June 28
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36 But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me.37 And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form. 38 You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent.– John 5:36-38
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In these very words of Jesus, we become witness to the superiority of Divine testimony against any human testament. Jesus talks about how much greater his own testimony is which is manifested in obeying the work that the Father wanted Him to finish. Verse 36 reveals to us that the actual work Christ is doing for the Father who sent him is in itself the proof that He is the Son of God, sent to save mankind. Both the Son of God is a divine testimony to humankind to witness and God the Father also gives his own endorsement of his witness to His Son’s obedience and completing His work. Verse 38 warns us that unless we believe in the Son of God, His word will not live in you. The faith is a pre-requisite for us to have revelations from God’s word. Without believing in Jesus Christ, we will not be able to live the truth that comes from the word of God. It is when we accept Christ as our Lord and Master that we receive the Holy Spirit in our hearts. Only then can the Spirit of God live inside us and empower us with the truth from Scriptures.
Studying the word of God without believing in Jesus Christ does nothing for the reader who may just be curious about what they can get from it. Although it may pierce the reader’s heart as they read, it is a divine choice that makes them accept Jesus as their Savior. John 15:16 says “you did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you.” When we get invited to his kingdom, he also gives us the ability to receive it. Nothing is from our own choice. The only choice we have is if we accepted him, we must choose to follow and obey Him and give up our lives for Him. When we live holy lives for Jesus, we become a testimony for Him and we will surely get a testament from the Father Himself for doing so. Wouldn’t you want to hear how God will give a testimony of how you have stayed loyal in fulfilling his requirements to receive eternal life? Faith is essential in getting revelations from the Holy Spirit himself. It is like we get downloaded with all the truths that once was kept from us when we were still living a life without Jesus.
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REFLECTION
• Why should a believer not be so concerned about what other people say about them? Why should they be more concerned about Divine testimony?
Tag Archives: ILMA BARAYUGA-DOEHRTY
SIN NO MORE Poem Devotional
December 22
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SIN NO MORE
A poem by ILMA
Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, but the next day he was back at the Temple
A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them
As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law brought a woman
Since she had been caught in the act of adultery, she was put in front of a crowd
“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery
The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” trying to trap Jesus
Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger
They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again
So, Jesus said, “But let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”
Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one
Beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd
Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers?
Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said.
And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more”
And the woman walked and repented and was freed.
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MEMORY VERSE
All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” – John 8:7
Read: John 8:1-11
In this story, we see how much compassion and mercy the Lord Jesus had for this woman caught in adultery. We also saw how these religious leaders wanted to punish her and stone her to death as that was the verdict on such sin. They were trying to trick Jesus if he was going to follow the law of Moses. In this scene, we witness that love is stronger than the law. When he challenged them to throw the stone if anyone is sinless, they all went away and left. There were many theories as to what Jesus was writing in the dust, probably their own sins.
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REFLECTION
• Why is compassion and forgiveness powerful for repentance to happen?