In John 5:36 John quotes Jesus as saying, “the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me”. It made me wonder about myself; does the work I am doing for God have evidence which testifies that He has sent me – that He is with me?
He was talking with some Pharisees. Though they were very familiar with scripture, they did not recognize that the scripture they were so familiar with testified of Jesus. They were not raised on Him like we were, so it is at least understandable that they could miss Him. But we who have been raised on Him, though we may not be guilty of not recognizing Him, have we missed recognizing the truth of which He came to testify?
I know I have. Seven years ago when I decided to start over in my Christianity, it was this very thing that caused me to start over. What had I missed? My life didn’t reflect the type of life I read about in the scripture. There was far too little evidence that He was with me.
And so still, I am wrestling this out. In this series, which I am calling ‘A Journey of Faith’, this evidence – His testimony of my life – is my focus right now. He is good to confirm along the way that I am on the right track. This passage in John is confirmation.
Awhile back, in a comment from a fellow blogger, was part of a poem:
“Because my heart
Has thus agreed
My mind believes
It has obeyed”
I’m convinced that we are all guilty to some degree of being familiar with scripture and the Jesus of which it speaks, and have settled that that is enough. But I still say there is a wrestling we must do to really get it . . . and until we have God’s testimony on our lives, we haven’t yet got it.
Hunger and Thirst 
Spurgeon stated that the problems of Christianity did not lie with the opponents of the Bible, but rather it’s proponents. Sadly, this is still the case today.
I remember hearing that quote . . . like it and agree.
I had read this earlier and it got me thinking of the wrestling. I had wondered if it was something that He had called you to do. (yes?) But, it becomes more when it is something that He has called us to do through you. and it has me asking myself if my faith is too passive.
He has me addressing something that I have been too passive about in my life, right now. And it is a struggle of sorts. So I gain more insight into it through you . . .thank you!
Mini report: Grand mall seizures are happening about twice a month now, instead of once a month. But, they don’t have the long lasting affect on her they did before. And this last month, God had me standing beside her during one, to catch her. The other time, she’d left the room to get something. I heard nothing, but He must have just gotten me up and moved me to her . . .in time to catch her again. No injuries. 🙂
God bless you and this new series on faith . . .and His testimony of your life.
Pondering.
In comparison to General William Booth, from Larry’s post, I guess we’re all a little passive. But a little like Jesus’ comment to Peter, which we both wrote a little about, “What is it to you? You follow me.” I can’t be Booth, but his praying challenges and inspires me to believe that praying is the way to becoming all that the Lord has for me. I know I could press harder, but somehow I am at peace with the pressing I am doing; the Lord knows how to stir me to press harder and has at times.
I think in general, the church is a little too passive here. It is part of what I am trying to press through – not settling for the usual thought that if we pray a little and the Lord does not do it that it must not be His will. I make that statement and have to say that I am in the process of learning here. I haven’t learned and can say with authority this or that, but I strongly suspect there is a pressing that we as the church need to get back to doing. I still have the image in mind of me praying for Satan to move and him standing there with his arms crossed saying ‘make me’. And so I have accepted the challenge.
I know in the past I have given up trying. I think the church has to some extent given up trying. I wrote a piece a couple of years ago that addresses this called ‘Lesson from the Walleye’. (Tried to do a link and lost all my comment. Had to rewrite it all. You’ll have to do a search if you want to read it. Sorry)
The Lord is faithful to give me the confirmation I need to let me know I am on the right track. I see just enough evidence that confirms it. Wish there was more. Have not quit praying. I appreciate the update. It is a little like the evidence Elijah’s servant reported, ‘a cloud the size of a man’s hand’; it may not be exactly what we’re after yet, but I believe it is coming.
I guess all for now.
What’s funny is that when I wrote the article, mentioning Booth, I thought to myself, “Wow! I’m going to be praying all night long. How will I do that?”
Obviously, it’s His grace that allows us to pray for long periods, not our will power. So, if I need to pray more, the grace will be there for me to achieve it.
I am so encouraged by you, Mike . . .to persevere with prayer through what looks impossible. And Larry, your comment about Him supplying us the grace we need, when we need it, really spoke to me too.
God bless!
Great question:
“Does the work I am doing for God have evidence which testifies that He has sent me – that He is with me?”
I think many are doing the work we were not called to do. For example not all are called to pastor a church so their work will suffer. Maybe that has something to do with all the false teaching in the church today. But all of us believers are called to serve the Lord, but we have different callings.
Great post and God bless,
Ken
Ken,
Thanks for stopping by. Looking forward to our getting better acquainted.
Mike
Hi Mike, This was an excellent message. Those who have the Spirit of God living in their heart are still in the transforming mode. Jesus has promised us that he would complete the work he started in us. And we know that he is a finisher of all that he begins! I have spoken from my heart to the women in the jail where I do bible studies when I told them that I would rather die than to go back to how I was before I was saved. Then again, I told them that I would rather die then to go back to how I was last week!!Each day the power of Christ is transforming and molding us into his image! Imagine that! Once you have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, there is no return!
Christ is working it out in you, Mke, according to the plan and purpose that he ordained long before this world was created. Your hunger for more of Him is actually His power in you causing you to desire more. God bless you, my friend.
Didn’t realize you were involved in jail ministry. We have that in common. It is the highlight of my week.
Always enjoy your posts.