Article for the week🌈 ending 4/4/2025

Encompassed by a cloud of witnesses!!!!

By Aunty Evangeline

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked for us.

“Encompassed by so great a cloud of witnesses” is another way of saying ” “Surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses”

Some people accuse christians of being arrogant or trying to be “holy , holy” That is not it. Christians have a charge to keep.

Just as an Ambassador of Ghana to the UK has to give off his / her best to showcase Ghana as the best country for

– Business

– Investment etc

Christians also have the charge to keep of upholding the name of a Great and Wonderful God. We are God’s ambassadors here on earth. We have to set a
good example with our lifestyle

1 Timothy 4:12

Let no one despise your youth but set an example for believers in

– Speech

– Conduct

– Love

– Faith

And

– Purity

2 Corinthians 5:20

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconcile to God.

There is a hymn that says

A charge to keep I have
A God to glorify
A never dying soul to save and fit it for the sky

How can christians set a good example for our cloud of witnesses to follow?

1. We must study the bible or word to know how to live

– Joshua 1:8

– John15:7

2 . We should let our yes be yes and our no be no

– Numbers 23:19

– Matthew 5 :37

3. Love your neighbor as yourself not more than yourself

– Leviticus 19:18

– Matthew 22:37-39

1. We must study the bible or word to know how to live

Joshua1:8

This book of law shall not depart out of your mouth but you shall meditate on it day and night that you may be careful to do all it says. For then you shall make your way prosperous and you shall good success

John 15:5
If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask what you may will and it shall be done unto you

– The first verse says we should study the bible thoroughly, day and night and obey what it says

– Then God will prosper us and give us good success

– Our cloud of witnesses or observers will see us studying the word and obeying what it says

– They will see us excelling in all we do because we obey biblical principles and they will want to serve God too.

– When Daniel came out of the lion’s den unharmed after spending the night with the lion’s, King Nebucadnazzer wanted to serve God too ( Daniel 6:26-27)

– The second verse says if we obey (abide in) God’s commands God grants us the desires of our hearts

– This will also attract our observers to God

2. Let your yes be yes and your no be no

Numbers 23:19

God is not man that He should lie, nor the son of man that He should repent. Has He said and will He not do it?

Matthew 5:37
Let your yes be yes and your no be no ( paraphrased)

– The first verse says God does not lie, whatever He says in His word He does. He always keeps His promises . His yes is yes and His no is a no

– The second verse says as His children, christians should also keep their promises.

– If we live this way we will attract our observers to God

3. Love your neighbor as yourself not more than yourself

Leviticus 19:18

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people but love your neighbor as yourself

Matthew 23:37-39

Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all your heart and with all your mind and with and with all your soul….and thou shall love your neighbor as yourself( paraphrased)

– Note in both verses, it says love your neighbor as yourself and not more than yourself

– Some people want to be martyrs to gain fame and popularity

– This will scare observers off. Just love your neighbor as yourself.

And you will be blessed abundantly.

Conclusion

If you obey all the things explained above, you will draw your cloud of witnesses to God

Reference

. 1. King James Bible

2. Google.com