They had been with Jesus
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13
This is an encouraging passage, especially if you haven’t had the privilege of a college education in this life. Maybe you have felt unqualified in the past to do God’s work because of a lack of training or credentials. If you have ever felt that way, I have good news for you. According to today’s scripture, the people that were listening to Peter and John could tell that they had been with Jesus. Even though it was clear that they were not the smartest and most qualified people to teach. The leaders could see something was different about them because of their boldness and their confidence to not only speak, but also to operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The reason I find this passage particularly inspiring is because I have had no formal training beyond high school except for some classes that were required for various jobs that I have held in the past. What I am talking about is having a degree in bible school or missions. Mostly, the reason that I write, and lead groups is because I spend time with Jesus. In His presence is where I learn and gain revelation and it is where I love to be every time I have the opportunity to be there. I am hopeful that those around me will at some point realize that I have been with Him. Sometimes I do feel like I am unqualified for all that I have been called to, but I keep my focus on Him and the assignments He puts in front of me each day.
What about you? Have you had some formal training in the ministry of reaching people for the kingdom of heaven? If not, don’t feel like you have nothing to offer the world around you. Spend some time hanging out with the Word of God, Jesus, and let His influence rub off on you. You don’t have to be a scholar and know the answer to every hard question, all you need to do is spend time with Him each day and fill up your heart with His goodness and love. Then when people get around you, they will take note and realize that you have been with Him even if you don’t have the degree that people think you need.
Today I want to encourage you to start making spending time with the Word a priority in your day. Press into knowing and loving Him more and let His goodness and grace fill up your heart and life. Then be bold to share that love with others. The world is full of hurting people with no hope. Be the hope in the message that God has a way to all those He would bring into your life and it will be no time at all before others will realize that you have been with Him.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 4:13-22
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”
18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done.
22 For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.
The Daily Dose 