The 21 Day Experiment - Day 9: Your Test Becomes Your Testimony

by Marilynn Chadwick

One thing I do know. I was blind, but now I see! John 9:25 (NIV)

The man had been born blind. Just imagine. He had never seen daylight, his own hands, or his parents' faces. We can tell from today's reading of John 9 that the man had never even heard of Jesus. And yet, he was about to experience a dramatic encounter with this controversial Rabbi.

When they first noticed the blind man, Jesus's disciples asked this question: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” answered Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him" (John 9:1-3).

When life hits hard, we may wonder if our pain is payback for some unknown sin. We've agonized in prayer, but for whatever reason, the answers just haven’t come...yet. Jesus assures his listeners in these verses that it wasn’t the man or his parents' sin that caused the blindness. Rather, it happened, “so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." Jesus healed the man—an astounding miracle that resulted in yet another demonstration of God’s mighty power to the incredulous onlookers.

Once again, the Pharisees were eager to accuse Jesus. "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath” (John 9:16). They aggressively interrogated the previously blind man, intent on coercing him to discredit Jesus.

The man's short but powerful comeback is one of the most eloquent testimonies in Scripture and my watchword for today. "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!" (John 9:25). His response got him kicked out of the synagogue. But guess what? His time of testing became his testimony. Courage compelled the man to take a stand for Jesus and for truth. A fitting challenge for us in a turbulent world that often feels like it has lost its way.

Friend, maybe you’re just a beginner in your faith. You may not know all there is to know about Jesus. You may not even know how to answer your critics. But if you have experienced the saving, healing mercy of Jesus, you know the One you have encountered. You know that you were "blind" but now you "see." And you know his Word is true. Perhaps your time of testing can also become your testimony.

Would you dare to pray now and ask God if there is someone in your life today who is spiritually blind and needs to hear your story? And don't forget to be alert and watchful so you'll be ready to speak the truth when your opportunity knocks!

The 21 Day Experiment - Day 8: Get Real!

by Marilynn Chadwick

The truth will set you free. John 8:32 (ESV)

What does it mean to "get real?” It’s a challenge to take off the mask. Let go of pretense. Speak the truth. Be authentic.

Sadly, we live in an age where people will do almost anything to create a good image. More time, attention, and money is spent on our outer self than on our inner soul. We end up comparing our insides with everyone’s outsides. It’s not surprising that research tells us the main emotion people experience when they get on social media is envy.

Jesus is all about the truth—authenticity over image. In John Chapter 8, he shakes up the religious leaders by claiming he has been sent by God. But many Jews put their faith in him (John 8:30). To those who believed, he made this promise. It is my watchword for today:

“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).

The Greek word for “truth” is aletheia. It means "genuine, authentic, real." This Jesus-kind-of-truth is real. It sets us free. But the promise of freedom has a catch. If I abide in his Word, then I'm his disciple. There's a connection here between spending time in God’s Word and knowing the truth that sets us free.

In our busy, noisy world, we have to be intentional to abide in his Word. That’s another reason for doing the 21 Day Experiment. It helps us learn to abide. If you’re following along, that means you’re committing at least fifteen minutes a day to reading a chapter of John’s Gospel. Then a few minutes praying for specific needs that are on your heart.

I encourage you to stick with this experiment until the very end. Don’t evaluate whether it works until the end of the 21 days. Over the years, I’ve had friends doing this experiment tell me they’re glad they stuck it out—sometimes God’s message for them finally came on the 21st day. There are times when being obedient to God’s Word means we simply abide.

One purpose of abiding is for Jesus to become more real. For his Word to come alive. And for us to recognize the voice of the Holy Spirit within. John uses the word “abide” nine times—more than any other Gospel. John wanted us to truly know our Savior and abiding is the secret.

Prayer: Lord, thanks for the reminder that it’s all about my relationship with you. Everything—even answers to prayer—come out of abiding in you. That’s the real secret to freedom. I pray for that same freedom today for those I love.

The 21 Day Experiment - Day 7: To All Who are Needy

by Marilynn Chadwick

Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! John 7:37 (NLT)

Even before I believed in Jesus, I observed a great divide between those who followed him and those who did not. As I’ve shared earlier, I was firmly in the “those who did not believe” camp. Christians seemed so well…needy. Deep down, I knew I’d have to admit I was weak and broken before I could accept Jesus as my Savior. And I repeat—I did not want to see myself as needy. Maybe you can relate.

We’re on day seven of our 21 Day Experiment. In John 7, Jesus is speaking at a Jewish Festival. All of a sudden, he singles out the thirsty ones:

Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.) (John 7:37-39).

Jesus spoke of “living water” only twice in John’s Gospel. The first time was in John 4. He was sitting by a well when a Samaritan woman came to draw water. Jesus asked her for a drink. She was shocked because he was a Jew—everyone knew Jews hated Samaritans. Jesus said to her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water” (John 4:10 NIV).

“Thirsty” is just another word for needy. Jesus promises, not a cup, but a river to fill us to overflowing. Living water reminds me of rushing rapids. White water—rough, wild, extravagant. Beyond my need, expectations, or imagination. That’s how Jesus describes the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is a person. Not an “it.” The Bible says he dwells in us once we invite Jesus to be our Savior. That means we get to talk to God by way of the Holy Spirit. We train our heart to recognize his voice.

To receive the living water, I must first admit I am thirsty. Needy. I must slow myself down so I can reflect on this wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit. I must eliminate pride if I truly want to hear his voice. The Bible encourages us to commune with the Holy Spirit. Listen to his nudges—they’re always consistent with Scripture. They’re personal—just for you. The Holy Spirit knows your needs. He speaks your language.

Prayer: Lord, I’m thankful for your gift of the Holy Spirit to all who are needy. You gave us this gift so we could have a relationship—an intimate friendship with you—for all eternity. May “the amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you” (2 Corinthians 13:14 MSG).

This Moment of Hope is adapted from the book Sometimes He Whispers Sometimes He Roars by Marilynn Chadwick. To request a copy of this book please visit momentsofhopechurch.org/books.