DATE WRITTEN: Friday, 2020-11-13
WRITTEN AT: Ormond Beach, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: 1 John 1:1; 3-4
TRANSLATION: Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

BIBLE TEXT: ¹ [We are writing] about the Word of Life [^[a]in] Him Who existed from the beginning, Whom we have heard, Whom we have seen with our [own] eyes, Whom we have gazed upon [for ourselves] and have touched with our [own] hands.
³ What we have seen and [ourselves] heard, we are also telling you, so that you too may ^[d]realize and enjoy fellowship as partners andpartakers with us. And [this] fellowship that we have [which is a ^[e]distinguishing mark of Christians] is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah). ⁴ And we are now writing these things to you so that our joy [in seeing you included] may be full [and ^[f]your joy may be complete].

OBSERVATION: John could have told us a lot about what the prophets foretold and what his fellow disciples witnessed, but I can’t imagine that it would have affected us like hearing John talk about his own personal experiences. As we meditate, let us be mindful of what we share with others so that they might receive maximum impact of our Savior and Lord.

APPLICATION: I might tell you about the awesome fisherman that my dad was, and perhaps even tell you about one of the largest fish I ever saw him land. I might gain your interest and may even get you excited and encouraged to give the game of fishing another try. However, if I gave you a first-hand account of my most exciting fishing trip, and if I share the excitement of catching the largest fish I ever caught, I believe that I will draw you in, and some of the excitement will rub off on you. In fact, you may even have some questions for me, such as the location where I caught the monster fish, and what type bait did the trick. Can’t you imagine that John’s account of his personal experience with Jesus is much more effective because of him sharing his personal, hands-on encounters? So what about us, dear friends? It seems so easy for us to share what we read in the Bible, and we should never neglect reading God’s Word, for that is an important and key medium through which God speaks to us; corrects us; guides us and directs our daily path. However, sharing those personal encounters with God, and adding the personal impacts that our encounter brought to our lives – those are the experiences that will speak most strongly to a friend or family member. Let’s make every effort to share these times with all who will listen. They may seem small, and even appear insignificant at times, but God may have used those times to give you a testimony to share with a friend who is anxious to hear about a current one-on-one experience with the God of this universe. If you asked God for help or direction in a matter, please be careful to share how GOD showed Himself powerfully and miraculously to you. It wasn’t luck; it wasn’t happen-chance; it wasn’t due to your location or the day of the week. If you believe in your heart that God answered your prayer, then please share the goodness of God, even if you are in the presence of an atheist. Each day, and in every godly experience, God may be preparing you to minister to someone, even if you only feel like you are merely sharing a personal experience with them. As John said in verse 4, can you imagine the joy that will fill your heart when you recognize that God just used your humble experience with Him to help a lost person realize that they too can be saved? Friends, we know from the Bible that Jesus lived on earth, performed many miracles, and now sits at the right hand of the Father. The unsaved are hoping to see Jesus actively at work in the lives of His children here on earth. While we must not conjure up ideas of things where God might be at work, we must be quick to tell of the glories of the Father, as He loves us, guides us, and works in our lives each and every day.

PRAYER: Thank You Jesus for Your goodness to me and Your precious love towards even me. I have friends, family and folk that I come into contact with each day, who are unsaved and in need of a Savior. Although I cannot boast of having touched You, as John did, yet I know without a doubt that You have touched me. Please help me to be bold in sharing my experiences with those who need this to help them believe in You. Please use me, and use my readers who know You personally. May we inspire all who we meet today, so that they may see Jesus in us. Have Your perfect will and way today in our lives, and in the lives of those who need to see You today. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!