Northside Bible Chapel
8 Gunn Street L4M 2H3 Barrie, ON, Canada

Northside Bible Chapel is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Speaker: Jim Comte Time: Sunday, Nov 15, 2020 10:00 AM ... Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82588316634 Meeting ID: 825 8831 6634 Passcode: Northside Dial by phone: +1 647 374 4685 Canada +1 647 558 0588 Canada View on YouTube at 11 am: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzjB36GakKUq0iGzPYPkshw

When You Are Down: The Lord has heard the voice of my weeping. Psalm 6:8, (1-10). Sometimes it doesn’t take much to get us down, does it? Even on the sunniest day, an unkind remark from a friend, bad news from our mechanic, a financial setback, or a misbehaving child can put a cloud of gloom over everything, making simple tasks a struggle. You know you should be joyful, but everything seems to be against you. David must have been feeling that way when he wrote Psalm 6. He ...felt weak and sickly V. 2, troubled V.3, forsaken V.4, weary V. 6 and grief-stricken V. 7. But he knew what to do when he was down. He looked up and trusted God to take care of him and to see him through. When we look up and begin to focus on God, something good begins to happen. We get the focus off ourselves and gain appreciation for Him. Next time you’re down, looking up to God. He is sovereign Psalm 47:8, He loves 1 John 4:9-10, He considers you special Matthew 6:26, He has a purpose for your trials James 1:2-4. Yes, life can seem unbearable at times. But don’t let it keep you down. Meditate on God’s goodness to you, and talk to Him. Knowing that He loves you and will receive your prayer Psalm 6:9 will give you strength to get up when you’re down. Are things looking down, try looking up! See more

For This I Have Jesus: The Lord comforts His people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones. Isaiah 49:13, (13-20). There is rarely a problem-free season in our lives, but sometimes the onslaught is terrifying. ... Rose saw her entire family, except for her two little daughters, slaughtered in the Rwandan Genocide of 1994. Now she is a widow among many widows with little money. But she refuses to be defeated. She has adopted two orphans and simply trusts God to provide for the food and school fees for her family of five. She translates Christian literature into the local language and organizes an annual conference for other widows. Rose wept as she told her story. But for every problem in her life she has one simple remedy. For this she said, I have Jesus. As I read this morning I was reminded in Psalm 136:23, He remembered us in our low estate, His love endure forever. V. 25 He gives food to every creature, His love endures forever. Twenty six times we are reminded in one chapter that God’s love endures forever. Let us give thanks and praise to the God of heaven, for His love endures forever. God knows exactly what you are facing today. Isaiah reminds us that God’s knowledge of us is so intimate that it is as if our names were written on the palms of His hands Isa 49:16. We may sometimes neglect the needs of others, even those who are closest to us, but God is aware of every detail of our lives. And He has given us His Spirit to guide, to comfort, and to strengthen us. And His love endures forever. Think of the challenges you face at this moment, and then write these words beside each one as a reminder of His faithfulness and care: For this, I have Jesus. And His love endures forever.

Northside Bible Chapel is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Speaker: Sean O'Byrne Time: Sunday, Oct 18, 2020 10:00 AM ... Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87072599224 Meeting ID: 870 7259 9224 Passcode: O'Byrne Dial by your location +1 647 374 4685 Canada +1 647 558 0588 Canada To view on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzjB36GakKUq0iGzPYPkshw

Music Power! I will praise You, O Lord, I will sing praises to You among the nations. Psalm 108:3, (1-13). In the early 1970’s, Brazilians found themselves singing and humming catchy tunes that urged patriotism, the work ethic, cleanliness, and other national goals. According to a report that appeared in The Calgary Herald, propaganda was not new in Brazilian politics, but foreign and local observers agreed that it had never before been used so skillfully. ... The whole campaign was run by a soft-sell agency called the ‘Special Bureau of Public Relations’. One person was quoted as saying, Let me compose the songs a nation sings, and I care not who writes its laws. Music has power, either for the betterment or the detriment of people. That’s why we should be so careful about the songs we listen to, whether they be traditional or contemporary, sacred or secular. Think of the music of the world. So many songs contain demoralizing lyrics that have a degrading effect on the millions who are captivated by their catchy tunes and rhythmic beat. By contrast, God gifted David, that sweet singer of Israel, who provided many of the great expressions of praise that we find in the book of Psalms. The words of those songs extol the Lord. How uplifting and inspiring they are. Yes, music has power. Let’s use it for good! The Devil dreads a singing Christian. You are the chosen of the Lord, To sing His highest praise. And through the medium of song, To show His wondrous ways.

The Goodness Of God! The goodness of God leads you to repentance. Romans 2:4, (1-11). The following three stories, all true, illustrate that the goodness of God leads us to repentance. ... A burly construction boss was telling a small group of friends, I can’t thank God enough for giving me my wonderful wife! If it hadn’t been for her deep faith and the courage to tell me about Jesus, I never would have trusted Christ as my Saviour. A mother was speaking out in a prayer meeting, My baby was in the hospital. My husband was out of work. I was exhausted and depressed. But my Christian neighbor kept encouraging me, and I found the strength to keep going. My little boy has now recovered and my husband has a job. I told Him (Jesus) I was a sinner and that I believed in Him. Now I’m saved. A young man spent a beautiful fall morning fishing on a quiet lake. He was overwhelmed with the wonders of nature and the gift of life, but his sin seemed so awful. So he cried out to God and was saved. Have you noticed God’s goodness to you? Have you responded by admitting your need of forgiveness through Christ? If not, do so today and receive the gift of salvation. If you’ve done that, God can use you, as he did the wife, and neighbor mentioned above, to help others recognize God’s goodness. Only God’s unchanging love can change man’s sinful heart. On such love, my soul, still ponder, Love so great, so rich, so free, Say, while lost in holy wonder, Why, O Lord, such love to me?

Good Sinners: From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures. 2 Timothy 3:15, (Acts 16:1-5). As a teenager, Stephen Conn sensed God calling him to be a preacher. But he felt a certain disadvantage. Because he had been saved when he was 7 years old, he would never be able to hold an audience spellbound with stories of a wicked past. So he asked God for permission to backslide, just long enough to get some experience in a life of sin to enhance his preaching later on. De...ep within he knew that God would not answer such a request, so he decided just to preach the Bible without a dramatic testimony. Some time later Conn wrote, For the past 11 years I’ve been pastoring a church. I realize now what a great testimony I really have. God not only has the power to deliver from sin, He has the even greater power to keep me from sin, God not only saved my soul, He saved my entire life! We know little of Timothy’s early life except that his God-fearing mother and grandmother faithfully instructed him in the Scriptures, 2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15. Because of this, he might be called a good sinner. Yet God used him as an effective leader in the early church. If you’ve been spared a life of sin, thank God for His grace. Your testimony and life can be as effective as that of the worst of sinners. All sinners, good and bad, can speak of God’s matchless grace. God’s grace can save the best of sinners and the worst of sinners.

Death, A Family Matter: Jacob called his sons, and said to them: I am to be gathered to my people. Genesis 49:1, 29, (Genesis 47:29-31; 49:29-33). A woman was very upset to see a bereaved husband allow his young children to view the body of their mother in the casket. She said, We should do all we can to shield children from the fact of death. ... That woman may have meant well, but God has designed children so they can handle death, even of a parent or sibling. Most do not feel sorrow as keenly as they will when they get older. And they are usually open to believe us when we tell them that Christians go to live with Jesus when they die. I’ve observed a remarkable degree of understanding and strength in youngsters when a loved one has died. Some accept the idea of death better than some adults who refuse to accept the reality of facing death and what it involves. When Jacob knew he was about to die, he summoned his sons and spoke to them frankly. He conferred a blessing on them and on his two grandsons. He didn’t know as much about the hereafter as we do today since Jesus rose from the grave. But his trust in God and the calm confidence with which he faced death undoubtedly left a lasting impression on all who were gathered at his bedside. Let’s not be afraid to talk about death with our family. We should discuss it openly and honestly, even with young children. It is not a subject that Christians should avoid, but it’s a family matter to be faced with realism and the hope we have in Christ. Death for a Christian is not gloom but glory!

What’s In A Smile? A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. Proverbs 15:13, (Psalm 4:1-8). I am sure that you have heard that smiling is contagious. How many times have you stood across a room and watched someone smiling while in conversation. It eventually will bring a smile to your own face or at least a good joyful feeling. ... Changes of the heart can show up on the face. But can changing our expression also help to change our heart? According to an article in The New York Times, the act of smiling can contribute to pleasant feelings. Writer Daniel Goleman says there is a relationship between facial expression and resulting mood. He cites experiments in which researchers found that pronouncing the word ‘cheese’ prompted a smile and pleasant feelings, while pronouncing the word ‘few’ tending to create another expression, resulting in negative emotion. Smiling isn’t the only thing we can do to change the way we feel. In Psalm 4, we find many actions that troubled people can take. When distress grips our soul, we can ask the Lord for relief and mercy v. 1. We can take comfort in knowing we are among those who are favoured by him, remembering that He hears us when we call v. 3. We can acknowledge our feelings and be quiet before Him v. 4. We can do what is right v. 5, and trust in Him to give us overflowing gladness v. 7. And we can rest in the assurance of His peace and safety v. 8. Father, help us in our low moments to look up to You. And may we find in You the peace and inner gladness that will put a smile on our face. A heart touched by grace brings a smile to the face.

Love In Action: Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:11, (7-21). They aren’t flashy. They aren’t showy. But they are living proof that he who loves God must love his brother also. 1 John 4:21.... The couple I have in mind have taken in teenager girls who could no longer live at home. They have helped pay tuition for students who couldn’t afford it. They work tirelessly and humbly in music and children’s activities. They give and give to others and never ask for anything in return. They have their own set of problems just like everyone else, but they never use them as excuses to stop loving other people. This kind of lifestyle should be characteristic of everyone who claims to know and love God. The apostle John said, He who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? v.20. But do we show love to others as we should? Think about it. Do we encourage and build up others? 1 Thessalonians 5:11. Help them materially? 1 John 3:17. Sacrifice for them? 1 John 3:16. Refrain from gossiping about them, quarreling with them, and being angry with them? 2 Corinthians 12:20. Are we forgiving? Ephesians 4:32. Nothing proves our love for God more than our love for others. Love is faith with working clothes on. Love is an attitude, love is a prayer, For a soul in sorrow, a heart in despair. Love is goodwill for the gain of another, Love suffers long with the fault of a brother.

The Fault With Faultfinding: Let us not judge one another anymore. Romans 14:13, (Matthew 7:1-5). We sometimes criticize others unfairly. We don’t know all their circumstances, nor their motives. Only God, who is aware of all the facts, is able to judge people righteously. ... John Wesley told of a man he had little respect for because he considered him to be miserly and covetous. One day when this person contributed only a small amount to a worthy charity, Wesley openly criticized him. After the incident, the man went to Wesley privately and told him he had been living on parsnips and water for several weeks. He explained that before his conversion to become a Christian, he had run up many bills. Now, by skimping on everything and buying nothing for himself he was paying off his creditors one by one. Christ has made me an honest man, he said, and so with all these debts to pay, I can give only a few offerings above my tithe. I must settle up with my worldly neighbors and show them what the grace of God can do in the heart of a man who was once dishonest. Wesley then apologized to the man and asked for his forgiveness. Judgemental attitudes spring from pride and are offensive to the Lord. A hypocritical Christian is not operating from the principle of love. That’s the real fault with faultfinding. Instead of pointing a critical finger hold out a helping hand.

Hearing And Doing: Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only. James 1:22, (19-27). I read about a man in New York City who died at the age of 63 without ever having had a job. He spent his entire adult life in college. During those years he acquired so many academic degrees that they looked like the alphabet behind his name. ... Why did this man spend his entire life in college? When he was a child, a wealthy relative died who had named him as a beneficiary in his will. It stated that he was to be given enough money to support him every year as long as he stayed in school. And it was to be discontinued when he completed his education. The man met the terms of the will, but by remaining in school indefinitely he turned a technicality into a steady income for life, something his benefactor never intended. Unfortunately, he spent thousands of hours listening to professors and reading books but never doing. He acquired more and more knowledge but didn’t put it into practice. This reminds me of what James said, Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, 1:22. If we read the Bible or listen as it is taught but fail to put to work what we have learned, we are as bad as that man with his string of degrees. His education was of no practical benefit to anyone. Hearing must be matched by doing. Open your Bible prayerfully, read it carefully, obey it joyfully.

Spiritual Sensitivity: Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2, (1-11). A watchmaker told that because he used his fingers to pick up very small parts of a watch, it was extremely important to protect them from becoming calloused. He then recounted an incident early in his career that made him keenly aware of this danger. He was mowing his lawn one day when his employer, the owner of the fine jewelry store, came by and asked, Do you usually ...mow your own lawn? Every week he replied. Well, said the owner, this will be the last time. I’ll get someone to mow it for you. No watchmaker of mine will be doing this kind of work. The jewelry store owner was not belittling hard, manual labour, but merely trying to protect the watchmaker’s hands from losing their great sensitivity. Something of that same caution must be shown in our walk with the Lord. We must never do things that will diminish our love for God’s Word or dull our appetite for prayer and Christian service. This is especially true of sinful attitudes and worldly practices. But we also need to be aware of anything that, though not wrong in itself, is contrary to God’s will for us. As Christians, we are to set our minds on things above and put off our old practices. That’s how to maintain spiritual sensitivity. Avoid whatever dulls your sense of sin by keeping in touch with God.

Shame, Shame, Shame! The wise shall inherit glory, but shame shall be the legacy of fools. Proverbs 3:35, (31-35). Shame, we’ve all experienced it. It’s a powerful feeling of embarrassment that can eat away at us unless it is resolved.... I saw shame in a young man who had become so angry with his father that he hit him. I heard it in the voice of a husband who had backhanded his wife. It swept over a pastor who violated his personal and professional principles when he disclosed confidential information. And I have known its blushing sweaty-palmed feelings when I have acted foolishly. What can we do with these strong emotions? Can we find relief? Yes we can, but we need God’s help. When we sin, we need to confess humbly to God, I was wrong. I lied. I cheated. I broke my word. I lost my temper. I was dishonest! No generalizations. We must be specific about our sin of which God’s Spirit convicts us. We must repent of that sin, determining that with God’s help we will not repeat it. When we are honest and serious with God, He will forgive us because Christ bore the ultimate shame for our sins on the cross, Hebrews 12:2; 1 John 1:8-2:2. If you are living with shame of sin, turn to Jesus and experience His complete forgiveness. Then accept the truth that your guilt is gone and rest assured that you no longer have a reason for shame. Sin brings shame, confession brings confidence. What shame can overwhelm the soul Because we’ve chosen paths of sin! But if we humbly call on God, He’ll grant anew His peace within.

Are You Afraid? When I am afraid, I will trust in You. Psalm 56:3, (1-13). Hotly pursued by his enemies, the psalmist was understandably afraid. Who wouldn’t be? In many circumstances fear is natural. God made us with that capacity. But this powerful emotion, unless controlled, can either stop us dead in our tracks or make us run for our life. ... David countered this paralysis/panic reaction by putting his faith in God and praising His Word. One Bible translation renders Psalm 56:4 this way, In God, who’s Word I praise, in God I trust, I will not be afraid. Christians can find the same help today when gripped by fear of an enemy. Captain Dundy Alpoalani was an F-16 pilot during Operation Desert Storm. He wrote, I was scared many times during my 28 missions over Iraq and Kuwait, but I hung on to the cross of Jesus and trusted in His love. Sometimes on my missions I would get so nervous that I would sing the song, ‘Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.’ It was all he could remember, but it was enough to know that Jesus loved him. God loved him. God said so. Afraid? Trust God and remind yourself of His love for you in Christ. Fear may not suddenly evaporate, but trusting God and praising His Word will prevent panic and strengthen you to go on. The best antidote for fear is faith.

Do You Want To Be Well? Jesus said to him, Do you want to be made well? John 5:6, (1-16). I can’t recall ever hearing sick or disabled people say that they want to remain in that condition. However, I am convinced that some people do. Although they dislike their ailment, they really want to hang on to it because it gives them an excuse for dodging their responsibilities. Likewise, some people refuse to give up habits and foods that they know are shortening their lives. Th...ey just don’t want to discipline themselves to make the changes that are necessary to improve their health. The same is true in the spiritual realm. Some people don’t want to change their thinking or repent of their sin. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day preferred to continue in their spiritual blindness rather than accept Him as their Messiah and be made whole. The Lord stands ready today to liberate people enslaved to drugs, alcohol, or immoral conduct. He wants to deliver us from jealousy, selfish anger, and greed. But He won’t do it until we want to be cleansed, liberated, and changed. And we must be willing to accept the responsibility of a new way of life. How about it? Is there some area of weakness that needs God’s healing touch? Then let’s be completely honest and ask ourselves, Do I really want to be made well? Only those who admit their weakness can be strong in the Lord.

Temporary Vs. Permanent: The things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18, (1 Peter 1:3-25). When evangelist Pat Kelly played major league baseball for the Baltimore Orioles, his manager was the fiery, successful Earl Weaver. Weaver, like many top sports skippers, kept his mind on one thing. Winning baseball games. ... One day Kelly stopped to talk with his manager, Weave, Pat said, It sure is good to walk with Jesus. That’s nice, the manager replied, But I’d rather you would walk with the bases loaded. That exchange is a good example of the difference between two views of life, the temporary and the permanent. When we have the first, we can become preoccupied with the things of this earth. We can forget that this life is only a time to prepare for eternity. With the permanent view, however, we recognize the importance of getting ready for eternity by trusting in and living for Jesus Christ. There are advantages to viewing life in terms of eternity. The apostle Peter talked about a living hope, v.3, an incorruptible inheritance, v.4, the assurance of spending eternity with God, vv. 5-9, and an inexpressible joy, v.8. That’s what we get when we walk with Jesus. How would you label your outlook? Is it temporary or permanent? Now is the time to invest in eternity.

Thoughtless Accumulation: Yet you say, In what way have we despised Your name? Malachi 1:6, (6-14). A few years back in an article The New York Times called attention to the way American homes have been taken over by electronics. One father, for instance, acknowledged that his family had five TV’s, three VCR’s, and nine telephones. The article suggested that our involvement with hi-tech might be more extensive than we realize. One man said he didn’t think he had a lot of e...quipment in his home, just a VCR, two TV’s, and the usual CD and cassette players. But when questioned further, it was learned that he didn’t even have a sofa. In Malachi, the people to whom the Lord spoke had a similar lack of awareness of how much of the world’s values they had accumulated. They seem to have lost track of the many things they had allowed into their lives that dishonoured the Lord. When questioned about how they had insulted Him, they didn’t remember that they had been offering sacrifices of animals that were blind, lame, sick, or stolen. Before we accuse these people of willfully defying God, consider that we have been known to adopt some questionable practices of our society as well. Search us, O God. And know our hearts. Help us to see what we are doing to ourselves and to You. And show us if we are thoughtlessly accumulating the attitudes and actions of our times. If we don’t learn to think like Christ, we will think like the world.

A Model For Giving: I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing. 2 Corinthians 8:3, (1-7). Many of the largest churches in the world are in Korea. It was not always so, however. For years, Korea had been ravaged by occupation forces and war. Why do we see such vibrant churches in that land today? I believe one reason is the dedication and sacrifice of Christians who have known much hardship. ... I heard of a congregation in Korea that was growing rapidly but had reached a point where they could go no further unless each member gave a sacrificial gift. So during a special service the people began bringing gifts to the front of the church. One older woman came forward with her rice bowl and chopsticks. The pastor said, Mama, you can’t give that. It’s all you possess. You take it, she insisted. As the pastor stood before the congregation, holding that rice bowl and the two chopsticks, a man stood up and said, I’ll give you 6,500,000 won (approximately $10,000). The first-century church in Jerusalem also experienced a great financial need. In response, the Christians in Macedonia gave out of their poverty more than they could afford. But first they gave themselves to the Lord. Have we given beyond our ability? Have we first given ourselves? At the heart of giving is giving from the heart!

Peace, Be Still! Jesus rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace, be still! And, there was a great calm. Mark 4:39, (35-41). It has been very dry lately in our area, people are wanting to have some rain. Last night we got rain. Many areas it was just rain and a little thunder. However, in some areas maybe only one concession apart in the same township there were major storms raging. Torrential rains, thundering, lighting, trees blown down and uprooted, power failures,... all within a few miles of a calm rain. I am reminded that the account of the storm-tossed disciples and their deliverance still has significance for us today. We are adrift on the sea of life, but all is well if Jesus is in the boat with us. Although the storms of trial howl and the waters of trouble rage, we need not fear. To our faithless eyes, God often appears detached and unconcerned, as though He were asleep. Yet His constant watchfulness is our guarantee of safety. To the frantic inquiry, Teacher, do You not care? He answers, Why are you so afraid? How is it that you have no faith? Mark 4:38, 40. As long as we insist on looking at circumstances, there will be unrest in our hearts. But as soon as we fix our eyes on the Almighty One, There will come a restfulness and peace that only His grace can impart. In time of trouble, all our resources may be cut off. Therefore, our peace must not be dependent on our surroundings. I have heard that some old castles had deep wells inside them that supplied the garrison when the aqueducts, which brought water from the outside, were shut off by the enemy. Over these inner springs the foe had no power. So too, like deep wells within those castles walls, the peace that Jesus gives, John 14:27, continues to satisfy us in our times of need and produces a great calm. The Lord may calm the storm, but more often He’ll calm you!

Northside Bible Chapel is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. 10 o'clock Lord's Supper 11 o'clock Family Bible Hour All the scriptural guidelines would be considered to be in place as these are meetings of the assembly. That would mean that only the brothers would take a vocal part and the sisters should have their heads covered.It would be very nice if everyone would have their video turned on.... Tom will give opportunity for us to converse with one another at the appropriate times. During the meetings, everyone should have their voices muted but they can leave their video on. Any brother wishing to take part during the Lord's Supper would unmute themselves until they were finished. Remember to provide yourself with items for the emblems. Hope to see you there. Speaker: Tom Bell Time: Jul 10, 2020 10:00 AM Join Zoom Meeting at 10:00 and / or 11:00Click here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85292629639 Meeting ID: 852 9262 9639 Password: First The 11 o'clock service can also be viewed at our YouTube channel: Click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzjB36GakKUq0iGzPYPkshw Dial by phone: +1 647 374 4685 Canada +1 647 558 0588 Canada

Smelling The Roses: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. Psalm 103:2, (1-22). Bible teacher Donald Grey Barnhouse once attended a luncheon with 30 to 40 people. Before they ate their meal, a man offered prayer and began by thanking the Lord for the food and water. ... Barnhouse said he had forgotten what other things were mentioned, but he was gripped by the thanks given for water, common, ordinary drinking water. He concluded, I then began to think of other common things for which we never thank God, and began thanking Him. We too forget to express our gratitude to the Lord for the commonplace things of life, even though they can be so vital to our existence. We also tend to become indifferent to the wonders of God’s handiwork in creation, the starry heavens on a moonless night, a golden sunset at the end of the day, majestic mountain peaks, tall stately trees, the music of a bubbling brook, the warm rays of sunshine, or perhaps something as common, and as beautiful, as a wildflower in the field. May we never become too busy to appreciate the ordinary things in life and to offer gratitude to God. Rather, each day let’s single out some benefit we have taken for granted. Let’s take time to smell the roses and give God thanks. Praise comes naturally to them who count their blessings.

Called To Testify: He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify. Acts 10:42, (34-43). A friend witnessed a car accident and was called to testify in court. As she told about her experience, several parallels were observed between her testimony in court and a believer’s witness for Christ.... First, a person must speak from experience to be qualified as a witness. This friend was called because she saw the car weave down the street, cross the center line, and smash into the pickup truck. So too, only when we have seen what Christ can do in our lives or in the lives of others are we able to testify about Him. Second, every citizen has a duty to testify. We have an obligation to society if we witness a crime. Likewise, if we have seen the transforming power of Christ, we have a responsibility to share that information with others. Third, witnesses are called on to tell the truth. No lies, no embellishments, no false claims. Witnesses for Christ also must tell the unembellished truth. Fourth, personal testimony makes a difference. This friend’s testimony led to a just verdict. So too, a word for Christ can lead someone to God’s verdict for the repentant sinner, justified by grace through faith. True, sometimes we may be apprehensive about speaking out. But what we have to say can influence another person’s eternal destiny. So let’s speak out when we are called to testify. If you know Christ you will want others to know Him also.