Hello friends. This week I’d like to share with you a fun testimony that I heard. The Holy Spirit knew that I was growing discouraged by all the news and needs, and so he sent me a really fun testimony this week. (A close ministry friend shared it with me by God’s grace. God is so good. 😊)
It’s long but please give his entire story and message a listen. If you are from India, then you’ll appreciate his background. He grew up in a devout Hindu family. He’s a very funny guy and it’s hard to imagine that he was once so deeply depressed that he was planning to end his life. He shared his salvation story (aka testimony) but he also shared many thoughts that resonated with me when I joined the body of Christ, the global church family. Today, after following Jesus Christ for the last 15 years, I noticed that I have to watch in my heart the “older brother” spirit described in the prodigal son parable by Jesus. Here is the parable:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2015%3A11-32&version=VOICE
After hearing his testimony and message, I started asking God to impart joy in me because I don’t want others to draw away from Jesus Christ by my lack of joy or the “older brother” kill-joy spirit.
One more thing, he called himself “apostle”. Generally I would stay away from anyone in the church who calls themselves “apostle”. I just don’t understand why anyone would call themselves an apostle. (If I was in his PR team I’d let him know that his title would close doors.) When I asked my friend on what is an apostle, she sent me these two short teaching videos. They are each about 6-7 minutes long.
https://youtu.be/_KUz3qsRQwg?si=XNmd84xLkYbudHli
https://youtu.be/V0pouyW8iMI?si=tamoWb0Mg-g1aXss
Here is a short article on what is an apostle by ‘Got Questions’ ministry. I like their thoughts and warnings.
https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-an-apostle.html
Finally, here is the fun testimony by a former Hindu. You’ll enjoy his stories.
https://youtu.be/xycxyPtMHPg?si=CdayOV078UMPHAcN
His testimony reminded me of this short blog by the evangelist David Hernandez on what a surrendered life looks like. My takeaway is ‘misery is not holiness’.
https://www.davidhernandezministries.com/blogarchive/how-to-live-a-surrendered-life
Here’s a very good Bible study on learning to encourage yourself written by the late Pastor David Wilkerson of Times Square Church. He uses the two ancient kings of Israel as examples in his Bible study – King Saul and King David. It was an excellent study. As we grow in the Lord, this is an important skill to learn. It would not make sense to stay stunted as an adult toddler all your life. God won’t allow it out of His great love for you; and none of your siblings-in-Christ will tolerate it for too long. We have our hands full ourselves.
https://www.worldchallenge.org/newsletter/2026/learning-encourage-yourself-lord?ref=devos
I believe that learning about our eternal home in heaven is another excellent way to encourage yourself on earth. Please listen to the late Pastor Tim Keller teach about our confident hope of heaven. It was so encouraging.
https://www.worldchallenge.org/newsletter/2026/learning-encourage-yourself-lord?ref=devos
In case anyone dropped off in the bible reading plan, please join me again. TSC is currently on the book of Numbers and they just started. Here is the podcast on Numbers 1:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chapter-by-chapter/id1858948633?i=1000763963693
I’ve been listening to the free audio bible on Biblegateway. They dramatized the voices and it helps move it along especially when it’s boring like the book of Leviticus. (I’m sure people who enjoy compliance and regulations might like the book of Leviticus.)
https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/niv/Exod.6
It’s about my 8th time reading through the Bible in the last 15 years. I have read that studies show students have to be taught a lesson about 8 times in order for the lesson to stick. There are numerous lessons in the Bible. That’s why you should never stop studying the Bible. Those who study the Bible continuously, have lives that are steady and meaningful. If you are short on time, please read your Bible first before any other Christian books, devotionals and commentaries.
This is a great article about your eternal legacy. I’ve been to so many funerals in the past 15 years. It’s good for us to think about death since I noticed that godly wisdom enters into my mind and heart.
With much prayer and in the love of Jesus Christ ❤️🙏
2 Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties.
After all, everyone dies—
so the living should take this to heart.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter,
for sadness has a refining influence on us.
4 A wise person thinks a lot about death,
while a fool thinks only about having a good time. – Ecclesiastes 7:2-4 (NLT)
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes%207&version=NLT
Journal of Faith 