Testimony - Witness | Christian Ministry Training Blog

How Do Your Co-Workers View You?

Posted on September 2, 2026 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Daniel Thrown into Lion's Den Due to Jealousy of Co-workers
God miraculously delivered Daniel from the lions’ den, but why did they throw him in with the lions? True, Daniel continued to pray to God after the king’s decree forbidding everyone from praying to any god or human except the king for thirty days. The real reason, however, goes back further to what led to the king’s decree — to what was taking place in Daniel’s “workplace” with his co-workers.

How Daniel’s Co-Workers Viewed Him

Excelling in his job, Daniel received recognition, which made his co-workers jealous. To sabotage his success they wanted to bring an accusation against him “but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him” (Dan. 6:1-4).

Notice that they found “NO” negligence or corruption in him. That undoubtedly meant he didn’t justify even little breaks in integrity saying,

“It doesn’t hurt anything.”
“Nobody will notice.”
“Everybody’s doing it.”

Daniel’s co-workers concluded, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God” (Dan. 6:5). Since his character flowed from Daniel’s walk with God, his co-workers would have to manipulate the king into making a decree they knew Daniel wouldn’t keep because of his unwavering devotion to his God.

What Kind of Testimony Do You Have in the Workplace?

Think about how your co-workers view you. Would they characterize you similar to Daniel (Dan. 6:4)?

Faithful?

Can people depend on you do do your job and do it well? Do the words trustworthy, consistent, and dependable describe you in the workplace?

No Negligence?

Do you avoid making mistakes due to carelessness? Are you careful not to cut corners or gloss over errors but rather aim for excellence? Do the words conscientious, attentive, and careful describe you in the workplace?

No Corruption?

Do you maintain moral integrity, not even getting caught up in little white lies? Do the words honest and good describe you in the workplace?

Result of Such a Testimony

We probably won’t get thrown into a lions’ den because of jealous co-workers. We might, however, get ridiculed, even fired if we fail to comply with an immoral demand. Are you willing to suffer for righteousness’ sake? God may not “shut the mouths of the lions” (Dan. 6:22) as He did with Daniel. Sometimes He allows suffering to bring about a greater purpose, though we may not see it at the time

The approval of God way supersedes the approval of other people, so “even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed” (1 Pet. 3:14). Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matt. 5:10-12)

Your Life: A Picture of the Fullness of Life in Christ?

Posted on May 27, 2026 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Jesus came that we “may have life, and have it to the full” (Jn. 10:10). Does the picture of our lives accurately exhibit the fullness of life in Christ? If people only had our lives to look at, would they view it as a life worth pursuing?

Begin by Understanding the Fullness of Life Jesus Came to Give Us

When we live in the fullness of life in Christ, our lives will be colored with a vibrancy that comes from realizing all we have in Him, how we have been blessed.

Our lives will be full of joy even in the midst of trials and hardship.

We will have power, peace, perspective, and purpose that keeps us going.

Life in Christ Jesus

We will be wrapped in the love and grace of God, having an intimate relationship with the Almighty.

What An Accurate Picture of the Life in Jesus Leads to

When we realize how much we’ve been blessed, we want to . . .

That enables others to get a taste of the goodness of God (Ps. 34:8), whetting their appetite for more. Similar to putting salt on food to enhance its flavor, an accurate representation of life in Christ can draw others toward Him (Matt. 5:13). We won’t be Salty Christians if our lives fail to accurately picture the fullness of life in Christ.

Your Life: The Picture It Reflects

Posted on May 13, 2026 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

When we look into a body of water on a sunny day, we can usually see a reflection of ourselves. In a similar manner, our lives reflect what’s in our hearts, on full display for others to see.

As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart. (Prov. 27:19)

What does the picture of your life portray? What does it communicate to others?

The Portrait of Your Life

They say a picture is worth a thousand words so look at your life and ask the following questions:

Does the likeness in the picture of your life resemble Christ?

Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. (1 Jn. 2:6)

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Cor. 3:18)

Does the picture of your life accurately exhibit the fullness of life in Christ?

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (Jn. 10:10)

Does the picture of your life glorify God?

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Cor. 10:31)

(Click on the above links for more on each of those points.)

The Objective of Our Lives Having Clear Picture Reflecting Christ

Regardless of how you answered the above questions, your life, like a picture, is visible to the people around you. And, as we’ve noted, a picture is worth a thousand words. What image do people see when they look at you and how does it impact their lives?

The real benefit of a picture that accurately reflects life in Christ comes in what it stirs up within the beholder. Jesus said, “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). Click on the links below to read more about this:

Does the picture of our lives move others in their walk with the Lord? May others see Christ reflected in and through us!

What’s the Significance of the Great Commission?

Posted on March 11, 2026 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Before ascending back to heaven, Jesus commanded His disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:18-20). This command has come to be known as the Great Commission. We don’t find the term “Great Commission” in the Bible, except perhaps in the man-made headings which were not a part of the original text.

We don’t know for certain who coined the term Great Commission, but the missionary Hudson Taylor used the term in the late 1800’s when recruiting missionaries. Let’s consider how the term fits Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:18-20.

Why call Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:18-20 a Commission?

When we commission someone, we authorize them to accomplish a certain duty. Jesus did just that, noting in verse 18 His authority to command His disciples to go and make disciples. This is a charge He has given us.

Elsewhere Scripture identifies believers as co-workers, or co-laborers, with Christ (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor. 6:1). We are therefore on mission with Him. He has given us a message of reconciliation to proclaim. “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” (2 Cor. 5:18-21)

And, let’s not forget that Jesus is with us as we go and make disciples. Jesus ends His commission with, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). We truly are on mission with Him.

Why call the Great Commission “Great”?

To answer that, let’s first consider what it can’t mean.

It cannot be great in the sense of it being the only command. We find many other commands in Scripture for followers of Jesus.
It cannot be great in the sense of it being the highest, most important command. Jesus Himself identified love for God as the greatest commandment, followed by love for other people (Matt. 22:37-40).

So, what then could make it a “Great” Commission?

Perhaps it’s great because the One who commissioned us is great. “All authority in heaven and on earth” belongs to Jesus (Matt. 28:18).
Maybe it’s great because of how far reaching it is. To “make disciples of all nations” suggests a broad outreach.
Could it be great because of how encompassing it is? Making disciples goes beyond leading someone to salvation through Jesus. It involves “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything” He commanded. That suggests helping people get beyond having Jesus as their Savior to also allowing Him to be the Lord of their lives – fully devoted followers of Jesus.
Perhaps it’s great because Jesus is present with us as we go and make disciples. He said, “surely I am with you always” (Matt. 28:20).

Obviously all of the above go into making it a “Great” Commission, regardless of why someone originally called it that.

Resources by Ministry Tools Resource Center:

For Church Leaders and the Great Commission: Steering the Church Toward Discipleship Leadership Guide

For Others: Outreach Resources

Confidence in Proclaiming Jesus

Posted on January 28, 2026 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 1 Comment ↓

Among a list of reasons we don’t proclaim Jesus we may find fear, inconvenience, and discomfort. How do we gain confidence in proclaiming Jesus? Perhaps we haven’t gotten to the point where we truly believe Jesus is worth sharing. It hard to be confident doing something in which we don’t place sufficient value.

Knowing Firsthand the Value of Being Changed Should Lead to Confidence in Proclaiming Jesus

Do we remember the state of our hearts and lives before getting saved? Isn’t the change we experienced worth sharing? Or, have we so quickly forgotten how God “made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6)?

Confidence to Proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord

God broke through the darkness of our lives not with just a glimmer of knowledge about Him but rather with the “knowledge of God’s glory.” He wants us to know Him personally, fully, and intimately for the great God that He is. As we continue to grow in “in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might”, we’ll find endurance, patience, and heart gratitude to the Father who qualified us “to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light” (Col. 1:10-12). With a renewed appreciation and understanding, we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord because what we have seen and experienced is indeed worth sharing.

Confident Because of God’s Glory, Not Anything We Do

God has given “us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6).

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being. (Heb. 1:3)

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. (Col. 2:9-10a)

Jesus answered … Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. (Jn. 14:9)

God sent Jesus to this world to not only bring us light but to be our Light.

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. … The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. … to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God … The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (Jn 1:4-14)

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (Jn. 8:12)

This is the same Jesus who said, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” after commissioning His followers to go and make disciples. How can we not have confidence if the “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God” (Isa. 9:6) is right there with us? Leading people to Christ isn’t dependent on us but rather the One who is with us.

So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. (1 Cor. 3:7)

Get More on Proclaiming Jesus and Helping Others Do the Same: Outreach Ministry Resources

Motivation to Proclaim Jesus

Posted on January 21, 2026 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

We proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord. And, we have good reasons to do so, according to 2 Corinthians 4:5-6, other than commands in Scripture. Therein we find motivation that takes us beyond mere duty in our outreach efforts.
Motivation to Proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord

Find Motivation to Proclaim Jesus Because of His Transforming Power

Notice the personal nature of 2 Corinthians 4:6 which says, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts …”. God has done a transforming work on our lives. We dwelt in the darkness of sin and eternal death until God broke through the darkness with His Light in Christ Jesus.

This is the same God whose first act in the creation of the world was to separate the light from the darkness (Gen. 1:3-5). Now He reaches down on the personal level into the lives of individual people and makes us new creations in Christ by taking us out of the kingdom of darkness and into His kingdom of His Son who is Light.

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Col. 1:13-14)

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Pet. 2:9-10)

Belonging to Something Greater Than Ourselves Motivates

We now belong to something much greater than ourselves. As members of the kingdom of His Son who is light, as His people, we have a purpose to work in cooperation with the One who called us out of darkness. We’re His ambassadors, on mission with Him. What a privilege, not mere duty!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. (2 Cor. 5:17-20)

Motivated by Firsthand Experience

2 Corinthians 4:6 reflects the reality of 1 John 1:1-3. — “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched – this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. … We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard …”

When we’ve experienced God’s transforming power and love in our own lives and see what a difference it makes to the very core of our being, we have something worth sharing with others.

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. (2 Cor. 5:14-15)

For Help with Proclaiming Jesus, Go To: Outreach Resources