Issue 1195 – Witness Protection – July 8, 2023
Just a heads up that there will be no Gleanings next week. Our congregation is hosting its annual Summer Camp (VBS), and I will be busy doing my small part in the background. Please pray that the children who come will meet Jesus if they don’t yet know Him or will know Him more profoundly if they already do. Pray for the volunteers and staff as well. Thanks.
We have all seen it on television or in the movies; someone is about to testify before the courts about a crime they have witnessed or against another criminal. Their lives are in danger. The offer?
Perhaps immunity for their own crimes and life in the witness protection program. Once there, they receive a new identity, a fresh start, and be safe from harm. They also receive careful instruction about how to testify in court.
I don’t know how often the program is used in reality or how well it works, but most countries seem to have some version of the program. The program is run through the RCMP under the Witness Protection Program Act (WPPA) in Canada.
Did you know that there is a Christian Witness Protection Program as well? Let me show you how it works.
All Christians are called to testify, to be witnesses to the truth of Jesus.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
If we do as He has commanded, He helps us prepare our testimony and gives us the words to speak.
This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives. Luke 21:13-19
The Lord has given us His word that we will have instruction on how to live our testimony. Holy Spirit comes to indwell and guide believers and intercedes for them in prayer.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27
We are forgiven our past crimes.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus Romans 8:1
We have been given a new identity.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it. Revelation 2:17
We are secure.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:27-30
So there you have it. As a believer, you are automatically enrolled in the witness protection program. What is holding you back from testifying?
May your life and words testify to the infinite love, grace and mercy of the Lord God of Heaven and Earth.
Be Blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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