He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
John 1:8 (NIV)
Did you know that King David, before he became king, needed to encourage himself in the Lord (1 Samuel 30:6)? Sometimes, there can be no greater witness to the glory of God to you than yourself. No one else, except God, knows what God has done for you. You know your story and you know where God has taken you, don’t you? It’s through the shed blood of Jesus Christ and our testimony that we overcome Satan and the purposes that he has for our lives (Revelation 12:11). We need only look to John 10:10 to see what those are, “the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” but Jesus comes that we “may have life, and have it to the full.” How do you testify to yourself though? How do you pull up the testimony that you need to hear when you need to hear it?
When I first became a Christian I started with the same Bible reading plan that I use today. The Life Journal Reading Plan. As you may, or may not have noticed, I use the S.O.A.P. method as part of my devotional. I started journaling in notebooks with a physical Bible and eventually moved onto a laptop and digital Bible. The digital Bible I use is in the form of the application, YouVersion, which is available on all mobile devices. I don’t know if you’re like me but often, when I look back at certain months or years, I remember what was going on in my life during those times. Highlighting Scripture is one thing that helps me remember.
Since I’ve been using a digital Bible for the last 11 years, I have 11 years’ worth of highlights, bookmarks, and notes available to me every time I read the Bible. Each one of these has a date associated with them, so when I see a verse highlighted, I can select it and see when it was highlighted. Some of these have notes on them but many do not. I find the dates most helpful because I look back on that date and I remember what I was going through at the time. I’ll be frank and say that what I remember most are the trials that I was going through. Those tough and turbulent times, walking through the valley, speak to me through these notations.
Perhaps it’s just me but the dark days often stick out more than those filled with sunshine and butterflies. When we might be feeling down and blue those are the times the Enemy wants us to remember. You know what? If you’re alive today then that means that you got through that hard time. Who got you through it? God. Whether or not you believe in Him or not it was God who got you through it. I look back at all of the tough times in my life before I was saved, and I know that it was God who did it. I do the same for all of the great times. However, what helps me today is when I’m reading my Bible and I see a highlight or other indication that I’ve left a reminder for myself. To remember where I was in my life and my walk with the Lord. Of course, I didn’t realize that’s what I was doing back then when I highlighted that verse or put in a notation.
The first verse of the Gospel song, “Take Me Back“, echoes the cry, I believe, of many a long-time Believer.
I feel that I’m so far from You, Lord
But still I hear You callin’ me
Those simple things that I once knew
The memories are drawin’ me
I must confess
Lord, I’ve been blessed
But yet my soul’s not satisfied
Renew my faith, restore my joy
Then dry my weepin’ eyes
God has given us the tools to look back on our Christian walk and remember how we once believed and strived in Him. Not everyone is into journaling. I get that. However, if you’re reading your Bible, digital or analog, you can highlight those verses that speak to you today so that you can look back on them tomorrow, and remember where God has brought you from. I promise you that, if you start doing this today, your future self with thank you for it.
Do you know God? God knows you and He loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, right now, and He wants you to know Him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so that we could be free of guilt, be freed from death, and live eternally with Him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.
Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation today:
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.
Four-Calendar Café 