The 21 Day Experiment - Day 21: It is Written

by Marilynn Chadwick

This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. John 21:24 (NIV)

Let's take a minute to consider the written word. Think about how different your life would be if you could not read or write. And how would our beliefs even exist if no one had captured the Scriptures in written form? We complete our 21 Day Experiment with a reading of John’s final chapter. I hope you've set aside some time to reflect on what you've been reading. Have you noticed God's presence in special ways? Are you seeing any answers to prayers, large or small?

John repeatedly tells us the reason for his eye-witness account of Jesus—so that we would believe Jesus is the Messiah (John 20:31). John ends his record with these solemn words and my watchword for today: “This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true” (John 21:24).

John goes on to tell us that Jesus did other miracles and that if "every one of them were written down…the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written” (v. 25).

The Greek word for "written" is grapho. We find the phrase "it is written" sprinkled throughout the New Testament. This phrase carries the implied weight of Scriptural authority. Remember how Jesus resisted the devil's alluring temptations to power and personal glory with the words, "It is written..." (Matthew 4:10).

Jesus wielded Scripture as his sword and his shield of authority against the tempter's wiles. The devil and his minions still tremble at God's written (and spoken) Word. If Jesus needed to wield the "sword" of the written Word, how much more do we?

In my reading of John, I am reminded of my inability to withstand the battles of life without the power of the Holy Spirit, the presence of Jesus, and His Word. Moreover, this same written Word "feeds" my soul as food feeds my physical body.

Moving forward from our 21 Day Experiment. I challenge you to make the reading of God's Word the top priority of your day. Your power in prayer correlates with your relationship with the "written Word." When you read and believe the words of Scripture, your faith grows (Romans 10:17) and you find yourself on solid ground to claim God’s promises and withstand the devil's attacks.

Recently a friend of mine, one of the busiest women I know, told me of her life transformation since she made her morning "quiet time" her priority. I agree. There is something extraordinary that begins to happen in our life of prayer and our relationship with God when we give him the first fruit of our day.

The 21 Day Experiment - Day 20: Seeing is Believing

by Marilynn Chadwick

These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ. John 20:31 (ESV)

"Seeing is believing," says the old adage. It is much easier to believe when we can see the evidence. Yet sometimes faith is the belief in the unseen—otherwise, it wouldn't be called faith. Much like the t-shirt I saw recently with this bold slogan emblazoned across the front: BELIEVING IS SEEING!

The disciples fought to cling to their faith as they watched Jesus die on that wretched cross. Everything they could see pointed to utter defeat! But what they could see with their eyes was not the whole story as they would soon discover.

The word “see” is sprinkled throughout today's reading of John 20. Mary Magdalene was the first to visit Jesus’s burial site. All she could see was an empty grave! Peter and John raced to the tomb to see for themselves. They looked inside to see the grave cloths folded, but no sign of Jesus anywhere. The Bible says they "saw and believed" (v. 8).

Later, Jesus appeared to Mary. She sees and believes. Then, he walks through a locked door and appears to the trembling disciples. They were overjoyed to see Jesus—and they believed! Somehow Thomas missed the first showing and refused to believe unless he saw for himself the nail marks in Jesus’s hands. Jesus makes a special visit to the one we know as "doubting Thomas." He lets him see and touch the nail holes—then challenges Thomas to stop doubting and believe (v. 27).

The Lord understands we sometimes wrestle to believe. Especially when it looks like evil has won the battle. That’s why John’s Gospel leaves us with these words of encouragement: “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples…but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (vv. 30,31).

Signs are like God’s fingerprints. He wants us to believe that Jesus is the Christ. That’s why Jesus left signs—to help us believe!

Have you seen God’s fingerprints during our 21 Day Experiment? Have you experienced any form of encouragement? Maybe there’s a friend or family member that would be similarly encouraged by your story.

As we come to the end of our journey, I encourage you to carve out some extra time tomorrow to reflect on—and even write down—what you've seen. What you’ve heard from God. And what you believe about Jesus the Christ.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your fingerprints. Keep me watchful. Alert. Above all, help me to believe, even before I see what you are doing in and around me. That’s called trust—so today, I simply trust you.

Thanks for reading and listening with us this week! The “21 Day Experiment” blog and podcast will resume again on Monday.

The 21 Day Experiment - Day 19: So That Others May Believe

by Marilynn Chadwick

He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. John 19:35 (NIV)

I noticed the well-worn Bible sitting on my bedside table and the collection of prayer journals stacked below. They were reminders of the times I’d seen God move in my life. Answered prayers, healings, even a few miracles. A testimony to my close walk with the Lord.

Suddenly, it hit me. If my Christian life was only about my relationship with the Lord, my world of personal concerns, and my blessings, then so what?

Now don’t get me wrong. I am incredibly thankful for my relationship with the Lord. I treasure those prayer journals—their record of answered prayers; footsteps of my journey with Christ; knowledge I had gained through years of Bible study. But as important as these blessings are, they were given to me so that I would be a blessing to others. Much like God said to Abraham, we are blessed so that we will be a blessing to others (Genesis 12:2,3).

I sensed the Holy Spirit quietly whispering, “Your life is either a so what or a so that.”

That scenario—just as I described it—happened nearly thirty years ago. My epiphany that day marked a dramatic shift. I began to look for ways to step out of my well-managed life and into a broken world. That shift has since taken me to those who are hurting in my own neighborhood and to fragile communities all over the world. So many are thirsty for the good news of Jesus Christ.

As we approach the final chapters of John's gospel, we catch a glimpse of John's purpose in sharing his eyewitness account. He writes, "The man who saw it has given testimony...He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe" (John 19:35).

John’s words are for us. He told his story of Jesus so that you and I, and all that have come before us or after us, may believe!

We can be sure the apostle John was blessed by his close relationship with Jesus. He was also blessed to be an eyewitness to Jesus's signs and wonders. But all of these blessings were so that he would be a blessing. So that others will believe. How can we do less?

Pray now for the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to someone along your path today who needs to hear your story about Jesus and how he has changed your life. Don't forget to remain alert so you'll notice the opportunity when it comes!