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An Undeniable Testimony

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.”
Acts 4:14–16

The story goes that the Communist government of China, unhappy with the continued high regard in which missionary Hudson Taylor was held for his many years of work in their country, at one point commissioned a new biography of his life. Their instructions to the author were crystal clear—paint the great soulwinner in a negative light to bring discredit on his name. Yet as the author worked on his research, he came to an inescapable conclusion. Not only was Taylor a good man, but the gospel he preached was true. At the risk of his very life, the author resigned his commission, renounced the official atheism of China, and became a believer.
All of us have an impact not only on those with whom we come in direct contact but also on people far into the future who we will never even meet. We should live in such a way that it is obvious that our faith is real, and that we are followers of Christ not just in word but in deed. When we do, we make the gospel more attractive to others. “Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things” (Titus 2:10).
There should be no question in the minds of those who surround us—family, co-workers, neighbors and friends—that our contact with Jesus has changed us. There should be no question that we are committed to loving God and loving others, and that our lives and conduct are molded by our faith.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Our lives should be irrefutable daily testimonies to the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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… bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.    --1 Peter 3:9    I want to share with you one of the greatest stories I’ve ever heard about the power of blessing another person.     A young professor was visiting Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and was in a cafe where a white-haired older man was pouring coffee for everyone. The old man told a story to a group of guests about a little boy who didn’t have a daddy.    The old man said…    “Some called him illegitimate. Some called him worse. And the boy was very ashamed and kept mostly to himself so no one would ask him about his father.      “Well, one day a new preacher came to his church and the little boy got caught in the preacher’s greeting line. When the preacher shook the boy’s hand he said, ‘Son, who’s boy are you?’ And a hush fell over the line.    “Seeing the pain in the boy’s eyes, the preacher said, ‘Oh, I recognize you! You’re a child of God! And you have a great inheritance, son. Go out and claim it for yourself!’    “Well, that boy grew up and had a great life all because some preacher believed in him.”    And after the old man walked away, the professor asked the waitress, “Who is that man?”    The waitress said, “That’s Ben Hooper, the former governor of Tennessee, and he was that young boy without a father.” Ben Hooper said that he became the governor of Tennessee the day that preacher blessed him with those words.    God is waiting for you to bless someone in your life. Will you start today?    GOD IS WAITING FOR YOU TO BLESS SOMEONE IN YOUR LIFE. WHO WILL IT BE?