the bridges behind them. It draws a line of demarcation, “Because of Jesus, I am a new creation, those old things have passed away!”
Sharing the testimony of what Jesus has done in your life is a critical part of your salvation. Romans 10:10 says, “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” The testimony is not what brings salvation, but belief that brings salvation will always bring with it a declaration! Sharing the testimony of Jesus is the fruit that reveals the true root of salvation!
One of the blessings when a new believer shares their testimony is that it helps burn the bridges behind them. It draws a line of demarcation, “Because of Jesus, I am a new creation, those old things have passed away!”
Wednesday — 22
The Testimony of Jesus
by Randall D. Kittle
The testimony of Jesus is not some formulatized program that leads to nervous, tense sweating people rudely mumbling some canned speech. It is far more powerful and simpler than blurting out a slew of memorized Bible verses about Christ. The testimony of Jesus is declaring what Jesus has done for you ... how He has changed you ... helped you. A true Christian testimony is the story of what Christ has done for you. And whenever a new life has been attained and the Lord is glowingly given the credit, people with any interest in God are drawn!
In the fourth chapter of the Book of John, the woman at the well had an encounter with Jesus. Following this she didn’t recite some canned speech, but announced an excited invitation to meet this one who had changed her life. And the results were amazing — the whole city came out to see. All true spiritual encounters create an “urge to share.” We share and invite others to come and see. This is what a true testimony is all about.
In the fourth chapter of the Book of John, the woman at the well had an encounter with Jesus. Following this she didn’t recite some canned speech, but announced an excited invitation to meet this one who had changed her life. And the results were amazing — the whole city came out to see. All true spiritual encounters create an “urge to share.” We share and invite others to come and see. This is what a true testimony is all about.
Thursday — 23
Sharing Your Story
by Randall D. Kittle
A conversation with a friend or family member somehow turns to spiritual questions, and suddenly you find yourself with an opportunity to explain what having a relationship with God really means. No matter where your comfort level rests in terms of sharing your testimony, the reality is that God has opened the door of opportunity, and He desires to use you to change someone’s life. This is what Peter warned us about in 1 Peter 3:15, which says “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
Incredible thought isn’t it. That the infinite God of the universe opens the doors of people’s lives and then expects you and I to share with them of the riches of His love and grace. How can we do that? Well the most effective way isn’t to nervously spout out some memorized program. The most valuable way for you to share the Good News of Jesus’ love is to tell your own story. Share candidly and personally how your life has changed since you gave your life to Christ, and how Jesus is with you and helps you in your day-to-day life. People are looking for evidence that God exists and that He is personally involved in peoples lives. Your story shows them that God want a relationship with you ... and them.
Incredible thought isn’t it. That the infinite God of the universe opens the doors of people’s lives and then expects you and I to share with them of the riches of His love and grace. How can we do that? Well the most effective way isn’t to nervously spout out some memorized program. The most valuable way for you to share the Good News of Jesus’ love is to tell your own story. Share candidly and personally how your life has changed since you gave your life to Christ, and how Jesus is with you and helps you in your day-to-day life. People are looking for evidence that God exists and that He is personally involved in peoples lives. Your story shows them that God want a relationship with you ... and them.
Friday — 24
Prepared to Testify
by Randall D. Kittle
No lawyer would walk into a courtroom unprepared, you shouldn’t approach your testimony on a “wing and a prayer.” Plan your story with these three points in mind:
First, remember your purpose. You want to let others know what Jesus has done in your life. Edit out personal details designed to nudge your listeners in ways you think they need to. Focus on how God changed you and what He has done.
Secondly, build a bridge of commonality in such a way that the person can identify with your past and present experiences. Give examples of how God has fulfilled the promise of 2 Corinthians 5:1, that “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creations; the old is gone, the new has come!” Admit openly that God is still working in your life, still changing your life for the good.
Thirdly, Keep it simple. You might tell your story by sharing three snapshots of your life — your life before Christ, the birth of Christ in your life, and your life after receiving Christ. And remember, the Holy Spirit will be working in your mind and heart, giving you discernment on what to say.
First, remember your purpose. You want to let others know what Jesus has done in your life. Edit out personal details designed to nudge your listeners in ways you think they need to. Focus on how God changed you and what He has done.
Secondly, build a bridge of commonality in such a way that the person can identify with your past and present experiences. Give examples of how God has fulfilled the promise of 2 Corinthians 5:1, that “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creations; the old is gone, the new has come!” Admit openly that God is still working in your life, still changing your life for the good.
Thirdly, Keep it simple. You might tell your story by sharing three snapshots of your life — your life before Christ, the birth of Christ in your life, and your life after receiving Christ. And remember, the Holy Spirit will be working in your mind and heart, giving you discernment on what to say.