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My thoughts exactly
I think everyone should serve God in their own way, as God leads them to. Our personal experiences and perspectives will definitely play a role in the way we view our relationship with God. What matters is that we serve him in Spirit and in truth. This will mean something different for every person.
For a lot of people, coming to a point of constant reflection on the things God has done for them is a way to remain humble and trusting. I for one am continually reflecting on the things he does for me because it is a reminder of his goodness when things seem rough.
We can only pray that we aren’t misled in our own understanding as we pray for others as well. The minute intricacies of our servitude that we may see as wrong or right might be irrelevant to God.
I couldn't have said it better myself.
Thank you!
Thank you!
You're welcome!
Matthew 25:16-18
[16] He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. [17] So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. [18] But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.
Wonderful passage! Would you mind explaining how you think it’s relevant to what I’ve said?
Because God gives you gifts and you’re supposed to use and multiply those gifts to bring people back to God. He gives you things. So you can give things to others. Isn’t that what’s your trying to portray?
And just to be clear, the things your supposed to give to others is eternal life, in full baptism and them submitting themselves (and ourselves) to God
Well said. I agree with you!
I think Jesus requires more of us then just preaching the gospel, baptizing people and submitting ourselves to God. He requires us to be compassionate, forgiving, loving, and merciful.
Matthew 25:41-45 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
Romans 13:10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
That's epic !!!!
THIS THANKYOU. Just Remember to pray for the Holy Spirit and discernment/wisdom guys! But aside from church and the bible.. this is YOUR walk with God. He knows you. Just ask for help and guidance to tell what’s best.
Porque no los dos?
"And they overcame him (the satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony" - Rev 11
Also, Revelation 19:10 "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
Both is good.
We should dwell more on how we can better serve God rather than what we can get from him, you’re right. However, that is very different from “talking about what the Lord has done for us.” The Bible (in particular the OT and Psalms) is full of people writing and singing about what God has done, and Jesus even tells a man “go and tell what God has done for you” (Mark 5:19)
Without talking about what God has done for us, we can’t adequately share the Gospel. What God has and can do, is the base of Christianity.
How we serve Him is between us and God, IMO. How we pray, how we give, how we worship, etc. doesn’t need shared.
Of course, serving Him is important. But without testimony of what the Lord has done for us, the faith would be so empty.
I have something really awesome that God has done for me!
He's teaching me to serve Him better! 😇
😁! Great answer!
There is absolutely nothing wrong with talking about what God has done or is doing in your life. Your testimony of God’s Goodness and Lovingkindness, builds the faith of those that hear it. If He can do it for you, He can do it for them.
God wants us to be thankful and one way to show our gratitude is by telling others what he has done for us.
It's a great witnessing tool and it encourages others. Remember the new testament story of Mary and Martha.
Martha was so preoccupied with much serving she was upset with Mary who just wanted to listen to Jesus and love on Jesus probably so she could tell others about Jesus and all he had done for her.
Jesus said Mary had chosen the good part. What Mary had done was better than all of Martha's much serving.
Yes it can be a bad habit to just take and take. A relationship is hard work and is supposed to go both ways.
Spiritual venting machine sounds like the many posts I see on Facebook where people are praying for financial blessings. There's a lot I pray for, but not money.
It works both ways I think.
Our primary focus is and will always be serving God and bringing the gospel of the Kingdom.
Our testimony shouldn't be self-absorbed but a testament to the grace, glory and evidence of the one, true and living God manifesting His power thru us as His vessels to accomplish His purposes.
Yes, there can be a tendencacy to talk of how much material blessings we have received. Jesus came to bring the spiritual blessings first thru reconciliation and how blessed we are for God's mercy and grace to be partakers in His Kingdom thru Christ.
I think it's okay to talk about the wonderful things God has done for us. Consider all the people in the bible who the Lord has helped who told of the wo derful things the Lord did for them.
Luke 8:38-39 (NKJV) says:
"Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him."
There is power in your testimony, both in giving and receiving from others. I believe we are called to share and witness to others, and sharing what God has done in your life is a great way to give Him glory and break down walls for the Gospel.
I once was in a mixed setting with both Christians and non-believers. A christian focused on conveying their subjective "supernatural" experience of a healing, not a word about our common condition as sinners inheriting death from Adam through the envy of the Devil or chance of a new life and spirit in Christ or his death and resurrection.
The thing is supernatural events do occur but they are poor proof for a certain religion or a certain God. Most likely atheists shrug it of as a false conclusion regarding natural causes. Even if one was open to the supernatural it does not prove a specific God or a certain religion. Should I become tibetan buddhist because some can possibly levitate and generate body heat in the Himalayas?
He cured my PTSD!!
No
talking about 'what the Lord has done' is a way of expressing gratitude. That's a really good thing.
In terms of whether or not we should seek to share what the Lord has done for us, I think that it is a bit of both, as it was in the ministry of Jesus. Some healings and miracles were to be proclaimed; some were to not be spoken of. My understanding here is that it may require discernment on our part to know when we ought to proclaim the goodness of the Lord in our lives and when we ought to keep ourselves from casting pearls before swine or, worse, boast in vanity.
In the past few weeks, I personally had a reason to attest to the goodness of the Lord and it felt as though it were placed on me to boast in the Lord. I shared the amazing news I had with my family who are not of the faith, friends and brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as with classmates. This news was received as especial encouragement by a few I shared it with. I took every opportunity in this to thank the Lord and give Him the credit, with the hope it might open a conversation about my faith or the Gospel. Likewise, my testimony is something that I feel I must share when I am able, and it is because it is what the Lord has done for me and it was not by my own will that I was saved. I am very glad to share it with awe and reverence.
The verse I had come to mind when I was sharing the news I had these last few weeks appears to have drawn on Jeremiah 9:24,
"but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.” (ESV)
My thoughts were on one of the quotations in the Corinthians epistles, 1 and 2, where Paul must be referencing the above verse. See 1 Corinthians 1:31, 2 Corinthians 10:17.
Of course, I am welcome to correction here. Far be it from me to teach. But I think that we are well within our rights to tell of the goodness of the Lord when we are able or when it is placed on us to do so. None should boast in and of themselves, but instead in the power of our Lord, the Living God. Surely, we should take all things here with prayer and discernment as sometimes what we share of the goodness of the Lord does serve Him and His purposes.
Amen, well said.
Blessings. Shalom. It’s complicated. No it’s simple. It’s simply complycated for me. But what do I know anyhow. Shalom. 0415
We love because he first loved us, it’s always the same order for me
Both are important! Also, they come together a lot of times.
When people share about what the Lord has done for them, God is pleased as they are testifying for Him. Also, it can inspire those who are going through difficult times, they will be reminded of God’s promises.
As we discuss/share different ways how can serve God better, some people share their experiences in the forms of testimonies.
Did Jesus take away All of our sin?
All of mine. Shalom.
Me too! Holy to the LORD!
"God, our God, blesses us that all the ends of the earth may fear Him" (Psalm 67:7). "What shall I give to the Lord for all He has done for me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the Name of the Lord" (Psalm 116:12-13).
I think we should call on the Lord to do more for us than we have been asking for, and not so easily forget the Lord has His own purposes in blessing us. Though I will admit if we remember the Lord benefits from blessing us, it might cause some changes in what we ask for.
To love others well I must be able to receive love also.
While homeless 9 years ago I met a young lady who was blind in one eye and prayed with her. God restored her sight. Experiencing God heal the blind at my absolute worst showed me I wasn't forgotten and renewed my hope. I needed that experience just as much as she did.
You do it, but don't talk about it. Heck, Christ even said, “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing". He went on to say, don't even need to show people you're praying (Mt. 6:3-7).
What we do or can do for God is paltry compared to what He has done for us. Humans being humans, there is also a tendency to behave like the Pharisee in this story, whereas it was the tax collector's humility that Christ commended:
Luke 18:10-14 NKJV — “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
If God is blessing you, then aren’t you serving Him?
Actually, God wants us to give him the credit for what he has done for us. But I agree that we should have a heart to serve him.
Why shouldn’t we rejoice in what the Lord has done for us? We are supposed to be thankful everyday. If you ask him in prayer, you will serve him naturally in daily life anyway. Works come AFTER faith. We will never be perfect either but God loved us so much he sent Jesus/himself to suffer like one of us on earth and save us. What’s not to be thankful for??
And similar issue as I mentioned on a comment on a different post, it’s better to ask God for stuff as much as we like and praise him rather than think it’s the fulfilment from something else and that God doesn’t listen. We may not get what we expect or at the exact time we want, but God always listens and always gives us what we need, but that doesn’t mean it’s NEVER what we ask for! He wants us to talk to him and ask him, like a father. That’s the joy of being Christian, we can go STRAIGHT to him and ask.
sure we should bit I met a lot of people who only focus on what the Lord has given them and not what they can do for Him
Yeah I agree so I use his name Yahweh all the time.
Saved by grace and the Lords work on the cross you better talk about what Jesus did for you
Serve him with all your might but also praise him for his blessings. Speaking on the things he has done is a powerful testimony. It's not about what you can get out of him but about what he's already done and it's alot. Salvation alone is far more than we deserve but that was only the beginning. I would venture to say if we DON'T dwell on the things he's done and live in gratitude for it, we aren't serving him properly.
Revelation 12:11
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Hello, through our testimonials and what God has done for us... is what draws other people... his sons and daughters to God almighty !even healings of their own, it's what builds faith towards God and when you do that, when you talk about what God has done for you and how greatful you truly are !!!! God is so glad to hear that, he loves that. To think it is wrong is a weapon from the devil and you must hold that thought captive and give it to jesus. Ultimately only jesus will clean us, ask him to reveal desires to you that is not of him and for him to take it from you. I pray that your faith with God strengthens each day and you learn new things about God, it is a beautiful journey. I used to think I didn't deserve healing... and we all know where that silly thought came from .
I hardly ever pray for myself because I find it selfish. Give me the lords will over what I want to happen. I do pray for others a lot.
I think I get where you’re coming from, but I think the focus is on Thanksgiving, not on seeing Him as a slot machine that always comes up 777. Being a Christian is hard and sharing testimonials is a way to bolster hope amongst one another. I would point to the example of the Apostles in Acts. They weren’t shy about talking about the wonders the Lord had done for them. Serve God, yes, always. But I think part of serving God is testifying to the gifts He’s given you.
Gifts from God are great and praising is a must yes, but they way many seem to act is that God is a wish granter, the 777 on a slot machine is a good analogy.
Totes. It’s a major problem
Totes? as in Rubbermaid bins?
Absolutely
Should we not talk about what the Lord has done for us? If we didn't, how would we show our gratefulness or appreciation? Doesn't mean that we're serving him because of what we can get out of him, because God still gives to those who don't serve him, but so does Satan as well, so why not talk about what he's done for us exactly? For eg. You prayed/desired something from God, he blesses you with said thing... just keep quiet and not be thankful or share to others your testimony of what he's blessed you with? I mean, this is another form of evidence that God is real to those who don't believe in him, yes?
We cannot do anything for God unless He first does something for us. He is our Father, he gives good gifts to his children and that inspires us to serve Him and our neighbor, but we must constantly be reminded of what our Father has done for us lest we forget and stop serving Him and our neighbor.
I don't see how the two are opposed. In fact cultivating gratitude for everything God does for us can motivate being better servants
I gain a lot from looking back and seeing what God has given and taken. A reminder that even if I'm homeless and starving, in this life or the next, God's got me. Seeing the jackapple I've been and the fact that I still have my wife and son in my life is always my biggest reason for going.
There is a balance between praising God and bragging about yourself. Some people share their triumphs to glorify God. Some people share their accomplishments to give credit to themself. I think God knows our hearts, and our motives, and he will bring it to light.
There is a proper place and time for everything. We should use wisdom and discernment when we share, but we should never put out the Spirit's fire, or silence the testimony God has put on our heart. There are so many scriptures that tell us to share with others what God has done in our life.
Mark 5:19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
Psalm 78:4-7 We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.
Jesus knew it was a two way street. Shalom.
I don't disagree, but at the same time, all things considered, it is amazing that he does anything for us. I, for one, am pretty stoked when he does.
There’s a certain amount of truth to that. Of course, we must appreciate what God does for us, but you are correct that we should focus on how we can serve him.
Gratitude is the primary motivator behind our service to God. Focusing on what he's done for us is thus an important precursor.
I get what you're saying, though. God's not a Divine Vending Machine (not like some isekai anime *ahemreincarnatedasavendinmachineahem*). We're here to serve him, not for him to serve us. It's just that...even though he doesn't owe us anything, he still deigned to come down to earth and serve us anyway. He sought us, saved us, and loved us first. And it is our gratitude for his service to us that motivates our desire to serve him back.
That's my two cents.
Jesus commands us to be secretive in our good works, not to boast about them. Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.
Inwardly we should be focused on how we can better serve the Lord, but outwardly we should proclaim his glory and give thanks for all he has done.
I think your perspective on this is all wrong ( trigger warning ⚠️)
God saved me from a rape attempt my dad was about to do towards me.
He sent me a very vivid vision of what was going to happen and had my sisters drive across the country ( literally ) and replant me in another state far away from him…
And I know he was going to do it because he had sexually harassed me previously as well as my Mother…
I thank the Lord every time I think about it because the PTSD of that situation comes back to me every now and then
I thank God for the monetary blessings as well but I will never NOT focus on what he has done for me! ✝️🙌🏾🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏼🙌🏻
It’s a part of praising him and the Lord is worthy of praise.
Both scenarios are great in my book. Work for the Lord and Praise the Lord for what he has done ❤️
The world and all its inhabitants were made to be consumed by Him. Nothing else matters.
No that's the Spirit of Martha talking. You need to learn to sit at Jesus feet and take and take and take some more. And what you took no one would be able to take away.
I like to use that knowledge as a reminder to give gratitude because it’s by grace we are saved and not works.
But I do agree, living for God is what brings him glory.
I understand that what God has done is whether we are talking about material blessings or spiritual blessings. Because I think sharing as saying material blessings can divert listeners from the true essence of our relationship with God.
Your convictions are yours alone.
1 missing reply
Well, yeah... that's the entire point. Don't use God as a blessing vending machine. Love Him with every fiber of your being. Blessings are promised whether here or in glory.