November 19th, 2024
As believers, there is something that distinguishes us from every other people in the world. Jesus said his disciples would be known by their love for one another (John 13:35). However, Jesus also said in Luke 6:32,
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. '
Simply showing love, in the way the world understands love, does not make us different. There are good people who don’t know the true love of Jesus.
God’s love is distinct from the love of man. Jesus demonstrated extravagant love, selfless sacrifice, for those who would never love Him in return. God’s love – real tangible love that comes only from Him – does separate us from the rest of the world. However, the only way we can carry that love is to become carriers of His presence. 1 Peter 2:9 says,
“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
Israel was a nation set apart unto God, intended to demonstrate to all nations and peoples of the world that Jehovah is the only true God. Israel is still God’s chosen nation, however, we are now part of that royal priesthood by the blood of Jesus. The King James Version translates this verse to say we are a peculiar people. I like that translation. We are peculiar – strange, holy, set apart, and distinct. We are meant to be different! In Exodus 33:16, Moses made a powerful statement to the Lord saying,
“How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”
What distinguishes us, except that God is with us?
God is with you. It is enough to set us apart from every other people on the earth and if we will focus our hearts on that one thing, it would be enough to change every city and nation. The early church didn’t have established congregations and vision plans. They had the raw presence of God – the power of the Holy Spirit – and they turned the world upside down (Acts 17:16).
There is a story that took place in the church’s very early days that demonstrates this truth. Acts 3:1-10 says,
“One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So, the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”
Many of you will know this story, and perhaps know it very well. However, take a moment to ask yourself, as I did this week, “what do I have?”
In the presence of God is peace, fullness of joy, strength, hope, and power to destroy every work of the enemy. His presence is the answer to every concern of your heart. Exodus 33:11 says,
“The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.”
Moses was set apart from the rest of Israel by his willingness to step into God’s presence while the crowds stood at a distance.
Ephesians 5:18 says to “be filled with the Spirit…”
Intimacy with God that produces the power of the anointing to set the captive free. See, Peter and John didn’t have to fast and pray and call a meeting when they encountered the crippled man at the Beautiful Gate. Peter said, “What I have, I give to you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth….”
He already had it.
I’m not diminishing the importance of fasting and prayer, but Peter and John had a lifestyle of fasting and prayer and intimacy with God. They were on their way to a prayer meeting when they encountered the crippled man! They were so full of God’s presence that all he had to do was command the man to rise. Everywhere the apostles went, the power of the Holy Spirit demonstrated the truth of the Gospel. Their shadows even healed the sick! We can live a lifestyle of such intimacy with God that we walk in enough power to overcome a problem the moment we encounter it.
What do we have? Peter said, “What I have, I give to you…” We cannot give what we don’t have. Are you carrying the power and presence that the world needs. If you aren’t, the answer is simple. We are filled by spending time in His presence! Intimacy produces power and there is no shortcut. We can carry the power and presence of God, just like Peter and John did, just like Paul did, just like Jesus did. We can walk in the intimacy and anointing of heaven. We get to know Him – the One who spoke the worlds into existence. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and He’s closer than our next breath. I encourage you to step out of whatever does not draw you to Him and step into His presence today. He is waiting with open arms!
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. '
Simply showing love, in the way the world understands love, does not make us different. There are good people who don’t know the true love of Jesus.
God’s love is distinct from the love of man. Jesus demonstrated extravagant love, selfless sacrifice, for those who would never love Him in return. God’s love – real tangible love that comes only from Him – does separate us from the rest of the world. However, the only way we can carry that love is to become carriers of His presence. 1 Peter 2:9 says,
“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
Israel was a nation set apart unto God, intended to demonstrate to all nations and peoples of the world that Jehovah is the only true God. Israel is still God’s chosen nation, however, we are now part of that royal priesthood by the blood of Jesus. The King James Version translates this verse to say we are a peculiar people. I like that translation. We are peculiar – strange, holy, set apart, and distinct. We are meant to be different! In Exodus 33:16, Moses made a powerful statement to the Lord saying,
“How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”
What distinguishes us, except that God is with us?
God is with you. It is enough to set us apart from every other people on the earth and if we will focus our hearts on that one thing, it would be enough to change every city and nation. The early church didn’t have established congregations and vision plans. They had the raw presence of God – the power of the Holy Spirit – and they turned the world upside down (Acts 17:16).
There is a story that took place in the church’s very early days that demonstrates this truth. Acts 3:1-10 says,
“One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So, the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”
Many of you will know this story, and perhaps know it very well. However, take a moment to ask yourself, as I did this week, “what do I have?”
In the presence of God is peace, fullness of joy, strength, hope, and power to destroy every work of the enemy. His presence is the answer to every concern of your heart. Exodus 33:11 says,
“The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.”
Moses was set apart from the rest of Israel by his willingness to step into God’s presence while the crowds stood at a distance.
Ephesians 5:18 says to “be filled with the Spirit…”
Intimacy with God that produces the power of the anointing to set the captive free. See, Peter and John didn’t have to fast and pray and call a meeting when they encountered the crippled man at the Beautiful Gate. Peter said, “What I have, I give to you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth….”
He already had it.
I’m not diminishing the importance of fasting and prayer, but Peter and John had a lifestyle of fasting and prayer and intimacy with God. They were on their way to a prayer meeting when they encountered the crippled man! They were so full of God’s presence that all he had to do was command the man to rise. Everywhere the apostles went, the power of the Holy Spirit demonstrated the truth of the Gospel. Their shadows even healed the sick! We can live a lifestyle of such intimacy with God that we walk in enough power to overcome a problem the moment we encounter it.
What do we have? Peter said, “What I have, I give to you…” We cannot give what we don’t have. Are you carrying the power and presence that the world needs. If you aren’t, the answer is simple. We are filled by spending time in His presence! Intimacy produces power and there is no shortcut. We can carry the power and presence of God, just like Peter and John did, just like Paul did, just like Jesus did. We can walk in the intimacy and anointing of heaven. We get to know Him – the One who spoke the worlds into existence. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and He’s closer than our next breath. I encourage you to step out of whatever does not draw you to Him and step into His presence today. He is waiting with open arms!
1 Comment
Thank you for these devotionals. I look forward to receiving them.
n
nLove and miss you all.
n?❤️⚓️