Worship Ministry - September 2023
Testify
“8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. 13Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” 2 Timothy 1:8-14
It is easy for us to stay quiet, going with the flow to not create any awkward situations or conflicts. We can live moral lives, being good people without ever really telling the world we belong to Jesus; never telling our neighbors our salvation story or inviting them to church so they can hear the truth of God’s redemption plan. We just let them assume we are Christians and hope that is good enough.
Why?
We all have a story to tell, a song to sing. God is good and has shown His blessings to each one of us in one way or another. God is loving and has helped us in our loneliest times of life. God is powerful and has shown His might when we needed to feel His presence. God is a provider and has shown up when we didn’t know where that next meal was coming from or how we were going to pay that bill. Without thinking too hard, I imagine each one of us can rattle off many examples of God’s presence in our lives. This is the story we tell to the world. This is the song we sing.
All throughout scripture, as in the letter of 2 Timothy, the people of God testify of who He is, what He’s done, and what He is going to do. We are encouraged in 2 Timothy 1:8 to “not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord.” We are encouraged, too, through songs like “Blessed Assurance” with choruses like, “This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.”
So be not ashamed to tell the world what God has done in your life. Even when there is fear in you, God is worth overcoming that fear. Let the world hear the “song” God has placed in your heart, and worship Him in all places, all times, always.
I love you and mean it!
Lyric of the Month
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
2 Timothy 1:12
But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.