I was invited to a church in Pittsburgh where members of the congregation were encouraged to present their testimony at the pulpit. I wrote this testimony in response to that prompt.  

We stand in this pulpit to give our testimony of faith in Jesus the Christ. I stand before you in the name of God so you bring your faith to action. Christians with faith but no works of love are like empty wine skins drifting in the desert winds. I implore you to pour the vitality of divine life into your vessel. Feed the fire of divine purpose and help shine the light of Truth on our very troubled world.  With God's healing word as our guide, with truth as our beacon, with love in our hearts, we can change this world.  We must! 

 

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world.  

 

Though I walk through the valley of darkness, I will fear no evil. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Though I tread the halls of greed, though I speak truth in the den of corruption, I fear not – for I am clothed with God's eternal light.

 

The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. 

 

Princes in your midst are like wolves tearing their prey, to shed blood, to destroy people, and to gain dishonest wealth. In you they take bribes to steal gold; you have made profit from your neighbors by extortion, you have forgotten Me, says the Lord God.

 

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth. Your will be done!  I say it again ... Your will be done!!! 

 

God's will be done. For we are called to create God's paradise on Earth. All of us.  

 

We are called to feed the hungry. We are told to nourish the thirsty. Immigrants and strangers are to be welcomed. Lonely prisoners should be consoled. For whatever we do to the least of us, that we do unto Jesus.  

 

Arise!  Oh my people, arise! Seek truth and goodness for the law of God is above the law of people.  

 

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and open prisons to those who are bound. For I the Lord love justice and will direct your work in truth.

 

This is the passion that feeds my soul; it awakens me when the world is sleeping; it drives me to action day by day. This is my testimony, being called, being driven, restless until I complete my daily task. 

 

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness. And the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all nations.

 

I say unto the children of God - beware the serpent! Be wary of the viper that would pervert God's holy word to sow division among His flock. Beware false prophets who make us divided and afraid. Beware demons who want us to hate each other as evil and despair creep over our land. False prophets hide the deceiver's corruption and gluttony under a mask of hateful fear. Beware those who preach respect for life while waging war. Beware those who teach self-reliance for the poor but give the king's taxes to the rich. I say unto you - reject the deceiver's condemnation and remember the love of Jesus! Remember the words of Jesus! Remember Jesus of Nazareth taught us to love the most downtrodden and maligned among us. Jesus the Christ never criticized the strange people among us. The Son of Man taught love for troubled people we have a hard time understanding. That includes prostitutes who desire a better job, addicts looking for peace and a better way to cope, and prisoners who deserve a better life. Jesus wants us to love our neighbors, even those we don't understand.  

 

We are all called to be appointed by God, we are all called to be anointed by God, if we only have the courage. This is my bible-based testimony. This is my plan. Come join me and help heal our troubled world.

 

Now before we go, I pray you help manifest God's eternal Truth in political Truth. For without political truth, without honesty, the evils of systemic corruption will continue to poison our land. I ask all of you to bring action to your faith and to work for social justice. Find a cause to support. Find an honest political candidate and help them get elected. We must feed the hungry, house the homeless, take care of our veterans, comfort prisoners, lift up the afflicted, and heal the troubled. Help us manifest God's Truth as political action for justice. 

 

In this we pray, amen.