Luke the beloved physician shared how Jesus' disciples asked Him, “Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? And he said, Take heed that you be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draws near: go you not therefore after them. But when you shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse thirteen of his book Luke shared how Jesus said, “it shall turn to you for a testimony” where we read:
And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
The verse reads, “And it shall turn to you ...” Luke began with the words, “and it shall turn” or “and the result and outcome of being accosted and persecuted” “to you” which means “toward you disciples of Jesus”. Luke shared how Jesus said the result of His disciples enduring their seizing, capturing, persecution and being brought before leaders would be the following.
The verse goes on to say “... for a testimony.” Luke continued with the word, “for” or “to and towards” “a testimony” which means “a witness”. Luke shared how Jesus said the troubles and difficulties His disciples would encounter would actually be used as a “witness” for the Kingdom of God within them.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “troubles and tribulations” experienced by disciples of Jesus may be used in God's Kingdom for a “testimony” concerning Him. Many people who followed Jesus have been persecuted and even died for their faith, and when a person believes and trusts in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, they shall find God at work in their lives even in the midst of the most adverse of circumstances. Let all who read Jesus' words yield their lives to Jesus and allow Him to use their “troubles” to continue the “testimony” of His Kingdom among men.
Next time Luke shares how Jesus says, “settle it therefore in your hearts”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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