Monday, December 25, 2023 4:17:10 AM
Carrying the Presence of Christ
~ As you practice sensitivity, God will be faithful to show up and move in amazing ways. May this Christmas season be blessed beyond measure as you seek to show the world His love.
We have the privilege as Jesus’ disciples of carrying his presence with us into the world. God in his love has chosen to use us as agents of awakening. He’s commissioned us to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…” (Matthew 28:19). And in 1 John 4:15-17 we gain an insight into the way in which God would have us make disciples:
“All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love. God is love, and all who live in love, live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So, we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face Him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.”
“As He is, so also are we in this world.”
What a powerful statement! God’s plan for the world is to form and fashion us into those who reflect His goodness to others. The hope of the world rests in Jesus’ mercy and grace as proclaimed through our lives. And the only way in which we carry Jesus with us into the world is by abiding in God and allowing Him to abide in us.
Do you know that you can abide in God? And not just in spending time alone with him! 1 John 4 teaches us that when we abide in love, when we love others, we are abiding in him. You see, abiding in God requires us to be where he is. It requires us to yield to his leadership and heart that we might join Him throughout our day where He is already at work. Sometimes abiding requires time spent in solitude, the Word, and worship. Other times abiding requires action.
• Where is God at work in your midst today?
• Who is He pursuing and how can you join Him?
• Who is He drawing to Himself and how can you help Him?
If you want to be with God today, join Him in seeing His kingdom of love advance. If you want to abide in the presence of Jesus, decide to live like Him, empowered by His Spirit. God in His power and grace has created you for a specific purpose to reveal a specific aspect of His heart to the world. Simply choose to let Him in to all you are and do today that your day might be filled with His life-giving presence. Choose to carry His wisdom, love, and grace into relationship with others that in your communication, emotions, and actions you would proclaim His character.
Take time today to find rest and purpose in the presence of Christ.
In 1 John 2:6 John writes, “Whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.”
• What good are words or desires if we don’t put action to them?
• What does all our talk mean if we never do something about it?
The kingdom of God is one that doesn’t separate faith and works. James writes, “Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18). Choose today to put action to what’s in your heart. Don’t hold back your love for others. Don’t refrain from encouraging and loving other people, even if it’s abnormal behavior for you. Step into situations and bring the presence and will of Christ.
May your day be marked by the powerful anointing of the Holy Spirit to love others as Jesus did.
_________________
~ excerpt from an article by: First 15
https://www.first15.org/devotionals/carrying-the-presence-of-christ-2023/
•
~ As you practice sensitivity, God will be faithful to show up and move in amazing ways. May this Christmas season be blessed beyond measure as you seek to show the world His love.
We have the privilege as Jesus’ disciples of carrying his presence with us into the world. God in his love has chosen to use us as agents of awakening. He’s commissioned us to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…” (Matthew 28:19). And in 1 John 4:15-17 we gain an insight into the way in which God would have us make disciples:
“All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love. God is love, and all who live in love, live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So, we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face Him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.”
“As He is, so also are we in this world.”
What a powerful statement! God’s plan for the world is to form and fashion us into those who reflect His goodness to others. The hope of the world rests in Jesus’ mercy and grace as proclaimed through our lives. And the only way in which we carry Jesus with us into the world is by abiding in God and allowing Him to abide in us.
Do you know that you can abide in God? And not just in spending time alone with him! 1 John 4 teaches us that when we abide in love, when we love others, we are abiding in him. You see, abiding in God requires us to be where he is. It requires us to yield to his leadership and heart that we might join Him throughout our day where He is already at work. Sometimes abiding requires time spent in solitude, the Word, and worship. Other times abiding requires action.
• Where is God at work in your midst today?
• Who is He pursuing and how can you join Him?
• Who is He drawing to Himself and how can you help Him?
If you want to be with God today, join Him in seeing His kingdom of love advance. If you want to abide in the presence of Jesus, decide to live like Him, empowered by His Spirit. God in His power and grace has created you for a specific purpose to reveal a specific aspect of His heart to the world. Simply choose to let Him in to all you are and do today that your day might be filled with His life-giving presence. Choose to carry His wisdom, love, and grace into relationship with others that in your communication, emotions, and actions you would proclaim His character.
Take time today to find rest and purpose in the presence of Christ.
In 1 John 2:6 John writes, “Whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.”
• What good are words or desires if we don’t put action to them?
• What does all our talk mean if we never do something about it?
The kingdom of God is one that doesn’t separate faith and works. James writes, “Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18). Choose today to put action to what’s in your heart. Don’t hold back your love for others. Don’t refrain from encouraging and loving other people, even if it’s abnormal behavior for you. Step into situations and bring the presence and will of Christ.
May your day be marked by the powerful anointing of the Holy Spirit to love others as Jesus did.
_________________
~ excerpt from an article by: First 15
https://www.first15.org/devotionals/carrying-the-presence-of-christ-2023/
•
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