Encounter Christian Campus Ministry Daily Devotions 2020

May 22 by Ptr. Harold Santiago & Ptr. Arnold

YOUR STORY HAS POWER

Proverbs 12:8-17. The proverbs for today cover many different subjects, from taking care of animals (v.10) to overlooking insults rather than showing our annoyance at once: 'Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly; the prudent quietly shrug off insults' (v.16, MSG).

There is one proverb that is specifically on today's theme: 'A truthful witness gives honest testimony' (v.17a). This, of course, has implications for witnesses in court. But also, all of us are witnesses in the sense that we are all in a position to testify about Jesus.

Whether you are on a night out with friends or speaking at the front of a crowd of people in church or elsewhere, there is something very powerful about a person telling their story truthfully, honestly and from the heart.

It is interesting that the story of salvation came through a story. By and large, the whole bible is a story of the salvation of God. But within the pages of the Bible found little stories of God's love knitted together to form the greatest story ever told—in the person of Jesus Christ. These stories can bring us joy and encouragement while we thread on this world waiting for the salvation of God. They bring us warning to heed so as to warn us from definite destruction.

Even Jesus when he came to earth used stories to communicate God's love to us. He used parables – earthly stories that convey heavenly meaning – for us to easily understand his message. Most importantly, he used storytelling to tell facts about him.

In His stories, he teaches us about Him and how to have a relationship with His Father (John 14:7).

In His stories, he didn't push people away but spoke truthfully which often result in conviction instead of condemnation (John 3:17).

In His stories, he empowers us to make use of our own stories. In Mark 4:21ff, Jesus reminds us of the power He has given us in our personal story. If we don't share the story of how Jesus met us and how he has changed our lives, we limit the purposeful impact Jesus' story through us.

Never belittle or under estimate your own Jesus-story; they may seem boring to you, but it can be "the thing" people relate to and "the thing" Jesus can use to draw people to him. Our Jesus-story" is our greatest tool to reach those who are far from Him and teach them to follow Him. When we tell others about Jesus and how he has changed our lives, we are sharing more than words — we're sharing the most valuable gift, the good news about Jesus!

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. When was the last time that you tell your story to inspire someone to Christ?

2. If you could rewrite your life's story, would you like to keep it the same as now or you will change it? Why?

3. How can you live your life in a way that will change the course of someone else's story?