Arrested

 

 

Maria Stockman – Digital Copywriter, cbn.com

Have you ever heard the saying, “If you were arrested for your faith, would there be enough evidence for your conviction”? It’s an interesting question to reflect on. Do I go to church enough? Am I nice to the cashier at the supermarket? Do I yield for the right amount of time and wave people on ahead of me enough? Thankfully, none of my good deeds equate to my salvation through the blood of Jesus. But I think about John and Peter in Acts 4 and how they were arrested for sharing about Jesus:

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. (Acts 4:1-3 ESV)

They had healed a man who was crippled, and the religious leaders weren’t too fond of the idea that this had happened in the name of Jesus. As they questioned Peter, he proclaimed the gospel in his explanation, stating that Jesus was raised from the dead and through Him alone can we receive salvation.

Verse 8 says that Peter was “filled with the Holy Spirit,” and later in verse 13, the religious leaders “saw the boldness of Peter and John.” How incredible is it to know that as believers, we have the Holy Spirit in us and can be bold for Jesus!

Peter and John were truly arrested for their faith and, according to the religious leaders, had cause for their conviction. As much as I wouldn’t want to be arrested if the charges are based on my faith, I pray that my life has been one that boldly and loudly screams the name of Jesus Christ.

How are you living? Are your actions and words evidence of your faith in Jesus Christ? I’m not talking about whether you are kind to strangers, but are you boldly sharing the name of Jesus to your family, friends, and neighbors who don’t know Him? No matter your answer, I invite you to join me in being intentional with sharing Jesus this week with a loved one.

Father, thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to dwell within us and empower us to speak boldly about your Son, Jesus. Please give us an opportunity to share Him with someone this week. Use us to speak Your Truth and Life to someone who needs it most. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

His Glory in Me

 

 

Marissa Nordlum – Email Analyst, cbn.com

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Jesus with skin on”?

This phrase is often used by pastors and leaders alike to remind us to be the hands and feet of Jesus wherever we go. Just as Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us, he left us His Spirit and we have His help to “be Jesus with skin on” wherever we go. Growing up in youth group, I heard this phrase from my youth pastor often. He would encourage us to shine the love of Jesus so brightly, that wherever we went others would see Him in and through us—His glory on display in our lives.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (NIV)

Having His glory at work within my life is still a goal and a prayer of mine today as an adult. We can read about Jesus’ glory on display through the early church when we read the book of Acts.

Jesus’ disciples were on fire. Not literally, but they were filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Everywhere they went, the glory of Jesus shone through them. They accepted the Great Commission and began to preach the Gospel and heal in the name of Jesus. They were literally “Jesus with skin on.”

Acts 3:1-10 tells the story of Peter as he heals a lame beggar by the temple gate called Beautiful. This is one of the first recorded miracles after Jesus’ resurrection. This blind beggar was carried to the gate every day since birth in hopes that one day he would be healed. Can you imagine? Every single day. Holding onto a shred of hope that tomorrow just “might” be the day that you are healed. I can’t help but wonder if the man ever lost hope for healing. I imagine so, because one day when Peter and John walked by him, instead of asking for healing, he asked for money (Acts 3:3-4).

But Peter had something better to offer him. He came as Jesus with skin on, and in the name of Jesus, he was ready to help this man.

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. Acts 3:6-8

This man who was crippled from birth was at that moment healed. His feet and ankles became strong, and he wasn’t just walking, but jumping and running around the temple courts praising God for this miracle! The glory of Jesus was on full display in and through the disciples, and in turn, it was then on full display in and through this once-crippled beggar.

Today my prayer is that the glory of Jesus would be on full display in and through my life. So much so that people will not only see it, but be changed and transformed by it as well, just like in Acts 3. May we become mindful and aware that everywhere we go, we can be Jesus with skin on. May others see and experience the glory of the Lord in and through our lives.

Let’s pray: Lord, may we always give You the glory for every miracle. Our reward is found in giving glory to You. Let Your glory be evident in and through our lives today and let others see, experience, and be changed by You in us. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Christ’s Lingering Fragrance

by Annie Yorty, Crosswalk.com

“Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?” (2 Corinthians 2:15-16 NASB 1995)

Over a month ago, my daughter wore a new shirt, one with tiny, sparkly sequins sewn throughout the fabric. Today I opened my dresser drawer and something shiny caught my eye. You guessed it! A gold sequin from my daughter’s blouse nestled among my jeans.

That’s not the only place I’ve found the sparkles. I spotted them on the front porch, in the silverware drawer, on my car seat, in the clothing hamper, and even in my shoe. Though I’ve cleaned my house (I promise, I do vacuum regularly), they keep gleaming from my area rugs and winking from the hard surface floors. And let’s not even talk about the collection I’ve discovered in the washer’s rubber gasket and the dryer’s lint collector.

It’s a wonder there are any sequins remaining on the shirt. And all that was from just one wearing. I wonder if our lives should be a bit like those shimmering sequins reflecting the light. Does evidence of Jesus keep shining in the places we’ve been? Have we influenced anyone for Christ by our presence?

In 2 Corinthians, Paul compares this idea of lasting influence to fragrance. First and foremost, he says, we need to pass the sniff test with God. Does a “Christ-like” aroma emanate from us? Research reveals that mothers recognize their own babies by scent.1 Likewise, God knows the aroma of His Son, Jesus. If we’re sticking close to the presence of Jesus, His glorious fragrance rubs off on us. This pleasing aroma then rises from us to God.

But anyone who has ever baked chocolate chip cookies knows that smells also permeate every bit of airspace in your home. In the same way, the sweet aroma of Christ wafting from us should infuse the atmosphere wherever we go. Paul says those we meet will sense Jesus in us and respond.

Responses to the fragrance of Christ will vary. “To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume” (2 Corinthians 2:16 NLT).

Who wants to smell like death? I don’t think that perfume will ever be sold at Saks Fifth Avenue. But apparently, that’s what some people will discern from the presence of Christ in us. His righteousness is an affront that spotlights the doomed state of their souls. Others, however, will bask in Christ’s life-giving perfume. They will deeply inhale the scent of life and be saved.

We do not control the perception of our Christ-like fragrance. Instead, we focus solely on faithfully disseminating the aroma of Jesus.

And what is the aroma of Jesus? A hymn writer once wrote that if the ocean were filled with ink, we could exhaust its supply just by writing about the love found in Jesus (The Love of God, 1917)2. But Philippians 2:8 distills Christ’s character into two words: humble obedience. Jesus, though He was God, chose to allow His Father to lead every thought, word, and deed.

We have the same mandate. As we yield in submission to God’s Spirit in us, our characters reflect more and more of Jesus. We will desire and be empowered to obey God’s directions. His character, His fragrance, will cling to us and penetrate the senses of everyone we meet.

In Ephesians chapter five, Paul provides some practical ways the Spirit, in cooperation with our submitted will, helps us exude Christ’s fragrance. Our speech, Paul says, must transform from foolish and coarse talk to thankfulness (5:4). He also explains that we must reject greed, which leads to the worship of false gods (5:5). In this chapter, you can read many other examples of fragrance-producing attitudes and actions that are pleasing to God.

I don’t know how many sequins were sewn onto my daughter’s glittering blouse. Though it’s hard to imagine, the sequins will eventually run out as she continues to shed them.

Fortunately, we need never conserve the fragrance of Christ. His supply is limitless, so we can liberally soak ourselves in it every day. When we do, His cloud of sweet perfume will rise pleasing to God and life-changing to people.

Holy Spirit Outpouring

 

 

Maria Stockman – Digital Copywriter, cbn.com

Have you ever been so drunk you couldn’t get up and walk? I have! I am a bit embarrassed to share but it may help someone.

So, a dear friend and I had driven to N.C. for a special church service. We were hungry for the Lord. We went expecting to receive from the Lord, and we did. The presence of the Lord was in that place. During worship, I forgot all about my friend and realized I could no longer stand. I was weeping and got all snotty-nosed. Strangely, I was also laughing because the joy of the Lord was flowing all through me. My friend was trying to protect me from getting trampled upon as people were headed to and from the altar and dancing around, but I was oblivious to any danger. It was Jesus and me. I remember hearing the preacher did some sort of altar call and I decided I wanted that too. The only problem was that I couldn’t get up off that floor. So, I tried crawling, a sight for sore eyes indeed! That night was so good! And that, my friends, is what drunkenness looks like!

The Bible shares the account of a whole house full of believers who see and feel the power of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2. How I would have loved to be in that upper room! Acts 2:2-4 says,

“And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance” (ESV).

This encounter both “amazed and perplexed” the crowds gathered in Jerusalem (verse 12). Some ridiculed them as being “filled with new wine” (verse 13). Peter stood up and let people know the truth about what had taken place. Acts 2:15 says,

“For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.”

Oh, that the power of God would alight upon us like this today!

Peter and the other disciples, empowered to witness, left the confines of that upper room, and spoke with great boldness “the mighty works of God” (verse 11). Peter began quoting a familiar passage to them from the prophet Joel. That prophetic Word came to pass in their midst as God remembered His people.

Empowered to Witness

 

Tori Troncone – Email Analyst, CBN.com

Recently, I was asked to give a presentation on behalf of my local pregnancy resource center to a company looking to partner with nonprofit organizations in my community. I prepped for weeks. I made a slide show filled with statistics, facts, graphics, and great pictures. I was confident that they couldn’t say no to the pitch I had planned!

But when it was time to present, my slide show wouldn’t work. It was all I had prepared; I didn’t have notes; there was no backup plan. So it was just me and that blank screen.

Yikes! Isn’t that everyone’s greatest fear when it comes to public speaking? Even with all the preparation in the world, something can go wrong. We’re afraid of saying the wrong thing, of sounding silly, or that somehow, we’ll be left without the tools we need.

I sometimes experience these same fears when it comes to talking about Jesus. I know Jesus commissioned me to be a witness for Himself, but what if I say the wrong thing or don’t make a good enough pitch? I want to tell others the Good News, but what if I mess it up?

Thankfully, because we serve a good God, He has not given us this commission without the key to fulfilling it! We don’t have to rely on our ability when bearing witness. We don’t have to depend on a slide show presentation or any other earthly thing.

Before His Ascension, Jesus said,

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NLT).

In addition to the command to be His witnesses, Christ promised that He will never leave us standing unprepared or empty-handed when sharing our testimonies. He made similar promises in John 14:16-17 and Luke 24:49. Jesus promised us something infinitely more reliable than a slide show presentation; He promised us the power of the Holy Spirit!

Paul knew this truth and expressed it in 1 Corinthians 2:4,

“My message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Christ has already equipped us to be His witnesses by the power of the Holy Spirit. We don’t need a fancy presentation or a long speech full of big words. The power of our testimony is not dependent on us but our never-failing God!

May these promises encourage and empower us to be witnesses to a world that is in desperate need of the hope of Jesus Christ. We can depend on the power of the Holy Spirit as promised to us in the Word of the Lord!

What He’s Done for Me

 

 

Maria Stockman – Digital Copywriter, cbn.com

There are times in my life when I pause and try to think back on what Jesus has done for me. It’s easy to go directly to the cross and thank God for making a way for me to be in a relationship with Him through the sacrifice of Jesus. I am so thankful for this truth, but oftentimes when I’m reflecting on what Jesus has done for me, I’m usually trying to think of the more seemingly minor everyday things that I quickly forget about and never stop to give Him thanks!

After Jesus rises from the dead, He appears to the disciples three times. In John chapter 21, we see Jesus meeting the disciples as they are fishing. He directs them where to cast their nets and then brings them back to shore for a meal.

John 21:25 is the last verse of the book of John, and it has always been one of my favorites. It says,

Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.

If we tried to write down everything that Jesus has done, “the whole world could not contain the books.” How crazy is that! Now think of the things he’s done in your life.

I’m sitting in my house enjoying a warm breeze wafting through the open windows while drinking tea and eating a little snack. In these moments, I try to remember that God provides all things for me; a safe place to live, air to breathe, nourishing foods to enjoy and fuel my body, and the list goes on and on!

Today, I encourage you to take some time to thank God for the beautiful pieces of life that He gives.

Your Life: The Sign the World Is Looking For

 

Rich Miller – Manager, CBN Prayer Center Digital Interactions, cbn.com

I wasn’t necessarily doing anything ‘spiritual,’ per se. I was waiting for my clothes to finish at the laundromat and reading a book about Christ-centered families for one of my university classes. I definitely was not sitting there praying and asking the Lord to open the door to witness. Instead, my face was buried in the book so that I could catch up on our required homework.

Then, a gentleman approached me and tried to strike up a conversation. While outwardly polite, I was a little annoyed and did not want to be distracted. Yet I also knew from experience that Jesus usually sets up scenarios like this. So, after a few minutes of trying to do both, I surrendered to the divine appointment and set down the book.

At some point during the conversation, I mentioned the Lord, and that is when he dropped a bomb. It turns out that he was a former pastor who had gotten hurt in ministry and not only left the church but walked away from God. The Lord had been dealing with his heart to come back to Him.

I was floored by this divine appointment God had set up; we had similar stories growing up and had even dealt with similar health challenges. He later told me that as soon as he saw me, he knew that he was supposed to approach me and that God would speak to him through me. A couple of hours into the conversation, I asked him if he wanted to return to the Lord. He ended up rededicating his life to Jesus that night. In that encounter, the Lord had me there to be a sign for him.

This brief encounter reminds me of how John the disciple concluded his gospel:

So then, many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that by believing you may have life in His name (John 20:30-31 NASB).

How about you? Whether you are new to life with Jesus or have walked with Him for years, the Lord wants to use you as a sign to point others to Him. He wants to use your story to draw those who have experienced similar life circumstances to Himself. The prophet Isaiah said,

“Behold, I and the children whom the LORD has given me are for signs and wonders in Israel from the LORD of armies, who dwells on Mount Zion” (Isaiah 8:18).

Our Father designs encounters for others to believe in Him and invites you to be a part of this journey. We must be sensitive to the doors He opens. It will often not be part of the schedule we have planned. Yet, most of us came to the Lord because of others who were willing to be inconvenienced for Him and to be a sign to help us believe.