The Book of Acts: Turn Your World Upside DownSample

Today’s Devotional:

Not long ago, I was walking in the downtown area of a city and came upon a group of people dressed in the same color and incredibly exuberant. Some even had their faces painted. It did not take long for me to determine that they had just left an arena up the street where their favorite basketball team had won. You see, it was apparent where they had been and who they were passionate about. It was as if they were walking the streets, still carrying the atmosphere of the place they had just left. Have you ever encountered something like this? Or have you ever been that person?

In the Book of Acts, we see something similar occur, except it wasn’t people marked by love for a sports team, but rather marked by the person of Jesus. Peter and John were on their way to the temple to worship when they came across a beggar who was crippled. Instead of walking past him, Peter told him to get up and walk in the name of Jesus, and he was instantly healed! People nearby were in awe, and the atmosphere shifted. Peter and John then began to preach the name of Jesus, the gospel message, to anyone who could hear. The religious rulers of the day did not like this and ended up seizing Peter and John and throwing them in prison for the night. The next day they were questioned, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” (Acts 4:7) Peter responded, empowered by the Holy Spirit, “It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but who God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed” (Acts 4:10-11).

How did the leaders respond to his answer? “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). What was different about them? They exhibited Christ’s likeness and the Holy Spirit. They were marked by the presence of Jesus.

Those who spend time with Jesus and have a true, personal, and intimate relationship with Him are marked by His presence. Through the Holy Spirit, we are filled with His presence and given the same power that raised Jesus from the grave to live and dwell in us. God gave us His son, His Spirit, and Spiritual gifts so that we may be walking expressions of Him here on earth. May it be said about us as Christ followers that above others, knowing the sports team we cheer for, what band we are passionate about, or the places we love to go—that we are known to be marked by the presence of Jesus.

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Today’s devotional was written by Pastor Kate Czechowicz.

Questions to Consider:

• Have you ever thought about what people know you by and why?
• Where are the places and spaces where you can spend more time with Jesus in your daily life so that you, like Peter and John, will be known for being marked by the presence of Jesus?

Prayer:

Lord, today I ask for more of your Spirit, more of your presence. I desire to be empowered and emboldened by your Spirit to carry your presence to those around me so they can find and experience you. Amen.