Recently I began listening to the Bible as I walk, work out, etc. Each year I read through the Bible, but I wanted to try a different approach this time. As I was walking my dog, I turned on the book of Acts and listened to the Word of God. It is truly amazing to listen to the Word being read because words and phrases will be highlighted differently. That day, God highlighted a phrase in Acts 4 which has encouraged me the last few weeks.
Acts 4:13- “When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and discovered they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized these men had been with Jesus.” NET (my emphasis)
Immediately I asked myself, “would people who see me and witness my life know I have been with Jesus? What am I doing to highlight Jesus and exhibit the love He has so freely given me?” This led to a beautiful time of the Lord speaking directly to my heart, but it also gave me an opportunity to reflect on how I live my life for Him.
I do not want my relationship with my Savior to be casual, or simply just for me. I want to speak and live with boldness because I want people to recognize Jesus in me! What is the point of living a life following Jesus if it does not positively affect those around you?
Here is the beauty of the Word of God; it is living, breathing and active (Hebrews 4:12) and truly inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16). It is not a historical document, but purposeful and relevant to our lives today. At that moment, God’s Word spoke to me and took me on a thought process which has affected my daily life. If Jesus is the Lord of my life and I choose to walk in the love, forgiveness and grace He offers, shouldn’t I be showing the evidence of it?
I love the book of Acts, for so many reasons. But, one reason in particular is because we see the Holy Spirit active and moving in the New Church. Once while reading through Acts, I made note every time I saw “filled with the Holy Spirit”, and every time, those filled with the Spirit have boldness and power. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we will be bold and powerful, and not by our own right, but because we have the Holy Spirit in us! When we walk in His boldness, power and love is when we begin to show “that we have been with Jesus“!
I want to make Jesus famous because I have seen, and experienced, the wonders of His grace, power and love. He is my Savior and I have something to offer in this world only because He first offered Himself for me. The evidence of my life needs to point to Jesus because He alone sustains and empowers me, and you.
How are you showing the world you have been with Jesus?
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