“You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.”
(Psalm 40:5, ESV)
When and what we proclaim should bring results. Some questions to ask ourselves:
1) To whom am I proclaiming? That would be who is my audience?
2) What is my goal? Do I even know when I speak or is it just ‘fly by the seat of the pants’?
3) Do I believe what I am proclaiming? Faith or just a point of view?
4) Why am I proclaiming? The Multiplication Table?
5) Can I support my proclamations with information to give it credibility? Where did I get my info?
6) Can others see in me the beauty of my lip service? Do I have a life story that shows the results?
7) Do I give action points in my proclaiming? Reminding ourselves actions of all kind bring results of some kind?
8) Does it encourage myself and others? Or was it not even worth remembering?
9) What would be the stumbling blocks for myself and others that hear but don’t act on my proclamations? Do I even know or did I even bother to evaluate before I opened my trap?
And, the BIG TEN, what would be the rewards from our proclaiming? Did it cause God to multiple His wondrous deeds and His thoughts to us and our life journey, goals and shed brilliant light for others?
thedailylily.com 
In studying my lesson, “Beloved Disciple: The Life and Ministry of John” by Beth Moore. I read scripture Beth had us look up, read, and study. I feel it is a good example, here, of proclaiming the truth. Read with me in the book of Acts, chapter 15:6-12, “The apostles and elders met to consider this question. After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: ‘Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
Oh sorry, here is verse 12: “The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.”
Needles, brilliant example of one proclaiming and getting results. Peter sure punched a big hole in the idea of ‘ethic cleansing’! I know see why the Psalmist proclaimed it is more than he could tell. Jesus came and gave the more and now we can proclaim the more….
Looks like Barnabas, the encourager, had a part in this as well. They sure let us know get off your high horse and proclaim to all from one end of the earth to another.
Gee, as I review our 10 questions you made a clean sweep and won using Peter and this example. Can one make a grade better than an A+? If so, you got it. Congrats!
Good job, Needles. That sent me searching for other incidents in the Bible that brought positive results from what was spoken.
In John 4: 8 Jesus encountered the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. After confronting her on a couple of issues, true worship and her “husbands” she realized that she was having an encounter with Messiah. The woman then left her waterpot, went into the city, and said to the men, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” Then they went out of the city and came to Him And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.”
” So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His own word. Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”
So this little lady’s testimony brought forth much fruit for the Kingdom because she was willing to humble herself, and share about the “Pearl of Great price that she had just encountered.
Paul was obviously successful at math. In the accounts above and in others he repeatedly scored the Big Ten. It seems like one key to his success was that he did have a goal and knew to whom he was proclaiming and why. “I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified.” (I Cor 2:2,3) His words were intentional and he said, “I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit” (vs 4). He wanted others to focus on God and know His power for themselves (vs 5). His example is powerful and a lot for us to look to and to live up to.
Would these questions help us with scenarios for workshops, etc.? Or, for a presentation for our work?
Has anyone used this type of outline in their lives? If so, let us know how it worked.
Sara,
When I was a little girl, I was always asking questions. I believe I just wanted to understand the truth. I believe questions like these prompt people to “dig for truth.”
When I go to classes, seminars, or workshops, for education with nursing….scenarios are used a lot. A case or scenario will be presented to us, and then the questions follow. With the questions presented, the class will have to dig, discuss, and even work together to come up with the correct answers, to the questions. I enjoy these types of workshops, as the audience has to be proactive, in the learning. Yes, Sara, these questions work in every area of our life, and when we leave these workshops we should be able to put these lessons into practice.
“when we leave these workshops we SHOULD be able to put these lessons into practice”
With that said, I guess “the bottom line”, lies within your question #9: “What would be the stumbling blocks for myself and others that hear but don’t act on my proclamations? Do I even know or did I even bother to evaluate before I opened my trap?”
In the field of education, scenerios are used to hopefully improve student learning by making connections to real-world situations. In scenerios students assume role-playing parts in order to explore, question, and apply from an experience setting rather than just gather information. Based on questions I have read for education (particularly in my field of science) Sara’s questions above seem aligned and look excellent for role-playing, causing students to put themselves in somebody else’s ‘shoes’ and address a target group or audience with goals, questions, research and validation. Scenerios are meant to stimulate ‘inquiry’, a type of learning strategy advocated by leading scientific organizations.
Needles practice of asking lots of questions is the basis for ‘inquiry’.
I agree with Needles that when we (students) leave a workshop scenerio we should be able to practice and apply what we learned and not just in that context but in a different one also because the principles should be the same.
Needles and Debi, you have told us how easy it is to be educated, learn and enjoy the pleasure of learning. You have advised us that we should be able to practice and apply what we have learned. OK, OK, OK, do I have fruit to show for my learning?
Is it possible that we may not see or know the fruit of our learning until we get to Heaven?
Needles, I feel and believe we will NOT know the fruit of our learning, doing or receiving until we see Heaven. Although, I believe we can see and enjoy the fruit of our deeds, labors, love and giving while we journey here.
For instance, making a friend through interchanging ideas, sharing our faith, reaching out through holidays, birthdays, etc. in giving to one another. Praying for and experiencing one another’s families as we share in their joy. Being patience with one another.
Introducing another to Christ, discipling them and watching them grow and mature in the Lord. And, being disciplined by another and they experiencing our growth as we share with one another.
Going into the house of the Lord with friends and companions that believe as we do. Sharing the Lord’s Supper with them and the joys of singing, hearing the Word of God and fellowship in every form. This being we have shared our spiritual gifts with the Body of Christ and the results show.
Ultimate Rewards will be giving at a later date. Revelations 22:12 says, “I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.”
I think God does let us practice and we see changes in peoples lifes. This encourages us as we see God work in their lives. We may not see all we touch but someday God will reveal our accomplishments and failures. Here are just a few accomplishments and I hope in the days ahead there are many more seen or unseen.
I have proclaimed to colleagues the power of prayer. Before school we would pray once a week. At the end of five years all the attendees had had their prayers answered. We also had bible study meetings in school and in my home to share the word of God from thedailylily.org studies designed and put together by Sara. One lady I have discipled for years. When she first started she did not know the books of the Bible, nor had she read much of the Bible. We were reading from the Gospel John one day and she was in I John. When I stopped her, she said this is so GOOD I can’t stop reading. She has continued reading and is faithful today to read and pray for others. One fellow teacher was unable to have children. I prayed for her on my daily morning walk and God gave me a word of knowledge for her. He showed me that she was going to have twins and a little girl in arms. I told her and bought a book for her sons as I was sure God was going to do what he showed me. The boys and the little girl were born and are the joy of this lady’s life today. She gives God all the praise. Praise God Almighty for touching her. This same lady and I prayed for a student who had difficulties fitting in behaviorally in class and he turned his life over to Christ. A role model for others today. Another student who had problems, Sara and I prayed for is now a nurse with a Barbara Striesand voice. Another lady I wanted to see start attending a church, I discipled and she started attending church with her husband. I give God all the praise. Mighty is our God!
In a class that I am taking in Music for the Exceptional Learner (euphemistic in its title) we music teachers are participating in many scenarios in milieu similar to what our disadvantaged (either emotionally, physically, or intellectually challenged ) students have to operate in. The professor presents a case or situation, application, directive as to how it appears, audio or visually received by the exceptional student. We “non-challenged” students have to try to operate in that atmosphere; dyslexia, audio or visual discrepancies that do not affect the regular student. Some of us failed miserably in deciphering what a dyslexic student sees on a page of print.
Then an IEP is prepared. That is, a group of teachers and psychologists, nurse, maybe reading specialist, administrator and other specialists, Occupational Therapists in the field of Special Education …anyone on staff that is specialist in the field in which the child has a challenge(s)…Plus PARENTS… meet to do, like Needles mentions above…a case study on that child, investigating background, cultural, social and academic background to determine and Individual educational plan for that one particular student. As I read over these IEP’s of actual students I was able to see how each specialist contributes to the special needs of that child. Different children, of course, will have different needs, but the format is the same. To determine the weak areas, the strong areas, what is needed, what we already have to minister to that child, etc. what the short term goals are; what the annual goal is and how long will we give for that individual to reach that goal.
Sounds like a good way to present the walk to truth…..
Fruit must grow when we profess/proclaim Jesus to others so that they can also” taste and see that the Lord is good.”
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:15, 16 AMP
Rena gave us some excellent examples….The Word of God says, “we are known by our fruits.” Therefore, it would be nice to have some fruit to show so we will be known by God and others. How do others know you?
“If you are a Christian, then people should be able to look for—and find—fruit in your life. Why? Because a disciple of Jesus Christ will produce spiritual fruit. Jesus said, ” ‘My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to my Father'” (John 15:8 NLT). Jesus also said, “‘By their fruits you will know them'” (Matthew 7:20 NKJV). Greg Laurie, Harvest Ministries
Jesus is the Vine, we are the branches but the Father is the Vine-dresser. As we choose to abide in the Vine, moment by moment, allowing the Father, (the Vine dresser) to prune us….that is cut away waste and anything that is a disease carrying pest He WILL keep us for He is able to keep us unto that day. And if He keeps us attached to the Vine we will bear much fruit. That is the earnest of our gratitude to God for keeping us unto that day….we bear fruit of HIS pruning and dressing which is a tribute and a glory to Him for His vigilance over us. Without the life-giving sap of the VINE and without the Gardener Father God we are not able to produce fruit for in ourselves we can do nothing. But if we INTENTIONALLY choose to abide in the Vine, there will be a harvest of fruit for He is able to keep us.
If we praise Him we bear fruit! The Words from our mouth bears fruit. Our actions bear fruit. Kindness bears fruit. It is really easy to bear fruit, would you not say?
From your examples, Sara, I would say yes. In thinking about the Vine and branches ,Romans 11 talks about us being grafted into the Vine by God. In order for a graft to take, the branch has to be perfectly aligned with the Vine and stay attached, steady and fixed in place, for the sap to run from vine to branch…and then the fruit develops.
We cannot help but bear fruit if we abide…in the Vine, because the VINEDRESSER, Father God, is able to keep us. And the more He prunes us the more fruit we bear. If we do well, He will prune us all the more to bring forth the luscious fruit of glorifying Him and bringing in souls.
I had to learn this concept of the Kingdom the hard way. I noticed that when I spent more time in praise and prayer and Kingdom deeds, I would receive a Word or admonishment concerning something else. I never did understand this…I would complain to the Lord that I was praying, reading my bible, trying to be obedient and giving and then I would get a “WORD” about something else in my life. I finally got to see the light that “every branch that bears fruit HE prunes so that it may bear even more fruit.”
Who has known the mind of the Lord and who can think like He does. But we have the mind of Christ…and can learn the ways of the Spirit.
Andrew Murray, in his book, comments :
“The branch that bears the most fruit bows down the lowest.”
Regarding pruning, MG, we can look at the fruit trees or orchards and see God illustrating that principle so beautifully. I pass by a vineyard several times a week and can’t help but notice the grapes growing on the trellis. This summer they were so lush, full of leaves and clusters of beautiful fruit. Then one day I went by and those vines were cut back to gnarled stumps, painting a bleak picture against the winter landscape. Not pretty, but necessary for an abundant crop next summer again. And so the cycle goes each year.
Yes, Debi….that sounds like a significant picture of our Heavenly Father’s pruning the abundant vine to produce even more and more. Oh that we would be so inspired to abide moment by moment in the Vine .NOW, are we in Christ Jesus. NOW! For the fruit is not for the branch, but for the nourishment of others and to bring glory to the PERFECT HORTICULTURIST Father God.
If we love the Heavenly Father we will allow Him to prune us. Oh, we may yell and scream ‘ouch’ and ‘uncle’ but even as we do we still say…Oh Father, don’t stop. I may scream out in pain, as one sometimes does in reflexology sessions, but the procedure is for good and brings forth better healing and health. That is what Father does for the branch, where the fruit will grow lush and abundantly. The ugliness of the stumps will soon be covered over with verdant color of leaves and fruit and it is like youth restored and the VINE prospers and many are fed from its volume. That is….if we love our FATHER.
Yes, a vine can be very beautiful with leaves, but onlytruly purposeful with fruit. The leaves feed the vine but the fruit feeds others.