OCT 26

1 Corinthians 9:1-23
Memorise Matthew 5:15
“It giveth light unto all that are in the house”

Your testimony is a true personal account of how the Lord has saved you and the life of holiness and sanctification that you live. That is important. Together with many other testimonies around the world and through the ages, it is living proof that what the Bible says is true. You have experienced your sins forgiven and are now living a new life in Christ.

Paul’s testimony to the Corinthians is that as servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, they have been living sacrificially without receiving any support from them. Although it is a rule that those who have received spiritual things should show their appreciation in some way or other, yet, Paul and his team had never asked for any monetary support. They had chosen to forgo their rights. To avoid “hindering the Gospel of Christ”, they “suffered all things” by subjecting themselves to poverty, want, hunger and thirst. (1 Corinthians 9:12).

To deny self, for Christ to increase, and we to decrease, is especially needful for all in full-time service. They must walk circumspectly. They must not succumb to the temptation of seeking more and more financial support, for in doing so they would appear materialistic. Their testimony would be ruined. Both Christians and unbelievers would be stumbled. Paul sets us a fine example of how he treasured a good testimony so that the gospel of Christ would not be hindered.

So you see, dear teen, how important our testimony is to those around us. They may not look very interested in the things we do and say but they are definitely watching. They will be ever ready to point out our faults and failings. Therefore, our walk must match our talk. We need to be long suffering and live a life of self-denial like Paul. Thus, we glorify the Lord when we are made channels of blessings to others as we endure hardness for Him. (2 Timothy 2:3)

Thought: Shine for Jesus by being strong in the Lord.
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, enable me to be a good testimony for Thee wherever I go.