Devotional thoughts

I'm reading through the book of Acts in my devotions right now and it seems like every few verses I'm getting walloped.  I read Acts 4 yesterday and five little words stood out in a BIG way.  

The apostles were boldly preaching the message of Jesus and they quickly began to run into some resistance.  It didn't take long for the critics and skeptics to appear and try to douse what was going on.  

But even while their harshest critics were telling them to stop doing what they were doing, the Bible tells us that these same critics recognized that they had been with Jesus (v.13).  And not only did they recognize it, they were in awe of it!

They weren't just recognizing that the apostles and Jesus had been in the same place together, they noticed that the apostles had taken on the characteristics of Jesus.  It was evident to them that these men had hung out with Jesus enough to express similar qualities and characteristics in their own lives.

Now it's one thing when people who really like us, and are looking for the best in us, recognize Christlike qualities in us, but I think it is something INCREDIBLY SIGNIFICANT when our critics and naysayers recognize Christlike qualities in us.  And not only do they recognize them, but they are in awe of them.

This is so much more than a fish bumper sticker or a WWJD bracelet.

This is you and I encountering Jesus in such a powerful way that we reflect Him to everyone around us.

I want this. 

I could be known as someone who:

• reads their Bible
• goes to Church
• prays
• puts money in the offering
• etc. 

I want to be known as a man that has been with Jesus. 

Comments

[PJancowski]

My goodness those are very powerful and challenging words and desires-thank you!