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I don’t want to preach anything new from my head. I know very well it will be of no help, this will not glorify our God. So here, I submit myself to my Lord and I want to share with you by which I have encouraged and bless by the Holy Spirit. Burning lamp can help other lamp to burn.

Jesus is the very first burning lamp so today many of us really are burning and emitting the light to the dark word. This very truth might be bitter truth for few of the people.Regarding this truth, our heavenly Father is very much interested and has given chances to us than any angel,although they are eagerly willing to do.

Hence, He loves us more than any Angel the reason being, we are the son of our Heavenly father He want to achieve His task through us. Surely you may be one among them. Are you ready? Be ready…People may be struggling to believe the Lord, although they may not be a believer. Believe in Lord and Trust in him for all since He is not a layer.  Don’t move with the Lord with doubtfulness and don’t degrade the value of God’s perfect love.

Jesus said:

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8i and Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5: 15-16.For you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. Acts 22:15

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. Matthew 5:13. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. John 15:8. , “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matt.28:19-20

Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. John 14:23. “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:26 “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no God was formed, nor there any after me. Isaiah 43:10.For which the cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.2 Timothy 1:12

What is witness?

In a legal sense, a witness is someone who was there and saw something, or was actually involved in the happening. He has first-hand information because of his involvement in it. Everybody knows that. Then why, when the Bible says we are to be witnesses (Acts 1:8), church leaders instruct their people to go to perfect strangers and invite them to church? I Pet.3:15 say we are to be ready to give an answer to those who ask us about the hope that is in us.  In Mark 5:19, a man Jesus had healed was told to go home to his family and tell what the Lord has done for him.

Who can be a witness of God?

Without receiving the Holy Spirit how you can be a witness of the Lord. First step before the second step of witness is receiving the Holy Spirit.  If you are sure that you have the Holy Spirit it can be prove only by your fruits of sprit. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

  Galatians 5:22-23.The only letter of recommendation we need is you yourselves. Your lives are a letter written in our hearts; everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you.  Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts 2.Corinthians 2.2-3

Jesus said, Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity Matthew 7-15, 18, 21, 22-23,

Hence according your fruits you can easily understand which sprit you have.   There were two causes.  One have the real Holy Spirit and another have some Sprit and he thought he also have the Holy Spirit and who doesn’t know that he have not. Here is an illustration from Saul and David’s life.

One of them David understands the power of Holy Spirit is with him and believes it. In later life of Saul the Holy Spirit is gone away from Saul because of his disobedient although he was not aware of it.  This is more dangerous. Here he receives the Holy Spirit once but, now it is not with him which he doesn’t know.  Most of the Christian say they have the Holy Spirit but they really have no fruit and there is no proof and what they have may be sympathy. This truth is the dangerous secret

When you receive the Holy Spirit you will be aware of it and moreover everybody around you will witness the same. But, the spirit may leave you due to your disobedient, which you may not be aware of. This truth is well proved in Samson’s life.

Why we need to be a witness of God?

First, as you witness, you bring glory to God. Jesus says in John 15:8, “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be my disciples. “Second, the love of Christ compels us to share our faith. In Paul’s words, “The love of Christ constrains us.” If you have experienced the love of the Lord Jesus, you will also want to introduce him to others. Third, sharing your faith is a direct command from Jesus Christ. He says, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” And, “You did not choose me, but I chose you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. “Fourth, people without Christ are lost. Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me.” The Word of God declares emphatically, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.

“Fifth, God wants you to witness because of the benefits He offers to those who receive Christ. When you introduce others to Christ, they become children of God; their bodies become temples of God; all their sins are forgiven – past, present and future! They begin to experience the peace and love of God; they receive God’s direction and purpose for their lives; they experience the power of God to change their lives; and they have assurance of eternal life.

How it encourages us?

Sixth, God wants you to witness because of the benefits to those who witness. Witnessing stimulates your spiritual growth. Witnessing leads you to pray and to study God’s Word and encourages you to depend on Christ. As you witness in the power of the Holy Spirit, you sow love and joy and peace.

According to the law for sowing and reaping, you always harvest what you sow and even more. For example, if you sow love, you will harvest love. If you sow joy, you will reap joy. If you sow peace, you will reap peace. And always, the harvest is greater than the seed sown. Seventh, God wants you to witness to experience the tremendous privilege and honor of representing Jesus to the world. In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote, “We are Christ’s ambassadors.

God is using us to speak to you. We beg you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, receive the love he offers you – be reconciled to God.”

Be an ambassador for the King of kings and the Lord of lords

Most people consider it a high honor to serve as an ambassador for the head of their country – the president or king – but as a believer in Christ, you are an ambassador for the King of kings and the Lord of lords! Eighth, God wants you to witness because the Holy Spirit has been given to provide the power for you to do so.

Jesus says, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” To fail to witness for Christ is to deny the Holy Spirit His right to empower and to use you to introduce others to our Savior.

Two sides of witness coin

There are two side of witness coin. One is to tell what has happened to us, and one is to shine, or let people see that our lives are different from the rest of the world. Jesus says, let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Matt.5:16., “That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…” in Phil.2:15 having your conduct honourable among the Gentiles (unsaved) that when they speak of you as evildoers, they may by your good works which they observe, glorify God …” I Pet.2:12, “…, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk (live) as children of light.” Eph.5:8I

John 5:19 says in the Living Bible, “You are of God little children, but all the rest of the world around you is under the power and control the evil one (the devil or Satan).” Little children need to memorize this verse as pre-schoolers. It helps them to see why you expect them to be nice when other children are so selfish.

If you have been saved for some time, you need to write a brief testimony. It should be about one minute long to tell it. Tell a little of what you were like before you were saved how you came to Jesus, and something about how you are different now.

Tell it to a mature Christian for approval or changes. Then memorize it so that if someone asks, you have it ready. If you want to please God in everything you do, people will be attracted to you and will want to know why you are different. You may want to write a three minute one in case your friend wants to hear more.

Pray regularly for people you work with or see often. Pray for God to open their eyes to see their need of Him, and the futility of life without Him. God will be working in them as long as you pray. They are becoming ripe for the harvesting. Then the picking is so easy. Concentrate on learning to live your life like Jesus wants you to, and spend time daily in the Word and prayer. This will make you a witness and will keep you close with the Lord.

We may not have everything we want here on earth, but we will one day prosper for all eternity through Jesus Christ our Lord. Whenever we are tempted to try the other road, we should remember that the other road is a dead end (Matthew 7:13). But in all truth, the narrow road before us through Jesus is awesome and is the only road that leads to eternal life. That should be our joy and our comfort.

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord… But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge psalm 73.25, 27-28.

We need not concern ourselves when good things seem to happen to bad people. We only need to keep our focus on our Creator and enter into His presence every day through the portal of His holy Word. There we will find truth, contentment, spiritual riches and eternal joy.

What is the real witness to God?

Just like by telling when I ask for money God gives me money  when I ask for land God gives me land,when I ask for gold  God gives me  gold, when I ask for marriage partner  God gives me my marriage partner,when I ask for car God gives me car.  when I ask  job God gives me job,when I ask for abroad job  God gives meabroad job,when I ask for house God gives me house,  This does not mean that they are a witness.

Jesus, when He lived in the world, He was not seeking for useless things.We can ask for anything to our father but, it should be meaningful.  Can a son everyday asking for food and water to his loving father. Can anyone admire for receiving it.  God will provide all our needs, but not for all our useless willing and wisheson the worldly things.

Please remember the word of Jesus said in Matthew 6:25-34 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.

Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? Or, what shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you.

Why do you have so little faith?Matthew 6:30“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.Matthew 6:34

“Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”Matthew 3:2 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need Matthew 6:33.Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof Matthew 6:34

Today most of the Christian worry about tomorrow and seek the dust worldly things and think that they are holy and blessed. What a foolish Christian, they say themselves as a servant of God, It is really pitiable. We were sent by God not just simply enjoy the worldly things but to hate the world.

Without seeking the kingdom of God seeking anything is useless. We cannot take one coin or any relation from here. Therefore getting the world things are not for witness. If it is related to the Heaven and for our eternal life, then it is surely a witness; like I overcome from my lust of eye, overcome frommy anger,

Do you know cancer patientcan enter the heaven but an angry person can never, overcome from bitterness on enemy, over come from lust of money, over come from proud overcome from jealousy and I learn from Jesus to love my enemy, to come forward in humility, come forward in purity of life, seeking the kingdom of God etc.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:21-24. These are the real fruit of witness. Our living became like Jesus and we will not seek for our own glory, which is the real witness.

All the other worldly things are not a rich valuable things. Let me illustration to you by an example.  Suppose we get a chance to select any one of the option freely. The given two options were 1 KG Gold and 5 KG iron. Anyone who knows the value of Gold will select the Gold. One who doesn’t know the value of Gold may selectthe iron because it has more weight.

So one who doesn’t know the value of God’s kingdom they select the dust world. If anyone knows the love of Jesus will love Him more than any other things of the world (it may be your wife or children or wealth or knowledge or position in political or in job, etc)

And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices Mark 12:33

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. John 15:18-20. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Matthew 16:25-27.Mark 8:35-37&Luke 9:25.

He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal John 12:25.They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. John 17:16

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

1 John 2-15.16.He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:37If ye love me, keep my commandments’ John 14:15

Here is some real proofs of witness from new testaments

(1)Stephen was stoned to death in 34 A.D. in Jerusalem

(2) James, the Apostle of the Lord, was the second recorded martyr after Christ’s death (Stephen was the first). His death is recorded in Acts 12:2 where it is told that Herod Agrippa killed him with a sword. Clemens Alexandrinus and Eusebius (Ecclesiastical History II.2) both tell how the executioner witnessed the courage and un-recanting spirit of James and was then convinced of Christ resurrection and was executed along with James.

Date of Martyrdom: 44-45 A.D.

(3) Andrew, who introduced his brother Peter to Christ, went to join Peter with Christ in eternity six years after Peter’s death. After preaching Christ’s resurrection to the Scythians and Thracians, he too was crucified for his faith. As Hippolytus tells us, Andrew was hanged on an olive tree at Patrae, a town in Achaia.Date of Martyrdom: 70 A.D.

(4) Thomas, also called DidymusThomas is known as “doubting Thomas” because of his reluctance to believe the other Apostles’ witness of the resurrection. After they told him that Christ was alive, he stated “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25).After this, Christ did appear to him and Thomas believed unto death. Thomas sealed his testimony as he was thrust through with pine spears, tormented with red-hot plates, and burned alive died near MadrasIndia.Date of Martyrdom: 70 A.D.

(5)Philip of Bethsaida was corrected by Christ when he asked Christ to “show us the Father, then this will be enough for us” (John 14:8). Christ responded, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father ‘?” (John 14:9). Philip later saw the glory of Christ after the resurrection and undoubtedly reflected with amazement on Christ’s response to his request. Philip evangelized in Phrygia where hostile Jews had him tortured and he was scourged, imprisoned, and then crucified died in Hierapolis, Phrygia Date of Martyrdom: 54 A.D.

(6)Matthew, also known as Levi. Matthew, the tax collector, so desperately wanted the Jews to accept Christ. He wrote The Gospel According to Matthew about ten years before his death. Because of this, one can see, contained within his Gospel, the faith for which he spilled his blood. Matthew surely remembered his resurrected Savior’s words, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20), when he professed the resurrected Christ unto his death by beheading at Nad-Davar.Date of Martyrdom: 60-70 A.D.

(7)Nathaniel, also known as Bartholomew. This is the one Jesus called an Israelite without any guile (John 1:47) Nathanael, whose name means “gift of God” was truly given as a gift to the Church through his martyrdom. Nathanael was the first to profess, early in Christ’s ministry, that Christ was the Son of God (John 1:49). He later paid for this profession through a hideous death. Unwilling to recant of his proclamation of a risen Christ, he was flayed and then crucified. Date of Martyrdom: 70 A.D.

(8) James was appointed to be the head of the Jerusalem church for many years after Christ’s death. In this, he undoubtedly came in contact with many hostile Jews (the same ones who killed Christ and stated “His [Christ’s] blood be on us and our children” (Matt. 27:25). In order to make James deny Christ’s resurrection, these men positioned him at the top of the Temple for all to see and hear. James, unwilling to deny what he knew to be true, was cast down from the Temple and finally beaten to death with a fuller’s club to the head. Date of Martyrdom: 63 A.D.

(9) Although, just before the crucifixion, Peter denied three times that he even knew Christ, after the resurrection he did not do so againand he became a zealot of the Gospel. Historians tell of the many different places that Simon proclaimed the good news of Christ’s resurrection: Egypt, Cyrene, Africa, Mauritania, Britain, Lybia, and Persia. Peter, just as Jesus told him in John 21:18-19, was crucified by Roman executioners because he could not deny his master again. According to Eusebius, he thought himself unworthy to be crucified as his Master, and, therefore, he asked to be crucified “head downward “by his request so he would not die the same way Jesus died since he thought he wasn’t worthy. – II Peter 1:13-14Date of Martyrdom: 64 A.D.

(10) Paul. Beheaded in Rome by Nero. Traditionally on the same day that Peter died. He wasn’t crucified because he was a Roman citizen. – II Timothy 4:6-8

Note that some of these men knew they were about to die. They had plenty of time to think about it and went without a whimper.Date of Martyrdom: 64 A.D

(11) Judas questioned the Lord: “Judas said to him (not Iscariot), Lord, how is it that you will show yourself to us, and not unto the world?” (John 14:22). After he witnessed Christ’s resurrection, Judas then knew the answer to his question. Preaching the risen Christ to those in Edessa Mesopotamia in the midst of pagan priests, Judas was beaten to death and Crucified, showing to the world that Christ was indeed Lord and God.

Date of Martyrdom: 72 A.D

(12) Matthias replaced Judas Iscariot (the betrayer of Christ who hanged himself) as the twelfth Apostle of Christ (Acts 1:26). It is believed by most that Matthias was one of the seventy that Christ sent out during his earthly ministry (Luke 10:1). This qualifies him to be an apostle. Matthias, of which the least is known, is said by Eusebius to have preached in Ethiopia. He was later stoned while hanging upon a cross. Date of Martyrdom: 70 A.D.

(13). Timothy became an elder in Ephesus about A.D. 65, in A.D. 97, at the age of 80 he tried to stop a drunken pagan festival. For his troubles he was beaten, dragged through the streets, and then stoned.

(14). John Mark founded the church in Alexandria, Egypt. The local pagans didn’t appreciate it. They drug him through the streets during the Passover. When the governor did do anything, they grabbed him the next day, tied a rope around his neck, and drug him to death

(14) John,  brother of James the Great is the only one of the twelve Apostles to have died a natural death.John 21:18-23; I John 1:1-4 .An attempt was made, however. After he survived boiling in oil without injury, a divine miracle, he was exiled to the Isle of Patmos where the book of Revelation was written. Although he did not die a martyr’s death, he did live a martyr’s life. He was exiled to the Island of Patmos under the Emperor Domitian for his proclamation of the risen Christ. It was there that he wrote the last book in the Bible, Revelation. Some traditions tell us that he was thrown into boiling oil before the Latin Gate, where he was not killed but undoubtedly scarred for the rest of his life. Deaths of the Apostles and Disciples of Christ

Most of the deaths of the apostles and Disciples of Christ are not documented in detail in the Bible. This article exposes historical records of events that provide insight into the sacrifice of early Christian martyrs. Christ warned His disciples that they would be persecuted as His followers because “the world hated Me”, yet before His ascension He promised them the “Comforter” meaning the Holy Spirit.

At the time of His crucifixion, the disciples scattered and went into hiding, perhaps fearing brutal treatment may be in store for them. Of the 12, only James was present as a witness at the cross. After His resurrection, Christ appeared and spoke to the disciples and many others several times. They wouldn’t wait long after His ascension for the gift of the Comforter. At Pentecost, 50 days later, the promise of the Holy Spirit came to the disciples, who were further emboldened as He spoke through them.

The truth they taught, even unto death, has stood the test of time. Jesus was God in the flesh, was crucified for the remission of sin, was raised on the third day, is sitting at the right hand of God, and will come again to judge the world. The disciples held fast to these beliefs and went forth with confidence to preach the Gospel. As a result of professing the Good News, many were condemned to death.

According to the period writer Clemens Alexandrinus, as James the Great was lead to his death his accuser was so moved by his courage and faith that he fell at his feet, accepted Christ, and requested a pardon for James or else martyrdom for himself. Both were beheaded.

More about the Apostle Paul and Persecution

Paul, the apostle and previously known as Saul, was an aggressive persecutor of the early church. He was present at the stoning of Stephen where he held the coats of those casting stones. His conversion took place on the road to Damascus where he was headed with papers authorizing removal of Christians to Jerusalem for punishment. Previously his actions resulted in imprisonment or death of the followers of Christ.

Saul’s conversion was met by many church leaders with disbelief because of his reputation for aggressively persecuting Christians. Later known as Paul, his equally aggressive style was used to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles. Paul was especially enlightened, and through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit many of his New Testament writings reveal secrets and mysteries hidden since the foundation of the world. Consider the importance of the love of Christ described in Romans chapter 8.

Verse 38: For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Verse 39: Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (KJV) Paul was given the answer to the ultimate riddle. Israel is God’s chosen people. Because the Jews rejected Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the inheritance promised to His chosen people was extended to the Gentiles, meaning all foreigners, who Paul so aggressively embraced and taught.

The deaths of the apostles and others in the early church provide a reference point for Christians today. Our faith may not be tested by such extreme means, yet we should be encouraged to spread the Gospel and draw others to Christ. Being a witness to others about your faith and the peace and joy found in loving Christ, may be the best gift you ever give a relative, friend, or stranger. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.1 Corinthians 15.19 Yet many Christians do just that: They advertise the good they do, in order to impress people that they are serving God. Jesus told us that even our left hand should not know what our right hand does.

God wants to bless us – immensely. But He does not want us to become reservoirs or lakes. He wants us to be channels through which rivers of living water flow out to others (Jn.7:37-39). And He wants those rivers to flow secretly and quietly, for the glory of God alone. Every gift of the Spirit mentioned in the New Testament epistles is meant to bless others (1 Cor.12; Rom.12; Eph.4). Even the gift of tongues that edifies us personally is given primarily so that we might always be spiritually fresh and in touch with God, so that we can serve others better. Those who seek after personal blessing primarily whether physical health, material prosperity or emotional excitement – have not understood God’s purpose at all. These are only the crumbs that fall from His table. Our calling as believers is to follow in Jesus’ footsteps – and He did not come to earth to be blessed Himself but to bless others. He, who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Servant of God

Bro. David Samuel