Time Well Spent

The council members were astonished as they witnessed the bold courage of Peter and John, especially when they discovered that they were just ordinary men who had never had religious training. Then they began to understand the effect Jesus had on them simply by spending time with him.  Acts 4:13 TPT

The influence Jesus had on people was well documented, yet he used no manipulation, intimidation or fear to control people. He just spoke the truth in love and then allowed them to make their own decision. If they received what He was saying, He simply asked them to follow Him. As they did, they found their lives were being changed in every way.

Many today think that Jesus only had that effect on people because He was physically with them. But through the power of His Holy Spirit that dwells inside of every Believer He continues to work today. The difference is that because we can’t see Him, we often forget we can still spend time in His presence and when we do the results are the same. Everyone has their own way of spending time with Him. Some set a special time aside every day at a special place and converse with Him. Others spend time praying in different ways.  Some spend time on their knees, others taking walks and talking outloud to Him, still others have a continuous conversation with Him all day long. But all of them spend time in His Word that shows us how He lived.

In these days when having courage and an inner strength is needed, spending time in His presence is the only way we can overcome and live the abundant life that He died to give us. The ways to be a disciple of Jesus hasn’t changed, it still only comes by spending time with Him and in His Word to become more like Him. As we do, we will also influence others to follow Him.